Ranking Member Morelle Introduces the Support Our Election Workers Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle (D-NY) introduced the Support Our Elections Workers Act which amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 by establishing a grant program to increase payments to election workers:
 
“As Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration I am pleased to introduce legislation that will bolster our federal elections, the bedrock of American democracy. 

“In recent years, lies about the presidential election fueled armed protests and endangered election workers. In 2020 in Arizona, for example, the count of legal ballots was disturbed by agitators who were driven by disinformation. Over the last year we have heard from witnesses about the disruption of tabulation of absentee ballots and the urgent need for constant security for election administrators during the ballot counting process.

“America’s elections are fair and secure; of this there is no doubt. We must protect and support the election workers because without them our democracy crumbles. I will continue to work to ensure every voter can make their voice heard, and support those who enable us to exercise our right to vote.”

The Support Our Election Workers Act establishes a program to make grants to states to provide increased pay for election workers by amending the Help American Vote Act of 2002. This legislation directs the Election Assistance Commission to make payments to eligible states to provide increased pay for election workers, including individuals serving as election officials or poll workers on a temporary or unpaid basis. 

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