Welcome back to another edition of the Federal Advocacy Round Up, where every few weeks we distill what’s happening at the federal level, how it’ll impact localities, and what you can do to influence change.
This month, we’re sharing key federal funding reminders and valuable resources as you prepare for the 2024 elections.
🏫 School Districts Need to Commit ESSER Funds by the End of September
The final round of federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds is set to end soon: states must commit the funds by September 30. ESSER funds account for a significant share of current education dollars, which puts schools at risk of shortfalls when these funds lapse. Some school districts have not yet tapped all available funds and risk losing any unused funds after the September deadline. If funds are obligated by the end of September, they can still be spent through the end of December or through March 2026 if an extension is granted. For answers to frequently asked questions, review this guide from the U.S. Department of Education. Next month, Local Progress will team up with the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools for a school board-focused session about fully funding education in the wake of the ESSER cliff. We’re planning to meet on Friday, October 18 at 12pm PT / 2pm CT / 3pm ET. Look out for a sign-up link soon!
đź’° Ensure Proper Obligation of ARPA Funds by December 2024
State and local governments must “obligate” their State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act by December 31, 2024. There is growing concern that some local governments might not fully utilize these funds due to misunderstandings about the rules. Proper obligation requires forming specific commitments—such as contracts, subawards, and interagency agreements—that meet established requirements. Failure to comply could result in the return of these funds to the Treasury, potentially hindering ongoing recovery efforts.Â
To help local governments navigate these requirements and avoid forfeiting funds, our partners at the Economic Policy Institute have provided a detailed resource on how to ensure compliance. Review this essential guidance here.
🧰 New Resource Hub for Election Officials and Staff
Election officials have been managing elections under immense political and social scrutiny, often facing threats of violence. To support their work, All Voting is Local has compiled an Election Official 2024 Resource Guide with resources from trusted partners, voting rights advocates, and elected officials. This hub offers technical, legal, mental health and security resources, as well as information on relevant federal programs. Access the guide here.
🗳️ Guides for Election Officials in Key States
In preparation for the 2024 elections, the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law and All Voting is Local have published a series of state-specific guides to help voters, election officials, and workers protect the election system from interference by election deniers. These guides highlight critical safeguards, including:
- Legal limits on poll watcher behavior;
- Restrictions on voter eligibility challenges;
- Protections against voter and election official intimidation;
- Measures to mitigate the effects of rogue poll workers.
The resources cover key swing states – Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin – detailing applicable state law and outlining additional steps officials can take to defend fair and secure election administration. Review the guides here.
đź“Ł Resource for Local Electeds: Ensuring Every Voice Counts
The National League of Cities and Towns (NLC) has developed Cities Vote, an initiative designed for municipal leaders committed to ensuring fair and safe elections. Cities Vote provides a guide with high-impact interventions to increase voter turnout, including ways to make voting more accessible, convenient and meaningful. View the resource here.
🔎 DOJ Issues New Guidance on Voter Registration
In a win for voters, the Department of Justice recently released new guidance addressing limits on how and when voters may be removed from the rolls. The guidance affirms that the 90-day window applies to challenges and clarifies that third-party information alone is insufficient for removal. Review the guidelines here.Â
đź“ť New White Paper Examines the Preemption of Local Election AdministrationÂ
Proper resourcing is essential for local election officials (LEOs) to conduct fair, transparent, and secure elections. However, some state legislatures continue to advance preemption bills aimed at restricting LEOs’ ability to manage elections effectively. Local Support Solutions Center (LSSC) has published a new white paper, Preemption of Local Election Administration, which examines these abusive preemption trends and their impact on election integrity. Access the white paper here. For questions or to speak with LSSC experts, contact media@supportdemocracy.org.
🌾 $400M Funding Opportunity for Rural Areas – September 30 Deadline
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced $400 million in funding for clean energy projects in rural and remote communities. This funding aims to reduce energy costs, enhance energy access and resilience, boost economic opportunities, and minimize environmental impacts. Local governments must apply by the end of September 2024. Review the funding opportunity here.Â
đź’š $800M Available for Low Carbon Transportation Materials Program
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 established the Low Carbon Transportation Materials (LCTM) Program to support the use of construction materials with lower greenhouse gas emissions in federally funded transportation projects. The Department of Transportation will award up to $800 million to eligible projects. The application deadline for local governments is November 25, 2024. Review the grant opportunity here.
Photo credit: Photo retrieved from All Voting is Local
