Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
The bill amends the Help America Vote Act to bar the provision of federal funds for administering elections in any State that does not have a law allowing units of local government to hold local-office elections in odd-numbered years. It includes findings that odd-year local elections increase focus on local issues, and the funding prohibition would take effect in fiscal year 2027.
Liberals stress voter-access and funding harm; conservatives stress local control benefits.
Substantive but narrow change could attract support and opposition; funding condition on elections increases controversy among members.
The bill amends the Help America Vote Act to bar the provision of federal funds for administering elections in any State that does not have a law allowing units of local government to hold local-office elections in odd-numbered years.
It includes findings that odd-year local elections increase focus on local issues, and the funding prohibition would take effect in fiscal year 2027.
The prohibition applies to federal funds under HAVA or any other Act for administering Federal, State, or local elections in noncompliant States.
Clear, narrow policy aim but touches a highly contentious subject and conditions federal funds without compromise features, making enactment uncertain.
How solid the drafting looks.
Liberals stress voter-access and funding harm; conservatives stress local control benefits.
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Liberals stress voter-access and funding harm; conservatives stress local control benefits.
Likely skeptical or opposed.
While valuing local attention, this persona will prioritize voting access and fear conditional federal funding will reduce election resources and turnout.
They will see risks to equitable administration, especially in lower-income or rural areas that rely on federal grants.
Mixed view: sees merit in protecting local-focus elections but worries about punitive funding conditions.
Prefers pragmatic fixes that avoid disrupting election administration and legal fights.
Would seek clearer definitions, transition time, or incentive-based approaches.
Generally favorable.
Emphasizes local autonomy and reducing nationalization of local elections.
Views federal conditionality as leverage to preserve odd-year local races and strengthen community-focused representation, though some worry about federal overreach via funding conditions.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Clear, narrow policy aim but touches a highly contentious subject and conditions federal funds without compromise features, making enactment uncertain.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Liberals stress voter-access and funding harm; conservatives stress local control benefits.
Clear, narrow policy aim but touches a highly contentious subject and conditions federal funds without compromise features, making enactmen…
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