Maryland Delegation Congratulates University System of Maryland on Their Selection as a 2023 Help America Vote College Program Award Recipient

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) congratulated the University System of Maryland on their selection as one of 21 national award recipients for the Help America Vote College Program (HAVCP). The University System of Maryland will receive $78,521 in federal funding from the 2023 Help America Vote College Program which provides grants to encourage college students to serve as nonpartisan poll workers.

“Ensuring fair, transparent elections is essential for protecting the health of our democracy. The Help America Vote College Program Award is a critical resource for providing young people opportunities to be a part of this process,” said the lawmakers. “This funding will prepare University System of Maryland students to assist local election officials and fill vacancies at polling locations. We look forward to seeing the next generation of Marylanders carry on our state’s rich history of civic engagement.”

Administered by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Help America Vote Act (HAVA) formula funding is awarded in 56 states and territories. The EAC accredits testing laboratories, certifies voting systems, and serves as a national clearinghouse of information on election administration. As a grant recipient, the University System of Maryland will utilize these funds to implement a plan to improve the process of election administration, including training college students to serve as poll workers on Election Day.

“A spotlight was put on poll workers during the last presidential election, and many of us saw—as maybe we hadn’t before—how essential they are to the functioning of our democracy,” said USM Chancellor Jay A. Perman. “I’m grateful to the Election Assistance Commission and to Maryland’s congressional delegation for this award, which will help our students advance a critical goal: that America continues to hold free and fair elections, foundational to our democracy.”

The Help America Vote College Grant Program (HAVCP) is one of several initiatives currently being implemented through the Election Administration Commission’s (EAC) authorizing statute – the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). The lawmakers have long fought for robust funding for the HAVCP, including $1 million in the fiscal year 2023 appropriations package. Congressman Hoyer, Dean of the Maryland delegation, co-authored the Help America Vote Act with former Ohio Congressman Robert Ney in 2001. Since 2004, HAVCP has disbursed $3.3 million to support the administration of elections for federal office and improve voting and election systems.