Not later than 1 year after the appointment of its members, the Election Assistance Commission shall develop a program to be known as the “Help America Vote College Program” (hereafter in this subchapter referred to as the “Program”).
The purpose of the Program shall be—
(1) to encourage students enrolled at institutions of higher education (including community colleges) to assist State and local governments in the administration of elections by serving as nonpartisan poll workers or assistants; and
(2) to encourage State and local governments to use the services of the students participating in the Program.
(Pub. L. 107–252, title V, §501, Oct. 29, 2002, 116 Stat. 1717.)
In carrying out the Program, the Commission (in consultation with the chief election official of each State) shall develop materials, sponsor seminars and workshops, engage in advertising targeted at students, make grants, and take such other actions as it considers appropriate to meet the purposes described in section 15521(b) of this title.
In making grants under the Program, the Commission shall ensure that the funds provided are spent for projects and activities which are carried out without partisan bias or without promoting any particular point of view regarding any issue, and that each recipient is governed in a balanced manner which does not reflect any partisan bias.
The Commission shall encourage institutions of higher education (including community colleges) to participate in the Program, and shall make all necessary materials and other assistance (including materials and assistance to enable the institution to hold workshops and poll worker training sessions) available without charge to any institution which desires to participate in the Program.
(Pub. L. 107–252, title V, §502, Oct. 29, 2002, 116 Stat. 1717.)
In addition to any funds authorized to be appropriated to the Commission under section 15330 of this title, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subchapter—
(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2003; and
(2) such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
(Pub. L. 107–252, title V, §503, Oct. 29, 2002, 116 Stat. 1717.)