Original Students Voicing Opinions in Today’s Elections (VOTE) Act

The Original Students Voicing Opinions in Today’s Elections (VOTE) Act proposes the creation of a federal pilot program designed to increase voter awareness among young citizens. If enacted, the bill would authorize the Election Assistance Commission to distribute funds to local educational agencies during the 2025 fiscal year. These funds would be used to develop and implement initiatives that provide 12th-grade students with the information necessary to register to vote.

Under this proposal, local school districts would be required to collaborate with state and local election officials to ensure the registration information is accurate and follows regional requirements. The goal of the legislation is to integrate civic participation into the high school experience by reaching students just as they reach the legal voting age. Because this is a pilot program, its initial impact would be limited to the specific school districts that receive the temporary federal funding.