I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 753 
To promote international exchanges on best election practices, cultivate more 
secure democratic institutions around the world, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 24, 2019 
Mr. CASTRO of Texas (for himself and Mr. MEADOWS) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To promote international exchanges on best election prac-
tices, cultivate more secure democratic institutions 
around the world, 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 ‘‘Global Electoral Ex-
change Act of 2019’’. 
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) recent elections globally have illustrated the 
urgent need for the promotion and exchange of 
international best election practices, particularly in 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:03 Feb 01, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H753.IH
H753
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
the areas of cybersecurity, results transmission, 
transparency of electoral data, election dispute reso-
lution, and the elimination of discriminatory reg-
istration practices and other electoral irregularities; 
(2) the advancement of democracy worldwide 
promotes American interests, as stable democracies 
provide new market opportunities, improve global 
health outcomes, and promote economic freedom and 
regional security; 
(3) credible elections are the cornerstone of a 
healthy democracy and enable all persons to exercise 
their basic human right to have a say in how they 
are governed; 
(4) inclusive elections strengthen the credibility 
and stability of democracies more broadly; 
(5) at the heart of a strong election cycle is the 
professionalism of the election management body 
and an empowered civil society; 
(6) the development of local expertise via peer- 
to-peer learning and exchanges promotes the inde-
pendence of such bodies from internal and external 
influence; and 
(7) supporting the efforts of peoples in democ-
ratizing societies to build more representative gov-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:03 Feb 01, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H753.IH
H753
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
ernments in their respective countries is in the na-
tional interest of the United States. 
SEC. 3. GLOBAL ELECTORAL EXCHANGE. 
(a) GLOBAL
ELECTORAL
EXCHANGE.—The Sec-
retary of State is authorized to establish and administer 
a Global Electoral Exchange Program to promote the utili-
zation of sound election administration practices around 
the world. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Global Electoral 
Exchange Program described in subsection (a) shall in-
clude the promotion and exchange of international best 
election practices, including in the areas of— 
(1) cybersecurity; 
(2) results transmission; 
(3) transparency of electoral data; 
(4) election dispute resolution; 
(5) the elimination of discriminatory registra-
tion practices and electoral irregularities; 
(6) equitable access to polling places, voter edu-
cation information, and voting mechanisms (includ-
ing by persons with disabilities); and 
(7) other sound election administration prac-
tices. 
(c) EXCHANGE OF ELECTORAL AUTHORITIES.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:03 Feb 01, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H753.IH
H753
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State may, 
in consultation, as appropriate, with the United 
States Agency for International Development, make 
grants to any United States-based organization de-
scribed in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 
501(a) of such Code with experience in and a pri-
mary focus on foreign comparative election systems 
or subject matter expertise in the administration or 
integrity of such systems that submits an application 
in such form, and satisfying such requirements, as 
the Secretary may require. 
(2) TYPES OF GRANTS.—An organization de-
scribed in paragraph (1) may receive a grant for one 
or more of the following purposes: 
(A) To design and implement programs 
bringing election administrators and officials, 
including government officials, poll workers, 
civil society representatives, members of the ju-
diciary, and others who participate in the orga-
nization and administration of public elections 
in a foreign country that faces challenges to its 
electoral process to the United States to study 
election procedures in the United States for 
educational purposes. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:03 Feb 01, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H753.IH
H753
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS