Leave to serve as a poll worker

(a)

In general

Subchapter II of chapter 63 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

6329.

Absence in connection with serving as a poll worker

(a)

In general

An employee in or under an Executive agency is entitled to leave, without loss of or reduction in pay, leave to which otherwise entitled, credit for time or service, or performance or efficiency rating, not to exceed 6 days in a leave year, in order— (1)to provide election administration assistance to a State or unit of local government at a polling place on the date of any election for public office; or (2)to receive any training without which such employee would be ineligible to provide such assistance. (b)

Regulations

The Director of the Office of Personnel Management may prescribe regulations for the administration of this section, including regulations setting forth the terms and conditions of the election administration assistance an employee may provide for purposes of subsection (a).

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for chapter 63 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 6328 the following:

6329. Absence in connection with serving as a poll worker.

Grants to States for Poll Worker Recruitment and Training

(a)

Grants by Election Assistance Commission

(1)

In general

The Election Assistance Commission (hereafter referred to as the Commission) shall make a grant to each eligible State for recruiting and training individuals to serve as nonpartisan poll workers on dates of elections for public office. (2)

Use of Commission materials

In carrying out activities with a grant provided under this section, the recipient of the grant shall use the manual prepared by the Commission on successful practices for poll worker recruiting, training and retention as an interactive training tool, and shall develop training programs with the participation and input of experts in adult learning. (b)

Requirements for Eligibility

(1)

Application

Each State that desires to receive a payment under this section shall submit an application for the payment to the Commission at such time and in such manner and containing such information as the Commission shall require. (2)

Contents of Application

Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall— (A)describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought; (B)provide assurances that the funds provided under this section will be used to supplement and not supplant other funds used to carry out the activities; (C)provide assurances that the State will furnish the Commission with information on the number of individuals who served as nonpartisan poll workers after recruitment and training with the funds provided under this section; and (D)provide such additional information and certifications as the Commission determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section. (c)

Amount of Grant

(1)

In general

The amount of a grant made to a State under this section shall be equal to the product of— (A)the aggregate amount made available for grants to States under this section; and (B)the voting age population percentage for the State. (2)

Voting age population percentage defined

In paragraph (1), the voting age population percentage for a State is the quotient of— (A)the voting age population of the State (as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the Bureau of the Census); and (B)the total voting age population of all States (as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the Bureau of the Census). (d)

Reports to Congress

(1)

Reports by recipients of grants

Not later than 6 months after the date on which the final grant is made under this section, each recipient of a grant shall submit a report to the Commission on the activities conducted with the funds provided by the grant. (2)

Reports by Commission

Not later than 1 year after the date on which the final grant is made under this section, the Commission shall submit a report to Congress on the grants made under this section and the activities carried out by recipients with the grants, and shall include in the report such recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate. (e)

State Defined

In this Act, the term State includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands. (f)

Authorization of Appropriations

(1)

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $75,000,000. Any amount appropriated pursuant to the authority of this subsection shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended. (2)

Administrative expenses

Of the amount appropriated for any fiscal year pursuant to the authority of this subsection, not more than 3 percent shall be available for administrative expenses of the Commission.