HR 2807 — Help Students Vote Act

Summary

Help Students Vote Act This bill addresses voter registration of students who attend institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs. Specifically, this bill (1) requires IHEs to make a good faith effort to distribute voter registration forms to each of their students at least twice a year, (2) authorizes grants to IHEs that greatly exceed the requirements governing the distribution of voter registration forms, and (3) allows civil actions against IHEs that violate the requirements.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html May 16, 2019

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill requires higher education institutions to distribute voter registration forms to enrolled students and establishes compliance measures and enforcement provisions.

• 20 U.S.C. 1094

  (23)(A) The institution will make a good faith effort to distribute voter registration forms to each student, and to make such forms widely available to students at the institution. In this paragraph, the term `student` means an individual who is enrolled at the institution as an undergraduate or graduate student on a full-time or part-time basis, including an individual who is solely enrolled in an online course.

  New requirement for institutions to distribute voter registration forms to students.

• 20 U.S.C. 1094

  (B) The institution shall be considered in compliance with the good faith requirements of subparagraph (A) if, with respect to each student enrolled and physically in attendance at the institution, the institution-- (i) (I)(aa) distributes voter registration forms not less than twice in a calendar year, and distributes such voter registration forms not less than 30 days in advance of the deadline for registering to vote within the State for the next scheduled Federal or State primary election and not less than 30 days in advance of the deadline for registering to vote within the State for the next scheduled Federal or State general election.

  Establishes specific compliance criteria for distributing voter registration forms to students.

• 20 U.S.C. 1094

  (C) The institution may also include voter registration forms within materials or information distributed to newly enrolled, or returning, students at the beginning of a term, consistent with the requirements of subparagraph (B).

  Allows institutions to include voter registration forms with other student materials.

• 20 U.S.C. 1094

  (B)(ii) if, with respect to each student enrolled exclusively in distance education or correspondence programs and who is not physically in attendance at the institution, the institution-- (I) transmits a message of referral to a centralized voter registration website or platform that provides applicable voter registration forms and information to potential voters in all States, provided that such platform is hosted by a government affiliated website.

  Sets requirements for institutions to assist distance education students with voter registration.

• 20 U.S.C. 1094

  (C)(i) ensures that an appropriate staff person or office has been designated as a `Campus Vote Coordinator` to ensure compliance in accordance with this clause at the institution and who shall-- (aa) be publicly designated as the `Campus Vote Coordinator`, along with the Coordinator's contact information, on the institution's website.

  Requires institutions to appoint a Campus Vote Coordinator to oversee voter registration compliance.

• 20 U.S.C. 1094

  (a)(24) The Secretary of Education shall award grants to institutions of higher education that greatly exceed the minimum requirements under section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

  Introduces grant provisions for institutions that exceed voter registration compliance.

• 20 U.S.C. 1094

  (6) Corrective Action.--(1) In general.--The Secretary of Education shall submit a written warning to an institution of higher education that violates a requirement of section 487(a)(23).

  Establishes a process for corrective action in case of non-compliance.

• 20 U.S.C. 1094

  (2) Civil Actions.--A State law enforcement officer or chief elections official of a State may commence a civil action in accordance with subsection (a) in the appropriate district court of the United States against the institution that engages in a pattern or practice of violating section 487(a)(23).

  Empowers law enforcement to take civil action against non-compliant institutions.

• 20 U.S.C. 1094

  (3) Private Right of Action.--Any person or group aggrieved by a violation of section 487(a)(23) may commence a civil action.

  Allows individuals to sue institutions for violations of voter registration requirements.

Action History

1. May 16, 2019

   Introduced in House

2. May 16, 2019

   Introduced in House

3. May 16, 2019

   Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Sponsors

• Eric Swalwell · Cosponsor
• Mark Pocan · Cosponsor
• Peter Welch · Cosponsor
• Gwen Moore · Cosponsor
• Anna G. Eshoo · Cosponsor
• Katie Porter · Cosponsor
• Raja Krishnamoorthi · Primary

Subjects