,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #babd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #ah1 #bjbe,ms4 ,klobuchar 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,durbin1 ,mr4 ,padilla1 ,mrs4 ,shaheen1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,mr4 ,hickenlooper1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,mr4 ,reed1 ,mr4 ,schatz1 ,mr4 ,welch1 ,ms4 ,cortez ,masto1 ,mr4 ,schiff1 ,mr4 ,markey1 ,mr4 ,peters1 ,mr4 ,sanders1 and ,mr4 ,warner7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration ,a ,,bill ,to provide enhanced protections for election workers4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,election ,worker ,protection ,act of #bjbe4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,election worker ,the term election worker means an individual who is an election official1 poll worker1 or an election volunteer in connection with the administration of an election for a ,federal office4 7#b7 ,personally identifiable information ,the term personally identifiable information has the meaning given the term restricted personal information in section #aai of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code4 #c4 ,grants to ,states for election worker recruitment1 training1 and safety 7a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,d of title ,,ii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajja et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #g ,election worker recruitment1 training1 and safety #big4 ,grants to ,states for poll worker and election volunteer recruitment and training 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,election ,worker ,protection ,act of #bjbe1 the ,commission shall1 subject to the availability of appropriations provided to carry out this section1 make a grant to each eligible ,state for recruiting and training individuals to serve as poll workers and election volunteers on dates of elections for public office4 7b7 ,use of ,commission materials and training program development 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out activities using funds under a grant provided under this section1 the recipient of the grant shall-- 7,a7 use the materials prepared by the ,commission on successful practices for poll worker and election volunteer recruiting1 training1 and retention as an interactive training tool2 and 7,b7 develop training programs with the participation and input of experts in adult learning4 7#b7 ,access and cultural considerations ,the ,commission shall ensure that the materials described in paragraph 7#a77;,a7 provide training in methods that will enable poll workers and election volunteers to provide access and delivery of services that meet the unique needs of each voter in a culturally competent manner with respect to each voter who uses the services1 including voters who have limited ,english proficiency1 are of diverse cultural or ethnic backgrounds1 or have disabilities1 regardless of gender1 sexual orientation1 or gender identity4 7c7 ,requirements for eligibility 7#a7 ,application ,each ,state that desires to receive a payment under this section shall submit an application for the payment to the ,commission at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,commission may reasonably require4 7#b7 ,contents of application ,each application submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought2 7,b7 provide assurances that-- 7i7 the funds provided under this section will be used to supplement and not supplant other funds used to carry out the activities2 7ii7 the ,state will furnish the ,commission with information about individuals who served as poll workers and election volunteers after recruitment and training with the funds provided under this section2 and 7iii7 the ,state will dedicate poll worker and election volunteer recruitment efforts with respect to-- 7,i7 youth and minors1 including by recruiting at institutions of higher education and secondary education2 and 7,,ii7 diversity1 including with respect to race1 ethnicity1 and disability2 and 7,c7 provide such additional information and certifications as the ,commission determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section4 7d7 ,amount of grant 7#a7 ,in general ,the amount of a grant made to a ,state under this section shall be equal to the product of-- 7,a7 the aggregate amount made available for grants to ,states under this section2 and 7,b7 the voting age population percentage for the ,state4 7#b7 ,voting age population percentage defined ,in paragraph 7#a71 the voting age population percentage for a ,state is the quotient of-- 7,a7 the voting age population of the ,state 7as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the ,bureau of the ,census72 divided by 7,b7 the total voting age population of all ,states 7as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the ,bureau of the ,census74 7e7 ,rules for ,states that do not submit an application and grants to political subdivisions 7#a7 ,in general ,if a ,state fails to submit an application under subsection 7c7 at the time established by the ,commission for such submission1 the ,commission may offer to political subdivisions within that ,state the opportunity to apply for a payment under this section4 7#b7 ,contents of application ,each application submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought2 7,b7 provide assurances that-- 7i7 the funds provided under this section will be used to supplement and not supplant other funds used to carry out the activities2 7ii7 the political subdivision will furnish the ,commission with information about individuals who served as poll workers and election volunteers after recruitment and training with the funds provided under this section2 and 7iii7 the political subdivision will dedicate poll worker and election volunteer recruitment efforts with respect to-- 7,i7 youth and minors1 including by recruiting at institutions of higher education and secondary education2 and 7,,ii7 diversity1 including with respect to race1 ethnicity1 and disability2 and 7,c7 provide such additional information and certifications as the ,commission determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section4 7#c7 ,amount of grants for political subdivisions ,the amount of a grant made to a political subdivision under this subsection shall be an amount that bears the same proportion to the amount determined with respect to the ,state in which the political subdivision is located as-- 7,a7 the aggregate amount made available for grants to ,states under this section2 bears to 7,b7 the voting age population percentage for the political subdivision of the ,state4 7f7 ,reports to ,congress 7#a7 ,relevant committees ,in this subsection1 the term relevant committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committees on ,rules and ,administration and ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committees on ,administration and ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,reports by recipients of grants ,not later than #ahj days after the date on which the ,commission makes a final grant under this section1 the recipient shall submit a report to the ,commission on the activities conducted with the funds provided under the grant4 7#c7 ,reports by ,commission ,not later than #a year after the date on which the ,commission makes the final grant under this section1 the ,commission shall submit a report to the relevant committees regarding-- 7,a7 the grants made under this section2 7,b7 the activities carried out by recipients using funds provided under the grants2 and 7,c7 such recommendations relating to recruitment and training of election workers as the ,commission considers appropriate4 7g7 ,funding 7#a7 ,authorization ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,commission for fiscal year #bjbf and each succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary for payments under this section1 to remain available until expended4 7#b7 ,administrative expenses ,of the amount appropriated for any fiscal year to carry out this section1 not more than #c percent shall be available for administrative expenses of the ,commission4 #bih4 ,grants to ,states for election worker safety 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,election ,worker ,protection ,act of #bjbe1 the ,commission shall1 subject to the availability of appropriations provided to carry out this section1 make a grant to each eligible ,state for physical security services and social media threat monitoring for election workers4 7b7 ,requirements for eligibility 7#a7 ,application ,each ,state that desires to receive a payment under this section shall submit an application for the payment to the ,commission at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,commission may reasonably require4 7#b7 ,contents of application ,each application submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought2 and 7,b7 provide assurances that-- 7i7 the funds provided under this section will be used to supplement and not supplant other funds used to carry out the activities2 and 7ii7 the ,state will furnish the ,commission with information on the number of individuals provided services under this section4 7c7 ,amount of grant 7#a7 ,in general ,the amount of a grant made to a ,state under this section shall be equal to the product of-- 7,a7 the aggregate amount made available for grants to ,states under this section2 and 7,b7 the voting age population percentage for the ,state4 7#b7 ,voting age population percentage defined ,in paragraph 7#a71 the voting age population percentage for a ,state is the quotient of-- 7,a7 the voting age population of the ,state 7as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the ,bureau of the ,census72 divided by 7,b7 the total voting age population of all ,states 7as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the ,bureau of the ,census74 7d7 ,rules for ,states that do not submit an application and grants to political subdivisions 7#a7 ,in general ,if a ,state fails to submit an application under subsection 7b7 at the time established by the ,commission for such submission1 the ,commission may offer to political subdivisions within that ,state the opportunity to apply for a payment under this section4 7#b7 ,contents of application ,each application submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought2 and 7,b7 provide assurances that-- 7i7 the funds provided under this section will be used to supplement and not supplant other funds used to carry out the activities2 and 7ii7 the political subdivision will furnish the ,commission with information on the number of individuals provided services under this section4 7#c7 ,amount of grants for political subdivisions ,the amount of a grant made to a political subdivision under this subsection shall be an amount that bears the same proportion to the amount determined with respect to the ,state in which the political subdivision is located as-- 7,a7 the aggregate amount made available for grants to ,states under this section2 bears to 7,b7 the voting age population percentage for the political subdivision of the ,state4 7e7 ,reports to ,congress 7#a7 ,relevant committees ,in this subsection1 the term relevant committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committees on ,rules and ,administration and ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committees on ,administration and ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,reports by recipients of grants ,not later than #ahj days after the date on which the ,commission makes a final grant under this section1 the recipient shall submit a report to the ,commission on the activities conducted with the funds provided under the grant4 7#c7 ,reports by ,commission ,not later than #a year after the date on which the ,commission makes the final grant under this section1 the ,commission shall submit a report to the relevant committees regarding-- 7,a7 the grants made under this section2 7,b7 the activities carried out by recipients using funds provided under the grants2 and 7,c7 such recommendations for physical security services and social media threat monitoring as the ,commission considers appropriate4 7f7 ,funding ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,commission for fiscal year #bjbf and each succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary for payments under this section1 to remain available until expended4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to subtitle ,d of title ,,ii the following3 ,,part #g--;,election worker recruitment1 training1 and safety,sec4 #big4 ,grants to ,states for election worker recruitment and training4,sec4 #bih4 ,grants to ,states for election worker safety4 4 #d4 ,department of ,justice training resources for addressing threats to election workers 7a7 ,review ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,attorney ,general shall review training resources provided to ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal law enforcement agencies and ensure that the ,department of ,justice offers programs that include training and resources to assist ,state1 local1 and ,tribal law enforcement agencies in understanding1 detecting1 deterring1 and investigating threats to election workers4 7b7 ,training ,the ,attorney ,general shall make training available to ,department prosecutors and to ,assistant ,united ,states ,attorneys on countering and prosecuting threats to election workers4 #e4 ,grant program to prevent disclosure of personal information of election workers 7a7 ,authorization ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,attorney ,general shall establish a program to provide grants to create or expand programs designed to protect the personally identifiable information of election workers to entities that-- 7#a7 are-- 7,a7 ,states or units of local government 7as those terms are defined in section #ija of the ,omnibus ,crime ,control and ,safe ,streets ,act of #aifh 7#cd ,u4,s4,c4 #ajbea772 or 7,b7 agencies of ,states or units of local government2 and 7#b7 operate a ,state or local database or registry that contains personally identifiable information4 7b7 ,application ,each entity described in subsection 7a7 that desires a payment under this section shall submit to the ,attorney ,general an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,attorney ,general may reasonably require4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to provide grants to entities described in subsection 7a7 to create or expand programs designed to protect the personally identifiable information of election workers1 including through-- 7#a7 the creation of programs to redact or remove the personally identifiable information of election workers1 upon request1 from public records maintained by ,state agencies1 including by hiring third parties to redact or remove the personally identifiable information of election workers from public records2 7#b7 the expansion of existing programs to protect personally identifiable information of election workers2 7#c7 the development or improvement of protocols1 procedures1 and policies to prevent the release of personally identifiable information of election workers2 7#d7 the defrayment of costs of modifying or improving existing databases and registries to ensure that personally identifiable information of election workers is protected from release2 and 7#e7 the development of confidential opt-out systems that allow election workers to request that personally identifiable information is not included in publicly accessible databases or registries4 7d7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and biennially thereafter1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the ,committee on the ,judiciary of the ,senate and the ,committee on the ,judiciary of the ,house of ,representatives an annual report that includes a detailed description of the amount spent by ,states and local governments using funds under this section relating to protection of personally identifiable information of election workers4 7#b7 ,states and local governments ,not later than #ahj days after the date on which a ,state or local government receives funds under this section1 the ,state or local government shall submit to the ,comptroller ,general a report that1 with respect to that ,state or local government1 contains the information described in paragraph 7#a7 to be included in the report required under that paragraph4 #f4 ,harassment of election workers prohibited 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #bi of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #fab4 ,harassment of election workers 7a7 ,election worker ,for purposes of this section1 the term election worker means an individual who is an election official1 poll worker1 or election volunteer in connection with an election for a ,federal office4 7b7 ,harassment of election workers ,it shall be unlawful for any person1 whether acting under color of law or otherwise1 to intimidate1 threaten1 coerce1 or attempt to intimidate1 threaten1 or coerce an election worker with intent to impede1 intimidate1 or interfere with that election worker while the election worker is engaged in the performance of official duties1 or with intent to retaliate against the election worker on the basis of the performance of such duties4 7c7 ,penalty ,any person who violates subsection 7b7 shall be fined not more than #ajj1jjj1 imprisoned for not more than #e years1 or both4 7d7 ,special agents ,the ,attorney ,general1 acting through the ,director of the ,federal ,bureau of ,investigation1 shall assign a special agent to each field office of the ,federal ,bureau of ,investigation to investigate threats against election workers4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents for chapter #bi of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #fab4 ,harassment of election workers4 4 #g4 ,making intimidation of tabulation1 canvas1 and certification efforts a crime ,section #ab7a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeaa7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking 2 or at the end2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,d7 processing or scanning ballots1 or tabulating1 canvassing1 or certifying voting results2 or 4 #h4 ,prohibition of doxxing of election workers ,section #aai7;b77#b7 of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking orat the end2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by inserting or at the end2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,e7 an election official1 poll worker1 or an election volunteer in connection with an election for a ,federal office4 4 #i4 ,preventing poll observer interference 7a7 ,voter protection requirements ,subtitle ,a of title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #cjc the following new section3 #cjc;,a4 ,voter protection requirements 7a7 ,in general ,a ,state or local election official may remove a poll observer from a polling location for an election for ,federal office or any location where processing1 scanning1 tabulating1 canvassing1 or certifying voting results in such an election is occurring on the basis that the ,state or local election official has a reasonable basis to believe that the observer-- 7#a7 has engaged in1 or imminently will engage in1 intimidation or deceptive practices prohibited by ,federal law2 or 7#b7 has disrupted1 or will disrupt1 the voting1 processing1 scanning1 tabulating1 or canvassing of ballots or the certification of results4 7b7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in subsection 7a7 may be construed to prevent a ,state or a unit of local government in a ,state from permitting the removal of a poll observer for reasons other than those described in subsection 7a74 7c7 ,effective date ,this section shall apply with respect to elections for ,federal office occurring on and after the date of enactment of the ,election ,worker ,protection ,act of #bjbe4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment relating to voluntary guidance ,section #caa7;b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjbb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #baaja7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking and at the end2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 in the case of recommendations with respect to section #cjc;,a1 ,january #a1 #bjbf4 4 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #cjc the following3 ,sec4 #cjc;,a4 ,voter protection requirements4 4