Republicans are pushing back against federal funds being used to promote get-out-the-vote activities among college students as Democrat-led states are taking advantage of the new Federal Work-Study program focused on voter registration efforts.
Secretaries of state from Democratic-run states pushed the Biden administration for federal funds to be used in college GOTV activities, and Republicans are now fighting back against the funding in Congress and across GOP-led states.
On Monday, House Administration Committee Chairman Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., sent a letter to the Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman following reports of public universities in his home state taking advantage of federal funds for voter registration activities.
"As we head into another election season, I ask for your assistance in guiding the Universities in a direction that avoids these pitfalls this year. I am also seeking your assistance in determining whether any federal funding sources, such as work-study programs, are being used in voter registration drives. These actions will help ensure that the Universities of Wisconsin will not use federal funding to support partisan GOTV efforts," Steil continued.
In February, the Department of Education clarified a 2022 memo, explaining that FWS program funds can be used "To support voter registration activities." The Education "Department is today clarifying that FWS funds may be used for employment by a Federal, State, local, or Tribal public agency for civic engagement work that is not associated with a particular interest or group" according to the memo.
The committee chairs wrote that they "Are deeply troubled" by the new memo and how FWS "Funds can be used to support the Biden Administration's campaign efforts during the 2024 election cycle." They urged the Biden administration to "Retract" the memo "Allowing taxpayer dollars to fund get-out-the-vote activities." The newly implemented FWS program appeared similar to "Bidenbucks," the lawmakers also noted.
According to the Executive Order, "The head of each agency shall evaluate ways in which the agency can, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, promote voter registration and voter participation," including "Soliciting and facilitating approved, nonpartisan third-party organizations and State officials to provide voter registration services on agency premises." Similar to "Bidenbucks," "Zuckerbucks" came to notice when the Center for Tech and Civic Life poured about $350 million into local elections offices managing the 2020 election, with most of the funds donated to the nonprofit by Zuckerberg.
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