Legis Daily

Sustaining Our Democracy Act

USA119th CongressS-2588| Senate 
| Updated: 7/31/2025
Alex Padilla

Alex Padilla

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (15)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Andy Kim (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Rules and Administration Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Sustaining Our Democracy Act" establishes a comprehensive Democracy Advancement and Innovation Program to provide federal financial assistance to states for enhancing the integrity and accessibility of federal elections. This program aims to support a range of activities designed to strengthen democratic processes across the nation, with funding allocated to states based on their number of Congressional districts. Key activities eligible for funding include promoting innovation to improve election administration efficiency and security, such as upgrading voting equipment, securing voting locations, expanding early and mail voting, and enhancing cybersecurity. The program also supports efforts to recruit, train, and retain nonpartisan election officials and poll workers, while also protecting them from threats. Furthermore, it seeks to increase access to voting for underserved communities, individuals with disabilities, racial and language minority groups, and voters residing in Indian lands. To receive funds, states must submit a detailed plan to the newly established Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation , outlining their proposed activities, resource distribution (addressing geographic and racial disparities), and fund allocation. The Director of this Office, in consultation with the Election Assistance Commission, must approve these plans. States can retain and reserve allocations for future use, and if a state fails to submit a plan, funds may be allocated directly to its political subdivisions. The bill explicitly prohibits the use of funds for activities that diminish voter participation, intimidate voters or election workers, restrict food/drink distribution at polls, or remove election administrators without cause. It also forbids using funds to defend against voter-suppression lawsuits, investigate voter fraud based on mere suspicion, or conduct audits that fail to meet best practices. States are required to establish administrative complaint procedures for alleged violations, with a review process involving the Director and potential judicial oversight. An independent Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation is created, headed by a Senate-confirmed Director, to administer the program and oversee the dedicated State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust Fund . This Trust Fund is appropriated $2.5 billion annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2035, serving as the sole source of funding for the program and the Office's operations. The Office is also authorized to accept gifts and bequests for deposit into the Trust Fund.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4239
Sustaining Our Democracy Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-630
Sustaining Our Democracy Act
Jul 31, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 31, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Aug 5, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4910
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4239
    Sustaining Our Democracy Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-630
    Sustaining Our Democracy Act


  • July 31, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 31, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


  • August 5, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4910
    Introduced in House

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4910: Sustaining Our Democracy Act

Sustaining Our Democracy Act

USA119th CongressS-2588| Senate 
| Updated: 7/31/2025
The "Sustaining Our Democracy Act" establishes a comprehensive Democracy Advancement and Innovation Program to provide federal financial assistance to states for enhancing the integrity and accessibility of federal elections. This program aims to support a range of activities designed to strengthen democratic processes across the nation, with funding allocated to states based on their number of Congressional districts. Key activities eligible for funding include promoting innovation to improve election administration efficiency and security, such as upgrading voting equipment, securing voting locations, expanding early and mail voting, and enhancing cybersecurity. The program also supports efforts to recruit, train, and retain nonpartisan election officials and poll workers, while also protecting them from threats. Furthermore, it seeks to increase access to voting for underserved communities, individuals with disabilities, racial and language minority groups, and voters residing in Indian lands. To receive funds, states must submit a detailed plan to the newly established Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation , outlining their proposed activities, resource distribution (addressing geographic and racial disparities), and fund allocation. The Director of this Office, in consultation with the Election Assistance Commission, must approve these plans. States can retain and reserve allocations for future use, and if a state fails to submit a plan, funds may be allocated directly to its political subdivisions. The bill explicitly prohibits the use of funds for activities that diminish voter participation, intimidate voters or election workers, restrict food/drink distribution at polls, or remove election administrators without cause. It also forbids using funds to defend against voter-suppression lawsuits, investigate voter fraud based on mere suspicion, or conduct audits that fail to meet best practices. States are required to establish administrative complaint procedures for alleged violations, with a review process involving the Director and potential judicial oversight. An independent Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation is created, headed by a Senate-confirmed Director, to administer the program and oversee the dedicated State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust Fund . This Trust Fund is appropriated $2.5 billion annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2035, serving as the sole source of funding for the program and the Office's operations. The Office is also authorized to accept gifts and bequests for deposit into the Trust Fund.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4239
Sustaining Our Democracy Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-630
Sustaining Our Democracy Act
Jul 31, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 31, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Aug 5, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4910
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4239
    Sustaining Our Democracy Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-630
    Sustaining Our Democracy Act


  • July 31, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 31, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


  • August 5, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4910
    Introduced in House
Alex Padilla

Alex Padilla

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (15)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Andy Kim (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Rules and Administration Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4910: Sustaining Our Democracy Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted