S2588-119

What This Bill Does

The Sustaining Our Democracy Act establishes a federal program to provide sustained funding for election administration across all U.S. states and territories. It creates a new independent Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation and a $25 billion trust fund (over 10 years) to help states modernize voting systems, train election workers, and expand voter access.

Who Benefits and How

State and local election administrators receive the largest direct benefit through guaranteed annual funding allocations distributed by Congressional district. The funding supports upgrading voting equipment, securing election infrastructure, training poll workers, and expanding early voting and mail-in ballot options.

Underserved communities, voters with disabilities, and racial/language minority groups benefit from provisions requiring states to address geographic and racial disparities in voting access. Native American voters on tribal lands are specifically included.

Election workers benefit from dedicated funding for recruitment, training, retention, and protection from threats they face while performing their duties.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Federal taxpayers bear the cost of the $2.5 billion annual appropriation for fiscal years 2026-2035 (a total of $25 billion).

State governments face new administrative requirements, including developing detailed state plans, establishing dedicated trust funds, filing annual reports, and creating complaint procedures. States that fail to submit plans lose direct control, with funds going to local jurisdictions instead.

States are prohibited from using these funds for certain activities, including voter intimidation, removing election officials without cause, restricting food/water distribution at polling places, purchasing voting machines without paper ballot verification, and conducting audits that fail to meet federal standards.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Democracy Advancement and Innovation Program with $2.5 billion appropriated annually for fiscal years 2026-2035
• Establishes a new independent Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation headed by a Director appointed by the President for 6-year terms
• Allocates funding to states based on number of Congressional districts, with funds flowing through the Election Assistance Commission
• Requires states to submit detailed plans addressing election administration, poll worker training/protection, and voting access for underserved populations
• Prohibits using funds for voter suppression activities, defending voter suppression lawsuits, unreliable voter roll purges, or purchasing voting machines that lack paper ballot verification
• Establishes complaint procedures and enforcement mechanisms, including Attorney General authority to bring civil actions against non-compliant states