The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) anticipates the availability of $1 million dollars in discretionary grant funding, enacted in the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, to support the Help America Vote College Program (HAVCP) authorized in the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
The HAVCP grant competition includes funding for two separate grant programs: The HAVCP Poll Worker grant and the HAVCP Service Day Mini-Grant. Both programs are anticipated to open for application in early November 2023. The Notice of Funding Opportunity will be posted at Grants.gov as well as on the EAC website. Applicants can apply for either the 2-year Poll Worker Grant Program OR the 1-year Service Day Mini-Grant Program. Applicants requesting only Poll Worker project activities or Poll Worker and Service Day project activities should apply to this Poll Worker Grant Program funding opportunity. Applicants requesting only Service Day activities should not apply to this Poll Worker Grant Program funding opportunity. Rather, applicants only interested in conducting Service Day project activities should apply to the separate Service Day Mini-Grant Program. Draft application resources and collection instruments will be posted below for public review.
Help America Vote College Poll-Worker Program
The Help America Vote College Poll Worker Program was established in 2004, and through fiscal year 2009, distributed over $2.3 million to colleges and non-profits to recruit, train and support students serving as poll workers on Election Day.
The purpose of this grant program is to:
1. Encourage students enrolled at institutions of higher education (including community colleges) to assist State and local governments in the administration of elections by serving as nonpartisan poll workers or assistants;
2. Encourage college students to become cognizant of the elections process and civic education, and to assist in the administration of elections in their community; and
3. Encourage state and local governments to use the services of the students participating in the program.
College Student means any individual enrolled either on a part-time or full-time basis in any undergraduate, graduate, or professional college accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in the United States.
Funding Instrument: Discretionary
Award Minimum: $45,000
Award Maximum: $100,000
Grant Period: 2 Years
Anticipated Funding Available: $850,000
Help America Vote Service Day Mini-Grant Program
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) announces the availability 5-15 Help America Vote College Program Service Day Mini-Grants to help elevate civic participation on college campuses and inspire college students to volunteer their time and talents to help others participate in the democratic process as poll workers. The Service Day Mini-Grant Program will allow grantees to support poll worker recruitment efforts through activities related to National Poll Worker Recruitment Day and Help America Vote Day only.
National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, August 1, 2024, is a national awareness day established by the EAC to encourage people to help America vote by serving as poll workers. By encouraging more people to become poll workers in their communities, National Poll Worker Recruitment Day aims to address the critical shortage of poll workers, strengthen our democracy, inspire greater civic engagement and volunteerism, and help ensure free and fair elections.
Help America Vote Day, January 30, 2024, a second day of action created by the EAC aims to address the nationwide shortage of poll workers. Poll workers are critical to the success of an election and provide a positive voting experience by ensuring voters receive the assistance they need at the polls. National Poll Worker Recruitment Day and Help America Vote Day can be used to kick off recruitment efforts or supplement ongoing recruiting for poll workers in their community. Applicants of the Poll Worker program may include all service day activities in their grant application and budget.
Funding Instrument: Discretionary Mini-Grant
Award Minimum: $3,000
Award Maximum: $10,000
Grant Period:12 Months
Anticipated Funding Available: $50,000-$150,000