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Memo: Byrne JAG Funds to Protect Election Workers

Memo

TO: State and Local Election Officials

FROM: U.S. Election Assistance Commission

RE: Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Funds to Protect Election Workers

Introduction

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) established a task force to address ongoing threats of violence 

against election workers, administrators, officials, and volunteers. During the Task Force’s1 work, the 

DOJ received inquiries regarding grant programs to protect election workers and the voting process. On 

January 26, 2022, the DOJ issued guidance2 that funds from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice 

Assistance Grant Program3 (Byrne JAG) may be used to protect election workers from violence and 

criminal threats of violence. This document provides information about the program and how state and 

local election officials can access or seek more information about these resources.

Note: DOJ has suggested that anyone seeking to access funds should contact their State Administering 

Agency here4 for information about receiving funds through the Byrne JAG program.

Background

Named after Edward “Eddie” R. Byrne, an officer in the New York City Police Department who was 

murdered while protecting a witness, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) 

Program is the leading federal source of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions, 

helping to fill gaps in state, territory, local, and tribal criminal justice systems. Broadly, Byrne JAG funds 

may be used to deter, detect, and protect against threats of violence against election workers, 

administrators, officials, and others associated with the electoral process.

In FY 2021, the Byrne JAG program awarded over $235 million to 56 states, territories, and the District of 

Columbia. Funds are awarded several months after Congress completes the annual funding bill. 

Congress passed and President Biden signed the FY 2022 appropriations bill on March 15, 2022. The FY 

2022 awards will likely be allocated in early summer. States and localities are allowed four years to 

spend the funds, though any awards less than $25,000 must be spent in two years. Recipients must file 

quarterly and semiannual reports, as well as semi-annual Federal Financial Reports depending on the 

amount of the award. No matching funds are required to receive Byrne JAG awards. Additional 

1 https://www.justice.gov/opa/blog/justice-department-launches-task-force-combat-threats-against-electionworkers-0 2 https://bja.ojp.gov/JAG-funding-to-combat-threats-against-election-workers.pdf 3 https://bja.ojp.gov/program/jag/overview 4 https://www.ojp.gov/funding/state-administering-agencies/overview
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Memo: Byrne JAG Funds to Protect Election Workers

information about the grant program can be found from the DOJ5 and the National Criminal Justice 

Association6.

Use of Funds

What can Byrne JAG funds be used for?

In general, Byrne JAG funds may be used to provide additional personnel, equipment, supplies, 

contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice, 

including, but not limited to:

• Law enforcement programs

• Prosecution and court programs

• Prevention and education programs

• Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs

• Crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation)

States and units of local government may use award funds for broadband deployment and adoption 

activities as they relate to criminal justice activities.

Additional information about how Byrne JAG funds can be used, as well as information about the 

application process, can be found here: Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program 

Frequently Asked Questions7.

Eligibility and Funding Opportunities

As required by law, funds are distributed by formula based on population and crime rate. Of the total 

amount allocated to each state, 60 percent is awarded to the State Administering Agency for 

distribution within the state. The remaining 40 percent is distributed by the Department of Justice 

Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to local governments based on crime rate.

• Byrne JAG State Awards: Only states may apply through a State Administering Agency

(SAA)8. DOJ recommends that state election officials contact their SAA to discuss funding 

opportunities.

• Byrne JAG Local Awards: Only local units of government on the JAG Allocations List may 

apply. “Units of local government” include a town, township, village, parish, city, county, 

borough, or other general-purpose political subdivision of a state, or it may be a federally 

recognized Indian tribal government that performs law enforcement functions (as 

determined by the Secretary of the Interior). If a local unit of government does not receive 

JAG funds (e.g., because they did not submit an application), or if they do not qualify due to 

population or crime rate requirements, local election officials should contact their state’s 

SAA to discuss funding opportunities.

State and Local JAG solicitations and allocations from FY 2021 can be found on the JAG webpage9.

5 https://bja.ojp.gov/doc/jag-program-fact-sheet.pdf 6 https://www.ncja.org/

7 https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/jag-faqs.pdf 8 https://www.ojp.gov/funding/state-administering-agencies/overview 9 https://bja.ojp.gov/program/jag/fy-2021-allocations
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Memo: Byrne JAG Funds to Protect Election Workers

Coordination with Local Law Enforcement

Election officials are encouraged to communicate their security needs to their local law enforcement 

agencies to determine if they can be met through available Byrne JAG funds. Most local awards are 

relatively small. Among local governments that receive Byrne JAG funds directly, most received less than 

$30,000 in FY 2021. However, through communication and coordination, election officials may be able 

to work with law enforcement to secure funding for specific needs that Byrne JAG funds are well suited 

to support. Some examples may include: 

• Improving the physical security of the elections office through installing improved locks, 

cameras, and security systems.

• Providing overtime compensation to sheriff’s deputies for extra patrols on and around 

Election Day.

• Covering additional costs associated with investigating threats to election officials or poll 

workers. 

While election officials are not eligible to receive Byrne JAG funds directly, it is helpful to define a 

specific purpose for the use of Byrne JAG funds as well as an itemized budget. This will assist with 

coordinating the office’s needs with local law enforcement priorities, while also assisting the grant 

awardee with any state or federal grant reporting requirements. 

State and local election officials should contact their State Administering Agencies with questions about 

accessing funding through the Byrne JAG program. Election officials are also encouraged to share 

information with the EAC about how they successfully used Byrne JAG funding or developed 

partnerships with their local law enforcement communities. Program details and best practices can be 

emailed to clearinghouse@eac.gov. Additional information about election official security, including 

information regarding reporting threats to the FBI, can be found at https://www.eac.gov/electionofficials/election-official-security.