Grants

Elections
Guide to Grants

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was signed into law by President George W. Bush in October 2002. The law included a new set of federal election requirements such as the replacement of outdated voting equipment, creation of a centralized statewide database of registered voters and improvements to the administration of elections. The Division of Elections administers current year HAVA funding for the Federal Election Activities Grant, and the Division continues to administer prior year federal grant funds for federal election activities, voter education, poll worker training, and voting systems assistance.

Federal Election Activities Grants

Description
The Legislature appropriated funds pursuant to Section 6 of Chapter 2011-69, Laws of Florida, to be distributed to the county supervisors of elections to assist with federal election activities. The funds are to be used for the following purposes relating to election activities for federal elections (that is, elections in which a federal candidate is on the ballot):

  • Voter education;
  • Poll worker training;
  • Implementing and maintaining the provisions of the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA);
  • Standardizing election results reporting;
  • Other federal election administration activities as approved by the Department of State.

Eligibility
In order to receive the federal election activities funds, the Legislature required that the supervisors of elections provide the Department of State with a detailed description of the federal election activity programs to be implemented. In addition, the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners is required to certify that the county will provide matching funds for federal election activities in the amount equal to 15% of the amount received from the State. Counties must segregate federal election activities funds and required county matching dollars in a separate account established to hold only such funds. Funds in this account must be used only for the activities for which the funds were received. Any funds remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the account to be used for the same purposes for subsequent years or until such funds are expended. Supervisors of Elections shall report to the Department of State any unspent funds remaining at June 30, 2012. The disbursement of HAVA funds first went into effect in fiscal year 2003-04. Funds not spent within the designated fiscal year are rolled over into the next fiscal year until they are expended.

Award
The 2011 Legislature appropriated $2,000,000 specifically for federal election activities. These funds are distributed to the supervisors of elections pursuant to a formula based on registered voters as of the 2010 General Election as certified by the Florida Department of State.

Deadline
June 30, 2012. Funds will be disbursed in State fiscal year 2011-12.

Contact
Joyce Durbin, Joyce.Durbin@MyFlorida.com