Overview
HAVA Section 251 Requirements Payments are formula grants authorized under Title II Section 251 of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Section 251 funding supports states efforts to comply with the requirements of HAVA Title III and carry out activities that improve the administration of federal elections.
Eligibility
Section 251 Requirements Payments are available to states and U.S. territories as defined by HAVA.
Award Information
Details on Section 251 funds awarded to states, including expenditure and program data, are accessible on the 251 Program Status page. Individual state reports for open Section 251 grants can be found on the 251 State Reports page.
Application Instructions
(Last Appropriated in 2011)
EAC has streamlined the process for requesting and receiving requirements payments. We are asking states to submit the signed certification and assurances forms at the time the certification letter requesting funds is submitted. This will allow us to expedite the award process.
EAC has provided the following resources to help officials obtain requirements payments, including 2011 funds and remaining 2008, 2009 and 2010 funds
- Memo to chief election officials for 2011 funds (Jan 13, 2012)
- Requesting 2011 Requirements Payments (PowerPoint or PDF)
- 2011 Disbursements
HAVA Title III Certification
Learn how a state may use requirements payments to carry out activities to improve the administration of elections for federal office outside of the activities listed under Title III of HAVA. Find out which states have certified that they comply with HAVA Title III requirements and which states may expend up to the minimum payment amount to improve administration of federal elections before complying with Title III.
HAVA Title III and Minimum Payment Amount Certifications
State Plans
To be eligible for Section 251 funding, states must submit a plan describing how grant funds will be used to meet Title III requirements, including distribution of funding to local jurisdictions, provisions for voter education and poll worker training, plans for adopting voting system guidelines and processes, establishment and management of the state HAVA fund, maintenance of effort plans, HAVA performance measures and goals, and state-based administrative complaint procedures.
Guidance on Material Change to State Plans
State Plans are published in the Federal Register pursuant to HAVA 255(b).
Training and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Progress and Financial Reporting Requirements
Publication of State Plans Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA)
*The original state plans for all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories were published in the Federal Register on February 24, 2004: Publication of State Plans Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act.