I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION H. R. 10524 
To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit the use of Federal 
funds for the administration of elections for Federal, State, or local 
office in States which do not have in effect laws to permit units of 
local government to hold elections for local office in odd-numbered years, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 19, 2024 
Mr. D’ESPOSITO (for himself and Mr. LALOTA) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on House Administration 
A BILL 
To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit 
the use of Federal funds for the administration of elec-
tions for Federal, State, or local office in States which 
do not have in effect laws to permit units of local govern-
ment to hold elections for local office in odd-numbered 
years, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Protecting Our Local 
Elections Act’’ or the ‘‘POLE Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Holding local elections for public office in 
odd-numbered years provides greater focus on local 
candidates and issues. 
(2) Local elections held in odd-numbered years 
allow voters to make more informed decisions about 
their local representation. 
(3) Holding all elections in even-numbered 
years diminishes the attention given to community 
matters. 
(4) Holding all elections in even-numbered 
years overcrowds the ballot, hindering the decision- 
making process for voters. 
(5) Local elected officials directly serve their 
immediate communities and needs. 
(6) Local leaders played a vital role in the 
founding of the United States. 
(7) Local governments are at the core of our 
Nation’s republic. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) units of local governments should have the 
authority to conduct elections for local office in odd- 
numbered years; 
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(2) local elections held in odd-numbered years 
ensure that local candidates and issues receive great-
er attention and allow voters to make well-informed 
choices; and 
(3) the most effective form of representation is 
attained through local governance. 
SEC. 3. PROHIBITING PROVISION OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR 
ELECTION 
ADMINISTRATION 
FOR 
STATES 
NOT PERMITTING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO 
HOLD ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL OFFICE IN 
ODD-NUMBERED YEARS. 
(a) PROHIBITION.—Title IX of the Help America 
Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21141 et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 907. PROHIBITING PROVISION OF FEDERAL FUNDS 
FOR 
ELECTION 
ADMINISTRATION 
FOR 
STATES NOT PERMITTING LOCAL GOVERN-
MENTS TO HOLD ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL OF-
FICE IN ODD-NUMBERED YEARS. 
‘‘Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no Fed-
eral funds may be provided under this Act or any other 
Act to administer an election for Federal, State, or local 
office held in a State which does not have in effect a law 
which permits units of local government in the State to 
hold elections for local office in odd-numbered years.’’. 
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(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
of such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items 
relating to title IX the following: 
‘‘Sec. 907. Prohibiting provision of Federal funds for election administration 
for States not permitting local governments to hold elections 
for local office in odd-numbered years’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2026 
and each succeeding fiscal year. 
Æ 
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