Bill Overview
Title: ACE Act
Description: This bill addresses election administration and security, campaign finance, and other related provisions. Among other provisions, the bill reduces certain election assistance payments for states and local jurisdictions that allow noncitizens to vote in state and local elections, establishes certain requirements related to election and political mail, prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or donations in connection with state or local ballot initiatives or referenda, repeals certain limits on coordinated party expenditures and aggregate contributions by individuals, terminates the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and requires remaining funds to be transferred to the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund, and prohibits the use of federal funds to establish a Disinformation Governance Board.
Sponsors: Rep. Davis, Rodney [R-IL-13]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals affected by changes in election laws, financing, and administration
Estimated Size: 250000000
- The bill impacts all voters in the United States as it addresses election administration and security.
- Noncitizens who currently have voting rights at state or local levels are specifically impacted as the bill reduces assistance for jurisdictions allowing noncitizen voting.
- State and local governments that receive election assistance payments are impacted financially by changes associated with noncitizen voting.
- The prohibition of foreign nationals from contributing to state or local initiatives affects donors and potentially the funding of such initiatives.
- Political parties and individuals may experience changes in political finance dynamics due to repealed limits on expenditures and contributions.
- The termination of the Presidential Election Campaign Fund impacts future candidates who may have utilized this fund.
- Redirection of funds to the Pediatric Research Initiative impacts healthcare and research sectors.
Reasoning
- The policy affects a broad population, including all eligible voters and political participants in the U.S., though direct impacts might be more pronounced on specific groups, such as noncitizen residents and local governments that allow noncitizen voting.
- The budget constraints require careful consideration of the policy's cost-benefit impacts over time to ensure offset of short-term costs by long-term benefits, particularly in election integrity and pediatric research.
- The policy's scope allows for a wide variance in individual impact based on geographical location, involvement in election processes, and political activities.
Simulated Interviews
City Council Member (Austin, TX)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ACE Act undermines local control over election procedures.
- Our city's ability to include noncitizen voices will be financially penalized, which is disappointing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Software Developer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The prohibition on foreign contributions makes sense to maintain integrity.
- I am uncertain about the impact on funding for local initiatives I support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired Teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate efforts to safeguard election integrity.
- The fund redirection to pediatric research is a beneficial change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Research Scientist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Redirecting funds to pediatric research could have a significant positive impact.
- Worried about the political finance changes and their effect on local advocacy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Political Consultant (Miami, FL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The repeal of contribution limits changes the landscape significantly.
- Potentially more funding available but less transparent.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Nonprofit Director (Boston, MA)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill could negatively affect civic participation initiatives.
- Shifts in funding threaten valuable educational programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Graduate Student (Brooklyn, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changes seem aimed at election integrity but might be overly restrictive.
- Redirected funds to research is a positive vision.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Health Care Administrator (Charlotte, NC)
Age: 61 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ending the Presidential Election Campaign Fund alters funding dynamics.
- Increased funds for pediatric research will benefit public health in the long run.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Denver, CO)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased campaign contributions and expenditures could benefit business initiatives.
- Concerned about increased potential for political influence from large donors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Army Officer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy enhances trust in the electoral system.
- Terminating the election fund is acceptable if resources are used wisely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $42000000, High: $62000000)
Year 3: $54100000 (Low: $44000000, High: $64000000)
Year 5: $58032000 (Low: $47000000, High: $68000000)
Year 10: $67307621 (Low: $55000000, High: $78000000)
Year 100: $90000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $100000000)
Key Considerations
- The complex political environment may influence the actual implementation and enforcement cost.
- The shift of campaign funds to pediatric research requires effective fund management to maximize impact.
- Suitability and acceptance of mail-related requirements by the U.S. Postal Service and related stakeholders could influence compliance costs.
- Potential challenges in defining and monitoring noncitizen voting policies across jurisdictions.