POLE Act

HR 10524, the POLE Act, would require states to allow local governments to hold elections for local office in odd-numbered years or face a loss of federal election administration funding. It directly affects states that currently do not permit odd-year local elections, as they would become ineligible for federal funds under the Help America Vote Act starting in fiscal year 2026. The bill prohibits federal funding for election administration in states without laws permitting odd-year local elections, aiming to prioritize local election timing. This provision targets state election laws, not federal or state-level elections, and focuses on administrative funding rather than voter eligibility or ballot design. The bill does not change when federal or state elections occur.