'It's called buying': Kamala Harris slammed for proposing federal payments to students for voter registration ahead of 2024 elections

WASHINGTON, DC: In a bid to invigorate voter registration across the nation, Vice President Kamala Harris convened with voting rights leaders on Tuesday, February 27, at the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC

The high-profile meeting was marked by Harris' unveiling of an ambitious strategy to incentivize student involvement in voter registration initiatives.

"We have been doing work to promote voter participation for students, and for example we have under the federal work study program, now allow students to get paid through federal work study to register people and be non-partisan poll workers," she began.

"As we know, this is important for a number of reasons," Harris continued. "One to engage our young leaders in this process and activate them in terms of their ability to strengthen our communities but also, this is the work that we need to do knowing that so many poll workers have left this work for a variety of reasons which we will also discuss."

Utilizing Federal Work Study Funds

Harris's proposal garnered attention in light of a recent memorandum issued by the Department of Education, providing clarity on the utilization of Federal Work Study (FWS) funds to support voter registration activities.

The memorandum, published on Monday, underscored the Department's stance on fostering civic engagement, stating, "The 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."

The vice president emphasized that compensating students through federal work-study programs would not only cultivate a culture of civic responsibility but also mitigate the shortage of poll workers—a concern exacerbated in recent electoral cycles.

Harris has remained steadfast in her commitment to expanding voter registration initiatives. Since assuming leadership on the issue in 2021, she has spearheaded a comprehensive four-part strategy aimed at leveraging federal agencies to amplify voter registration efforts ahead of the pivotal 2024 elections, the Daily Mail reported.

In addition to compensating students, Harris unveiled plans to disseminate voting information to the 21 million Americans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act, implement voter registration displays at national parks through the Department of the Interior, and furnish similar information at Social Security offices nationwide.

"I can now announce that HHS will start emailing information on how to register to vote to everyone who enrolled in the ACA, the Affordable Care Act," she said.

"There's so much about our work that we do together that really is grounded and also I think a common belief in the importance of self-determination and the connection between that and the right of people to be able to express their civic duty in every way including through their ability, unfettered ability to vote," she added.

Furthermore, Harris condemned the alarming rise in threats of violence against polling workers, citing harrowing incidents in Georgia following the 2020 presidential election. "In recent years we have seen attacks on the integrity of elections," she said, lambasting those trying to "loudly attempt to interfere in the lawful votes of the American people."

Social Media Backlash

However, Harris's announcement was not devoid of controversy. Social media platforms were ablaze with debates over the legality and ethical implications of compensating individuals for voter registration efforts.

"Is that legal? because that doesn't sound legal," one posted on X. "What could possibly go wrong?" another wrote.

"Paying for all the votes they can get...effing crooks!" someone else added.

"It’s called buying the votes, while controlling polls. I believe it’s election interference too!" another alleged.

 

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