Democracy Act Spends $2.5 Billion Annually to Upgrade Elections and Protect Poll Workers Starting 2026

If you’ve ever waited in a ridiculously long line to vote or worried about the security of your local election systems, this bill is for you. The Sustaining Our Democracy Act is essentially a massive federal funding injection—$2.5 billion every year for the next decade, starting in fiscal year 2026—aimed squarely at modernizing and securing state and local election administration. This money is funneled through a new Democracy Advancement and Innovation Program and must be used for specific, tangible things like upgrading ancient voting equipment, improving voter registration systems, boosting cybersecurity, and, crucially, recruiting and protecting the people who actually run the polls (Sec. 101).

The $25 Billion Trust Fund: What Your State Gets

This isn't a one-off grant. The bill creates a dedicated State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust Fund in the U.S. Treasury, funded with $2.5 billion annually through 2035 (Sec. 201). States get their share based on the number of Congressional districts they have. To get the money, the state’s chief election official must submit a detailed plan 90 days before the fiscal year starts, outlining exactly how they will spend the funds and how they will ensure resources are spread geographically and racially to address disparities (Sec. 102). This means that if you live in a historically underserved community, the state plan must show how these new funds will improve your access to the ballot box, whether through better polling places or expanded early voting options (Sec. 101).

Protecting the Process and the People

One of the most immediate real-world impacts of this bill is the focus on election workers. States can use the federal funds specifically to recruit, train, and protect nonpartisan election officials and poll workers from threats. Think of your neighbor who volunteers 16 hours on Election Day; this money is meant to make their job safer and more sustainable. Furthermore, the funds must be used to improve access for specific groups, including people with disabilities, racial and language minorities, and those living on Indian lands (Sec. 101).

The Strict List of “Do Nots”

The bill is just as important for what it prohibits as what it funds. If a state takes this money, they cannot use it for anything that restricts voter access. This includes a ban on using the funds to restrict the distribution of food or non-alcoholic drinks to people waiting in line (a common point of contention in recent elections) or to fire election administrators without cause (negligence or misconduct) (Sec. 103). Crucially, states cannot use the funds to investigate fraud claims without real evidence, nor can they fund legal defense against lawsuits claiming voter suppression tactics.

Another major prohibition targets equipment. States cannot buy voting machines that don't require the use of an individual, verifiable paper ballot marked by a non-tabulating device. This is a direct push toward modern, secure, auditable paper-based voting systems nationwide (Sec. 103).

The New Federal Referee

To manage this massive program, the bill creates a brand new federal agency: the Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation, led by a Senate-confirmed Director (Sec. 106). This Director approves state plans and monitors compliance. If a state violates the rules—say, by trying to purge voter rolls using unreliable data—citizens can file a complaint with the state. If they don't like the state’s decision, they can appeal directly to the federal Director, and if still dissatisfied, they can sue the Director in federal court (Sec. 103). This creates a clear, defined path for accountability, ensuring the federal money actually serves its purpose and isn't misused to restrict voting.

While the goal is solid—better elections and better access—the new Director has significant power in approving plans and setting regulations. If the Director isn’t appointed quickly, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) takes over for up to two years, ensuring the program doesn't stall during the setup phase (Sec. 106). Overall, this bill provides a major, long-term funding mechanism designed to upgrade the mechanics of democracy while putting up guardrails against practices that make voting harder.