Sustaining Our Democracy Act

Key Points

• The bill creates a new independent federal office called the Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation, headed by a presidentially appointed Director with a 6-year term. This office would oversee a $25 billion trust fund ($2.5 billion per year for 10 years) and distribute money to states for election-related improvements.
• States can use the funding for a wide range of election upgrades, including new voting equipment, better cybersecurity, expanded early and mail voting, voter registration systems, and opening more polling places. The money also covers recruiting, training, and protecting election workers from threats.
• States must submit a plan showing how they will address geographic and racial disparities, increase access for underserved communities, people with disabilities, and voters on tribal lands. If a state refuses to participate, local cities and counties can apply for funding directly.
• The bill includes strict rules on how the money can be used. States are banned from using funds to intimidate voters, remove election officials for political reasons, restrict food and water distribution to voters in line, or buy voting machines that lack paper ballot verification.
• The trust fund would receive $2.5 billion each year from fiscal years 2026 through 2035, totaling $25 billion over a decade. Each state's share is calculated based on the number of congressional districts it has, and states can save unused funds for future election years.