117 HR 2358 IH: Voter Empowerment Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-04-05
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EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; statement of policy
(a)This Act may be cited as the Voter Empowerment Act of 2021
. (b)It is the policy of the United States that—
(1)the ability of all eligible citizens of the United States to access and exercise their constitutional right to vote in a free, fair, and timely manner must be vigilantly enhanced, protected, and maintained; and (2)the integrity, security, and accountability of the voting process must be vigilantly protected, maintained, and enhanced in order to protect and preserve electoral and participatory democracy in the United States.
2.The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; statement of policy. Sec. 2. Table of contents. Title I—Voter Registration Modernization Subtitle A—Promoting Internet Registration Sec. 1001. Requiring availability of internet for voter registration. Sec. 1002. Use of internet to update registration information. Sec. 1003. Provision of election information by electronic mail to individuals registered to vote. Sec. 1004. Clarification of requirement regarding necessary information to show eligibility to vote. Sec. 1005. Prohibiting State from requiring applicants to provide more than last 4 digits of Social Security number. Sec. 1006. Report on data collection. Sec. 1007. Permitting voter registration application form to serve as application for absentee ballot. Sec. 1008. Effective date. Subtitle B—Automatic Voter Registration Sec. 1101. Findings and purpose. Sec. 1102. Automatic registration of eligible individuals. Sec. 1103. Contributing agency assistance in registration. Sec. 1104. One-time contributing agency assistance in registration of eligible voters in existing records. Sec. 1105. Voter protection and security in automatic registration. Sec. 1106. Registration portability and correction. Sec. 1107. Payments and grants. Sec. 1108. Treatment of exempt States. Sec. 1109. Miscellaneous provisions. Sec. 1110. Definitions. Sec. 1111. Effective date. Subtitle C—Same Day Voter Registration Sec. 1201. Same day registration. Subtitle D—Conditions on Removal on Basis of Interstate Cross-Checks Sec. 1301. Conditions on removal of registrants from official list of eligible voters on basis of interstate cross-checks. Subtitle E—Other Initiatives To Promote Voter Registration Sec. 1401. Annual reports on voter registration statistics. Sec. 1402. Ensuring pre-election registration deadlines are consistent with timing of legal public holidays. Sec. 1403. Use of Postal Service hard copy change of address form to remind individuals to update voter registration. Sec. 1404. Grants to States for activities to encourage involvement of minors in election activities. Sec. 1405. Permission to place exhibits. Sec. 1406. Requiring States to establish and operate voter privacy programs. Sec. 1407. Inclusion of voter registration information with certain leases and vouchers for federally assisted rental housing and mortgage applications. Subtitle F—Availability of HAVA Requirements Payments Sec. 1501. Availability of requirements payments under HAVA to cover costs of compliance with new requirements. Subtitle G—Prohibiting Interference With Voter Registration Sec. 1601. Prohibiting hindering, interfering with, or preventing voter registration. Sec. 1602. Establishment of best practices. Subtitle H—Voter Registration Efficiency Act Sec. 1701. Requiring applicants for motor vehicle driver’s licenses in new State to indicate whether State serves as residence for voter registration purposes. Subtitle I—Providing Voter Registration Information to Secondary School Students Sec. 1801. Pilot program for providing voter registration information to secondary school students prior to graduation. Sec. 1802. Reports. Sec. 1803. Authorization of appropriations. Subtitle J—Voter Registration of Minors Sec. 1901. Acceptance of voter registration applications from individuals under 18 years of age. Title II—Access to Voting for Individuals With Disabilities Sec. 2001. Requirements for States to promote access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities. Sec. 2002. Expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure voting access for individuals with disabilities. Sec. 2003. Pilot programs for enabling individuals with disabilities to register to vote privately and independently at residences. Sec. 2004. GAO analysis and report on voting access for individuals with disabilities. Title III—Prohibiting Voter Caging Sec. 3001. Voter caging and other questionable challenges prohibited. Sec. 3002. Development and adoption of best practices for preventing voter caging. Title IV—Prohibiting Deceptive Practices and Preventing Voter Intimidation Sec. 4001. Prohibition on deceptive practices in Federal elections. Sec. 4002. Corrective action. Sec. 4003. Reports to Congress. Title V—Democracy Restoration Sec. 5001. Findings. Sec. 5002. Rights of citizens. Sec. 5003. Enforcement. Sec. 5004. Notification of restoration of voting rights. Sec. 5005. Definitions. Sec. 5006. Relation to other laws. Sec. 5007. Federal prison funds. Sec. 5008. Effective date. Title VI—Promoting Accuracy, Integrity, and Security Through Voter-Verified Permanent Paper Ballot Sec. 6001. Paper ballot and manual counting requirements. Sec. 6002. Accessibility and ballot verification for individuals with disabilities. Sec. 6003. Durability and readability requirements for ballots. Sec. 6004. Study and report on optimal ballot design. Sec. 6005. Paper ballot printing requirements. Sec. 6006. Effective date for new requirements. Title VII—Provisional Ballots Sec. 7001. Requirements for counting provisional ballots; establishment of uniform and nondiscriminatory standards. Title VIII—Early Voting Sec. 8001. Early voting. Title IX—Voting by Mail Sec. 9001. Voting by mail. Sec. 9002. Absentee ballot tracking program. Sec. 9003. Voting materials postage. Sec. 9004. Study and report on vote-by-mail procedures. Title X—Absent Uniformed Services Voters and Overseas Voters Sec. 10001. Pre-election reports on availability and transmission of absentee ballots. Sec. 10002. Enforcement. Sec. 10003. Revisions to 45-day absentee ballot transmission rule. Sec. 10004. Use of single absentee ballot application for subsequent elections. Sec. 10005. Extending guarantee of residency for voting purposes to family members of absent military personnel. Sec. 10006. Requiring transmission of blank absentee ballots under UOCAVA to certain voters. Sec. 10007. Department of Justice report on voter disenfranchisement. Sec. 10008. Effective date. Title XI—Poll Worker Recruitment and Training Sec. 11001. Grants to States for poll worker recruitment and training. Sec. 11002. State defined. Title XII—Enhancement of Enforcement Sec. 12001. Enhancement of enforcement of Help America Vote Act of 2002. Title XIII—Federal Election Integrity Sec. 13001. Prohibition on campaign activities by chief State election administration officials. Title XIV—Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration Improvements Subtitle A—Promoting Voter Access Sec. 14001. Treatment of institutions of higher education. Sec. 14002. Minimum notification requirements for voters affected by polling place changes. Sec. 14003. Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet identification requirements for voting. Sec. 14004. Accommodations for voters residing in Indian lands. Sec. 14005. Voter information response systems and hotline. Sec. 14006. Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of polling places. Sec. 14007. Requiring States to provide secured drop boxes for voted absentee ballots in elections for Federal office. Sec. 14008. Prohibiting States from restricting curbside voting. Sec. 14009. Election Day holiday. Sec. 14010. GAO study on voter turnout rates. Sec. 14011. Study on ranked-choice voting. Subtitle B—Disaster and Emergency Contingency Plans Sec. 14101. Requirements for Federal election contingency plans in response to natural disasters and emergencies. Subtitle C—Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission Sec. 14201. Reauthorization of Election Assistance Commission. Sec. 14202. Requiring States to participate in post-general election surveys. Sec. 14203. Reports by National Institute of Standards and Technology on use of funds transferred from Election Assistance Commission. Sec. 14204. Recommendations to improve operations of Election Assistance Commission. Sec. 14205. Repeal of exemption of Election Assistance Commission from certain government contracting requirements. Subtitle D—Miscellaneous Provisions Sec. 14301. Application of Federal election administration laws to territories of the United States. Sec. 14302. Definition of election for Federal office. Sec. 14303. Authorizing payments to voting accessibility protection and advocacy systems serving the American Indian Consortium. Sec. 14304. Application of Federal voter protection laws to territories of the United States. Sec. 14305. Placement of statues of citizens of territories of the United States in Statuary Hall. Sec. 14306. No effect on other laws. Sec. 14307. Clarification of exemption for States without voter registration. Subtitle E—Voter Notice Sec. 14401. Public education campaigns in event of changes in elections in response to emergencies. Sec. 14402. Requirements for websites of election officials. Sec. 14403. Payments by Election Assistance Commission to States for costs of compliance. Title XV—Severability Sec. 15001. Severability. <enum>I</enum><header>Voter Registration Modernization</header> <subtitle id="H086C6560B45A48AB94EB6C3EB386DD55"><enum>A</enum><header>Promoting Internet Registration</header> <section id="H8A87D0DD6CC94BDE939C0BA7D9C3E92E"><enum>1001.</enum><header>Requiring availability of internet for voter registration</header> <subsection id="HB13DCF81131548469ED5A5EACE219DC7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requiring Availability of internet for Registration</header><text>The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20501">52 U.S.C. 20501</external-xref> et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 6 the following new section:</text>
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<section id="HD52AF833DC374E56AC0DE7B736242214"><enum>6A.</enum><header>Internet registration</header>
<subsection id="H35FB2802603F42AFA60CDC9377C2EDE1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requiring Availability of internet for Online Registration</header><text>Each State, acting through the chief State election official, shall ensure that the following services are available to the public at any time on the official public websites of the appropriate State and local election officials in the State, in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as the services provided by voter registration agencies under section 7(a):</text> <paragraph id="HB278C642BD054079B6F59BF02CF10F86"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Online application for voter registration.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H130A4D275B8845228DC09153CD29A794"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Online assistance to applicants in applying to register to vote.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H7B3E6F3161624237A0D443B2E1606E57"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Online completion and submission by applicants of the mail voter registration application form prescribed by the Election Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2), including assistance with providing a signature as required under subsection (c)).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H232BCB3CF67843D7B4EEEA0C3523BA96"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Online receipt of completed voter registration applications.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HFF6C2C0BBBE24E63BF443201E3A8462D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Acceptance of completed applications</header><text>A State shall accept an online voter registration application provided by an individual under this section, and ensure that the individual is registered to vote in the State, if—</text>
<paragraph id="HBC18C9E8EDFA4CE381096485E7B6DEE0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the individual meets the same voter registration requirements applicable to individuals who register to vote by mail in accordance with section 6(a)(1) using the mail voter registration application form prescribed by the Election Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2); and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD8B689E5BC2E442DB5B980E783BEC8A8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the individual meets the requirements of subsection (c) to provide a signature in electronic form (but only in the case of applications submitted during or after the second year in which this section is in effect in the State).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H925A04C6CAF34DFC9ADDC281CE1C7787"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Signature requirements</header>
<paragraph id="H7185C3F2491A4878A437F1DA076AB07D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>For purposes of this section, an individual meets the requirements of this subsection as follows:</text> <subparagraph id="H423AC8037C0640EA94D60800417C39CD"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of an individual who has a signature on file with a State agency, including the State motor vehicle authority, that is required to provide voter registration services under this Act or any other law, the individual consents to the transfer of that electronic signature.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2A271156FFC44C2493AD42D4580A6959"><enum>(B)</enum><text>If subparagraph (A) does not apply, the individual submits with the application an electronic copy of the individual’s handwritten signature through electronic means.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC50A7C83434B41658BD4A473D5570933"><enum>(C)</enum><text>If subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B) do not apply, the individual executes a computerized mark in the signature field on an online voter registration application, in accordance with reasonable security measures established by the State, but only if the State accepts such mark from the individual.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H957DED2D35BC448598F956C0997C1BE7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Treatment of individuals unable to meet requirement</header><text>If an individual is unable to meet the requirements of paragraph (1), the State shall—</text> <subparagraph id="H2B67850EA55F46FEB67608871E546504"><enum>(A)</enum><text>permit the individual to complete all other elements of the online voter registration application;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1F8D27A1D8284E9A8739281BD125F141"><enum>(B)</enum><text>permit the individual to provide a signature at the time the individual requests a ballot in an election (whether the individual requests the ballot at a polling place or requests the ballot by mail); and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9814F1D0EB0343C18BB08A387F3C96F3"><enum>(C)</enum><text>if the individual carries out the steps described in subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B), ensure that the individual is registered to vote in the State.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB38F0AE0C28340979C7AB392F9D829AD"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Notice</header><text>The State shall ensure that individuals applying to register to vote online are notified of the requirements of paragraph (1) and of the treatment of individuals unable to meet such requirements, as described in paragraph (2).</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H21D8E96D8DCC4034805341977C2039C0"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Confirmation and disposition</header> <paragraph id="H3853A4DB67EA4A3CAE786FA2AD203F61"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Confirmation of receipt</header><text>Upon the online submission of a completed voter registration application by an individual under this section, the appropriate State or local election official shall send the individual a notice confirming the State’s receipt of the application and providing instructions on how the individual may check the status of the application.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBCD1EFF77FBE4208A4BABB4F96C30F0F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Notice of disposition</header><text>Not later than 7 days after the appropriate State or local election official has approved or rejected an application submitted by an individual under this section, the official shall send the individual a notice of the disposition of the application.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H7930BAD16526417F927E53F09A4A759E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Method of notification</header><text>The appropriate State or local election official shall send the notices required under this subsection by regular mail and—</text>
<subparagraph id="H0711C231034D44CFB71822CADCD2A9A9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the case of an individual who has provided the official with an electronic mail address, by electronic mail; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB2E2718FF50B42A9A3C8310460DBC315"><enum>(B)</enum><text>at the option of the individual, by text message.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H9E334260AC3C461D8D1FAECABB998A02"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Provision of Services in Nonpartisan Manner</header><text>The services made available under subsection (a) shall be provided in a manner that ensures that, consistent with section 7(a)(5)—</text> <paragraph id="H4815B3B1AD3D410C9BF7A1259D851575"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the online application does not seek to influence an applicant’s political preference or party registration; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAC2BEFA00C8646CFBD2F14E19306C08E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>there is no display on the website promoting any political preference or party allegiance, except that nothing in this paragraph may be construed to prohibit an applicant from registering to vote as a member of a political party.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H926FA2EC953443E6906D560E24EC7707"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Protection of Security of Information</header><text>In meeting the requirements of this section, the State shall establish appropriate technological security measures to prevent to the greatest extent practicable any unauthorized access to information provided by individuals using the services made available under subsection (a).</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H611F946EFBDA4DF8B3774059EB4C6409"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Accessibility of services</header><text>A state shall ensure that the services made available under this section are made available to individuals with disabilities to the same extent as services are made available to all other individuals.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H865A03F1884E4DA4BFD3622B2FDADAA5"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Use of Additional Telephone-Based System</header><text>A State shall make the services made available online under subsection (a) available through the use of an automated telephone-based system, subject to the same terms and conditions applicable under this section to the services made available online, in addition to making the services available online in accordance with the requirements of this section.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HD2B3BC5D39CF40BBA40EB87313817F5C"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Nondiscrimination among registered voters using mail and online registration</header><text>In carrying out this Act, the Help America Vote Act of 2002, or any other Federal, State, or local law governing the treatment of registered voters in the State or the administration of elections for public office in the State, a State shall treat a registered voter who registered to vote online in accordance with this section in the same manner as the State treats a registered voter who registered to vote by mail.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> <subsection id="HDCF4AD5596F44377B1F7FD5F4440BFED"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Special requirements for individuals using online registration</header> <paragraph id="H7BBF37C53C704D149DA8F0E875E4642B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Treatment as individuals registering to vote by mail for purposes of first-time voter identification requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 303(b)(1)(A) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21083">52 U.S.C. 21083(b)(1)(A)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>by mail</quote> and inserting <quote>by mail or online under section 6A of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993</quote>.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0B4C72281A634FC2A697664272F11145"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requiring signature for first-time voters in jurisdiction</header><text>Section 303(b) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21083">52 U.S.C. 21083(b)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="H47198144B2F0496BB2C645765DBD2F18"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBEFA918CCDCB4A29B1EC7C3F3589F046"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE695A809B402498AB6A519753A5C123C" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H497A24D242584374A56EE7B030976D6E"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Signature requirements for first-time voters using online registration</header> <subparagraph id="HAD112F2C5F7D41BFA5D40D32C4E9BE41"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A State shall, in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner, require an individual to meet the requirements of subparagraph (B) if—</text>
<clause id="H6C916FF9B91D4024B8EDB59A39049A24"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the individual registered to vote in the State online under section 6A of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993; and</text></clause> <clause id="H7C19A31A14044D7BAF727E96F57E2646"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the individual has not previously voted in an election for Federal office in the State.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD85A7992C6A64D79B98FF9E13C0FF5B9"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>An individual meets the requirements of this subparagraph if—</text> <clause id="H3E078B9815CA4ED08C14C81F8E90155B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the case of an individual who votes in person, the individual provides the appropriate State or local election official with a handwritten signature; or</text></clause>
<clause id="H5F777AAE1354486DAC9273826226226D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the case of an individual who votes by mail, the individual submits with the ballot a handwritten signature.</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H312A2EE385674585847FB119557E2C91"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Inapplicability</header><text>Subparagraph (A) does not apply in the case of an individual who is—</text>
<clause id="H66EEDD4E6B944BAB88EE4948E2A92078"><enum>(i)</enum><text>entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20302">52 U.S.C. 20302</external-xref> et seq.);</text></clause> <clause id="H8ED2871342E442489B3F38E9EC7ABB60"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provided the right to vote otherwise than in person under section 3(b)(2)(B)(ii) of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20102">52 U.S.C. 20102(b)(2)(B)(ii)</external-xref>); or</text></clause>
<clause id="H14A73996B13B458CBEE005C7B485B09A"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>entitled to vote otherwise than in person under any other Federal law.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HC28246A3B1E14406B2A89E16C8650738"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Conforming amendment relating to effective date</header><text>Section 303(d)(2)(A) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21083">52 U.S.C. 21083(d)(2)(A)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>Each State</quote> and inserting <quote>Except as provided in subsection (b)(5), each State</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H0F3AD06FB15245E5A28B5DD41E3F4B5F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Conforming Amendments</header>
<paragraph id="HEEFA62A0F5AC44EAA55D67122D6B7C26"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Timing of registration</header><text>Section 8(a)(1) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20507">52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(1)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="H6CFD876A577F428F94A459FD776F0D94"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end of subparagraph (C);</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA06B610D103B4192B7F9D30FD612784F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2C70D8BECCC9486E997979F7C6821C94"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph:</text>
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<subparagraph id="HE4481DC1724E413994F1E2CD018A4EDD"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of online registration through the official public website of an election official under section 6A, if the valid voter registration application is submitted online not later than the lesser of 28 days, or the period provided by State law, before the date of the election (as determined by treating the date on which the application is sent electronically as the date on which it is submitted); and</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H0C983C57E65640A5B0F1E092C5F600FB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Informing applicants of eligibility requirements and penalties</header><text>Section 8(a)(5) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20507">52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(5)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>and 7</quote> and inserting <quote>6A, and 7</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H5807CB45A3BE470BAED50B384987094D"><enum>1002.</enum><header>Use of internet to update registration information</header>
<subsection id="HF512EE119F9F4A80918C78BE1EDC7440"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header>
<paragraph id="HA8947FAADBB64B0996153E6BE63FD032"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Updates to information contained on computerized statewide voter registration list</header><text>Section 303(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21083">52 U.S.C. 21083(a)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H41F0DCF6B1AF48ACA148AFEE4592A1B1" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="H02DDC1D96F2845C1802F9261C082FD35"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Use of Internet by registered voters to update information</header> <subparagraph id="H2A6E32A357604D6A99D2B32BE5213F26"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The appropriate State or local election official shall ensure that any registered voter on the computerized list may at any time update the voter’s registration information, including the voter’s address and electronic mail address, online through the official public website of the election official responsible for the maintenance of the list, so long as the voter attests to the contents of the update by providing a signature in electronic form in the same manner required under section 6A(c) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3AF0E4503C084AC586BB487B96982878"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Processing of updated information by election officials</header><text>If a registered voter updates registration information under subparagraph (A), the appropriate State or local election official shall—</text> <clause id="H65F35CF4595044B9B055CA63E48E7C9E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>revise any information on the computerized list to reflect the update made by the voter; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H9813032477124C998C41656B8634DAF9"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>if the updated registration information affects the voter’s eligibility to vote in an election for Federal office, ensure that the information is processed with respect to the election if the voter updates the information not later than the lesser of 7 days, or the period provided by State law, before the date of the election.</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF6D419EFEC6F42BC8335AA8A819A9BD8"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Confirmation and disposition</header> <clause id="H9859031C1F5D4F2BB0CD004DAFDB8DD3"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Confirmation of receipt</header><text>Upon the online submission of updated registration information by an individual under this paragraph, the appropriate State or local election official shall send the individual a notice confirming the State’s receipt of the updated information and providing instructions on how the individual may check the status of the update.</text></clause>
<clause id="HAC8E3E4A6D414540A54E3E6C7CF818ED"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Notice of disposition</header><text>Not later than 7 days after the appropriate State or local election official has accepted or rejected updated information submitted by an individual under this paragraph, the official shall send the individual a notice of the disposition of the update.</text></clause> <clause id="HE1C6575AAF54463CAF80A92D6A9FF214"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Method of notification</header><text>The appropriate State or local election official shall send the notices required under this subparagraph by regular mail and—</text>
<subclause id="H2965A01DA6AE4401AB1C3A2F633D3638"><enum>(I)</enum><text>in the case of an individual who has requested that the State provide voter registration and voting information through electronic mail, by electronic mail; and</text></subclause> <subclause id="H838A87E7240A40D48C529F5BFFE824F9"><enum>(II)</enum><text>at the option of the individual, by text message.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2E97E57DFD374174B79C1BB1417238B1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming amendment relating to effective date</header><text>Section 303(d)(1)(A) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21083">52 U.S.C. 21083(d)(1)(A)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>subparagraph (B)</quote> and inserting <quote>subparagraph (B) and subsection (a)(6)</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H6BA33463D4A84FAB9AA98E5BDC4DF0B8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Ability of registrant To use online update To provide information on residence</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8(d)(2)(A) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20507">52 U.S.C. 20507(d)(2)(A)</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HB05CAF57C081419499350EED70922221"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the first sentence, by inserting after <quote>return the card</quote> the following: <quote>or update the registrant’s information on the computerized statewide voter registration list using the online method provided under section 303(a)(6) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002</quote>; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H05A092222B13429C84B9E7B6C56A383F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in the second sentence, by striking <quote>returned,</quote> and inserting the following: <quote>returned or if the registrant does not update the registrant’s information on the computerized Statewide voter registration list using such online method,</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H594BE8725A0B46F8B4E2C80D1C0CC412"><enum>1003.</enum><header>Provision of election information by electronic mail to individuals registered to vote</header>
<subsection id="H48CF742F39BF49F6BBC83B1BB0D3F327"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Including Option on Voter Registration Application To Provide Email Address and Receive Information</header>
<paragraph id="HB8FBBE7B442C4E0FA56E947A24AFE7BC"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 9(b) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20508">52 U.S.C. 20508(b)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="HD09A34A47C5E44609B3BECB1EB94BE8E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end of paragraph (3);</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8FB29B6850994184A2621CE0213ADFE9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB0FB950F775949EB8D5F598D3A0B63C7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1D0A7B29F7864E72B6B4F3451053C1A3" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="H838E851CAEC547229E124A4C86C988A0"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall include a space for the applicant to provide (at the applicant’s option) an electronic mail address, together with a statement that, if the applicant so requests, instead of using regular mail the appropriate State and local election officials shall provide to the applicant, through electronic mail sent to that address, the same voting information (as defined in section 302(b)(2) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002) which the officials would provide to the applicant through regular mail.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HC1009C7E4236479F8BFDB6DFF2CAE133"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Prohibiting use for purposes unrelated to official duties of election officials</header><text>Section 9 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20508">52 U.S.C. 20508</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H238F715FA3714150AEF7B2CFD42199F5" style="OLC">
<subsection id="HCCABE5A905D14E799EBCDB032C68DDFB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Prohibiting use of electronic mail addresses for other than official purposes</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The chief State election official shall ensure that any electronic mail address provided by an applicant under subsection (b)(5) is used only for purposes of carrying out official duties of election officials and is not transmitted by any State or local election official (or any agent of such an official, including a contractor) to any person who does not require the address to carry out such official duties and who is not under the direct supervision and control of a State or local election official.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H94DC26D8C2DD4A52BA9E71335B9A4D96"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requiring Provision of Information by Election Officials</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 302(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21082">52 U.S.C. 21082(b)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB75B153B5CB84CBFBB9C69021B6C03BE" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="H98CE301FA6CA47148BD8EDBDAC460B83"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Provision of other information by electronic mail</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If an individual who is a registered voter has provided the State or local election official with an electronic mail address for the purpose of receiving voting information (as described in section 9(b)(5) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993), the appropriate State or local election official, through electronic mail transmitted not later than 7 days before the date of the election for Federal office involved, shall provide the individual with information on how to obtain the following information by electronic means:</text> <subparagraph id="H30A267ECCDBE4CA3B3DCFD6C914D90D6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The name and address of the polling place at which the individual is assigned to vote in the election.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5C0143ED4545408E81B4907CAE6431B9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The hours of operation for the polling place.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HEF1D476CD35849329856F7F0EC2456B6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>A description of any identification or other information the individual may be required to present at the polling place.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H72BDA484FC624F099AD60E05E103A824" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>1004.</enum><header>Clarification of requirement regarding necessary information to show eligibility to vote</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20507">52 U.S.C. 20507</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H2B6D2272D40845D4A5417E4646871A23"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H84F8D022C99F4D35A87E6392E504FB0C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (i) the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H69A0C8091D25468087B5EEEDFFCBE865" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H7C8A13F579904337BD78E62AD7F49154"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Requirement for State To Register Applicants Providing Necessary Information To Show Eligibility To Vote</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes meeting the requirement of subsection (a)(1) that an eligible applicant is registered to vote in an election for Federal office within the deadlines required under such subsection, the State shall consider an applicant to have provided a <quote>valid voter registration form</quote> if—</text>
<paragraph id="H9E100246F33D47AB81167FF4A5A7F634"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the applicant has substantially completed the application form and attested to the statement required by section 9(b)(2); and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H5A1D1745A92B4C55B3058E5E497ECF2B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in the case of an applicant who registers to vote online in accordance with section 6A, the applicant provides a signature in accordance with subsection (c) of such section.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section>
<section id="H5E1A6C8D752D4183A7375CD9E8D4D630"><enum>1005.</enum><header>Prohibiting State from requiring applicants to provide more than last 4 digits of Social Security number</header>
<subsection id="H3EE949B3161641B2B97B1015612B255B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Form included with application for motor vehicle driver’s license</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 5(c)(2)(B)(ii) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20504">52 U.S.C. 20504(c)(2)(B)(ii)</external-xref>) is amended by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting the following: <quote>, and to the extent that the application requires the applicant to provide a Social Security number, may not require the applicant to provide more than the last 4 digits of such number;</quote>.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H9141183528654CEB98CDB08DEC8EF637"><enum>(b)</enum><header>National mail voter registration form</header><text>Section 9(b)(1) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20508">52 U.S.C. 20508(b)(1)</external-xref>) is amended by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting the following: <quote>, and to the extent that the form requires the applicant to provide a Social Security number, the form may not require the applicant to provide more than the last 4 digits of such number;</quote>.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H73B513D650C1446AACD8BB136236008B"><enum>1006.</enum><header>Report on data collection</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a report on local, State, and Federal personally identifiable information data collections efforts, the cyber security resources necessary to defend such efforts from online attacks, and the impact of a potential data breach of local, State, or Federal online voter registration systems.</text></section> <section id="HDE3AC81F93874379830147B54163522B"><enum>1007.</enum><header>Permitting voter registration application form to serve as application for absentee ballot</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 5(c)(2) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20504">52 U.S.C. 20504(c)(2)</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HEEE83ABB83A548B8BC84BC020BE24836"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end of subparagraph (D);</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HDE0CBEC8A52C4FEEB72E56AC19B29FB7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (E) and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H511A8A0008434C7BB111B97808CEA645"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="H222750255D3E4CE78064546539D16962" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <subparagraph id="H16FA6F2DEEC541A8AC1FE86CBA8F114E" indent="up1"><enum>(F)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">at the option of the applicant, shall serve as an application to vote by absentee ballot in the next election for Federal office held in the State and in each subsequent election for Federal office held in the State.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section>
<section id="HE795AE620E6C4487B1FDD2531E40868D"><enum>1008.</enum><header>Effective date</header>
<subsection id="HF9ABB0C13FAC4199BC962728E182ADCD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in subsection (b), the amendments made by this subtitle (other than the amendments made by section 1004) shall take effect January 1, 2022.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H025C88037F7B489AB76DE560C007E82F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Waiver</header><text>Subject to the approval of the Election Assistance Commission, if a State certifies to the Election Assistance Commission that the State will not meet the deadline referred to in subsection (a) because of extraordinary circumstances and includes in the certification the reasons for the failure to meet the deadline, subsection (a) shall apply to the State as if the reference in such subsection to <quote>January 1, 2022</quote> were a reference to <quote>January 1, 2024</quote>.</text></subsection></section></subtitle>
<subtitle id="H622C65362885447AA505FAAD7BC0D3A5"><enum>B</enum><header>Automatic Voter Registration</header>
<section id="HDCB00F5B7F914581A89DE8701B577B22" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>1101.</enum><header>Findings and purpose</header>
<subsection id="H73AF5F5C42C34501ADFDABE421710532" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>Congress finds that—</text> <paragraph id="H281A8D01BDCC46128F01319071D1A75B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the right to vote is a fundamental right of citizens of the United States;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB96A4C0AEFC144FE96502977C287298F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>it is the responsibility of the State and Federal Governments to ensure that every eligible citizen is registered to vote;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HBA396DE24CEB406EA428B221F0318B52"><enum>(3)</enum><text>existing voter registration systems can be inaccurate, costly, inaccessible and confusing, with damaging effects on voter participation in elections for Federal office and disproportionate impacts on young people, persons with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities; and </text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCCCB3AEC1EE244438C7CC4246E11FB37"><enum>(4)</enum><text>voter registration systems must be updated with 21st Century technologies and procedures to maintain their security.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H82F1A46598704141868DB96CABA2B68E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>It is the purpose of this subtitle—</text>
<paragraph id="H7C3429E472E2473886128532A7DCD005"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to establish that it is the responsibility of government at every level to ensure that all eligible citizens are registered to vote in elections for Federal office;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H251B6AAA05A3461499218DB5B405563B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to enable the State and Federal Governments to register all eligible citizens to vote with accurate, cost-efficient, and up-to-date procedures;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H948F799324D345C4B2D589ECAB0748C5"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to modernize voter registration and list maintenance procedures with electronic and internet capabilities; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HC00269AF4FB84A8C9CF6E0D47C728D62"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to protect and enhance the integrity, accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility of the electoral process for all eligible citizens.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HF749D5983B734AE68605E6E24DD6C5C7"><enum>1102.</enum><header>Automatic registration of eligible individuals</header>
<subsection id="H342F0C1129EB430D817B6FEB712A03EB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requiring States To establish and operate automatic registration system</header>
<paragraph id="H7E3C09210623422BA8C766E403A4644E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The chief State election official of each State shall establish and operate a system of automatic registration for the registration of eligible individuals to vote for elections for Federal office in the State, in accordance with the provisions of this part.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H44E9B60E9467410E9FC1B9B675C6C821"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Definition</header><text>The term <term>automatic registration</term> means a system that registers an individual to vote in elections for Federal office in a State, if eligible, by electronically transferring the information necessary for registration from government agencies to election officials of the State so that, unless the individual affirmatively declines to be registered, the individual will be registered to vote in such elections.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H3743B1AEA6CE40D5BAC0CEDC7058DF30"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Registration of voters based on new agency records</header><text>The chief State election official shall—</text> <paragraph id="H0952002E9EF74A97AD8215DFA233AFE6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>not later than 15 days after a contributing agency has transmitted information with respect to an individual pursuant to section 1103, ensure that the individual is registered to vote in elections for Federal office in the State if the individual is eligible to be registered to vote in such elections; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1947D341CDFB4936B4C4DB9AC8A653E3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>not later than 120 days after a contributing agency has transmitted such information with respect to the individual, send written notice to the individual, in addition to other means of notice established by this subtitle, of the individual’s voter registration status.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H80834E8E46CC4F9DAD552744FAE68184"><enum>(c)</enum><header>One-Time registration of voters based on existing contributing agency records</header><text>The chief State election official shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H529979C2005B4C7FAFC41E26BEBA0069"><enum>(1)</enum><text>identify all individuals whose information is transmitted by a contributing agency pursuant to section 1104 and who are eligible to be, but are not currently, registered to vote in that State;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HE02EEDC051AB4E298F6022A4830D39C7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>promptly send each such individual written notice, in addition to other means of notice established by this subtitle, which shall not identify the contributing agency that transmitted the information but shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H65F75BB2D54F487BBF0E0D033B6E9B1E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an explanation that voter registration is voluntary, but if the individual does not decline registration, the individual will be registered to vote;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H0C855B9CFBB04D65BBF6963DF6608D87"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a statement offering the opportunity to decline voter registration through means consistent with the requirements of this subtitle;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HEAB8A8E61126436F8817CC57A4389718"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in the case of a State in which affiliation or enrollment with a political party is required in order to participate in an election to select the party’s candidate in an election for Federal office, a statement offering the individual the opportunity to affiliate or enroll with a political party or to decline to affiliate or enroll with a political party, through means consistent with the requirements of this subtitle;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H39EAE1B402544F46B0B01D76EACAC231"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the substantive qualifications of an elector in the State as listed in the mail voter registration application form for elections for Federal office prescribed pursuant to section 9 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the consequences of false registration, and a statement that the individual should decline to register if the individual does not meet all those qualifications; </text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7FCB66BB88964B798CC5CE5C59579FBC"><enum>(E)</enum><text>instructions for correcting any erroneous information; </text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H227B7F08DFE7442EB5AAC9138B39E0FF"><enum>(F)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">instructions for providing any additional information which is listed in the mail voter registration application form for elections for Federal office prescribed pursuant to section 9 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993; and </text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE069060AA9B7487F8836D42DD83E2FF7"><enum>(G)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an explanation of what information the State and local election officials maintain with respect to an individual voter registration status for purposes of elections for Federal office in the State, how that information is shared or sold and with whom, what information is automatically kept confidential, what information is needed to access voter information online, and what privacy programs are available, such as those described in section 1406; </text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HFF6933F465E74E01845D1350B9E2D5FB"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ensure that each such individual who is eligible to register to vote in elections for Federal office in the State is promptly registered to vote not later than 45 days after the official sends the individual the written notice under paragraph (2), unless, during the 30-day period which begins on the date the election official sends the individual such written notice, the individual declines registration in writing, through a communication made over the internet, or by an officially logged telephone communication; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8E17CD2B438E4EB5B0725414088F44B4"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">send written notice to each such individual, in addition to other means of notice established by this subtitle, of the individual’s voter registration status.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HE2AFAB4C649043AFA9530C3A18B6152E"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Treatment of individuals under 18 years of age</header><text>A State may not refuse to treat an individual as an eligible individual for purposes of this subtitle on the grounds that the individual is less than 18 years of age at the time a contributing agency receives information with respect to the individual, so long as the individual is at least 16 years of age at such time. Nothing in the previous sentence may be construed to require a State to permit an individual who is under 18 years of age at the time of an election for Federal office to vote in the election.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HE34E6C1A6E3A4F928DB3ACD02AB230DB"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Contributing agency defined</header><text>In this subtitle, the term <term>contributing agency</term> means, with respect to a State, an agency listed in section 1103(e). </text></subsection></section> <section id="HCA5DEAE7EFDD4B17861AD798DE83778E"><enum>1103.</enum><header>Contributing agency assistance in registration</header> <subsection id="H3119DE57E12F471A9A4F6CE60BF89748"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In accordance with this subtitle, each contributing agency in a State shall assist the State’s chief election official in registering to vote all eligible individuals served by that agency.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H1E9C430E9CC74EF9ADA3B428CB89BCF2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements for contributing agencies</header>
<paragraph id="HAE006D7979AD4E2F82A17558D5535EF2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Instructions on automatic registration</header><text>With each application for service or assistance, and with each related recertification, renewal, or change of address, or, in the case of an institution of higher education, with each registration of a student for enrollment in a course of study, each contributing agency that (in the normal course of its operations) requests individuals to affirm United States citizenship (either directly or as part of the overall application for service or assistance) shall inform each such individual who is a citizen of the United States of the following:</text> <subparagraph id="H7DD69CC976F544E7A6D8D06C9B37FD1B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Unless that individual declines to register to vote, or is found ineligible to vote, the individual will be registered to vote or, if applicable, the individual’s registration will be updated.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB9D7D66C87754FAF837BEC3971494316"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The substantive qualifications of an elector in the State as listed in the mail voter registration application form for elections for Federal office prescribed pursuant to section 9 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the consequences of false registration, and the individual should decline to register if the individual does not meet all those qualifications.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H55E77FE8987E49919A0E203A2DC6A3CA"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a State in which affiliation or enrollment with a political party is required in order to participate in an election to select the party’s candidate in an election for Federal office, the requirement that the individual must affiliate or enroll with a political party in order to participate in such an election.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDB400274D8AF426BB8120679882C55D0"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Voter registration is voluntary, and neither registering nor declining to register to vote will in any way affect the availability of services or benefits, nor be used for other purposes.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H90A88F392346480AAA0F704AE147FC1F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Opportunity to decline registration required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as otherwise provided in this section, each contributing agency shall ensure that each application for service or assistance, and each related recertification, renewal, or change of address cannot be completed until the individual is given the opportunity to decline to be registered to vote.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4D0D49C5586F4802AC768711CC2DBC36"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Information transmittal</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Upon the expiration of the 30-day period which begins on the date a contributing agency as described in paragraph (1) informs an individual of the information described in such paragraph, unless the individual has declined to be registered to vote or informs the agency that they are already registered to vote, each contributing agency shall electronically transmit to the appropriate State election official, in a format compatible with the statewide voter database maintained under section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21083">52 U.S.C. 21083</external-xref>), the following information:</text> <subparagraph id="HF4CF50E22D9145B9A6CBDA4E92CA30FF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The individual’s given name(s) and surname(s).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC22ECCB731A04168B38055CC6F35A204"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The individual’s date of birth.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H952216F28BD9446E80756B16B24F2E36"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The individual’s residential address.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAA66C7BEDF1C478C8CDFF2743EB2F4AA"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Information showing that the individual is a citizen of the United States.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HDAEF9995CC954ACEAE9D201BCF600DCF"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The date on which information pertaining to that individual was collected or last updated.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB1A0CF3752A745AF917BF7A67CB89C17"><enum>(F)</enum><text>If available, the individual’s signature in electronic form.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H6E91C25DF6C942978C334F7728761660" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(G)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except in the case in which the contributing agency is a covered institution of higher education, in the case of a State in which affiliation or enrollment with a political party is required in order to participate in an election to select the party’s candidate in an election for Federal office, information regarding the individual’s affiliation or enrollment with a political party, but only if the individual provides such information.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H81BA532989ED48B58E38A04286458776"><enum>(H)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any additional information listed in the mail voter registration application form for elections for Federal office prescribed pursuant to section 9 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, including any valid driver's license number or the last 4 digits of the individual's social security number, if the individual provided such information. </text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H7E28DDC47A4C4A15B772DFF4E8FD534B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Alternate procedure for certain contributing agencies</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">With each application for service or assistance, and with each related recertification, renewal, or change of address, any contributing agency that in the normal course of its operations does not request individuals applying for service or assistance to affirm United States citizenship (either directly or as part of the overall application for service or assistance) shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HC47127E8C76C40B09B1D5096A64D4288"><enum>(1)</enum><text>complete the requirements of section 7(a)(6) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20506">52 U.S.C. 20506(a)(6)</external-xref>);</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H520FC96B7CE647E385915A8897A9D540"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ensure that each applicant’s transaction with the agency cannot be completed until the applicant has indicated whether the applicant wishes to register to vote or declines to register to vote in elections for Federal office held in the State; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAB02E9C5F6BD4C13821B72695D3A4F97"><enum>(3)</enum><text>for each individual who wishes to register to vote, transmit that individual’s information in accordance with subsection (b)(3).</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H1B3CDD2F0A2C4F7D93F42CA80582A468"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Required availability of automatic registration opportunity with each application for service or assistance</header><text>Each contributing agency shall offer each individual, with each application for service or assistance, and with each related recertification, renewal, or change of address, or in the case of an institution of higher education, with each registration of a student for enrollment in a course of study, the opportunity to register to vote as prescribed by this section without regard to whether the individual previously declined a registration opportunity.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H510A3652628D4AB381942F3A84DD4D31"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Contributing agencies</header>
<paragraph id="H3A2CB23017AE488FB3774B70B21244DF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>State agencies</header><text>In each State, each of the following agencies shall be treated as a contributing agency:</text> <subparagraph id="H6D1155A48BC849099B93BA9A8AC26D20"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Each agency in a State that is required by Federal law to provide voter registration services, including the State motor vehicle authority and other voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE2B37D5389924C6E94EFC3B2E7157618"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Each agency in a State that administers a program pursuant to title III of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/501">42 U.S.C. 501</external-xref> et seq.), title XIX of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396">42 U.S.C. 1396</external-xref> et seq.), or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/111/148">Public Law 111–148</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB745A57E7A8F4F78981B4D0093795C09"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Each State agency primarily responsible for regulating the private possession of firearms.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1D5634F7355647D0A61B72A7E2B1B1CE"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Each State agency primarily responsible for maintaining identifying information for students enrolled at public secondary schools, including, where applicable, the State agency responsible for maintaining the education data system described in section 6201(e)(2) of the America COMPETES Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/9871">20 U.S.C. 9871(e)(2)</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H0BF798B7DCF1486FA35AD9C559171FB0"><enum>(E)</enum><text>In the case of a State in which an individual disenfranchised by a criminal conviction may become eligible to vote upon completion of a criminal sentence or any part thereof, or upon formal restoration of rights, the State agency responsible for administering that sentence, or part thereof, or that restoration of rights.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H64F8B5FB54A64439B6D6473404E8C08B"><enum>(F)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any other agency of the State which is designated by the State as a contributing agency.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H9CF6411E6A5248FCA3FDCBF2579BCABE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Federal agencies</header><text>In each State, each of the following agencies of the Federal Government shall be treated as a contributing agency with respect to individuals who are residents of that State (except as provided in subparagraph (C)):</text>
<subparagraph id="HAC761AA60BFC47988827900F83D1E605"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Defense Manpower Data Center of the Department of Defense, the Employee and Training Administration of the Department of Labor, and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H82EAC405BF0F47B187D0B845B0BB263B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, but only with respect to individuals who have completed the naturalization process.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HEC577F849A7F48BBB179DF0AF75755B5"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of an individual who is a resident of a State in which an individual disenfranchised by a criminal conviction under Federal law may become eligible to vote upon completion of a criminal sentence or any part thereof, or upon formal restoration of rights, the Federal agency responsible for administering that sentence or part thereof (without regard to whether the agency is located in the same State in which the individual is a resident), but only with respect to individuals who have completed the criminal sentence or any part thereof.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE907A6820A964C45856A833176FF06B4"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any other agency of the Federal Government which the State designates as a contributing agency, but only if the State and the head of the agency determine that the agency collects information sufficient to carry out the responsibilities of a contributing agency under this section.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8A68B36BF8234C638E9F5E064D99DBB9"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Publication</header><text>Not later than 180 days prior to the date of each election for Federal office held in the State, the chief State election official shall publish on the public website of the official an updated list of all contributing agencies in that State.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H7F12ABB0CAA94B00893562D1DB585B97"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Public education</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The chief State election official of each State, in collaboration with each contributing agency, shall take appropriate measures to educate the public about voter registration under this section.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H24845CA730F64233B8AFAF9464FF0F48" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Institutions of higher education</header>
<paragraph id="HECCF00304A6B481EB604C6CB6259E069"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each covered institution of higher education shall be treated as a contributing agency in the State in which the institution is located with respect to in-State students.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H372F60BD333641B7A333081142FAC4E0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Procedures</header> <subparagraph id="HDEF73CD1FB45428FB6C3E8AB2742F2B5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1232g">20 U.S.C. 1232g</external-xref>; commonly referred to as the <quote>Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974</quote>) or any other provision of law, each covered institution of higher education shall comply with the requirements of subsection (b) with respect to each in-State student.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD6CD7285EDB5420CA8964427F966C820"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Rules for compliance</header><text>In complying with the requirements described in subparagraph (A), the institution—</text> <clause id="HF4A40677F6164B7FA0CE666659D0AAD1"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may use information provided in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid described in section 483 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1090">20 U.S.C. 1090</external-xref>) to collect information described in paragraph (3) of such subsection for purposes of transmitting such information to the appropriate State election official pursuant to such paragraph; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H4D519242F0524A45B4B11C34E6BECE28"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall not be required to prevent or delay students from enrolling in a course of study or otherwise impede the completion of the enrollment process; and (iii) shall not withhold, delay, or impede the provision of Federal financial aid provided under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HFB7864E1E69C48F9959004DC9977154F"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Clarification</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this subtitle may be construed to require an institution of higher education to request each student to affirm whether or not the student is a United States citizen or otherwise collect information with respect to citizenship.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H97FBD86F272043DCA78584DE45078679"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Definitions</header>
<subparagraph id="H343744C5DF22432899455C2359C0CD10"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Covered institution of higher education</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <term>covered institution of higher education</term> means an institution of higher education that—</text> <clause id="H1F01E97C8EA44518B1E57E075291168E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>has a program participation agreement in effect with the Secretary of Education under section 487 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1094">20 U.S.C. 1094</external-xref>);</text></clause>
<clause id="HE8DC7AD275ED4815883687AD98568B2F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in its normal course of operations, requests each in-State student enrolling in the institution to affirm whether or not the student is a United States citizen; and</text></clause> <clause id="H4FCB5451C5B742C795A221F0F871A9DF"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>is located in a State to which section 4(b)(1) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20503">52 U.S.C. 20503(b)(1)</external-xref>) does not apply.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HCB93813AFC314AA199462A1CF70632A4"><enum>(B)</enum><header>In-State student</header><text>In this section, the term <term>in-State student</term>—</text> <clause id="HFCD1F5BE33DE4B2AA10A6AD304818773"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">means a student enrolled in a covered institution of higher education who, for purposes related to in-State tuition, financial aid eligibility, or other similar purposes, resides in the State; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HE518CD751F9D4C559B28E82AC403EB35"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>includes a student described in clause (i) who is enrolled in a program of distance education, as defined in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1003">20 U.S.C. 1003</external-xref>).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="HCF64EFF32D864488807E373D50505479"><enum>1104.</enum><header>One-time contributing agency assistance in registration of eligible voters in existing records</header> <subsection id="H3F7A97609C914090B11CB244FAF526FC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Initial transmittal of information</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For each individual already listed in a contributing agency’s records as of the date of enactment of this Act, and for whom the agency has the information listed in section 1103(b)(3), the agency shall promptly transmit that information to the appropriate State election official in accordance with section 1103(b)(3) not later than the effective date described in section 1111(a).</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H8A0E16E4A9804410B86E3DDC4758C55C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Transition</header><text>For each individual listed in a contributing agency’s records as of the effective date described in section 1111(a) (but who was not listed in a contributing agency’s records as of the date of enactment of this Act), and for whom the agency has the information listed in section 1103(b)(3), the Agency shall promptly transmit that information to the appropriate State election official in accordance with section 1103(b)(3) not later than 6 months after the effective date described in section 1111(a).</text></subsection></section> <section id="HF1E578260F4945489920D78B44B821EF"><enum>1105.</enum><header>Voter protection and security in automatic registration</header> <subsection id="HCDC08E355E4645818228DE45135B2BC5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Protections for errors in registration</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An individual shall not be prosecuted under any Federal or State law, adversely affected in any civil adjudication concerning immigration status or naturalization, or subject to an allegation in any legal proceeding that the individual is not a citizen of the United States on any of the following grounds:</text>
<paragraph id="HF35BA78705F040E89778DA47E7EEEB47"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The individual notified an election office of the individual’s automatic registration to vote under this part.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H1328CCB49C1B4AC9AF6E60B430E11AA0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The individual is not eligible to vote in elections for Federal office but was automatically registered to vote under this part.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE8D3D6CE629342FCB2C065AD28DB8E6E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The individual was automatically registered to vote under this subtitle at an incorrect address.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HBADEF71C9D784691A94888C286C37CFD"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The individual declined the opportunity to register to vote or did not make an affirmation of citizenship, including through automatic registration, under this part.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6E499B8ED9F1421CA3F0D0C70B140581"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limits on use of automatic registration</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The automatic registration of any individual or the fact that an individual declined the opportunity to register to vote or did not make an affirmation of citizenship (including through automatic registration) under this subtitle may not be used as evidence against that individual in any State or Federal law enforcement proceeding, and an individual’s lack of knowledge or willfulness of such registration may be demonstrated by the individual’s testimony alone. </text></subsection> <subsection id="HA576B05B94B743A18BF9DC1C1606A949"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Protection of election integrity</header><text>Nothing in subsections (a) or (b) may be construed to prohibit or restrict any action under color of law against an individual who—</text>
<paragraph id="H7601520D34E54F39A1833BE48067A530"><enum>(1)</enum><text>knowingly and willfully makes a false statement to effectuate or perpetuate automatic voter registration by any individual; or</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HDB33B72B705C4CB4AFA38B1980B500A3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>casts a ballot knowingly and willfully in violation of State law or the laws of the United States.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H62A61E26C6F44072BAE12EDF084B8311"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Contributing agencies’ protection of information</header><text>Nothing in this subtitle authorizes a contributing agency to collect, retain, transmit, or publicly disclose any of the following:</text> <paragraph id="H6C1129436AB8434480270E17562E6C96"><enum>(1)</enum><text>An individual’s decision to decline to register to vote or not to register to vote.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H50802AEBDFCC4FA6916F631C9FD6A7B4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>An individual’s decision not to affirm his or her citizenship.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H2310FC923CC3416895A68DCBF1FA5A3D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Any information that a contributing agency transmits pursuant to section 1103(b)(3), except in pursuing the agency’s ordinary course of business.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H9A4DD87C42414F2DB081D2E4B2DA13F7"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Election officials’ protection of information</header>
<paragraph id="H657C22E719C14A2890C48A14F71F725B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Public disclosure prohibited</header>
<subparagraph id="H69370292197C43EAA91E4A77008272F5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to subparagraph (B), with respect to any individual for whom any State election official receives information from a contributing agency, the State election officials shall not publicly disclose any of the following:</text> <clause id="HE21B074DB13D4CDBA74F0F1A3D6E6627"><enum>(i)</enum><text>The identity of the contributing agency.</text></clause>
<clause id="H669601D106214D2CB34DB3DDC7AAE7AB"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Any information not necessary to voter registration.</text></clause> <clause id="H2726BD9C82B848A08A2FDDDC25BEF2AE"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Any voter information otherwise shielded from disclosure under State law or section 8(a) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20507">52 U.S.C. 20507(a)</external-xref>).</text></clause>
<clause id="HA56CA04C383E4248AB9E2EAC9B3B0E15"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Any portion of the individual’s social security number.</text></clause> <clause id="H5311CA9013EF489BB9C3398BCC8FC069"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Any portion of the individual’s motor vehicle driver’s license number.</text></clause>
<clause id="H6C140FDD50D14E8092CF4A4A87A59B46"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>The individual’s signature.</text></clause> <clause id="H3DBD9A4E1362490FBE027140F67959BC"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>The individual’s telephone number.</text></clause>
<clause id="H0704C62E3FAE46CEA35E0E6E0EBAD83E"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>The individual’s email address.</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H4FDAF08569C240F2985473BFD66E82E5"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Special rule for individuals registered to vote</header><text>With respect to any individual for whom any State election official receives information from a contributing agency and who, on the basis of such information, is registered to vote in the State under this subtitle, the State election officials shall not publicly disclose any of the following:</text>
<clause id="H4630205879874F728F7F7839732FF880"><enum>(i)</enum><text>The identity of the contributing agency.</text></clause> <clause id="H6E29A435315548CBAEE8B1C285CF6E04"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Any information not necessary to voter registration.</text></clause>
<clause id="H53C04D52D89B481C84AB09C6A2EFB56A"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Any voter information otherwise shielded from disclosure under State law or section 8(a) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20507">52 U.S.C. 20507(a)</external-xref>).</text></clause> <clause id="H7796ACCBC8D24AA0843B6E77B17831AF"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Any portion of the individual’s social security number.</text></clause>
<clause id="H62DA863908E247A4A579A18B997FB60C"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Any portion of the individual’s motor vehicle driver’s license number.</text></clause> <clause id="H139F4A2127854ADF8A8CF6B8193FB99D"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>The individual’s signature.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA250F2E28EF641F8B340704C622F4575"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Voter record changes</header><text>Each State shall maintain for at least 2 years and shall make available for public inspection (and, where available, photocopying at a reasonable cost), including in electronic form and through electronic methods, all records of changes to voter records, including removals, the reasons for removals, and updates.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD2D9E3AB3E7A439CB2A89048F653EE5C"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Database management standards</header><text>The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall, after providing the public with notice and the opportunity to comment—</text>
<subparagraph id="HC3F9BAA1ACAE43B5A8E293E53CD36149"><enum>(A)</enum><text>establish standards governing the comparison of data for voter registration list maintenance purposes, identifying as part of such standards the specific data elements, the matching rules used, and how a State may use the data to determine and deem that an individual is ineligible under State law to vote in an election, or to deem a record to be a duplicate or outdated;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H956E54573DED406C961B70E003B37EAA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>ensure that the standards developed pursuant to this paragraph are uniform and nondiscriminatory and are applied in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H68F67538C40C4A17BC3363DF85129B57"><enum>(C)</enum><text>not later than 45 days after the deadline for public notice and comment, publish the standards developed pursuant to this paragraph on the Director’s website and make those standards available in written form upon request.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HC88112F4800F44738442CA243FD4F703"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Security policy</header><text>The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall, after providing the public with notice and the opportunity to comment, publish privacy and security standards for voter registration information not later than 45 days after the deadline for public notice and comment. The standards shall require the chief State election official of each State to adopt a policy that shall specify—</text>
<subparagraph id="H6F93B46BC9AE4DD4806287E8BAA4F4F5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>each class of users who shall have authorized access to the computerized statewide voter registration list, specifying for each class the permission and levels of access to be granted, and setting forth other safeguards to protect the privacy, security, and accuracy of the information on the list; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H8D8ECD475EB64612BD65F90D39BB2212"><enum>(B)</enum><text>security safeguards to protect personal information transmitted through the information transmittal processes of section 1103 or section 1104, the online system used pursuant to section 1107, any telephone interface, the maintenance of the voter registration database, and any audit procedure to track access to the system.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE749DF6CB57A41EB904FDA19ECB4025A"><enum>(5)</enum><header>State compliance with national standards</header>
<subparagraph id="H8F6AF5CCDB534D5285DC1624D615653A"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Certification</header><text>The chief executive officer of the State shall annually file with the Election Assistance Commission a statement certifying to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology that the State is in compliance with the standards referred to in paragraphs (3) and (4). A State may meet the requirement of the previous sentence by filing with the Commission a statement which reads as follows: <quote>_____ hereby certifies that it is in compliance with the standards referred to in paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 1105(e) of the Voter Empowerment Act of 2021.</quote> (with the blank to be filled in with the name of the State involved).</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HAB83E1D6B2CA4E029CEF5E4431E4B5E4"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Publication of policies and procedures</header><text>The chief State election official of a State shall publish on the official’s website the policies and procedures established under this section, and shall make those policies and procedures available in written form upon public request.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDF6F7FE41D2E4D0D9400E69F651B1468"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Funding dependent on certification</header><text>If a State does not timely file the certification required under this paragraph, it shall not receive any payment under this subtitle for the upcoming fiscal year.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H48290EC652084608AFFE76EB11A489CD"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Compliance of States that require changes to State law</header><text>In the case of a State that requires State legislation to carry out an activity covered by any certification submitted under this paragraph, for a period of not more than 2 years the State shall be permitted to make the certification notwithstanding that the legislation has not been enacted at the time the certification is submitted, and such State shall submit an additional certification once such legislation is enacted.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H97557706C08F47AC9B84644D93B0B2B6"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Restrictions on use of information</header><text>No person acting under color of law may discriminate against any individual based on, or use for any purpose other than voter registration, election administration, or enforcement relating to election crimes, any of the following:</text> <paragraph id="H5E294B1C03FB4F43BBBEB389C7AE4557"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Voter registration records.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H219C2C8DA3C248AE90E9161C14B8DB70"><enum>(2)</enum><text>An individual’s declination to register to vote or complete an affirmation of citizenship under section 1103(b).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H8AE42EEDB7BD47CA9D8AF0391B7E1B13"><enum>(3)</enum><text>An individual’s voter registration status.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H0DEC06F8ED754C9699A62DC048F92CF6"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Prohibition on the use of voter registration information for commercial purposes</header><text>Information collected under this subtitle shall not be used for commercial purposes. Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prohibit the transmission, exchange, or dissemination of information for political purposes, including the support of campaigns for election for Federal, State, or local public office or the activities of political committees (including committees of political parties) under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.</text></subsection></section> <section id="H36F375CF2D3A4666A965B5933BC8984B"><enum>1106.</enum><header>Registration portability and correction</header> <subsection id="H0B28D84E9AA04D0EAAD6888AC42EDA97"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Correcting registration information at polling place</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding section 302(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21082">52 U.S.C. 21082(a)</external-xref>), if an individual is registered to vote in elections for Federal office held in a State, the appropriate election official at the polling place for any such election (including a location used as a polling place on a date other than the date of the election) shall permit the individual to—</text>
<paragraph id="H498A8A1396AC43809FF358AB27864231"><enum>(1)</enum><text>update the individual’s address for purposes of the records of the election official;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H2CA8B2AB883A46C3AFCAB18D210DF327"><enum>(2)</enum><text>correct any incorrect information relating to the individual, including the individual’s name and political party affiliation, in the records of the election official; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H67EF0D93AB3C4A778409BC8A830AE76D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>cast a ballot in the election on the basis of the updated address or corrected information, and to have the ballot treated as a regular ballot and not as a provisional ballot under section 302(a) of such Act.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HAE1D060EAA4747BB8BD18CA4926B675E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Updates to computerized Statewide voter registration lists</header><text>If an election official at the polling place receives an updated address or corrected information from an individual under subsection (a), the official shall ensure that the address or information is promptly entered into the computerized statewide voter registration list in accordance with section 303(a)(1)(A)(vi) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21083">52 U.S.C. 21083(a)(1)(A)(vi)</external-xref>).</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HD0BA8347F7E84152AA1B8073BBCA24BD"><enum>1107.</enum><header>Payments and grants</header>
<subsection id="HE13363416293469484AAFFF6562BEA94"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Election Assistance Commission shall make grants to each eligible State to assist the State in implementing the requirements of this subtitle (or, in the case of an exempt State, in implementing its existing automatic voter registration program). </text></subsection> <subsection id="HA8D2F63424EA4FC9B46E6486CABCBC5C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligibility; application</header><text>A State is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the State submits to the Commission, at such time and in such form as the Commission may require, an application containing—</text>
<paragraph id="H9E011006F57A4AADB47E824B7F0F1EC0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a description of the activities the State will carry out with the grant;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H786BDFF1DB024041BA807306837BBC4B"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an assurance that the State shall carry out such activities without partisan bias and without promoting any particular point of view regarding any issue; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H33962D7D98C04B0591FD8C231ACC8ED7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>such other information and assurances as the Commission may require.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H0BC530AB673D4D0784A69504778EF15E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Amount of grant; priorities</header><text>The Commission shall determine the amount of a grant made to an eligible State under this section. In determining the amounts of the grants, the Commission shall give priority to providing funds for those activities which are most likely to accelerate compliance with the requirements of this subtitle (or, in the case of an exempt State, which are most likely to enhance the ability of the State to automatically register individuals to vote through its existing automatic voter registration program), including—</text>
<paragraph id="H7979C35E3D1D4CEE8E87463CCA8EDD7F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>investments supporting electronic information transfer, including electronic collection and transfer of signatures, between contributing agencies and the appropriate State election officials;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H75CBC687017E48DF85122EE176429D1D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>updates to online or electronic voter registration systems already operating as of the date of the enactment of this Act;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H366F3B86BB774A3B846517C1791D7AF8"><enum>(3)</enum><text>introduction of online voter registration systems in jurisdictions in which those systems did not previously exist; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA0EC198E979F40AC97DD83A49E703C61"><enum>(4)</enum><text>public education on the availability of new methods of registering to vote, updating registration, and correcting registration.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H5D2994A522564FD89F718BBD0F58748A"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header>
<paragraph id="HB3C8A2E378B2472EBFD46B2237077C3E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Authorization</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—</text> <subparagraph id="H66A48D9DEA974A13972AEA17C2C4CCC5"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$500,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD6D9441E0B3E4862822F2DB7BC8EBA70"><enum>(B)</enum><text>such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H0902C610D125407C92EA0AE0B5B0964C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Continuing availability of funds</header><text>Any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of this subsection shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H00AD85586726496EBD6A4630D50F9B1A"><enum>1108.</enum><header>Treatment of exempt States</header>
<subsection id="H12FBE9BB614F4A8CBC80486F9004A711"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Waiver of requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in subsection (b), this subtitle does not apply with respect to an exempt State.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H4561B1E7C8804577858A4C352136201C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><text>The following provisions of this subtitle apply with respect to an exempt State:</text>
<paragraph id="HD30018C62AC046FDB28FCB921D84DC4A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Section 1106 (relating to registration portability and correction).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HF95BDF8B223C4B29954A722595FE3FC5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Section 1107 (relating to payments and grants).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB46A968222D94B0DBD6703B4D58CE524"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Section 1109(e) (relating to enforcement).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H77E38544F86F419F91FA79D26EE8E036"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Section 1109(f) (relating to relation to other laws).</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H56EB4224AA7E41118FCC09BA9468481C"><enum>1109.</enum><header>Miscellaneous provisions</header>
<subsection id="H5DC5177C40654580A60EB2B20AD28901"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Accessibility of registration services</header><text>Each contributing agency shall ensure that the services it provides under this subtitle are made available to individuals with disabilities to the same extent as services are made available to all other individuals.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H76A293ACE29F40E198408974FF3F87F2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Transmission through secure third party permitted</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to prevent a contributing agency from contracting with a third party to assist the agency in meeting the information transmittal requirements of this subtitle, so long as the data transmittal complies with the applicable requirements of this subtitle, including the privacy and security provisions of section 1105. </text></subsection>
<subsection id="H05F7CE78F7004B1DB05A0211E804C556"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Nonpartisan, nondiscriminatory provision of services</header><text>The services made available by contributing agencies under this subtitle and by the State under sections 1105 and 1106 shall be made in a manner consistent with paragraphs (4), (5), and (6)(C) of section 7(a) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20506">52 U.S.C. 20506(a)</external-xref>).</text></subsection> <subsection id="H2D6A3D357F034EEBA67EF6DF4F042D1D"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Notices</header><text>Each State may send notices under this subtitle via electronic mail if the individual has provided an electronic mail address and consented to electronic mail communications for election-related materials. All notices sent pursuant to this subtitle that require a response must offer the individual notified the opportunity to respond at no cost to the individual.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HB198A21137EA476E81A9558F1887EBE2"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Enforcement</header><text>Section 11 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20510">52 U.S.C. 20510</external-xref>), relating to civil enforcement and the availability of private rights of action, shall apply with respect to this subtitle in the same manner as such section applies to such Act.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H0A7015DBA7B142179A821CB9A16C710B"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Relation to other laws</header><text>Except as provided, nothing in this subtitle may be construed to authorize or require conduct prohibited under, or to supersede, restrict, or limit the application of any of the following:</text>
<paragraph id="HC5D90E4AFC534C5E9A06575C4AAEF9B7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10301">52 U.S.C. 10301</external-xref> et seq.).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H277DE577EE134048B870DB87DE1ED102"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20301">52 U.S.C. 20301</external-xref> et seq.).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8E537D1930124FBB9209B8A799AE12F2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20501">52 U.S.C. 20501</external-xref> et seq.).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HDD07A4CAB2C044E2A093DE6E55BE13FF"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20901">52 U.S.C. 20901</external-xref> et seq.).</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H0518EBAC578746CCB0DAF61BF54A77ED"><enum>1110.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this subtitle, the following definitions apply:</text> <paragraph id="H4111AE06095243479C75448EF29FD851"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The term <term>chief State election official</term> means, with respect to a State, the individual designated by the State under section 10 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20509">52 U.S.C. 20509</external-xref>) to be responsible for coordination of the State’s responsibilities under such Act. </text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HED9ECE04B6144E7FAB99250A943C83C1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The term <term>Commission</term> means the Election Assistance Commission.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H399AB1EB50AB40B99DDB0B079649DF19"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The term <term>exempt State</term> means a State which, under law which is in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this Act, operates an automatic voter registration program under which an individual is automatically registered to vote in elections for Federal office in the State if the individual provides the motor vehicle authority of the State (or, in the case of a State in which an individual is automatically registered to vote at the time the individual applies for benefits or services with a Permanent Dividend Fund of the State, provides the appropriate official of such Fund) with such identifying information as the State may require.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA15131D0B4924078A131B37A3AD4FEA5"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>State</term> means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. </text></paragraph></section> <section id="HE4BA72BCFBE74022BBE7E389D3B06E58"><enum>1111.</enum><header>Effective date</header> <subsection id="H5760F86D7901446397A0028CC31B3C20"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in subsection (b), this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with respect to a State beginning January 1, 2023.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H17D02097AE9A4135B62766684595073D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Waiver</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to the approval of the Commission, if a State certifies to the Commission that the State will not meet the deadline referred to in subsection (a) because of extraordinary circumstances and includes in the certification the reasons for the failure to meet the deadline, subsection (a) shall apply to the State as if the reference in such subsection to <quote>January 1, 2023</quote> were a reference to <quote>January 1, 2025</quote>.</text></subsection></section></subtitle> <subtitle id="H57AB0A6E0E52417FBB7E211F936E9B40"><enum>C</enum><header>Same Day Voter Registration</header> <section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF565C57145FA4C9CAD4C5BDC4D9F7395" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>1201.</enum><header>Same day registration</header> <subsection id="H849895C31C9F43ECB029296150521B73"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H9DB16068DC2E468BBCF7DF50E6853B56"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating sections 304 and 305 as sections 305 and 306; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H447A5E9798EE4E82B39F3E6BC36E15AD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after section 303 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block id="HE7C8A89935054DC6A4400FCEAA17DAB3" style="OLC">
<section id="H6782FF03508A4363B35C094342B5FDF2"><enum>304.</enum><header>Same day registration</header>
<subsection id="H2F264957CFAA400F9D6793279DC8FE7E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header>
<paragraph id="HB45D4B12B56A48F7B517B52A986B41FD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Registration</header><text>Each State shall permit any eligible individual on the day of a Federal election and on any day when voting, including early voting, is permitted for a Federal election—</text> <subparagraph id="H3C1380609E344AEDA1090FF9B9EBADEA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to register to vote in such election at the polling place using a form that meets the requirements under section 9(b) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (or, if the individual is already registered to vote, to revise any of the individual’s voter registration information); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5595B08F287C4EDF95C9D14799A346D3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to cast a vote in such election.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HB209A5DC53D144A38D73ADB1AED223EA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>The requirements under paragraph (1) shall not apply to a State in which, under a State law in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this section, there is no voter registration requirement for individuals in the State with respect to elections for Federal office.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF2B9F368988B4E5B870CACA569C0D27D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible individual</header><text>For purposes of this section, the term <term>eligible individual</term> means, with respect to any election for Federal office, an individual who is otherwise qualified to vote in that election. </text></subsection> <subsection id="HDAEE1D2AD48942B981B772AE89BB3506" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Ensuring availability of forms</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The State shall ensure that each polling place has copies of any forms an individual may be required to complete in order to register to vote or revise the individual’s voter registration information under this section.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H6B90880A819A4437A1A03B9FB1DBD630"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>Each State shall be required to comply with the requirements of subsection (a) for the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office occurring in November 2022 and for any subsequent election for Federal office.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HBB02B8749EAA454B92228C5C33C0AA04"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment relating to enforcement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 401 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21111">52 U.S.C. 21111</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>sections 301, 302, and 303</quote> and inserting <quote>subtitle A of title III</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H950175E49268458AB3C2C15D4E552693"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of contents of such Act is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H51BC7871A51B4E47AF39509DB2277BD0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating the items relating to sections 304 and 305 as relating to sections 305 and 306; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD33DEC7625FD49729A0440FC892EA8FB"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the following new item:</text> <quoted-block id="HF256BF26E62D4EEA9656A84664134129" style="OLC"> <toc> <toc-entry idref="H6782FF03508A4363B35C094342B5FDF2" level="section">Sec. 304. Same day registration.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle> <subtitle id="H8E874B587CFB4FC0AE107A2178862C10"><enum>D</enum><header>Conditions on Removal on Basis of Interstate Cross-Checks</header> <section id="HFF3CE5E063C342CEA96251CFF78C1C7B"><enum>1301.</enum><header>Conditions on removal of registrants from official list of eligible voters on basis of interstate cross-checks</header> <subsection id="HDA1FD50051BB4D82942F4C9B915060ED"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Minimum information required for removal under cross-Check</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8(c)(2) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20507">52 U.S.C. 20507(c)</external-xref>)(2)) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HC7FD38B861CF4B94BDA5A00313BEEB97"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D); and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HF1837D0F8E78476D89D53255231EC5E9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraphs:</text>
<quoted-block style="traditional" id="HD2E13B8D350E44648F4E77F131CFD837" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<subparagraph id="H0D62DA9F98C945B2A3AB617BDB68EE0F" indent="up2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>To the extent that the program carried out by a State under subparagraph (A) to systematically remove the names of ineligible voters from the official lists of eligible voters uses information obtained in an interstate cross-check, in addition to any other conditions imposed under this Act on the authority of the State to remove the name of the voter from such a list, the State may not remove the name of the voter from such a list unless—</text> <clause id="H910721F195A64D898D5A860D0C0465D4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the State obtained the voter’s full name (including the voter’s middle name, if any) and date of birth, and the last 4 digits of the voter’s social security number, in the interstate cross-check; or</text></clause>
<clause id="H2D88241904ED4BF78F281E664F7D53D0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the State obtained documentation from the ERIC system that the voter is no longer a resident of the State.</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H5E61C8C3820E4B55A6CC16BEA8BF58E5" indent="up2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>In this paragraph—</text>
<clause id="HCA83D10A5B86473C80604D4727C0E805"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>interstate cross-check</term> means the transmission of information from an election official in one State to an election official of another State; and</text></clause> <clause id="H2104826726BB4BE5A58F98ED0016B8FC"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the term <term>ERIC system</term> means the system operated by the Electronic Registration Information Center to share voter registration information and voter identification information among participating States.</text></clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF1CE3A122BDE49C59831A28CF6A4403D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requiring completion of cross-Checks not later than 6 months prior to election</header><text>Subparagraph (A) of section 8(c)(2) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20507">52 U.S.C. 20507(c)(2)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>not later than 90 days</quote> and inserting the following: <quote>not later than 90 days (or, in the case of a program in which the State uses interstate cross-checks, not later than 6 months)</quote>.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H24B2399CA3DC46D6A378F988BCAB3B00"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Subparagraph (D) of section 8(c)(2) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20507">52 U.S.C. 20507(c)(2)</external-xref>), as redesignated by subsection (a)(1), is amended by striking <quote>Subparagraph (A)</quote> and inserting <quote>This paragraph</quote>. </text></subsection>
<subsection id="HB4D854DF0A364FC1AB212F280C652471"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to elections held on or after the expiration of the 6-month period which begins on the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section></subtitle> <subtitle id="HDE92D86BB175447EBE45A2A0F780AD1C"><enum>E</enum><header>Other Initiatives To Promote Voter Registration</header> <section id="HE3CF7D5260714816834AC777583EFF36"><enum>1401.</enum><header>Annual reports on voter registration statistics</header> <subsection id="HD92774749F81439E8583A32AB48F4DD6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Annual report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 90 days after the end of each year, each State shall submit to the Election Assistance Commission and Congress a report containing the following categories of information for the year:</text>
<paragraph id="H1811D6237DAB45A9B30B2F40359D6B85"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The number of individuals who were registered under part 2.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H6162976FE304442B9BD72FF0D38B6F11"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The number of voter registration application forms completed by individuals that were transmitted by motor vehicle authorities in the State (pursuant to section 5(d) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993) and voter registration agencies in the State (as designated under section 7 of such Act) to the chief State election official of the State, broken down by each such authority and agency.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4490740467FE4DACA28411EF9B611EDC"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The number of such individuals whose voter registration application forms were accepted and who were registered to vote in the State and the number of such individuals whose forms were rejected and who were not registered to vote in the State, broken down by each such authority and agency.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H6E66C1892CAE4DFBB752C390093D3617"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The number of change of address forms and other forms of information indicating that an individual’s identifying information has been changed that were transmitted by such motor vehicle authorities and voter registration agencies to the chief State election official of the State, broken down by each such authority and agency and the type of form transmitted.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBC7F9F1068804DEAB081337BDAE0F172"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The number of individuals on the statewide computerized voter registration list (as established and maintained under section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002) whose voter registration information was revised by the chief State election official as a result of the forms transmitted to the official by such motor vehicle authorities and voter registration agencies (as described in paragraph (3)), broken down by each such authority and agency and the type of form transmitted.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H6DB464E4D9184AA9A0C084F46B303E64"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The number of individuals who requested the chief State election official to revise voter registration information on such list, and the number of individuals whose information was revised as a result of such a request.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEEE7510BBE034B4A8D542878B37A46B7"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The number of individuals who were purged from the official voter registration list or moved to inactive status, broken down by the reason for those actions, including the method used for identifying those voters.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H9FC935F860DA41318B3232C4698719C1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Breakdown of information</header><text>In preparing the report under this section, the State shall, for each category of information described in subsection (a), include a breakdown by race, ethnicity, age, and gender of the individuals whose information is included in the category, to the extent that information on the race, ethnicity, age, and gender of such individuals is available to the State.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H22DBCBF9DA7946029AEEDBAE916A9189"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Confidentiality of information</header><text>In preparing and submitting a report under this section, the chief State election official shall ensure that no information regarding the identification of any individual is revealed.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HB09BC9B67668498F903CA00B6E929776"><enum>(d)</enum><header>State defined</header><text>In this section, a <quote>State</quote> includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, but does not include any State in which, under a State law in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this Act, there is no voter registration requirement for individuals in the State with respect to elections for Federal office.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H3FB866356C0B4427A2C02E83A40E8CFA"><enum>1402.</enum><header>Ensuring pre-election registration deadlines are consistent with timing of legal public holidays</header>
<subsection id="H4CDE10341A9E42B9885898D5BEC0C3A4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8(a)(1) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20507">52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(1)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>30 days</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>28 days</quote>.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HF3CDB6365CF446809244041999098E86"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to elections held in 2022 or any succeeding year.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HFC16B4280BF84D1C9AAF7C33EB829EFA"><enum>1403.</enum><header>Use of Postal Service hard copy change of address form to remind individuals to update voter registration</header>
<subsection id="H00BAA70823984808A5D70CDCA41703CE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Postmaster General shall modify any hard copy change of address form used by the United States Postal Service so that such form contains a reminder that any individual using such form should update the individual’s voter registration as a result of any change in address.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H9E182305B9944102B97E4F866799B4BE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Application</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The requirement in subsection (a) shall not apply to any electronic version of a change of address form used by the United States Postal Service.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H83AE875038F042F2BFD8940288CB369E"><enum>1404.</enum><header>Grants to States for activities to encourage involvement of minors in election activities</header>
<subsection id="H0481A8091B8F43239C1160EFCA7C2D34"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Grants</header>
<paragraph id="H39D211A5FDEC441C851996DFBFD0CE7C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Election Assistance Commission (hereafter in this section referred to as the <quote>Commission</quote>) shall make grants to eligible States to enable such States to carry out a plan to increase the involvement of individuals under 18 years of age in public election activities in the State.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HB919D9205030445A981286DFC167DABA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents of plans</header><text>A State’s plan under this subsection shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H759E2CE7B4F84D0783EA6CE288B25335"><enum>(A)</enum><text>methods to promote the use of the pre-registration process implemented under section 8A of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (as added by section 2(a));</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H11825457A6A641C4859F070231B10C12"><enum>(B)</enum><text>modifications to the curriculum of secondary schools in the State to promote civic engagement; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3DAC862DA10A45CB91CE9240EA51EC74"><enum>(C)</enum><text>such other activities to encourage the involvement of young people in the electoral process as the State considers appropriate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HA320752EB5DB40FDADDFBD4E7F4B95EB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>A State is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the State submits to the Commission, at such time and in such form as the Commission may require, an application containing—</text>
<paragraph id="HE64886DEAAC34871B681D97BFDBF7899"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a description of the State’s plan under subsection (a);</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H3EBF21E6BC094ACF847830884F0B5A54"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a description of the performance measures and targets the State will use to determine its success in carrying out the plan; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H99BD61FB97BA4C8081ADEEA0927E713C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>such other information and assurances as the Commission may require.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HE46C0147FAA7448C9DA942C4C59E1FD1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Period of grant; Report</header> <paragraph id="H9622D06651954EA59AE196C38EAF5123"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Period of grant</header><text>A State receiving a grant under this section shall use the funds provided by the grant over a 2-year period agreed to between the State and the Commission.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H39C29EFAFD264137964769E14DCBFEE4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 6 months after the end of the 2-year period agreed to under paragraph (1), the State shall submit to the Commission a report on the activities the State carried out with the funds provided by the grant, and shall include in the report an analysis of the extent to which the State met the performance measures and targets included in its application under subsection (b)(2).</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H88756923643E4485AA980F697DBB933A"><enum>(d)</enum><header>State defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>State</term> means each of the several States and the District of Columbia.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H2ED4ECA42E244C6ABD3F7D95001125FE"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section $25,000,000, to remain available until expended.</text></subsection></section> <section id="HB57CA1C17F4E427C912E9715245F9B53"><enum>1405.</enum><header>Permission to place exhibits</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary of Homeland Security shall implement procedures to allow the chief election officer of a State to provide information about voter registration, including through a display or exhibit, after the conclusion of an administrative naturalization ceremony in that State.</text></section>
<section id="H42437F3BDB70488E99B6F21B7318DD62"><enum>1406.</enum><header>Requiring States to establish and operate voter privacy programs</header>
<subsection id="HF76C2BBD49B84476BFD4768B4B01CC7A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each State shall establish and operate a privacy program to enable victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, and trafficking to have personally identifiable information that the State or local election officials maintain with respect to an individual voter registration status for purposes of elections for Federal office in the State, including addresses, be kept confidential.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HCC6ABBA524784053B6455B570A404EBA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Notice</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each State shall notify residents of that State of the information that State and local election officials maintain with respect to an individual voter registration status for purposes of elections for Federal office in the State, how that information is shared or sold and with whom, what information is automatically kept confidential, what information is needed to access voter information online, and the privacy programs that are available.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H6EC7CE3ABA704A1DBD6BC54C1B472A84"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Public availability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each State shall make information about the program established under subsection (a) available on a publicly accessible website. </text></subsection> <subsection id="HB26B4C4772854CA89D58D5410E3FA4EB"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section: </text>
<paragraph id="HC3C2BA04A5E34806B997EDB062339DA9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The terms <term>domestic violence</term>, <term>stalking</term>, <term>sexual assault</term>, and <term>dating violence</term> have the meanings given such terms in section 40002 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/34/12291">34 U.S.C. 12291</external-xref>). </text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H3C79A96CE8DC4B04909DD280A91931DE"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>trafficking</term> means an act or practice described in paragraph (11) or (12) of section 103 of the <short-title>Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000</short-title> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/22/7102">22 U.S.C. 7102</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HC7C4B06F90E54BE2BAA5B29301F5F7C1"><enum>1407.</enum><header>Inclusion of voter registration information with certain leases and vouchers for federally assisted rental housing and mortgage applications</header>
<subsection id="H74790C6C95A545FE969D1EAA597A0BB8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Development of uniform statement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, in coordination with the Election Assistance Commission, shall develop a uniform statement designed to provide recipients of such statement pursuant to this section of how they can register to vote and their voting rights under law.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HB628D81A0C00491D81052E66BEC5CE5B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Leases and vouchers for Federally assisted rental housing</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall require—</text>
<paragraph id="H808F5EE4A0E64F4BAD605D3CB3515DD9"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">each public housing agency to provide a copy of the uniform statement developed pursuant to subsection (a) to each lessee of a dwelling unit in public housing administered by such agency—</text> <subparagraph id="H60707FC5ABEE48B7850C762E2C980B9D"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"> together with the lease for such a dwelling unit, at the same time such lease is provided to the lessee; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HED88A2AA88E64D4B8E963E5337E8404F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>together with any income verification form, at the same time such form is provided to the lessee;</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H56AF1077117742E690A5FA134AB54E52"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">each public housing agency that administers rental assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher program under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1437f">42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)</external-xref>), including the program under paragraph (13) of such section 8(o), to provide a copy of the uniform statement developed pursuant to subsection (a) to each assisted family or individual—</text>
<subparagraph id="HA8185517F7364CDDB3A539DD5A783B98"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">together with the voucher for such assistance, at the time such voucher is issued for such family or individual; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H21092617015944FC9D1C8AC694F97215"><enum>(B)</enum><text>together with any income verification form, at the same time such form is provided to the applicant or assisted family or individual; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFC4725523FB14825A5CC4A4A88C8F761"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">each owner of a dwelling unit assisted with Federal project-based rental assistance to provide a copy of the uniform statement developed pursuant to subsection (a) to provide to the lessee of such dwelling unit—</text> <subparagraph id="H1EA7ED7EF28246B3BD4BB33BC8A269A5"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">together with the lease for such dwelling unit, at the same time such form is provided to the lessee; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2F1FE29EE5854567AA355C1FCD0526A2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>together with any income verification form, at the same time such form is provided to the applicant or tenant;</text></subparagraph><continuation-text continuation-text-level="paragraph">except that the Secretary of Agriculture shall administer the requirement under this paragraph with respect to Federal project-based rental assistance specified in subsection (e)(1)(D). </continuation-text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HA35AA7E011FB4FA9801BEBF1C5ABC23C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Applications for residential mortgage loans</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection shall require each creditor that receives an application (within the meaning of such term as used in the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/1691">15 U.S.C. 1691</external-xref>)) for a residential mortgage loan to provide a copy of the uniform statement developed pursuant to subsection (a) in written form to the applicant for such residential mortgage loan, within 5 business days of the date of application.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H2EB9F1A0428B40FFBC3B7E1A7EF374E0"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Optional completion of application</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this section may be construed to require any individual to complete an application for voter registration.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HFF79F456BB1442FB89D6C0BE71CDD638"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">As used in this section:</text>
<paragraph id="H4421AA3570064211BBDA6FD0D0B74F90"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Federal project-based rental assistance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>Federal project-based rental assistance</term> means project-based rental assistance provided under—</text> <subparagraph id="HF1D54D29E76B4D0AAD45CEA510B517CC"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1437f">42 U.S.C. 1437f</external-xref>);</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H31B793D43E14437083580A7340C6E788"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/12/1701q">12 U.S.C. 1701q</external-xref>);</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H68A30E4DB7824930B9388550F198CA78"><enum>(C)</enum><text>section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/8013">42 U.S.C. 8013</external-xref>);</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6052BAA402FF46EB8C4E984B1CB06459"><enum>(D)</enum><text>title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1471">42 U.S.C. 1471</external-xref> et seq.), including voucher assistance under section 542 of such title (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1490r">42 U.S.C. 1490r</external-xref>);</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H45D539AE47CF49049DBEC22F2AED4B85"><enum>(E)</enum><text>subtitle D of title VIII of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/12901">42 U.S.C. 12901</external-xref> et seq.);</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA848B9893A9E404E9DF7ABF7F2D12B48"><enum>(F)</enum><text>title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/12721">42 U.S.C. 12721</external-xref> et seq.);</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H6D792A4FE1E147E98CE3742BB0C8BF3A"><enum>(G)</enum><text>the Housing Trust Fund program under section 1338 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/12/4588">12 U.S.C. 4588</external-xref>); or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDA8784DEF271434AA1A9A7988935C2E8"><enum>(H)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/11381">42 U.S.C. 11381</external-xref> et seq.).</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HCC03A295C65A4E5AAF0C9E3EE8D496CC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Owner</header><text>The term <term>owner</term> has the meaning given such term in section 8(f) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1437f">42 U.S.C. 1437f(f)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6635133BB7F94BD3B6D7E54B7427B7F3"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Public housing; public housing agency</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The terms <term>public housing</term> and <term>public housing agency</term> have the meanings given such terms in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1437a">42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HDA646EF567204148803B8C312FDA933F"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Residential mortgage loan</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>residential mortgage loan</term> includes any loan which is secured by a first or subordinate lien on residential real property (including individual units of condominiums and cooperatives) designed principally for the occupancy of from 1 to 4 families.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H0868D341C3454246BD385EB68B13C1E8"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau may issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.</text></subsection></section></subtitle> <subtitle id="HC9866144C8BA4E648411316D6FF39ED5"><enum>F</enum><header>Availability of HAVA Requirements Payments</header> <section id="H492ADFF597734995A14BB6B797CEE5C8"><enum>1501.</enum><header>Availability of requirements payments under HAVA to cover costs of compliance with new requirements</header> <subsection id="HE95A275CBCF14170AB7B7716185F90F5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 251(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21001">52 U.S.C. 21001(b)</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H1277BDAF1C37475BB90FDB6E224A264E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3)</quote> and inserting <quote>as otherwise provided in this subsection</quote>; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HFCFA68F46E034676907EAB4E655C3C94"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD64E27392927410298D208824B3C09C0" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="H42102E5F4F7E4ACFA3107453FD10D690"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Certain voter registration activities</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A State may use a requirements payment to carry out any of the requirements of the Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2021, including the requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 which are imposed pursuant to the amendments made to such Act by the Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2021.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HA111D1600819486C875F30BD3FB0FCB7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming Amendment</header><text>Section 254(a)(1) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21004">52 U.S.C. 21004(a)(1)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>section 251(a)(2)</quote> and inserting <quote>section 251(b)(2)</quote>.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HEF6D3596BDDD4B72B7792455DB1AD29B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective Date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2022 and each succeeding fiscal year.</text></subsection></section></subtitle> <subtitle id="HC337C5CC05FD4B8E95B7A76DF9172DB6"><enum>G</enum><header>Prohibiting Interference With Voter Registration </header> <section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA8D5C84BA0B245F58E81F411632D540A" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>1601.</enum><header>Prohibiting hindering, interfering with, or preventing voter registration</header> <subsection id="H48718CD2CF9D4C31BB324EEDCCFDE61F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/18/29">Chapter 29</external-xref> of title 18, United States Code is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H357D829EAEB847EE9C8D1C4C185E7451" style="USC">
<section id="H5CBB271703A84227980A3FBFDC2F6DEE"><enum>612.</enum><header>Hindering, interfering with, or preventing registering to vote</header>
<subsection id="H26678566C9C54B44BA2A3BFBC67DE53C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">It shall be unlawful for any person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from aiding another person in registering to vote.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HE4EF79CF746E4DBE9AC8253361D76643"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Attempt</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any person who attempts to commit any offense described in subsection (a) shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense that the person attempted to commit.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H66D1300E43F3474B8638379CB397C614"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Penalty</header><text>Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> <subsection id="H48D9F213ED534CAF89494406F97AAD1B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections for <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/18/29">chapter 29</external-xref> of title 18, United States Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFA354991585E41F5A8CF7E3E66D8D291" style="USC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">612. Hindering, interfering with, or preventing registering to vote.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H84F487D093714B52978831C116D0DC4F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective Date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections held on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, except that no person may be found to have violated section 612 of title 18, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), on the basis of any act occurring prior to the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section> <section id="HF01FE14A43D747E6AD9486C2F0C42F7B"><enum>1602.</enum><header>Establishment of best practices</header> <subsection id="HB1E96427C9D0407E96B62B2A7B8C1C7B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Best practices</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Election Assistance Commission shall develop and publish recommendations for best practices for States to use to deter and prevent violations of section 612 of title 18, United States Code (as added by section 1601), and section 12 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20511">52 U.S.C. 20511</external-xref>) (relating to the unlawful interference with registering to vote, or voting, or attempting to register to vote or vote), including practices to provide for the posting of relevant information at polling places and voter registration agencies under such Act, the training of poll workers and election officials, and relevant educational materials. For purposes of this subsection, the term <term>State</term> includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HCC7EFBDA3008444EAD23D6133B1DD28A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Inclusion in voter information requirements</header><text>Section 302(b)(2) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21082">52 U.S.C. 21082(b)(2)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HE6B73B9928C04C2381B58732D324396A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end of subparagraph (E);</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H114B5F6D0B31403A886EC533A0B06DE3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F) and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H8AC6FCD90DF74849977B6DDA653BE0D5"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0E6B736B6F3642D8B8AC8E3459989A5C" style="OLC">
<subparagraph id="HF855E6F389974BCDB6394A3AD9C3E343"><enum>(G)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">information relating to the prohibitions of section 612 of title 18, United States Code, and section 12 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20511">52 U.S.C. 20511</external-xref>) (relating to the unlawful interference with registering to vote, or voting, or attempting to register to vote or vote), including information on how individuals may report allegations of violations of such prohibitions.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle> <subtitle id="HE408A26B011141E391E3AB782A4E6A5A"><enum>H</enum><header>Voter Registration Efficiency Act</header> <section id="HC7B7D363AF80487E9D0ACB9402043059"><enum>1701.</enum><header>Requiring applicants for motor vehicle driver’s licenses in new State to indicate whether State serves as residence for voter registration purposes</header> <subsection id="H13C2888922C5493BA76AA18DFFD4BA1F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirements for applicants for licenses</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 5(d) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20504">52 U.S.C. 20504(d)</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H280B78D2D2644D9A9A5859887D2EC099"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>Any change</quote> and inserting <quote>(1) Any change</quote>; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H5B87B8DFF062419A94B6AF943D5C3CAF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
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<paragraph id="HE074E01797C344C0A898AB6CDFD6C647"><enum>(2)</enum>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H6E6C2407C0BF408EB147129A1F5CE919"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A State motor vehicle authority shall require each individual applying for a motor vehicle driver’s license in the State—</text> <clause id="H0BA3B0950823427991D8ACEDA558CF16" indent="up1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to indicate whether the individual resides in another State or resided in another State prior to applying for the license, and, if so, to identify the State involved; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HEA652EA492A54BCDA0AC59F257C47B82" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to indicate whether the individual intends for the State to serve as the individual’s residence for purposes of registering to vote in elections for Federal office.</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H486CD3BF4481452D90C65D171077B421" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>If pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) an individual indicates to the State motor vehicle authority that the individual intends for the State to serve as the individual’s residence for purposes of registering to vote in elections for Federal office, the authority shall notify the motor vehicle authority of the State identified by the individual pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i), who shall notify the chief State election official of such State that the individual no longer intends for that State to serve as the individual’s residence for purposes of registering to vote in elections for Federal office.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6A51D71188714924B08F682C01815594"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect with respect to elections occurring in 2021 or any succeeding year.</text></subsection></section></subtitle> <subtitle id="H3327CFED9A4A49ACBBC859A55D82F623"><enum>I</enum><header>Providing Voter Registration Information to Secondary School Students</header> <section id="HEB9CB58ADCD94BA19A0CE31B29B7F7D9"><enum>1801.</enum><header>Pilot program for providing voter registration information to secondary school students prior to graduation</header> <subsection id="H412BF86F050B4DCAB4AF5600D8FE7913"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Pilot program</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Election Assistance Commission (hereafter in this subtitle referred to as the <quote>Commission</quote>) shall carry out a pilot program under which the Commission shall provide funds during the 1-year period beginning after the date of the enactment of this subtitle to eligible local educational agencies for initiatives to provide information on registering to vote in elections for public office to secondary school students in the 12th grade.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H6D66227BA953491EB46FEFEC6AD179E4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>A local educational agency is eligible to receive funds under the pilot program under this subtitle if the agency submits to the Commission, at such time and in such form as the Commission may require, an application containing—</text> <paragraph id="HC4C57AD589E84ABD8F47D58739F0E0E2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a description of the initiatives the agency intends to carry out with the funds; </text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2D4658F921EF4BEFB7A59ED750E5B4F3" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a description of how the agency will prioritize access to such initiatives for schools that serve—</text> <subparagraph id="H804A10EBF65440618B4F107E7F5E45E3"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the highest numbers or percentages of students counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/6333">20 U.S.C. 6333(c)</external-xref>); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4AA3F278469D4E2C99B5EEA88DB95BA1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the highest percentages of students who are eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1751">42 U.S.C. 1751</external-xref> et seq.) (which, in the case of a high school, may be calculated using comparable data from the schools that feed into the high school), as compared to other public schools in the jurisdiction of the agency; </text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HF98EC842FAA74DACBA7B4D08C0CDA2DD"><enum>(3)</enum><text>an estimate of the costs associated with such initiatives; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H78A0528CE39542B3B59E5E9C50D94196"><enum>(4)</enum><text>such other information and assurances as the Commission may require.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HBCAE71E815B5460595DAA14C2E1E2EAE"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Priority for schools receiving title I funds</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In selecting among eligible local educational agencies for receiving funds under the pilot program under this subtitle, the Commission shall give priority to local educational agencies that receive funds under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/6311">20 U.S.C. 6311</external-xref> et seq.).</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HAE960865CD26477488EB6DBDA7E88331"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Consultation with election officials</header><text>A local educational agency receiving funds under the pilot program shall consult with the State and local election officials who are responsible for administering elections for public office in the area served by the agency in developing the initiatives the agency will carry out with the funds.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H762AC91A3BA5497CABCB19AC79CB288E"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this subtitle, the terms <term>local educational agency</term> and <term>secondary school</term> have the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/7801">20 U.S.C. 7801</external-xref>).</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HC77F5FF800B043D88879390A72DB7461"><enum>1802.</enum><header>Reports</header>
<subsection id="HE942ED750BFA49349FC0987190034DF8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reports by recipients of funds</header><text>Not later than the expiration of the 90-day period which begins on the date of the receipt of the funds, each local educational agency receiving funds under the pilot program under this subtitle shall submit a report to the Commission describing the initiatives carried out with the funds and analyzing their effectiveness.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H7A588FC10A24434E821FBC7294FBEB65"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report by Commission</header><text>Not later than the expiration of the 60-day period which begins on the date the Commission receives the final report submitted by a local educational agency under subsection (a), the Commission shall submit a report to Congress on the pilot program under this part.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HA22E4C7CBDB24FA8B95D84522CDA241C"><enum>1803.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subtitle.</text></section></subtitle> <subtitle id="H40152BEF3C6645E6A54E13AF5F0F8B71"><enum>J</enum><header>Voter Registration of Minors</header> <section id="HD8630FBDE33343E5BC8FF7314E9F6665" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>1901.</enum><header>Acceptance of voter registration applications from individuals under 18 years of age</header> <subsection id="HFEF6154407DC4B7083E9E2F250F7D0E5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Acceptance of applications</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20507">52 U.S.C. 20507</external-xref>), as amended by section 1004, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H7585689BBAC3447DBE65E42AE96A2F17"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H97B6F37A67604DE3B03370DB43D2AB0B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (j) the following new subsection:</text>
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<subsection id="H2F2D6A3BDE56496988D03094579E6964"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Acceptance of applications from individuals under 18 years of age</header>
<paragraph id="H68F6ECA0659E4C34B99D464C9FA16884"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A State may not refuse to accept or process an individual’s application to register to vote in elections for Federal office on the grounds that the individual is under 18 years of age at the time the individual submits the application, so long as the individual is at least 16 years of age at such time.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H73644EB8DD054DA0848518D87DF4258C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>No effect on State voting age requirements</header><text>Nothing in paragraph (1) may be construed to require a State to permit an individual who is under 18 years of age at the time of an election for Federal office to vote in the election.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H98BE6D9183BB42319DA8ADE1F668BE80"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to elections occurring on or after January 1, 2022.</text></subsection></section></subtitle> <enum>II</enum><header>Access to Voting for Individuals With Disabilities</header> <section id="HBC7AE1762C2E4C21B7E0C91EB76DF089"><enum>2001.</enum><header>Requirements for States to promote access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities</header> <subsection id="H59FB27C1F51F400B9FA46B33EEA040DD" commented="no"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.), as amended by section 1201(a), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H2AE2DA3C904340D981C78AF87DCBF0C4" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating sections 305 and 306 as sections 306 and 307; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HB75341E43772403DA62FA2B1A57A1984" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after section 304 the following new section:</text>
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<section id="HF2109FD64783453B9F3252A5843DCEB5" commented="no"><enum>305.</enum><header>Access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities</header>
<subsection id="HE236ABBA3B464CE38E98C833480F405A" commented="no"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Treatment of applications and ballots</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each State shall—</text> <paragraph id="HCA662568C1BC4E319B4066F3B5917EF5" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><text>permit individuals with disabilities to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in elections for Federal office;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H963DA2712EFA446BA45B692807D29E92" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><text>accept and process, with respect to any election for Federal office, any otherwise valid voter registration application and absentee ballot application from an individual with a disability if the application is received by the appropriate State election official within the deadline for the election which is applicable under Federal law;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD58CABA623BA411981D158CC91A5F211" commented="no"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in addition to any other method of registering to vote or applying for an absentee ballot in the State, establish procedures—</text>
<subparagraph id="H7E060F8570044657A9740D4453AC5C5B" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for individuals with disabilities to request by mail and electronically voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications with respect to elections for Federal office in accordance with subsection (c);</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H71A16A7FB5E542CDB62B53F7C56CAE40" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for States to send by mail and electronically (in accordance with the preferred method of transmission designated by the individual under subparagraph (C)) voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications requested under subparagraph (A) in accordance with subsection (c)); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA18EED1BB5814CC4B919AE7311E8C649" commented="no"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by which such an individual can designate whether the individual prefers that such voter registration application or absentee ballot application be transmitted by mail or electronically;</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEED0C0F3253945F6AA8B516B0F6F15B8" commented="no"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in addition to any other method of transmitting blank absentee ballots in the State, establish procedures for transmitting by mail and electronically blank absentee ballots to individuals with disabilities with respect to elections for Federal office in accordance with subsection (d);</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE65F04D79B434401ABEA9A9739E70A8C" commented="no"><enum>(5)</enum><text>transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an individual with a disability—</text> <subparagraph id="H1CF24A8C8F1A444C9EFC1BFBE84546BC" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>except as provided in subsection (e), in the case in which the request is received at least 45 days before an election for Federal office, not later than 45 days before the election; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB4800B412EED444DBA875885C71D056D" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in the case in which the request is received less than 45 days before an election for Federal office—</text> <clause id="HCD72BA7D25BF4684907E9F0F4F042081" commented="no"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in accordance with State law; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H90706EAB3AAC4141B4E24F1C88022355" commented="no"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>if practicable and as determined appropriate by the State, in a manner that expedites the transmission of such absentee ballot; and</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3C275A6E1C0B46449E8F73E6B3DF09A9" commented="no"><enum>(6)</enum><text>if the State declares or otherwise holds a runoff election for Federal office, establish a written plan that provides absentee ballots are made available to individuals with disabilities in a manner that gives them sufficient time to vote in the runoff election.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H07D5DEEC97304ABEB67742B4B07EFFC0" commented="no"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Designation of single State office To Provide Information on Registration and Absentee Ballot Procedures for All Disabled Voters in State</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each State shall designate a single office which shall be responsible for providing information regarding voter registration procedures and absentee ballot procedures to be used by individuals with disabilities with respect to elections for Federal office to all individuals with disabilities who wish to register to vote or vote in any jurisdiction in the State.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HD9DFF9D45BFC4D0E9DA3C0F3E8804B1A" commented="no"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Designation of Means of Electronic Communication for Individuals with Disabilities To Request and for States To Send Voter Registration Applications and Absentee Ballot Applications, and for Other Purposes Related to Voting Information</header> <paragraph id="HCA550968EB4B40279E8D72EA4081B8D9" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each State shall, in addition to the designation of a single State office under subsection (b), designate not less than 1 means of electronic communication—</text>
<subparagraph id="H102DD6E8DB62412E8DBFEB03CF42043D" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for use by individuals with disabilities who wish to register to vote or vote in any jurisdiction in the State to request voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications under subsection (a)(3);</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H4F43D1A43ACF4BF4BE37D386DAFB0F9C" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for use by States to send voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications requested under such subsection; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9E4277065552473FBD44278F90648E04" commented="no"><enum>(C)</enum><text>for the purpose of providing related voting, balloting, and election information to individuals with disabilities.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H665CD90BA0FA47A69C90E5FE310F1104" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clarification regarding provision of multiple means of electronic communication</header><text>A State may, in addition to the means of electronic communication so designated, provide multiple means of electronic communication to individuals with disabilities, including a means of electronic communication for the appropriate jurisdiction of the State.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7360CED4AC0F4FFBA7C9AB39AABD520E" commented="no"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Inclusion of designated means of electronic communication with informational and instructional materials that accompany balloting materials</header><text>Each State shall include a means of electronic communication so designated with all informational and instructional materials that accompany balloting materials sent by the State to individuals with disabilities.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H645DA3CBD217456F85D31F288E64C213" commented="no"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Transmission if no preference indicated</header><text>In the case where an individual with a disability does not designate a preference under subsection (a)(3)(C), the State shall transmit the voter registration application or absentee ballot application by any delivery method allowable in accordance with applicable State law, or if there is no applicable State law, by mail.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF2F9CBC6B1874B249C63673D1BCEFF32" commented="no"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Transmission of blank absentee ballots by mail and electronically</header>
<paragraph id="HF32A2EC5F84B44E4898C7E3188E3A156" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each State shall establish procedures—</text> <subparagraph id="HE19BE0E45997404D9FFFBBA49076990C" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to securely transmit blank absentee ballots by mail and electronically (in accordance with the preferred method of transmission designated by the individual with a disability under subparagraph (B)) to individuals with disabilities for an election for Federal office; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H35EDC32952F7478E84CB0350719DF2B7" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by which the individual with a disability can designate whether the individual prefers that such blank absentee ballot be transmitted by mail or electronically.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFB2B7B2A83264D0B9C701CC0FF6DC0F6" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Transmission if no preference indicated</header><text>In the case where an individual with a disability does not designate a preference under paragraph (1)(B), the State shall transmit the ballot by any delivery method allowable in accordance with applicable State law, or if there is no applicable State law, by mail.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD1368745E13C4FA492545CFD8F32A972"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Application of methods to track delivery to and return of ballot by individual requesting ballot</header><text>Under the procedures established under paragraph (1), the State shall apply such methods as the State considers appropriate, such as assigning a unique identifier to the ballot, to ensure that if an individual with a disability requests the State to transmit a blank absentee ballot to the individual in accordance with this subsection, the voted absentee ballot which is returned by the individual is the same blank absentee ballot which the State transmitted to the individual.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB3A8EAB25BB64FA78FC237E7DE25102C" commented="no"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Hardship Exemption</header> <paragraph id="H2F7141E835C141FE9FAF1E50F182840B" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If the chief State election official determines that the State is unable to meet the requirement under subsection (a)(5)(A) with respect to an election for Federal office due to an undue hardship described in paragraph (2)(B), the chief State election official shall request that the Attorney General grant a waiver to the State of the application of such subsection. Such request shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H37B41AE68FFB42F48B10874FF354F45B" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a recognition that the purpose of such subsection is to individuals with disabilities enough time to vote in an election for Federal office;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HEF7ED31716D747429097301F26E48B64" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an explanation of the hardship that indicates why the State is unable to transmit such individuals an absentee ballot in accordance with such subsection;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD0EDED0BABC64FB9ABB00200A4A158DB" commented="no"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the number of days prior to the election for Federal office that the State requires absentee ballots be transmitted to such individuals; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H6762523D278D4D3E96C2DF53F76F4A0D" commented="no"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a comprehensive plan to ensure that such individuals are able to receive absentee ballots which they have requested and submit marked absentee ballots to the appropriate State election official in time to have that ballot counted in the election for Federal office, which includes—</text>
<clause id="H346789ECF4B043DB85AC03C4D7CFF3FC" commented="no"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the steps the State will undertake to ensure that such individuals have time to receive, mark, and submit their ballots in time to have those ballots counted in the election;</text></clause> <clause id="H1023CFFC74844200AEEFE76C266A679C" commented="no"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>why the plan provides such individuals sufficient time to vote as a substitute for the requirements under such subsection; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H3020EF4880EE4A33B9250994ABDC565B" commented="no"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the underlying factual information which explains how the plan provides such sufficient time to vote as a substitute for such requirements.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H82E5AF31F5AF489E8F38EA6D406114B6" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Approval of waiver request</header><text>The Attorney General shall approve a waiver request under paragraph (1) if the Attorney General determines each of the following requirements are met:</text>
<subparagraph id="H3DAB9DA8815B4E969E3C28BC95DC06F1" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The comprehensive plan under subparagraph (D) of such paragraph provides individuals with disabilities sufficient time to receive absentee ballots they have requested and submit marked absentee ballots to the appropriate State election official in time to have that ballot counted in the election for Federal office.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HAB4B517E55CE40F6B21C79399CE85F17" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>One or more of the following issues creates an undue hardship for the State:</text>
<clause id="H8B30777426054B2AB069546982D10E2D" commented="no"><enum>(i)</enum><text>The State's primary election date prohibits the State from complying with subsection (a)(5)(A).</text></clause> <clause id="H772CB4923D7A4930A53A565BB44F87F5" commented="no"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>The State has suffered a delay in generating ballots due to a legal contest.</text></clause>
<clause id="H8084A5BA886040D8B1558AAC68090019" commented="no"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>The State Constitution prohibits the State from complying with such subsection.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H5A16328544DD471FB4464F2969B160EE" commented="no"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Timing of waiver</header> <subparagraph id="HF4E2EB52528B463DB1043F91C6104DB9" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided under subparagraph (B), a State that requests a waiver under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Attorney General the written waiver request not later than 90 days before the election for Federal office with respect to which the request is submitted. The Attorney General shall approve or deny the waiver request not later than 65 days before such election.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H71525F583AA74CEAB2C7875FC4FCF268" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>If a State requests a waiver under paragraph (1) as the result of an undue hardship described in paragraph (2)(B)(ii), the State shall submit to the Attorney General the written waiver request as soon as practicable. The Attorney General shall approve or deny the waiver request not later than 5 business days after the date on which the request is received.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H0EB91FE721104EBABD1FB4E57DC864B7" commented="no"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Application of waiver</header><text>A waiver approved under paragraph (2) shall only apply with respect to the election for Federal office for which the request was submitted. For each subsequent election for Federal office, the Attorney General shall only approve a waiver if the State has submitted a request under paragraph (1) with respect to such election.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6FB6F7D51DF246088AFFFC21318C462F"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this section may be construed to allow the marking or casting of ballots over the internet.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H1A26311FBB6F4753B67010D12A8EE893" commented="no"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Individual with a disability defined</header><text>In this section, an <quote>individual with a disability</quote> means an individual with an impairment that substantially limits any major life activities and who is otherwise qualified to vote in elections for Federal office.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H8E90866272B040BDAAADC48D7D14D5EE" commented="no"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held on or after January 1, 2022.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H0382C9788FF949BCB5993FB891968E56"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment relating to issuance of voluntary guidance by election assistance commission</header> <paragraph id="HDAC827F241A441B69F4C3AB9AC0308D1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Timing of issuance</header><text>Section 311(b) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21101">52 U.S.C. 21101(b)</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="H228507E502D64C4D99A00AE9418FA95C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end of paragraph (2);</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H40A2D128F18A410EAA85CCA93FD9446C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H21B7D46BABE64F5280788DD35FD9949F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD3FCE9E48DEF42A6A00A5754F44C316C" style="OLC"> <paragraph id="HDD453167BEBE4C43B2734CB5B3EA1785"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of the recommendations with respect to section 305, January 1, 2022.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBD86708307B444F2899F59247B505647"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Redesignation</header><text>Title III of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.) is amended by redesignating sections 311 and 312 as sections 321 and 322.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBDC10FE831BF4DED94C7F58E5D077E0C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clerical amendments</header><text>The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 1201(c)), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H0C0E065CDBE24A0AACCD3974113BCD46"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating the items relating to sections 305 and 306 as relating to sections 306 and 307;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H22F0A881CD854875867CCD473C9E72BC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after the item relating to section 304 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H816E6A1E896B4DF1A989E5B9C74F5B9D" style="OLC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 305. Access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities. </toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block><continuation-text continuation-text-level="paragraph">and </continuation-text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1533E11A60EC493BB160F495BB0D697B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by redesignating the items relating to sections 311 and 312 as relating to sections 321 and 322.</text></paragraph></subsection></section> <section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H72B5B082F1184FFFB700918EF66FC0BE" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2002.</enum><header>Expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure voting access for individuals with disabilities</header> <subsection id="HA504DD971E40447B88AB7767D5ADDEE9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Purposes of payments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 261(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21021">52 U.S.C. 21021(b)</external-xref>) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5D6B025FB4F9424EBFF46F1DF06F5142" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="HD335CB1701004ECFAC428907887CB13B"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">making absentee voting and voting at home accessible to individuals with the full range of disabilities (including impairments involving vision, hearing, mobility, or dexterity) through the implementation of accessible absentee voting systems that work in conjunction with assistive technologies for which individuals have access at their homes, independent living centers, or other facilities;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H07B5A64302764E1894357E75C17231F2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>making polling places, including the path of travel, entrances, exits, and voting areas of each polling facility, accessible to individuals with disabilities, including the blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation (including privacy and independence) as for other voters; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H940299778E804492B172E46F3E469D90"><enum>(3)</enum><text>providing solutions to problems of access to voting and elections for individuals with disabilities that are universally designed and provide the same opportunities for individuals with and without disabilities.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> <subsection id="HC18016C43E4D42AD9882ECC72923DE9C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reauthorization</header><text>Section 264(a) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21024">52 U.S.C. 21024(a)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8BA5640D10E64AAFBCBF81F3F44E2E5F" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="HAAD9033A4F3B4430BD15A7EB003ACD6E"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For fiscal year 2022 and each succeeding fiscal year, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this part.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> <subsection id="HE5922837ACCD49C3A501157E39DB52B4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Period of availability of funds</header><text>Section 264 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21024">52 U.S.C. 21024</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HEF208E9805464A81AB65E9EC9151502C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (b), by striking <quote>Any amounts</quote> and inserting <quote>Except as provided in subsection (b), any amounts</quote>; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H64F838156C894CE28E4A62FD1CFCB9C4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8CB6101A6F9440B1A7480E108036B9A9" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H6178BEA9300F4DDC839F33127590DA79"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Return and transfer of certain funds</header>
<paragraph id="HBE4079B4BD8B477BB63620F21A3905F4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Deadline for obligation and expenditure</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of subsection (a) for a payment to a State or unit of local government for fiscal year 2022 or any succeeding fiscal year, any portion of such amounts which have not been obligated or expended by the State or unit of local government prior to the expiration of the 4-year period which begins on the date the State or unit of local government first received the amounts shall be transferred to the Commission.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H1DA972D27B0E41AF80C5A6B500B932A2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Reallocation of transferred amounts</header> <subparagraph id="H9F704ABA4F944F6E828D2473DB3254EE"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Commission shall use the amounts transferred under paragraph (1) to make payments on a pro rata basis to each covered payment recipient described in subparagraph (B), which may obligate and expend such payment for the purposes described in section 261(b) during the 1-year period which begins on the date of receipt.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H42B8264B8A844A5695CD7361DBCA6F5D"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Covered payment recipients described</header><text>In subparagraph (A), a <quote>covered payment recipient</quote> is a State or unit of local government with respect to which—</text> <clause id="HCC20186162EA410DA4A393424F7642FD"><enum>(i)</enum><text>amounts were appropriated pursuant to the authority of subsection (a); and</text></clause>
<clause id="H6C9785525FE546568EE02BFBC5F5627D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>no amounts were transferred to the Commission under paragraph (1).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H456972E4802F45CFBFBDC7E48F5FA474" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2003.</enum><header>Pilot programs for enabling individuals with disabilities to register to vote privately and independently at residences</header> <subsection id="HA08BD979E9DD414FB9623503B2B31EA1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of pilot programs</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Election Assistance Commission (hereafter referred to as the <quote>Commission</quote>) shall, subject to the availability of appropriations to carry out this section, make grants to eligible States to conduct pilot programs under which individuals with disabilities may use electronic means (including the internet and telephones utilizing assistive devices) to register to vote and to request and receive absentee ballots in a manner which permits such individuals to do so privately and independently at their own residences.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H525C9056FC714B26B74EFBF6CE3A2418"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reports</header>
<paragraph id="HA11B67E920A54B608260472368C07A4E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A State receiving a grant for a year under this section shall submit a report to the Commission on the pilot programs the State carried out with the grant with respect to elections for public office held in the State during the year.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H1A6FFE37500F40E395BB8BD86875CD0F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Deadline</header><text>A State shall submit a report under paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after the last election for public office held in the State during the year.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8A605C4BE7A24714A59FFCBCCCD213FC"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>A State is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the State submits to the Commission, at such time and in such form as the Commission may require, an application containing such information and assurances as the Commission may require.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HBECFA325C6754DC5861D074074FDA5F7"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Timing</header><text>The Commission shall make the first grants under this section for pilot programs which will be in effect with respect to elections for Federal office held in 2022, or, at the option of a State, with respect to other elections for public office held in the State in 2022.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H0B02FA0E51FA46528FC992374B301917"><enum>(e)</enum><header>State defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>State</term> includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. </text></subsection></section> <section id="HC1EF8B70AE8B45E4AF96F04CC324A42C"><enum>2004.</enum><header>GAO analysis and report on voting access for individuals with disabilities</header> <subsection id="HBA197F6867C64DE19E929E0DCF958B8F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Analysis</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an analysis after each regularly scheduled general election for Federal office with respect to the following:</text>
<paragraph id="HA5A17CEEDD454E738327766671C76343"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In relation to polling places located in houses of worship or other facilities that may be exempt from accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act—</text> <subparagraph id="H2085E0C0875346DDB798ED77AB50CD57"><enum>(A)</enum><text>efforts to overcome accessibility challenges posed by such facilities; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBA31499B44B84D2E8CE95BB42E5EC03F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the extent to which such facilities are used as polling places in elections for Federal office.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H25FE5832ABD74D088DDD506C371BB074"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Assistance provided by the Election Assistance Commission, Department of Justice, or other Federal agencies to help State and local officials improve voting access for individuals with disabilities during elections for Federal office.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4A7C037A2BEA484089A4E9E3B61C57B6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>When accessible voting machines are available at a polling place, the extent to which such machines—</text> <subparagraph id="HC1D2AE6C54FA4C25ADD9B79C91E0101B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>are located in places that are difficult to access;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H131B6661C50A43998C2518FEE6D1394A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>malfunction; or</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2D817C0AD5BC4BB4B935EFA4BEE59882"><enum>(C)</enum><text>fail to provide sufficient privacy to ensure that the ballot of the individual cannot be seen by another individual.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1489E82A2538409699C08586C6900725"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The process by which Federal, State, and local governments track compliance with accessibility requirements related to voting access, including methods to receive and address complaints.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H4F1043C80C3E462B8B1B6D87FB726711"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The extent to which poll workers receive training on how to assist individuals with disabilities, including the receipt by such poll workers of information on legal requirements related to voting rights for individuals with disabilities.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEDA31B30F57D4B55A99BF7DAD3F2DA8F"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The extent and effectiveness of training provided to poll workers on the operation of accessible voting machines.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HE4A55BA8485B4ECFAEEE93835C81A1D1"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The extent to which individuals with a developmental or psychiatric disability experience greater barriers to voting, and whether poll worker training adequately addresses the needs of such individuals.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB7D3A144ECB249CABFB29DC10313AAC4"><enum>(8)</enum><text>The extent to which State or local governments employ, or attempt to employ, individuals with disabilities to work at polling sites.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H68E76AEEF12F414CA2728A06B4115E5C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header> <paragraph id="H20A6244631974A3C80BE81E5CBA00EC0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 9 months after the date of a regularly scheduled general election for Federal office, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report with respect to the most recent regularly scheduled general election for Federal office that contains the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="H4497628DDB954D4A9462084A809146EF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The analysis required by subsection (a).</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H3AA5EBE3A15C468D9283F82E2E471D34"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Recommendations, as appropriate, to promote the use of best practices used by State and local officials to address barriers to accessibility and privacy concerns for individuals with disabilities in elections for Federal office.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H40FE2DB9C68C4B9AB16B1AD3C28B60BE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Appropriate congressional committees</header><text>For purposes of this subsection, the term <term>appropriate congressional committees</term> means—</text> <subparagraph id="H741DDCE793E04471906A710753844779"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF2C88433BC2A4F3387455D1AE9B40E7C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HFB320A19C3344915A16E883A6A297DA8"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0A7527386A8142C0A0F7FD4013B0FB7B"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section> <enum>III</enum><header>Prohibiting Voter Caging</header> <section id="H7623B704EC954CE38AF32006E14DB66B"><enum>3001.</enum><header>Voter caging and other questionable challenges prohibited</header> <subsection id="H681B5D2BAC644F46BBE831606A3C8B5A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/18/29">Chapter 29</external-xref> of title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 1601(a), is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDAB1E8BA37BE4C08902F0F818F96ECC2" style="USC">
<section id="HA9C944FD0BD34CB2BC5E653499C96043"><enum>613.</enum><header>Voter caging and other questionable challenges</header>
<subsection id="HE57007B104FB4C53B15AB7826FA45AA6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section—</text> <paragraph id="HBE9A8F0C8A7241A08C2C91EB20B56375"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>voter caging document</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="HC0C98F06B15441C59A2CCFCE7AABD43D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a nonforwardable document that is returned to the sender or a third party as undelivered or undeliverable despite an attempt to deliver such document to the address of a registered voter or applicant; or</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF9B97764695148839C3A1D0548041BAE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any document with instructions to an addressee that the document be returned to the sender or a third party but is not so returned, despite an attempt to deliver such document to the address of a registered voter or applicant, unless at least two Federal election cycles have passed since the date of the attempted delivery;</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2E55550DE6EE48F9BB6063DDE6A21CDD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the term <term>voter caging list</term> means a list of individuals compiled from voter caging documents; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HB2079E21DDA0480B9200C431FCEC86AC"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the term <term>unverified match list</term> means a list produced by matching the information of registered voters or applicants for voter registration to a list of individuals who are ineligible to vote in the registrar’s jurisdiction, by virtue of death, conviction, change of address, or otherwise; unless one of the pieces of information matched includes a signature, photograph, or unique identifying number ensuring that the information from each source refers to the same individual.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H419A6D76609C4029A09AAA01E07BAB3A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Prohibition Against Voter Caging</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">No State or local election official shall prevent an individual from registering or voting in any election for Federal office, or permit in connection with any election for Federal office a formal challenge under State law to an individual’s registration status or eligibility to vote, if the basis for such decision is evidence consisting of—</text> <paragraph id="H1D2A67FCE9364C5396E1BCFA94336DB8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a voter caging document or voter caging list;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H658F959D73D24D6DB6E24CE95198A3FB"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an unverified match list;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H4250AF5D612840598E5F685F70F90DD6"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an error or omission on any record or paper relating to any application, registration, or other act requisite to voting, if such error or omission is not material to an individual’s eligibility to vote under section 2004 of the Revised Statutes, as amended (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10101">52 U.S.C. 10101(a)(2)(B)</external-xref>); or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB48D0EEB9E5A4BFB8AA902ECB555AA0D"><enum>(4)</enum><text>any other evidence so designated for purposes of this section by the Election Assistance Commission,</text></paragraph><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subsection">except that the election official may use such evidence if it is corroborated by independent evidence of the individual’s ineligibility to register or vote. </continuation-text></subsection> <subsection id="H1B52AAE9EEFE4069BC88C30CA196C1FA"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Requirements for Challenges by Persons Other Than Election Officials</header> <paragraph id="H5E8AB04DC9934A60951328AC76EDDE81"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirements for challenges</header><text>No person, other than a State or local election official, shall submit a formal challenge to an individual’s eligibility to register to vote in an election for Federal office or to vote in an election for Federal office unless that challenge is supported by personal knowledge regarding the grounds for ineligibility which is—</text>
<subparagraph id="H3C286EF96D7944F3BCE1035798FDDB33"><enum>(A)</enum><text>documented in writing; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H0D8F4A9F4ED74792A5703CC3BF77F4BF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>subject to an oath or attestation under penalty of perjury that the challenger has a good faith factual basis to believe that the individual who is the subject of the challenge is ineligible to register to vote or vote in that election, except a challenge which is based on the age, race, ethnicity, or national origin of the individual who is the subject of the challenge may not be considered to have a good faith factual basis for purposes of this paragraph.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB51A721C012E48A8AD15DE74C8EB1396"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Prohibition on challenges on or near date of election</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">No person, other than a State or local election official, shall be permitted—</text> <subparagraph id="HB270538A03C043BDA6B9A62681C4FFDA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to challenge an individual’s eligibility to vote in an election for Federal office on Election Day, or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA82F86458E734FEAA1D4680034CBF447"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to challenge an individual’s eligibility to register to vote in an election for Federal office or to vote in an election for Federal office less than 10 days before the election unless the individual registered to vote less than 20 days before the election.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H18278F2D5DE04DF69144CE92FE3C274B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Penalties for Knowing Misconduct</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Whoever knowingly challenges the eligibility of one or more individuals to register or vote or knowingly causes the eligibility of such individuals to be challenged in violation of this section with the intent that one or more eligible voters be disqualified, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both, for each such violation. Each violation shall be a separate offense.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H22952001023742FE94957BC24544EBEC"><enum>(e)</enum><header>No Effect on Related Laws</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this section is intended to override the protections of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20501">52 U.S.C. 20501</external-xref> et seq.) or to affect the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10301">52 U.S.C. 10301</external-xref> et seq.).</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> <subsection id="HA9C602A8DFCC406EB0FF72D1FF71D579"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical Amendment</header><text>The table of sections for <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/18/29">chapter 29</external-xref> of title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 1601(b), is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H44132598D8074360BC0112E2E1271E6A" style="USC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">613. Voter caging and other questionable challenges.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section id="H2CE956AF4BBA460D8EAECB6620B30EBA"><enum>3002.</enum><header>Development and adoption of best practices for preventing voter caging</header>
<subsection id="H46A90970090F4F3EA038C34CD1CA751C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Best practices</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Election Assistance Commission shall develop and publish for the use of States recommendations for best practices to deter and prevent violations of section 613 of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 3001(a), including practices to provide for the posting of relevant information at polling places and voter registration agencies, the training of poll workers and election officials, and relevant educational measures. For purposes of this subsection, the term <term>State</term> includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HDC64C91C218D42B8B62E5DD2D70931C7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Inclusion in voting information requirements</header><text>Section 302(b)(2) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21082">52 U.S.C. 21082(b)(2)</external-xref>), as amended by section 1602(b), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H8F823FCEAFF54F88A29E6796E9978DD8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end of subparagraph (F);</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HF4AB5A259D924C3787EDD4FA4DC9388A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (G) and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFDAD5CEE8A5146A8956E64FE2498CAB1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE7331290201149D4B26773D100934B2B" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H50D0736ABAAD4AEB8B6F1E714C8D7DC9"><enum>(H)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">information relating to the prohibition against voter caging and other questionable challenges (as set forth in section 613 of title 18, United States Code), including information on how individuals may report allegations of violations of such prohibition.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section>
<enum>IV</enum><header>Prohibiting Deceptive Practices and Preventing Voter Intimidation</header>
<section id="H8FB248CBF3A8480BB45005B894F592B0"><enum>4001.</enum><header>Prohibition on deceptive practices in Federal elections</header>
<subsection id="HC2C5AA1B45774121B7327998368B481C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>Subsection (b) of section 2004 of the Revised Statutes (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10101">52 U.S.C. 10101(b)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H2485710396BA42CDAF9BF99B563EF153"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>No person</quote> and inserting the following:</text>
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<paragraph id="H4394FBFF35E94290B015209B563A740A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>No person</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph> <paragraph id="HCEA88F7FF7124864AEE00CD010A2DBFF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting at the end the following new paragraphs:</text>
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<paragraph id="H6A35412E3C084D19BB489DA7EDE72C09"><enum>(2)</enum><header>False statements regarding Federal elections</header>
<subparagraph id="H06568A39391E40BE9DB9452124B67842"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>No person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, shall, within 60 days before an election described in paragraph (5), by any means, including by means of written, electronic, or telephonic communications, communicate or cause to be communicated information described in subparagraph (B), or produce information described in subparagraph (B) with the intent that such information be communicated, if such person—</text> <clause id="HE91D8259E4E0433083B18D271E3DCC50"><enum>(i)</enum><text>knows such information to be materially false; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H1CDAEE58D3C94700BB8EB793E1BFB534"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>has the intent to impede or prevent another person from exercising the right to vote in an election described in paragraph (5).</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD22824A84F3F4F3597DFCA5EF38A85A2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Information described</header><text>Information is described in this subparagraph if such information is regarding—</text>
<clause id="H339B5C0770A34BDC92E06772149C7AED"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the time, place, or manner of holding any election described in paragraph (5); or</text></clause> <clause id="HAAF918AF55A24FDCA94FADBA369FA59D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility for any such election, including—</text>
<subclause id="H653854310584402EB57970206418710D"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any criminal, civil, or other legal penalties associated with voting in any such election; or</text></subclause> <subclause id="HA45AEF7F20674FEEB72A6F90488D5E5D"><enum>(II)</enum><text>information regarding a voter's registration status or eligibility.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEA950D8902034DD3AB94C9A4EDAB3758"><enum>(3)</enum><header>False statements regarding public endorsements</header>
<subparagraph id="H333A05FA17984F82BA5F4D6B200A84CA"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>No person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, shall, within 60 days before an election described in paragraph (5), by any means, including by means of written, electronic, or telephonic communications, communicate, or cause to be communicated, a materially false statement about an endorsement, if such person—</text> <clause id="H44C08452F67E4170A3E7B815BF2CAC6A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>knows such statement to be false; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H2FAFE219113448B79E8E748E33604389"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>has the intent to impede or prevent another person from exercising the right to vote in an election described in paragraph (5).</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H93A3BCD8960B4E0DBEA6529521781A13"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Definition of <quote>materially false</quote></header><text>For purposes of subparagraph (A), a statement about an endorsement is <term>materially false</term> if, with respect to an upcoming election described in paragraph (5)—</text>
<clause id="H5AE546A8C6AE4C6F9AF39046D41BDF7C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the statement states that a specifically named person, political party, or organization has endorsed the election of a specific candidate for a Federal office described in such paragraph; and</text></clause> <clause id="HAC12179788714F559E8F213008D9BC82"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>such person, political party, or organization has not endorsed the election of such candidate.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2945B278D6F045938B0EC83FF238BF5B"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Hindering, interfering with, or preventing voting or registering to vote</header><text>No person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, shall intentionally hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from voting, registering to vote, or aiding another person to vote or register to vote in an election described in paragraph (5).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H3ECA0BD7F5D34DB0A5C468F3214FD462"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Election described</header><text>An election described in this paragraph is any general, primary, run-off, or special election held solely or in part for the purpose of nominating or electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice President, presidential elector, Member of the Senate, Member of the House of Representatives, or Delegate or Commissioner from a Territory or possession.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H52E0005A8C234FD3811F3C7C79D94888"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Private right of action</header>
<paragraph id="H7AF1AC8FE24343A7A34C50D9F9C53AE6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subsection (c) of section 2004 of the Revised Statutes (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10101">52 U.S.C. 10101(c)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="HE2D98922B6244D25AD505AB464155981"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>Whenever any person</quote> and inserting the following:</text>
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<paragraph id="H7F1B985B43A54EF18CD4CC79D03A781C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Whenever any person</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H5053EFF6E3B6465EA02DC8A1A805D87D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
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<paragraph id="H90F76F399A17465EB6DB5F07DC7014BE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Civil action</header><text>Any person aggrieved by a violation of subsection (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b)(4) may institute a civil action for preventive relief, including an application in a United States district court for a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order. In any such action, the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party a reasonable attorney’s fee as part of the costs.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H43699C04B2394EA89B28E44C9FD51795"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming amendments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 2004 of the Revised Statutes (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10101">52 U.S.C. 10101</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="H8463AA8222A34419BAE2DD014EE733E5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (e), by striking <quote>subsection (c)</quote> and inserting <quote>subsection (c)(1)</quote>; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9ABA0187CE51481E913AA86CED4D52AB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (g), by striking <quote>subsection (c)</quote> and inserting <quote>subsection (c)(1)</quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H9A0E6CFF71764CC0AEF156A66A9443B1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Criminal penalties</header>
<paragraph id="HB1ECA7C356F84B479A04D5432BFC4637"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Deceptive acts</header><text>Section 594 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="HBB652844103A4A77877A048C4CE9A786"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>Whoever</quote> and inserting the following:</text>
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<subsection id="H34A344B527FA4F96958E8718F53BCEC6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Intimidation</header><text>Whoever</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE6754090FF844342B261C0B7FB653768"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (a), as inserted by subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>at any election</quote> and inserting <quote>at any general, primary, run-off, or special election</quote>; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5B86299BC2B84AD5901EE0E7FE983DD9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subsections:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H98C9273A3CD845C6928D6AE4715CAE9C" style="OLC"> <subsection id="H40553D2272CB41D4BF7F468C25A7F2CF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Deceptive acts</header> <paragraph id="HB0C7C2F4266049639A8C90072537743B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>False statements regarding Federal elections</header> <subparagraph id="HC8033FA3A7964F3B8DFDAF2EA062EF0A"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>It shall be unlawful for any person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, within 60 days before an election described in subsection (e), by any means, including by means of written, electronic, or telephonic communications, to communicate or cause to be communicated information described in subparagraph (B), or produce information described in subparagraph (B) with the intent that such information be communicated, if such person—</text>
<clause id="HE7EADB42857A4E3495D22992A095CAC4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>knows such information to be materially false; and</text></clause> <clause id="HAEBA5805121F48EA9205F94F091BF4A0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>has the intent to mislead voters, or the intent to impede or prevent another person from exercising the right to vote in an election described in subsection (e).</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC7820542C1B94923898D7042350FD48B"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Information described</header><text>Information is described in this subparagraph if such information is regarding—</text> <clause id="H9696A4869E9045A1825DE918C684DEAC"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the time or place of holding any election described in subsection (e); or</text></clause>
<clause id="HA10D69FE914E45E48136B95F623AB25A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility for any such election, including—</text> <subclause id="HB293E9C94DA244EC99FABF8230001627"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any criminal, civil, or other legal penalties associated with voting in any such election; or</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H67D32165FC5241A1A92C749DB1800769"><enum>(II)</enum><text>information regarding a voter's registration status or eligibility.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HDEA040E53E464F4989CEB58564E1851A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Penalty</header><text>Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall be fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H32971A4FA956489BB718CC3F2F1DD167"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Hindering, interfering with, or preventing voting or registering To vote</header>
<paragraph id="HAFE0E7DBF0414556845D207E45CA59B7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">It shall be unlawful for any person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, to intentionally hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from voting, registering to vote, or aiding another person to vote or register to vote in an election described in subsection (e), including by operating a polling place or ballot box that falsely purports to be an official location established for such an election by a unit of government.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H194E8118FA57467693725114A058C5C7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Penalty</header><text>Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall be fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H5698EB250CE34638A196A36F5B923389"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Attempt</header><text>Any person who attempts to commit any offense described in subsection (a), (b)(1), or (c)(1) shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense that the person attempted to commit.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H1DB34E735E564096B9F564FCC08A702C"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Election described</header><text>An election described in this subsection is any general, primary, run-off, or special election held solely or in part for the purpose of nominating or electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice President, presidential elector, Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3DE3F4199F2E4912B1AB1C9BBF09A511"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Modification of penalty for voter intimidation</header><text>Section 594(a) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (1), is amended by striking <quote>fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year</quote> and inserting <quote>fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned for not more than 5 years</quote>.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HFC491E8C8AC54197A06BEBAF9E30CE6F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Sentencing guidelines</header> <subparagraph id="H4FCC2FF80F434E3BA3CD31905B7DD2B2"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Review and amendment</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the United States Sentencing Commission, pursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, and in accordance with this section, shall review and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of any offense under section 594 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by this section.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6E6647689138433E866E1254C19F3294"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Authorization</header><text>The United States Sentencing Commission may amend the Federal Sentencing Guidelines in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 21(a) of the Sentencing Act of 1987 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/28/994">28 U.S.C. 994</external-xref> note) as though the authority under that section had not expired.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HDF2D73DFCB7F4C46B3380ADF03F9E1DD"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Payments for refraining from voting</header><text>Subsection (c) of section 11 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10307">52 U.S.C. 10307</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>either for registration to vote or for voting</quote> and inserting <quote>for registration to vote, for voting, or for not voting</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H83633C637BAA41F2ABB9D98C55D2D8BB"><enum>4002.</enum><header>Corrective action</header>
<subsection id="HB8BB34D147244DACB9ECB33A32B8848B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Corrective action</header>
<paragraph id="H4C8F03B3870040C4BCFFCFEA4AEF77B2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If the Attorney General receives a credible report that materially false information has been or is being communicated in violation of paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 2004(b) of the Revised Statutes (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10101">52 U.S.C. 10101(b)</external-xref>), as added by section 4001(a), and if the Attorney General determines that State and local election officials have not taken adequate steps to promptly communicate accurate information to correct the materially false information, the Attorney General shall, pursuant to the written procedures and standards under subsection (b), communicate to the public, by any means, including by means of written, electronic, or telephonic communications, accurate information designed to correct the materially false information.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H15FE5B3A75ED47A7A450AA1EFDFE2F09"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Communication of corrective information</header><text>Any information communicated by the Attorney General under paragraph (1)—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF099F122294649C3A2526C32559210B8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall—</text> <clause id="H865ED2232EB247CF873D8AFC95382237"><enum>(i)</enum><text>be accurate and objective;</text></clause>
<clause id="H2F2031EEF9214CF8A2FF7F7FA5C286E1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>consist of only the information necessary to correct the materially false information that has been or is being communicated; and</text></clause> <clause id="HF173114997C6450B8929827B3D3F799C"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>to the extent practicable, be by a means that the Attorney General determines will reach the persons to whom the materially false information has been or is being communicated; and</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H44F7E2AF90DB4DF1B21DE5D760C19409"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall not be designed to favor or disfavor any particular candidate, organization, or political party.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HCD52FDE13BDB49C88645025E7FF601F5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Written procedures and standards for taking corrective action</header> <paragraph id="H044BA278D8EC491A9D5D0139926C1300"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall publish written procedures and standards for determining when and how corrective action will be taken under this section.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H55E64F9937844423997C1D6D850F72CA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Inclusion of appropriate deadlines</header><text>The procedures and standards under paragraph (1) shall include appropriate deadlines, based in part on the number of days remaining before the upcoming election.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H8634CD98C6024A04AECC3765B54709DB"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In developing the procedures and standards under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall consult with the Election Assistance Commission, State and local election officials, civil rights organizations, voting rights groups, voter protection groups, and other interested community organizations.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H3AE166C4EC394A8BBB84C43456A827F3"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subtitle.</text></subsection></section> <section id="H1719F557E7864E18B6F0AEA21D897E44"><enum>4003.</enum><header>Reports to Congress</header> <subsection id="H74ED79DF09B0415DA44BC8A8FF7CBCB0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after each general election for Federal office, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a report compiling all allegations received by the Attorney General of deceptive practices described in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of section 2004(b) of the Revised Statutes (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10101">52 U.S.C. 10101(b)</external-xref>), as added by section 4001(a), relating to the general election for Federal office and any primary, run-off, or a special election for Federal office held in the 2 years preceding the general election.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H4CE5D94E764F4FBBA9E1A8F08C16FC41"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header>
<paragraph id="H5515BA4CE79C484986C4BD344FD73819"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall include—</text> <subparagraph id="H7F91DE89E53B4CE287A4B26778E4C5A4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a description of each allegation of a deceptive practice described in subsection (a), including the geographic location, racial and ethnic composition, and language minority-group membership of the persons toward whom the alleged deceptive practice was directed;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE88FA77393FA4A4CBBB68BD93D34BA21"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the status of the investigation of each allegation described in subparagraph (A);</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H6931183D64F04219B6D9612D094298B3"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a description of each corrective action taken by the Attorney General under section 4(a) in response to an allegation described in subparagraph (A);</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5BECCCC034124978B1835C4871E0B28E"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a description of each referral of an allegation described in subparagraph (A) to other Federal, State, or local agencies;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9C5B459C03614BDA91B40675B5599C13"><enum>(E)</enum><text>to the extent information is available, a description of any civil action instituted under section 2004(c)(2) of the Revised Statutes (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10101">52 U.S.C. 10101(c)(2)</external-xref>), as added by section 4001(b), in connection with an allegation described in subparagraph (A); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4FFF2D64BC984599B0414A69BD31A737"><enum>(F)</enum><text>a description of any criminal prosecution instituted under section 594 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 4001(c), in connection with the receipt of an allegation described in subparagraph (A) by the Attorney General.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H723AF6C8047E4C99824DBA56975DD0BC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exclusion of certain information</header> <subparagraph id="H2E8EC105DE9A452CA5A619BAB28D99FE"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Attorney General shall not include in a report submitted under subsection (a) any information protected from disclosure by rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure or any Federal criminal statute.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD5301F8030DD40FFA0469A1C407E0F69"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exclusion of certain other information</header><text>The Attorney General may determine that the following information shall not be included in a report submitted under subsection (a):</text> <clause id="H63D1C7CA85444DDDBA456091304E9F8B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Any information that is privileged.</text></clause>
<clause id="H56384846F06545F8B27581CD13D0CCD9"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Any information concerning an ongoing investigation.</text></clause> <clause id="HB92E6E06346C469196452206286C0489"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Any information concerning a criminal or civil proceeding conducted under seal.</text></clause>
<clause id="HB92E6348472F400AB1982EE75B9C5FA7"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Any other nonpublic information that the Attorney General determines the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to infringe on the rights of any individual or adversely affect the integrity of a pending or future criminal investigation.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HB19669BBCFA44735A3F05D9660510D46"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report made public</header><text>On the date that the Attorney General submits the report under subsection (a), the Attorney General shall also make the report publicly available through the internet and other appropriate means.</text></subsection></section>
<enum>V</enum><header>Democracy Restoration</header>
<section id="H3C7460CD571948258A45F55673B8F67F"><enum>5001.</enum><header>Findings</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Congress makes the following findings:</text> <paragraph id="H161ADE319B2C4A10A4AA104161D75977"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The right to vote is the most basic constitutive act of citizenship. Regaining the right to vote reintegrates individuals with criminal convictions into free society, helping to enhance public safety.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H59CBB94FEF724AEFBAFE258E397082A4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Article I, section 4, of the Constitution grants Congress ultimate supervisory power over Federal elections, an authority which has repeatedly been upheld by the Supreme Court.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H3909C5248CD141CEAA39531C0085D534"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Basic constitutional principles of fairness and equal protection require an equal opportunity for citizens of the United States to vote in Federal elections. The right to vote may not be abridged or denied by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, gender, or previous condition of servitude. The 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments to the Constitution empower Congress to enact measures to protect the right to vote in Federal elections. The 8th Amendment to the Constitution provides for no excessive bail to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC92F32DF0AA24A13B892A02592879AB1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>There are 3 areas in which discrepancies in State laws regarding criminal convictions lead to unfairness in Federal elections:</text> <subparagraph id="HD108C0012EE745739CA3348D83B33C51"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The lack of a uniform standard for voting in Federal elections leads to an unfair disparity and unequal participation in Federal elections based solely on where a person lives.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H71D4E57D7CC04DBC846571DD33FC2966"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Laws governing the restoration of voting rights after a criminal conviction vary throughout the country, and persons in some States can easily regain their voting rights while in other States persons effectively lose their right to vote permanently.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD17242693010490DB3737A776360D5A9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>State disenfranchisement laws disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minorities.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD76AD3FB9FEB4DEABE4B6C38BF436FA5"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Two States (Maine and Vermont), the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico do not disenfranchise individuals with criminal convictions at all, but 48 States have laws that deny convicted individuals the right to vote while they are in prison.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H7C12CE48B6DC47FCA8BAB7C92A5E63EA"><enum>(6)</enum><text>In some States disenfranchisement results from varying State laws that restrict voting while individuals are under the supervision of the criminal justice system or after they have completed a criminal sentence. In 30 States, convicted individuals may not vote while they are on parole and 27 States disenfranchise individuals on felony probation as well. In 11 States, a conviction can result in lifetime disenfranchisement.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC8C73C6E69A64FFA9286FA804A845F8D"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Several States deny the right to vote to individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H71A5604C67FE4A8E853F744ECA9D795F"><enum>(8)</enum><text>An estimated 5,200,000 citizens of the United States, or about 1 in 44 adults in the United States, currently cannot vote as a result of a felony conviction. Of the 5,200,000 citizens barred from voting, only 24 percent are in prison. By contrast, 75 percent of the disenfranchised reside in their communities while on probation or parole or after having completed their sentences. Approximately 2,200,000 citizens who have completed their sentences remain disenfranchised due to restrictive State laws. In at least 6 States—Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia—more than 5 percent of the total voting-age population is disenfranchised.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE0200F4D84874978A91CBD4B7C526E62"><enum>(9)</enum><text>In those States that disenfranchise individuals post-sentence, the right to vote can be regained in theory, but in practice this possibility is often granted in a non-uniform and potentially discriminatory manner. Disenfranchised individuals must either obtain a pardon or an order from the Governor or an action by the parole or pardon board, depending on the offense and State. Individuals convicted of a Federal offense often have additional barriers to regaining voting rights.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H4F2D6682702440D8935780CC0929FD96"><enum>(10)</enum><text>State disenfranchisement laws disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minorities. More than 6 percent of the African-American voting-age population, or 1,800,000 African Americans, are disenfranchised. Currently, 1 of every 16 voting-age African Americans are rendered unable to vote because of felony disenfranchisement, which is a rate more than 3.7 times greater than non-African Americans. Over 6 percent of African-American adults are disenfranchised whereas only 1.7 percent of non-African Americans are. In 7 States (Alabama, 16 percent; Florida, 15 percent; Kentucky, 15 percent; Mississippi, 16 percent; Tennessee, 21 percent; Virginia, 16 percent; and Wyoming, 36 percent), more than 1 in 7 African Americans are unable to vote because of prior convictions, twice the national average for African Americans.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HACB31EEE3BBE43378D145C5A653ADF8C"><enum>(11)</enum><text>Latino citizens are disproportionately disenfranchised based upon their disproportionate representation in the criminal justice system. In recent years, Latinos have been imprisoned at 2.5 times the rate of Whites. More than 2 percent of the voting-age Latino population, or 560,000 Latinos, are disenfranchised due to a felony conviction. In 34 states Latinos are disenfranchised at a higher rate than the general population. In 11 states 4 percent or more of Latino adults are disenfranchised due to a felony conviction (Alabama, 4 percent; Arizona, 7 percent; Arkansas, 4 percent; Idaho, 4 percent; Iowa, 4 percent; Kentucky, 6 percent; Minnesota, 4 percent; Mississippi, 5 percent; Nebraska, 6 percent; Tennessee, 11 percent, Wyoming, 4 percent), twice the national average for Latinos.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H5F8A3AEC40B943A48930CCC17C146C5B"><enum>(12)</enum><text>Disenfranchising citizens who have been convicted of a criminal offense and who are living and working in the community serves no compelling State interest and hinders their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H70E89C429F034BBAA6CEDB079DC5BC60"><enum>(13)</enum><text>State disenfranchisement laws can suppress electoral participation among eligible voters by discouraging voting among family and community members of disenfranchised persons. Future electoral participation by the children of disenfranchised parents may be impacted as well.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H3C49EA9A6CD34D3F801BB0D47A949199"><enum>(14)</enum><text>The United States is the only Western democracy that permits the permanent denial of voting rights for individuals with felony convictions.</text></paragraph></section>
<section id="H9F43878FD4BF44C8A7110B37204151C8"><enum>5002.</enum><header>Rights of citizens</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The right of an individual who is a citizen of the United States to vote in any election for Federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless such individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility at the time of the election.</text></section> <section id="H5BE64974FDDC4375A922BB0154E04979"><enum>5003.</enum><header>Enforcement</header> <subsection id="HC8020CFCB2DB4841BD5F92334E387BA4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Attorney general</header><text>The Attorney General may, in a civil action, obtain such declaratory or injunctive relief as is necessary to remedy a violation of this subtitle.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H0A97DD34BAFA4CCEB084737D4E86B0D5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Private right of action</header>
<paragraph id="HD80D176BE32A470EA317693AF71A8526"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A person who is aggrieved by a violation of this title may provide written notice of the violation to the chief election official of the State involved.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HF879EF59C8914AD6A1EAD2472DAFE9C6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Relief</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (3), if the violation is not corrected within 90 days after receipt of a notice under paragraph (1), or within 20 days after receipt of the notice if the violation occurred within 120 days before the date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person may, in a civil action, obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC6098B3E5C5E42AB8068B5C9257B25A0"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>If the violation occurred within 30 days before the date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person need not provide notice to the chief election official of the State under paragraph (1) before bringing a civil action to obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation.</text></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H50D5AD947F62475A9F8957E3058001CB"><enum>5004.</enum><header>Notification of restoration of voting rights</header> <subsection id="HC7A720C880AF442A9118B6189CF4B515"><enum>(a)</enum><header>State notification</header> <paragraph id="HB2C3EBE46C2A49F3B37295C452F52C8E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Notification</header><text>On the date determined under paragraph (2), each State shall notify in writing any individual who has been convicted of a criminal offense under the law of that State that such individual has the right to vote in an election for Federal office pursuant to the <short-title>Democracy Restoration Act of 2021</short-title> and may register to vote in any such election and provide such individual with any materials that are necessary to register to vote in any such election.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6E7DD22210594E2DAB0CD6253BC836DA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Date of notification</header>
<subparagraph id="HC79D954331004676AD0D0CE1A6BB9878"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Felony conviction</header><text>In the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a felony, the notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given on the date on which the individual—</text> <clause id="HB5C6E7B38591482DBFD5B28937C5A5D1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is sentenced to serve only a term of probation; or</text></clause>
<clause id="H6E01359F4F364907B31C3893E18D8502"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is released from the custody of that State (other than to the custody of another State or the Federal Government to serve a term of imprisonment for a felony conviction).</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE469A348F8FE42169DE9B485F713CB0E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Misdemeanor conviction</header><text>In the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given on the date on which such individual is sentenced by a State court.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6504A5477CED4C9D94FD90D3912CD62A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Federal notification</header>
<paragraph id="H3B71DA5B0039438A962B70EE9357DC95"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Notification</header><text>Any individual who has been convicted of a criminal offense under Federal law shall be notified in accordance with paragraph (2) that such individual has the right to vote in an election for Federal office pursuant to the <short-title>Democracy Restoration Act of 2021</short-title> and may register to vote in any such election and provide such individual with any materials that are necessary to register to vote in any such election.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H0B4CA8A4885C4528BB1FDD367A6420F6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Date of notification</header> <subparagraph id="H08FFDC62D3534DF4881179C8BDB30914"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Felony conviction</header><text>In the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a felony, the notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given—</text>
<clause id="H1F85DE1629DC4BE1B30A54A48AAC6D26"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the case of an individual who is sentenced to serve only a term of probation, by the Assistant Director for the Office of Probation and Pretrial Services of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts on the date on which the individual is sentenced; or</text></clause> <clause id="H4185EAA04DFE4FC69BDE40758A7BBF70"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the case of any individual committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, during the period beginning on the date that is 6 months before such individual is released and ending on the date such individual is released from the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5F91A284ADB949A5BC25BE99EC6FA32A"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Misdemeanor conviction</header><text>In the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given on the date on which such individual is sentenced by a court established by an Act of Congress.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H4693636429114A1A90E8D40B6FCEDAB5"><enum>5005.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">For purposes of this title:</text>
<paragraph id="H7F1195B208D04ECC9C2C296704AC2CAF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Correctional institution or facility</header><text>The term <term>correctional institution or facility</term> means any prison, penitentiary, jail, or other institution or facility for the confinement of individuals convicted of criminal offenses, whether publicly or privately operated, except that such term does not include any residential community treatment center (or similar public or private facility).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H81AAF7651D6147EFB6303AB1E407059C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Election</header><text>The term <term>election</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="HCD15B2FBF8A24D9D8F20815FF00BB1C6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a general, special, primary, or runoff election;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HBEB749124BC7443C95B74CC055C33EF0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a convention or caucus of a political party held to nominate a candidate;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H58CBB90928EE4B4B966752951AF4529A"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a primary election held for the selection of delegates to a national nominating convention of a political party; or</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H02A32DE5B07946A1B8CBA6D60AF1DE6F"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a primary election held for the expression of a preference for the nomination of persons for election to the office of President.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD514F1ED27B34E8B8E2DC704DE02F3D2"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Federal office</header><text>The term <term>Federal office</term> means the office of President or Vice President of the United States, or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress of the United States.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H68A5B6A0D66049C9BD9ABD3650EFA5CC"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Probation</header><text>The term <term>probation</term> means probation, imposed by a Federal, State, or local court, with or without a condition on the individual involved concerning—</text>
<subparagraph id="HCC513F4B939C4D0A9799322F7CD0609B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the individual’s freedom of movement;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H9E89CE164AAE45B99803B55C1E69DACF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the payment of damages by the individual;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7673DEBCCBBE40088857F05985D9588E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>periodic reporting by the individual to an officer of the court; or</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H34D1129254414E76B5510DE15EB0AADE"><enum>(D)</enum><text>supervision of the individual by an officer of the court.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></section>
<section id="H73B853A6C72B4C3ABE0510905C138DED"><enum>5006.</enum><header>Relation to other laws</header>
<subsection id="H1C33A5347FFC4304B3B520B254009A4D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>State laws relating to voting rights</header><text>Nothing in this title be construed to prohibit the States from enacting any State law which affords the right to vote in any election for Federal office on terms less restrictive than those established by this subtitle.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HE1CD3FB4988E402592500AEC6C246C76"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Certain Federal Acts</header><text>The rights and remedies established by this title are in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law, and neither rights and remedies established by this Act shall supersede, restrict, or limit the application of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10301">52 U.S.C. 10301</external-xref> et seq.) or the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20501">52 U.S.C. 20501</external-xref> et seq.).</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H42A8525A11E94383862764D5BA8D933C"><enum>5007.</enum><header>Federal prison funds</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">No State, unit of local government, or other person may receive or use, to construct or otherwise improve a prison, jail, or other place of incarceration, any Federal funds unless that person has in effect a program under which each individual incarcerated in that person’s jurisdiction who is a citizen of the United States is notified, upon release from such incarceration, of that individual’s rights under section 5002.</text></section> <section id="HCE68CBD9169541F6A58F4F7C94FD3802"><enum>5008.</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This subtitle shall apply to citizens of the United States voting in any election for Federal office held after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></section>
<enum>VI</enum><header>Promoting Accuracy, Integrity, and Security Through Voter-Verified Permanent Paper Ballot</header>
<section id="HAEBED249B2B049F59AAF3C09F65B929A"><enum>6001.</enum><header>Paper ballot and manual counting requirements</header>
<subsection id="H9E20B00A207947698E44E94BCC4EC903"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 301(a)(2) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(2)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block id="H369EFF0CF8CC4106BC3AD0B886E43D20"> <paragraph id="HA55CF538781546A7B71A73825B0AA457"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Paper ballot requirement</header> <subparagraph id="H7D947C648DEC4D1286E3BB9400879CBC"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Voter-verified paper ballots</header> <clause id="H73F0B2D52BCA4D0989B9187255CC5473"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Paper ballot requirement</header> <subclause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H68ED84CF859C474EBD7F377C8F69C1E0"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The voting system shall require the use of an individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballot of the voter’s vote that shall be marked and made available for inspection and verification by the voter before the voter’s vote is cast and counted, and which shall be counted by hand or read by an optical character recognition device or other counting device. For purposes of this subclause, the term <term>individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballot</term> means a paper ballot marked by the voter by hand or a paper ballot marked through the use of a nontabulating ballot marking device or system, so long as the voter shall have the option to mark his or her ballot by hand.</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H2D56DE747F3E46ECA45780A6F6C0ADD6" indent="up1"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The voting system shall provide the voter with an opportunity to correct any error on the paper ballot before the permanent voter-verified paper ballot is preserved in accordance with clause (ii).</text></subclause> <subclause id="HDCBF3CBF41284AC48CF6AB8FDD2EF2AD" indent="up1"><enum>(III)</enum><text>The voting system shall not preserve the voter-verified paper ballots in any manner that makes it possible, at any time after the ballot has been cast, to associate a voter with the record of the voter’s vote without the voter’s consent.</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="HCBF5ED724D274E4BAE1CCBA22106E2A8"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Preservation as official record</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballot used in accordance with clause (i) shall constitute the official ballot and shall be preserved and used as the official ballot for purposes of any recount or audit conducted with respect to any election for Federal office in which the voting system is used.</text></clause> <clause id="H1B3A6F6D352549C9BE0C3A34065A0E7E"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Manual counting requirements for recounts and audits</header> <subclause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H3B4C587331064EDCB01385CA27E25B82"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Each paper ballot used pursuant to clause (i) shall be suitable for a manual audit, and shall be counted by hand in any recount or audit conducted with respect to any election for Federal office.</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H55B756E0D8474406A8F567F3D3D63AA9" indent="up1"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the event of any inconsistencies or irregularities between any electronic vote tallies and the vote tallies determined by counting by hand the individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballots used pursuant to clause (i), and subject to subparagraph (B), the individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballots shall be the true and correct record of the votes cast.</text></subclause></clause> <clause id="HAA6F5CAFFB7B48FEA35702615B2D869E"><enum>(iv)</enum><header>Application to all ballots</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The requirements of this subparagraph shall apply to all ballots cast in elections for Federal office, including ballots cast by absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and other absentee voters.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC53E03E0787941B7AF5F865BA98A9175"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Special rule for treatment of disputes when paper ballots have been shown to be compromised</header>
<clause id="H5DD76549F7B84A0F9D630FE03E381E48"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In the event that—</text> <subclause id="H4CB1A87B95774FABBB1A623FEF2AEA48"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">there is any inconsistency between any electronic vote tallies and the vote tallies determined by counting by hand the individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballots used pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) with respect to any election for Federal office; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H9BC7F588BC2A404BAED8E215E9E0433D"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">it is demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence (as determined in accordance with the applicable standards in the jurisdiction involved) in any recount, audit, or contest of the result of the election that the paper ballots have been compromised (by damage or mischief or otherwise) and that a sufficient number of the ballots have been so compromised that the result of the election could be changed,</text></subclause><continuation-text continuation-text-level="clause">the determination of the appropriate remedy with respect to the election shall be made in accordance with applicable State law, except that the electronic tally shall not be used as the exclusive basis for determining the official certified result. </continuation-text></clause> <clause id="HB65F58CCE5504E9483333C41894DF4D4"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Rule for consideration of ballots associated with each voting machine</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of clause (i), only the paper ballots deemed compromised, if any, shall be considered in the calculation of whether or not the result of the election could be changed due to the compromised paper ballots.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HD729AF8ADB7A44338045BA58C491A8FD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment clarifying applicability of alternative language accessibility</header><text>Section 301(a)(4) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(4)</external-xref>) is amended by inserting <quote>(including the paper ballots required to be used under paragraph (2))</quote> after <quote>voting system</quote>.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HF91B7E9FD6F9466F9DC2AE0D2B213465"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Other conforming amendments</header><text>Section 301(a)(1) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(1)</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H4C3B92FF5E09417094080BD50658BDF0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking <quote>counted</quote> and inserting <quote>counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3)</quote>;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HAC5DB9C29296459AB750A345B50AC4DD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking <quote>counted</quote> and inserting <quote>counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3)</quote>;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9B2EA572AA5D4456B279D53A5FF6C227"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A)(iii), by striking <quote>counted</quote> each place it appears and inserting <quote>counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3)</quote>; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD788A258C07C41F08507FAD22FB2451F"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking <quote>counted</quote> and inserting <quote>counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3)</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HA3087CEFD527421BB913F7453668A8EC"><enum>6002.</enum><header>Accessibility and ballot verification for individuals with disabilities</header>
<subsection id="H852F9B5DD6FC4843B4F39F11BA4BA7E6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 301(a)(3)(B) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(3)(B)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2951953272AD4887942A166FE7FB226D" style="traditional"> <subparagraph id="H437D3C2C4FCB497692B270813D52ADC7"><enum>(B)</enum> <clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H3C29089667BC4FF19EE88E9360399A58"><enum>(i)</enum><text>ensure that individuals with disabilities and others are given an equivalent opportunity to vote, including with privacy and independence, in a manner that produces a voter-verified paper ballot as for other voters;</text></clause>
<clause id="H6AE39448DA9B401EA4DB7173270F6F1C" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">satisfy the requirement of subparagraph (A) through the use of a sufficient number, but at least one, of voting systems, as determined by the Commission in consultation with the United States Access Board and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, equipped to serve individuals with and without disabilities, including nonvisual and enhanced visual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, and nonmanual and enhanced manual accessibility for the mobility and dexterity impaired, for all in person voting options; and</text></clause> <clause id="HEF85170A72B64654BD8BF94367D92415" indent="up1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) and paragraph (2)(A) by using a system that—</text>
<subclause id="HDD7BC3E0B7FC4AB49728020DD3132AD1"><enum>(I)</enum><text>allows the voter to privately and independently verify the permanent paper ballot through the presentation, in accessible form, of the printed or marked vote selections from the same printed or marked information that would be used for any vote counting or auditing; and</text></subclause> <subclause id="HF7AAA130E89D45BDA1D62D8CFFE7B837"><enum>(II)</enum><text>allows the voter to privately and independently verify and cast the permanent paper ballot without requiring the voter to manually handle the paper ballot;</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H487977CE805745FBBD56FDCBF9CAB3BD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Specific requirement of study, testing, and development of accessible voting options</header>
<paragraph id="HE980076FEC594BAAB7A7E1AFD6E7E50A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Study and reporting</header><text>Subtitle C of title II of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.) is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="H7BCB433012554165B8691E1E04D5684C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating section 247 as section 248; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H99D5FE620A16463AB1899577F5F32291"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting after section 246 the following new section:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5C3A4AF296ED4F91B3E632F91B9E2FC0" style="OLC"> <section id="H36BA1F80E3CB4C81B15FE10312F01B61"><enum>247.</enum><header>Study and report on accessible voting options</header> <subsection id="H5A5F093F89D9465E8F749040196D2BF5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Grants To study and report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Commission, in coordination with the Access Board and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, shall make grants to not fewer than three eligible entities to study, test, and develop accessible and secure remote voting systems and voting, verification, and casting devices to enhance the accessibility of voting and verification for individuals with disabilities.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H5ED460ACDEB34FBA924FA74F44535152" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>An entity is eligible to receive a grant under this part if it submits to the Commission (at such time and in such form as the Commission may require) an application containing—</text> <paragraph id="H1DACB8AA8F7E4F4CB9F02D54FB0AF39E"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a certification that the entity shall complete the activities carried out with the grant not later than January 1, 2024; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE3156DACE1284EA1B433DFF71CD24105"><enum>(2)</enum><text>such other information and certifications as the Commission may require.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H9EB9F7869F1245539D60F832C2A24D20"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Availability of technology</header><text>Any technology developed with the grants made under this section shall be treated as non-proprietary and shall be made available to the public, including to manufacturers of voting systems.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H533D00EA903B4C1DB1548F73E3AE6C17"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Coordination with grants for technology improvements</header><text>The Commission shall carry out this section so that the activities carried out with the grants made under subsection (a) are coordinated with the research conducted under the grant program carried out by the Commission under section 271, to the extent that the Commission determines necessary to provide for the advancement of accessible voting technology.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HF74933A0E0AE4521997683BCCBC7DD1C"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (a) $10,000,000, to remain available until expended.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE06092B9E9C9457DA49DD2F856A59785"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of contents of such Act is amended—</text> <subparagraph id="HFC848AF9A9E246F19695F28BF848C9BE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating the item relating to section 247 as relating to section 248; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H86BAEB81CC094D34BF711A9A09F4E985"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting after the item relating to section 246 the following new item:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9EF6759B601F40A18DA4385150F1374D" style="OLC"> <toc regeneration="no-regeneration"> <toc-entry level="section">Sec. 247. Study and report on accessible voting options.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HB504037A27E940A195C9A105D47268B7"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clarification of accessibility standards under voluntary voting system guidance</header><text>In adopting any voluntary guidance under subtitle B of title III of the Help America Vote Act with respect to the accessibility of the paper ballot verification requirements for individuals with disabilities, the Election Assistance Commission shall include and apply the same accessibility standards applicable under the voluntary guidance adopted for accessible voting systems under such subtitle.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H65CC7592FBFE4671917947CDDEEE0223"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Permitting use of funds for protection and advocacy systems To support actions To enforce election-Related disability access</header><text>Section 292(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21062">52 U.S.C. 21062(a)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>; except that</quote> and all that follows and inserting a period.</text></subsection></section> <section id="HE0C2CB007B0244B89626C41DB23B92F3"><enum>6003.</enum><header>Durability and readability requirements for ballots</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 301(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081(a)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB8901EFACCBF4E3C826874CF92DDB6DF" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="HBC80CC931EA94E499D77457F88CA020F"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Durability and readability requirements for ballots</header>
<subparagraph id="H84C16101C35C4BB5B1880BAB7A182AC9"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Durability requirements for paper ballots</header>
<clause id="H1A09AEACB3B54A5288D749071C0A27D9"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">All voter-verified paper ballots required to be used under this Act shall be marked or printed on durable paper.</text></clause> <clause id="HA8256FEBFA024D42BE41B979BC76E7F2"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Definition</header><text>For purposes of this Act, paper is <quote>durable</quote> if it is capable of withstanding multiple counts and recounts by hand without compromising the fundamental integrity of the ballots, and capable of retaining the information marked or printed on them for the full duration of a retention and preservation period of 22 months.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC1E6D779FF2542E78E1A48DD9FF6579C"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Readability requirements for paper ballots marked by ballot marking device</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">All voter-verified paper ballots completed by the voter through the use of a ballot marking device shall be clearly readable by the voter without assistance (other than eyeglasses or other personal vision enhancing devices) and by an optical character recognition device or other device equipped for individuals with disabilities.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section> <section id="H71FA14DF5AB44328BDC1A3558D053459"><enum>6004.</enum><header>Study and report on optimal ballot design</header> <subsection id="H90E69A49BDFC402AB0B74FA7615272C4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Election Assistance Commission shall conduct a study of the best ways to design ballots used in elections for public office, including paper ballots and electronic or digital ballots, to minimize confusion and user errors.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HC00973635515422BB617408F9A9DEA78"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than January 1, 2022, the Election Assistance Commission shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a).</text></subsection></section> <section id="H445D7277155B4A1ABF6C425F8765F156"><enum>6005.</enum><header>Paper ballot printing requirements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 301(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081(a)</external-xref>), as amended by section 6003, is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" id="HD0F075A27D9E4CA3BA47B7FAA1784078" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<paragraph id="HF88527C1FE8F4E749051A16B980EBB38"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Printing requirements for ballots</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">All paper ballots used in an election for Federal office shall be printed in the United States on paper manufactured in the United States.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section> <section id="H859344701F564307B110F929A4738431"><enum>6006.</enum><header>Effective date for new requirements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 301(d) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081(d)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H35DD694EF1534F11BF3AFBDD3981A7C1" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H61CEF422EE6641AA84A53B48436DAE9C"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective Date</header>
<paragraph id="H56029AB771924B3EAC42381307CB11FC"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), each State and jurisdiction shall be required to comply with the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2006.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD9E54DBD40BD45F7A1428F2889D458BE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Special rule for certain requirements</header> <subparagraph id="HC3EEC51B1F034FADA78650590E0D17A7"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the requirements of this section which are first imposed on a State and jurisdiction pursuant to the amendments made by the Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2021 shall apply with respect to voting systems used for any election for Federal office held in 2022 or any succeeding year.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3F25146606F04F768E576C26C8EED16E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Delay for jurisdictions using certain paper record printers or certain systems using or producing voter-verifiable paper records in 2020</header>
<clause id="H7914E3CA5A994DF2865F8005326E09E9"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Delay</header><text>In the case of a jurisdiction described in clause (ii), subparagraph (A) shall apply to a voting system in the jurisdiction as if the reference in such subparagraph to <quote>2022</quote> were a reference to <quote>2024</quote>, but only with respect to the following requirements of this section:</text> <subclause id="HFB4810C9FD944D3E9D70C2AAC4AB4680"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Paragraph (2)(A)(i)(I) of subsection (a) (relating to the use of voter-verified paper ballots).</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HE95A275A4A4E4A11B185283A5A821BED"><enum>(II)</enum><text>Paragraph (3)(B)(ii)(I) and (II) of subsection (a) (relating to access to verification from and casting of the durable paper ballot).</text></subclause> <subclause id="H30953B59F2144C9D8B5D5C1AB22349AA"><enum>(III)</enum><text>Paragraph (7) of subsection (a) (relating to durability and readability requirements for ballots).</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="H670DD389E05C422B99AB5BF0125687C7"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Jurisdictions described</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A jurisdiction described in this clause is a jurisdiction—</text> <subclause id="HAD4F80E9F85B452492997F5FD5A6FDB8"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">which used voter verifiable paper record printers attached to direct recording electronic voting machines, or which used other voting systems that used or produced paper records of the vote verifiable by voters but that are not in compliance with paragraphs (2)(A)(i)(I), (3)(B)(iii)(i) and (II), and (7) of subsection (a) (as amended or added by the Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2021), for the administration of the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2020; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H95548AF7D6534BBEA02400F7F74BAC4B"><enum>(II)</enum><text>which will continue to use such printers or systems for the administration of elections for Federal office held in years before 2024.</text></subclause></clause> <clause id="HFFF5A5CFB54F4342B96050006F7A0A04" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Mandatory availability of paper ballots at polling places using grandfathered printers and systems</header> <subclause id="HA3744253828E4FF19EAA2692021E7E62"><enum>(I)</enum><header>Requiring ballots to be offered and provided</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The appropriate election official at each polling place that uses a printer or system described in clause (ii)(I) for the administration of elections for Federal office shall offer each individual who is eligible to cast a vote in the election at the polling place the opportunity to cast the vote using a blank pre-printed paper ballot which the individual may mark by hand and which is not produced by the direct recording electronic voting machine or other such system. The official shall provide the individual with the ballot and the supplies necessary to mark the ballot, and shall ensure (to the greatest extent practicable) that the waiting period for the individual to cast a vote is the lesser of 30 minutes or the average waiting period for an individual who does not agree to cast the vote using such a paper ballot under this clause.</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H132EAF8719AE41BDA3768E49EFF5BB16"><enum>(II)</enum><header>Treatment of ballot</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any paper ballot which is cast by an individual under this clause shall be counted and otherwise treated as a regular ballot for all purposes (including by incorporating it into the final unofficial vote count (as defined by the State) for the precinct) and not as a provisional ballot, unless the individual casting the ballot would have otherwise been required to cast a provisional ballot.</text></subclause> <subclause id="HA0017F737ADA4C3B87DF805F836A0E51"><enum>(III)</enum><header>Posting of notice</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The appropriate election official shall ensure there is prominently displayed at each polling place a notice that describes the obligation of the official to offer individuals the opportunity to cast votes using a pre-printed blank paper ballot. The notice shall take into consideration factors including the linguistic preferences of voters in the jurisdiction.</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H72C9A934930D486E9751F9AB0D393416"><enum>(IV)</enum><header>Training of election officials</header><text>The chief State election official shall ensure that election officials at polling places in the State are aware of the requirements of this clause, including the requirement to display a notice under subclause (III), and are aware that it is a violation of the requirements of this title for an election official to fail to offer an individual the opportunity to cast a vote using a blank pre-printed paper ballot.</text></subclause> <subclause id="H1FDEE8768DEA478E8A3E51AC3B163D56"><enum>(V)</enum><header>Period of applicability</header><text>The requirements of this clause apply only during the period in which the delay is in effect under clause (i).</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD98B93DB442C44B9BAC5891F82B724B0"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Special rule for jurisdictions using certain nontabulating ballot marking devices</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a jurisdiction which uses a nontabulating ballot marking device which automatically deposits the ballot into a privacy sleeve, subparagraph (A) shall apply to a voting system in the jurisdiction as if the reference in such subparagraph to <quote>any election for Federal office held in 2022 or any succeeding year</quote> were a reference to <quote>elections for Federal office occurring held in 2024 or each succeeding year</quote>, but only with respect to paragraph (3)(B)(iii)(II) of subsection (a) (relating to nonmanual casting of the durable paper ballot).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section> <enum>VII</enum><header>Provisional Ballots</header> <section id="H42578ADEE20F47E0AAE2B1D81690997E"><enum>7001.</enum><header>Requirements for counting provisional ballots; establishment of uniform and nondiscriminatory standards</header> <subsection id="H3F921FAF55924D4A8A19201C5AA54539"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21082">52 U.S.C. 21082</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H3AA3ABA022904D0D9CBE6245BB42BC52"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (f); and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA2BF3E7775DE41FE962D0DB0436F2806"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsections:</text>
<quoted-block id="HE893080E22D648B7B4D078862ACB1404">
<subsection id="HE99D61D1DEB34A0C9B92D2F3D4E9C8ED"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Statewide counting of provisional ballots</header>
<paragraph id="HE479D8F6E5744C4B99A690671982C011"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of subsection (a)(4), notwithstanding the precinct or polling place at which a provisional ballot is cast within the State, the appropriate election official of the jurisdiction in which the individual is registered shall count each vote on such ballot for each election in which the individual who cast such ballot is eligible to vote.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H42039032C92D42EF8B54C2C0D1B3FF24"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This subsection shall apply with respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2022.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HE178AE92463B41EB9AA45982F2C8491B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Uniform and nondiscriminatory standards</header>
<paragraph id="H630F4BB60D0C49ADAC3EC19FA7EB885E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Consistent with the requirements of this section, each State shall establish uniform and nondiscriminatory standards for the issuance, handling, and counting of provisional ballots.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H425196971AE1498B96E8E98EE4C707C6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This subsection shall apply with respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2022.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H17D435230BC24B7495927C3918C5EB8A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 302(f) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21082">52 U.S.C. 21082(f)</external-xref>), as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by striking <quote>Each State</quote> and inserting <quote>Except as provided in subsections (d)(2) and (e)(2), each State</quote>.</text></subsection></section> <enum>VIII</enum><header>Early Voting</header> <section id="H51483C14C4EB4AAFBA89179200D1DD9C"><enum>8001.</enum><header>Early voting</header> <subsection id="H9B27F86EC7394BA69B60AADC1F5C0AE6" commented="no"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.), as amended by section 1201(a) and section 2001(a), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HA89A1E8C0A714FE190ADDE596A046A55" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating sections 306 and 307 as sections 307 and 308; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H78E3AE5A13984E0BB8F07B2F110AFA8E" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after section 305 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block id="HE757F454B59F4429AF6895615475F4F4">
<section id="H8FB03AD210A34702A066AD10DC914880" commented="no"><enum>306.</enum><header>Early voting</header>
<subsection id="H2293EA845CAF451D9CFA3DF75A8B4A9D" commented="no"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requiring Voting Prior to Date of Election</header>
<paragraph id="H80FDD304E4C64BA1AF2B2E475BD06043" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each State shall allow individuals to vote in an election for Federal office during an early voting period which occurs prior to the date of the election, in the same manner as voting is allowed on such date.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H3CC32BF55D224334BD79E3E23594A305" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Length of period</header><text>The early voting period required under this subsection with respect to an election shall consist of a period of consecutive days (including weekends) which begins on the 15th day before the date of the election (or, at the option of the State, on a day prior to the 15th day before the date of the election) and ends on the date of the election.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD7CE9FD66C33495DB5F0FDFA4D702E7D" commented="no"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Minimum early voting requirements</header><text>Each polling place which allows voting during an early voting period under subsection (a) shall—</text> <paragraph id="H987B45B4E439448C88CB494CF3FDDECB" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><text>allow such voting for no less than 10 hours on each day; </text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H054E617A3F6F4F87BDD34C7B5197FCD9" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><text>have uniform hours each day for which such voting occurs; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HE3F6FB22E072452E8EB4D0EC41A17AB6"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">allow such voting to be held for some period of time prior to 9:00 a.m (local time) and some period of time after 5:00 p.m. (local time).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H2FA7D81C2A204DE58DA8B33F06C13C34"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Location of polling places</header>
<paragraph id="H997FED9C531748298B0DCB42A48838F8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Proximity to public transportation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To the greatest extent practicable, a State shall ensure that each polling place which allows voting during an early voting period under subsection (a) is located within walking distance of a stop on a public transportation route.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H8938DD85034F45E79EB5F46F6B499CE1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability in rural areas</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The State shall ensure that polling places which allow voting during an early voting period under subsection (a) will be located in rural areas of the State, and shall ensure that such polling places are located in communities which will provide the greatest opportunity for residents of rural areas to vote during the early voting period. </text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBD3830ACA6F141FC82DA1E4FA1AA3DA4"><enum>(3)</enum><header>College campuses</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The State shall ensure that polling places which allow voting during an early voting period under subsection (a) will be located on campuses of institutions of higher education in the State.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HF0D60EE43F114B2584FEADA3BDA294A7" commented="no"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Standards</header> <paragraph id="HB97CB900081F4169A1F49440B386DAAD" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Commission shall issue standards for the administration of voting prior to the day scheduled for a Federal election. Such standards shall include the nondiscriminatory geographic placement of polling places at which such voting occurs.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC6C3569D3D5844B6AD9A0E5B83BFED6A" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Deviation</header><text>The standards described in paragraph (1) shall permit States, upon providing adequate public notice, to deviate from any requirement in the case of unforeseen circumstances such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or a change in voter turnout.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H63A7F3624E8B4F4DB1FE2D7C16C4B532"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Ballot processing and scanning requirements</header> <paragraph id="H038A65DE97924E599E91A3F21AF27E09"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The State shall begin processing and scanning ballots cast during in-person early voting for tabulation at least 14 days prior to the date of the election involved.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAA61B85581FA4D50A3775473A0696D47"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit a State to tabulate ballots in an election before the closing of the polls on the date of the election.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H072D105C5D154B8DA940E70CE111CBA6" commented="no"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">This section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8FB9B617A2B5480B9177D210BFBD1AFE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment relating to issuance of voluntary guidance by Election Assistance Commission</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 321(b) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21101">52 U.S.C. 21101(b)</external-xref>), as redesignated and amended by section 2001(b), is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H752A370787164F6DBC73E9A801DEA7DD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end of paragraph (3);</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8D4DEA74C8D54961B5915B4FBED4C290"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H252EC69938104F42BD5925F314D020A4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2D7BD1556E17454DA7F2DE933525B44E" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="HA2CA5D2E79864F8FA8E312AE729244E6"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">except as provided in paragraph (4), in the case of the recommendations with respect to any section added by the Voter Empowerment Act of 2021, June 30, 2022.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBA312FAA6AA349EC8A54D63A034C8CB3"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 1201(c) and section 2001(c), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H92D5201CE3A447A69D273E5A1C488D53"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating the items relating to sections 306 and 307 as relating to sections 307 and 308; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H46CC3C2818294F57A8FD7B866783BC11"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after the item relating to section 305 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H014CEC8B638C46AD8957B7490389B821" style="OLC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 306. Early voting. </toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section>
<enum>IX</enum><header>Voting by Mail</header>
<section id="H5CF33B441A5A4082B7CFEE47AA87379F"><enum>9001.</enum><header>Voting by mail</header>
<subsection id="H16EE2B412B14442FACA1F34E308F2DF2" commented="no"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.), as amended by section 1201(a), section 2001(a), and section 8001(a), is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H69C8D139C2CC4F50A530D0AEB2EBB335" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating sections 307 and 308 as sections 308 and 309; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0DF3D4EE922A4CB0A9ED08D9B5D2096B" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after section 306 the following new section:</text> <quoted-block id="H918AD6306E814FC09FD58E75B05659CE"> <section id="H9B0F4453FAEE4BFE93A4A6100B03129A" commented="no"><enum>307.</enum><header>Promoting ability of voters to vote by mail</header> <subsection id="H56353E7D074C425FA55E15D33E7CA517" commented="no"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Uniform availability of absentee voting to all voters</header> <paragraph id="HB13F37675FB9439CA6C1628347696EC1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If an individual in a State is eligible to cast a vote in an election for Federal office, the State may not impose any additional conditions or requirements on the eligibility of the individual to cast the vote in such election by absentee ballot by mail.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4E94E38B521C406A9F80178FA18E1058"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Administration of voting by mail</header>
<subparagraph id="H27670F34B0814C1EA8C2B72A2C0E47E3"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Prohibiting identification requirement as condition of obtaining ballot</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A State may not require an individual to provide any form of identification as a condition of obtaining an absentee ballot, except that nothing in this paragraph may be construed to prevent a State from requiring a signature of the individual or similar affirmation as a condition of obtaining an absentee ballot.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H6EA62266DFC444FEB05FC6D89B06B773"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Prohibiting requirement to provide notarization or witness signature as condition of obtaining or casting ballot</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A State may not require notarization or witness signature or other formal authentication (other than voter attestation) as a condition of obtaining or casting an absentee ballot.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2BFD725B01D14F5AB23B0473454CA81F"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Deadline for returning ballot</header><text>A State may impose a reasonable deadline for requesting the absentee ballot and related voting materials from the appropriate State or local election official and for returning the ballot to the appropriate State or local election official.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H88286D53FFDA43B0B4E210098219BA0A"><enum>(3)</enum><header>No effect on identification requirements for first-time voters registering by mail</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this subsection may be construed to exempt any individual described in paragraph (1) of section 303(b) from meeting the requirements of paragraph (2) of such section.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H810C993560CD42E19429443F2C859E94" commented="no"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Due process requirements for States requiring signature verification</header>
<paragraph id="HD866DF472BB344EBB9E9DA5D47307528"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirement</header>
<subparagraph id="H19BA3E10B3E24D139F06E4116F5B8432"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A State may not impose a signature verification requirement as a condition of accepting and counting an absentee ballot submitted by any individual with respect to an election for Federal office unless the State meets the due process requirements described in paragraph (2).</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H5271A96FEDDC4077AEA9D4FED5CBD69F"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Signature verification requirement described</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this subsection, a <quote>signature verification requirement</quote> is a requirement that an election official verify the identification of an individual by comparing the individual’s signature on the absentee ballot with the individual’s signature on the official list of registered voters in the State or another official record or other document used by the State to verify the signatures of voters.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC4B0358173D849B68F5EB4E4B8EA5FC7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Due process requirements</header>
<subparagraph id="HCADAD300DD0B416DA6F82B96192F6AEE"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Notice and opportunity to cure discrepancy in signatures</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If an individual submits an absentee ballot and the appropriate State or local election official determines that a discrepancy exists between the signature on such ballot and the signature of such individual on the official list of registered voters in the State or other official record or document used by the State to verify the signatures of voters, such election official, prior to making a final determination as to the validity of such ballot, shall—</text> <clause id="H539C728D5D464AA4AA08D2F809C9D535"><enum>(i)</enum><text>make a good faith effort to immediately notify the individual by mail, telephone, and (if available) text message and electronic mail that—</text>
<subclause id="H9ADE9C87609A40E79F4D30D4566C46BC"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a discrepancy exists between the signature on such ballot and the signature of the individual on the official list of registered voters in the State or other official record or document used by the State to verify the signatures of voters, and</text></subclause> <subclause id="H267EC533D0CC4D4381DD5C90F512ED70"><enum>(II)</enum><text>if such discrepancy is not cured prior to the expiration of the 10-day period which begins on the date the official notifies the individual of the discrepancy, such ballot will not be counted; and</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="H8DEDB9288C0B418297BE9012A42E7458"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>cure such discrepancy and count the ballot if, prior to the expiration of the 10-day period described in clause (i)(II), the individual provides the official with information to cure such discrepancy, either in person, by telephone, or by electronic methods.</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H66AA16D9FF31414386D794CE8D752E19"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Notice and opportunity to cure missing signature or other defect</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If an individual submits an absentee ballot without a signature or submits an absentee ballot with another defect which, if left uncured, would cause the ballot to not be counted, the appropriate State or local election official, prior to making a final determination as to the validity of the ballot, shall—</text>
<clause id="H5B4CB0850EAF4BDDBF3B9D5A83AD1DF8"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">make a good faith effort to immediately notify the individual by mail, telephone, and (if available) text message and electronic mail that—</text> <subclause id="H203CBBB5E1294B45A924A6822B71F14C"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the ballot did not include a signature or has some other defect, and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="HD6DA63A2B7AC447BB9C16380DE616DDF"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">if the individual does not provide the missing signature or cure the other defect prior to the expiration of the 10-day period which begins on the date the official notifies the individual that the ballot did not include a signature or has some other defect, such ballot will not be counted; and</text></subclause></clause> <clause id="HB914FF8A1B344BD39587C801656C282F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">count the ballot if, prior to the expiration of the 10-day period described in clause (i)(II), the individual provides the official with the missing signature on a form proscribed by the State or cures the other defect.</text></clause><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subparagraph">This subparagraph does not apply with respect to a defect consisting of the failure of a ballot to meet the applicable deadline for the acceptance of the ballot, as described in subsection (e). </continuation-text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H08424045B397497DADEAAD8AF1B9F47E"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Other requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An election official may not make a determination that a discrepancy exists between the signature on an absentee ballot and the signature of the individual who submits the ballot on the official list of registered voters in the State or other official record or other document used by the State to verify the signatures of voters unless—</text> <clause id="H54089AC761A24661B5999C8C4849AB54"><enum>(i)</enum><text>at least 2 election officials make the determination; </text></clause>
<clause id="HF4D2EA8A4DAA4443AA05F0DA5D866B1A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>each official who makes the determination has received training in procedures used to verify signatures; and </text></clause> <clause id="HEA5201003B6F4EE3A5057DF3DD145DF3"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">of the officials who make the determination, at least one is affiliated with the political party whose candidate received the most votes in the most recent statewide election for Federal office held in the State and at least one is affiliated with the political party whose candidate received the second most votes in the most recent statewide election for Federal office held in the State.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4DA39B9C580A435B8DCE87EA0D2C1D57"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Report</header>
<subparagraph id="H5FDF3B30D9164EA4B67EE6A7D8594115"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 120 days after the end of a Federal election cycle, each chief State election official shall submit to Congress and the Commission a report containing the following information for the applicable Federal election cycle in the State:</text> <clause id="HD36057D856884B94A91319B4E25C8F4B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>The number of ballots invalidated due to a discrepancy under this subsection.</text></clause>
<clause id="H27D0B48D0E8E4838807FD715EE026047"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Description of attempts to contact voters to provide notice as required by this subsection.</text></clause> <clause id="H6B51BB8E112F4062AEA8C4BF5564A27D"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Description of the cure process developed by such State pursuant to this subsection, including the number of ballots determined valid as a result of such process.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0C3F7C04937344E79313323C7348163E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Federal election cycle defined</header><text>For purposes of this subsection, the term <term>Federal election cycle</term> means the period beginning on January 1 of any odd numbered year and ending on December 31 of the following year.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H2F843114BAD14F63AFFCB47480DA3F3E"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this subsection shall be construed—</text>
<subparagraph id="H7894D89F96E944EEB341039321E844D6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to prohibit a State from rejecting a ballot attempted to be cast in an election for Federal office by an individual who is not eligible to vote in the election; or</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H36A0CDD694C54C3D9FDBDBA8A636C93D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to prohibit a State from providing an individual with more time and more methods for curing a discrepancy in the individual’s signature, providing a missing signature, or curing any other defect than the State is required to provide under this subsection.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HE516AB59E50E41B1A3F637C228602142" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Transmission of applications, ballots, and balloting materials to voters</header>
<paragraph id="HA322260DB853486EA547514D441A7A66"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Automatic transmission of absentee ballot applications by mail</header>
<subparagraph id="H7ADFD6F95A574E60BACE682A936DD349"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Transmission of applications</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 60 days before the date of an election for Federal office, the appropriate State or local election official shall transmit by mail an application for an absentee ballot for the election to each individual who is registered to vote in the election, or, in the case of any State that does not register voters, all individuals who are in the State’s central voter file (or if the State does not keep a central voter file, all individuals who are eligible to vote in such election).</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H07C94C9C292E4E54A4CB3C22F04F5C71"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exception for individuals already receiving applications automatically</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subparagraph (A) does not apply with respect to an individual to whom the State is already required to transmit an application for an absentee ballot for the election because the individual exercised the option described in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (2) to treat an application for an absentee ballot in a previous election for Federal office in the State as an application for an absentee ballot in all subsequent elections for Federal office in the State.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1FFEB8AD35664CB59421D0339F7678CB"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Exception for States transmitting ballots without application</header><text>Subparagraph (A) does not apply with respect to a State which transmits a ballot in an election for Federal office in the State to a voter prior to the date of the election without regard to whether or not the voter submitted an application for the ballot to the State.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H71F355C2ADB545A382D2E3DBC170B0A4"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to prohibit an individual from submitting to the appropriate State or local election official an application for an absentee ballot in an election for Federal office, including through the methods described in paragraph (2).</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1868A44B727A4972B3678EF75CA177F7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Other methods for applying for absentee ballot</header>
<subparagraph id="H23FD677058EE4240A4291D141697BB83"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In addition to such other methods as the State may establish for an individual to apply for an absentee ballot, the State shall permit an individual—</text> <clause id="H6E4C38C24E30466DA2EDB908AFFE5FED"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to submit an application for an absentee ballot online; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H00D9008F95D045698158AD07ACF3856C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to submit an application for an absentee ballot through the use of an automated telephone-based system, subject to the same terms and conditions applicable under this paragraph to the services made available online.</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H7FE6C35ADB754AE089BE6028747BDABE"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Treatment of websites</header><text>The State shall be considered to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A)(i) if the website of the appropriate State or local election official allows an application for an absentee ballot to be completed and submitted online and if the website permits the individual—</text>
<clause id="H6399A56AACAD418386390930731A2890"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to print the application so that the individual may complete the application and return it to the official; or</text></clause> <clause id="H7E350B64B43A43D58DA332C25CAF5558"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">request that a paper copy of the application be transmitted to the individual by mail or electronic mail so that the individual may complete the application and return it to the official.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H676CACF349564EF6B2EEAC7EF695A6E9"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Ensuring delivery prior to election</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If an individual who is eligible to vote in an election for Federal office submits an application for an absentee ballot in the election, the appropriate State or local election official shall ensure that the ballot and relating voting materials are received by the individual prior to the date of the election so long as the individual’s application is received by the official not later than 5 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) before the date of the election, except that nothing in this paragraph shall preclude a State or local jurisdiction from allowing for the acceptance and processing of absentee ballot applications submitted or received after such required period.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H7715833C692249E1B34DAE4F205980CB"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Application for all future elections</header><text>At the option of an individual, a State shall treat the individual’s application to vote by absentee ballot by mail in an election for Federal office as an application for an absentee ballot by mail in all subsequent Federal elections held in the State.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2041D687BF79470384FAC12279D4CC7D"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Same-day processing</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The United States Postal Service shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that ballots are processed and cleared from any postal facility or post office on the same day the ballots are received at such a facility or post office.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H2C321B0EB12F4F6CBD3F3C9FB82E85B5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Accessibility for individuals with disabilities</header><text>The State shall ensure that all absentee ballot applications, absentee ballots, and related voting materials in elections for Federal office are accessible to individuals with disabilities in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation (including with privacy and independence) as for other voters.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H10D3A63E077B4A8E9502EE3C130E0EA7"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Uniform deadline for acceptance of mailed ballots</header>
<paragraph id="HB0D0C750C87E4A7992BDB8769EE0519C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In General</header><text>A State may not refuse to accept or process a ballot submitted by an individual by mail with respect to an election for Federal office in the State on the grounds that the individual did not meet a deadline for returning the ballot to the appropriate State or local election official if—</text> <subparagraph id="HB38E6634934246B08B0D948570413FF7"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the ballot is postmarked or otherwise indicated by the United States Postal Service to have been mailed on or before the date of the election, or has been signed by the voter on or before the date of the election; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDEB3C9001A3943599A52F79EC320BF44"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the ballot is received by the appropriate election official prior to the expiration of the 10-day period which begins on the date of the election.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H65D5D0E96A3E4D5981D9A9B676A627A2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a State from having a law that allows for counting of ballots in an election for Federal office that are received through the mail after the date that is 10 days after the date of the election.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF80CEBFDC53545C482590DCA410B69A5"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Alternative methods of returning ballots</header>
<paragraph id="H50BA126723D2437DA87D7C808D4B0B6F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In addition to permitting an individual to whom a ballot in an election was provided under this section to return the ballot to an election official by mail, the State shall permit the individual to cast the ballot by delivering the ballot at such times and to such locations as the State may establish, including—</text> <subparagraph id="HCFB506F860C04EC88AD59D841CD8E719"><enum>(A)</enum><text>permitting the individual to deliver the ballot to a polling place on any date on which voting in the election is held at the polling place; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9593615C084F44E1BE613FFADF3BDC62"><enum>(B)</enum><text>permitting the individual to deliver the ballot to a designated ballot drop-off location, a tribally designated building, or the office of a State or local election official.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H97DC65E5B8BD479B8B2B6E483411BD1D" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Permitting voters to designate other person to return ballot</header><text>The State—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H952A9A226FA1459981E0443C20FE1CAC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall permit a voter to designate any person to return a voted and sealed absentee ballot to the post office, a ballot drop-off location, tribally designated building, or election office so long as the person designated to return the ballot does not receive any form of compensation based on the number of ballots that the person has returned and no individual, group, or organization provides compensation on this basis; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph commented="no" id="HEBF044D4F8EF412282F10370B4C24DFB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may not put any limit on how many voted and sealed absentee ballots any designated person can return to the post office, a ballot drop-off location, tribally designated building, or election office.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H1C677ADF7C4E41819A19489E1905DECC"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Ballot processing and scanning requirements</header>
<paragraph id="HC2EE1489DA2A4406A7EB5130D5E60F5C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The State shall begin processing and scanning ballots cast by mail for tabulation at least 14 days prior to the date of the election involved.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H8E32D0660EEE46E18CEC126979F275A9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit a State to tabulate ballots in an election before the closing of the polls on the date of the election.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD57D7406E4B74289BE579E4231DA5D52" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Prohibiting certain restrictions on access to voting materials</header>
<paragraph id="H5AE5D495392545FAA631C7C1B1A7ADE5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Distribution of absentee ballot applications by third parties</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A State may not prohibit any person from providing an application for an absentee ballot in the election to any individual who is eligible to vote in the election.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD622396E494A4F08AF576C3F07D088EC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Unsolicited provision of voter registration applications by election officials</header><text>A State may not prohibit an election official from providing an unsolicited application to register to vote in an election for Federal office to any individual who is eligible to register to vote in the election.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4999FFDFD3AE4D8C85EA9712B38B5318"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of States to conduct elections for Federal office through the use of polling places at which individuals cast ballots.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HE0A8E76C560A42289B752BDCDAE2511A"><enum>(j)</enum><header>No effect on ballots submitted by absent military and overseas voters</header><text>Nothing in this section may be construed to affect the treatment of any ballot submitted by an individual who is entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20301">52 U.S.C. 20301</external-xref> et seq.).</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H0911CD936BEE4399B51784422A1376C9" commented="no"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">This section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9CFBEAAC7AE44A4197931C08F9257F0D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 1201(c), section 2001(c), and section 8001(c), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HF4F88994675E4743B297F232ED643984"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating the items relating to sections 307 and 308 as relating to sections 308 and 309; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H554BAC98EEE04F1DAA5B383CF1C959E5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after the item relating to section 306 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9B414DB53E7A47839A53093B10FC4602" style="OLC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 307. Promoting ability of voters to vote by mail.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD88298A45BDD49A7855D6169786AD4B2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Development of alternative verification methods</header>
<paragraph id="H58E62D21170B42F19D32CD492628A054"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Development of standards</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The National Institute of Standards, in consultation with the Election Assistance Commission, shall develop standards for the use of alternative methods which could be used in place of signature verification requirements for purposes of verifying the identification of an individual voting by absentee ballot in elections for Federal office.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HB7ED8E91B88C4CA187241D2085F0E5D5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Public notice and comment</header><text>The National Institute of Standards shall solicit comments from the public in the development of standards under paragraph (1).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H54A7DFB98BF14478ADAD3BDE7558CDF7"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Deadline</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the National Institute of Standards shall publish the standards developed under paragraph (1).</text></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="HC623616421B3480AA3B5D6FFEFE52916"><enum>9002.</enum><header>Absentee ballot tracking program</header> <subsection id="H784D95BD449243229B24B228AC6C5EC3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.), as amended by section 1201(a), section 2001(a), section 8001(a), and section 9001(a), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H5FB24CB7A896424EB12BC0B3946A670B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating sections 308 and 309 as sections 309 and 310; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HC3CBE569A60848189E135FAACA379751"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after section 307 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" id="H5ED2A2CBFA3C45ED8515694627A9A789" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<section id="HA779A14D22D342B9AF13145F0A60F85B"><enum>308.</enum><header>Absentee ballot tracking program</header>
<subsection id="H76DD5F22CA1346A5BAA0A087F8D607B7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>Each State shall carry out a program to track and confirm the receipt of absentee ballots in an election for Federal office under which the State or local election official responsible for the receipt of voted absentee ballots in the election carries out procedures to track and confirm the receipt of such ballots, and makes information on the receipt of such ballots available to the individual who cast the ballot, by means of online access using the Internet site of the official’s office.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HAF8514DC79D4422EBDD0B422C3293DBD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Information on whether vote was accepted</header><text>The information referred to under subsection (a) with respect to the receipt of an absentee ballot shall include information regarding whether the vote cast on the ballot was accepted, and, in the case of a vote which was rejected, the reasons therefor.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HE8656A3385A94BEAA879206F30938BC4" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of Toll-Free Telephone Number by Officials Without Internet Site</header><text>A program established by a State or local election official whose office does not have an Internet site may meet the requirements of subsection (a) if the official has established a toll-free telephone number that may be used by an individual who cast an absentee ballot to obtain the information on the receipt of the voted absentee ballot as provided under such subsection.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HCD7BAEA068374F0EBE0CCD719A62767B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">This section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HE90CEA4FB8DA42FDAA951AEA6B18C774"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reimbursement for costs incurred by States in establishing program</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subtitle D of title II of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15401">42 U.S.C. 15401</external-xref> et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new part:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="H8EA0EE7CEF44459DAC20E778B5A0FA1F" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <part id="H77E36E07188F4B2997E6ACCA4D3BD8C7"><enum>7</enum><header>Payments To Reimburse States for Costs Incurred in Establishing Program To Track and Confirm Receipt of Absentee Ballots</header> <section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1EA7793F6055411CA13518AFE5B9553D" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>297.</enum><header>Payments to States</header> <subsection id="H3FAEF6434B1F46B38F0A0F8362593727"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Payments For Costs of Program</header><text>In accordance with this section, the Commission shall make a payment to a State to reimburse the State for the costs incurred in establishing the absentee ballot tracking program under section 308 (including costs incurred prior to the date of the enactment of this part). </text></subsection>
<subsection id="HFF9C7A942E1243E19A75585002CB9CEE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Certification of Compliance and Costs</header>
<paragraph id="HF22C5371655D4F8185005C480A135821"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Certification required</header><text>In order to receive a payment under this section, a State shall submit to the Commission a statement containing—</text> <subparagraph id="H0F1EB4920CFD4EF59EA74DC8A7D313E6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a certification that the State has established an absentee ballot tracking program with respect to elections for Federal office held in the State; and </text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7BA2AD62DE894795B81A22F78358E003"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a statement of the costs incurred by the State in establishing the program.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H0FC1D776B5F149DDB783ECFB7FDF0F5C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Amount of payment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amount of a payment made to a State under this section shall be equal to the costs incurred by the State in establishing the absentee ballot tracking program, as set forth in the statement submitted under paragraph (1), except that such amount may not exceed the product of—</text>
<subparagraph id="HB766F26E159449E39A524E6C081F4332"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the number of jurisdictions in the State which are responsible for operating the program; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H1BD4582963B147EE80806E33BCAF31FE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$3,000.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H802354885D684E05A517DECD56510F0C"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Limit on number of payments received</header><text>A State may not receive more than one payment under this part.</text></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="HADF7C92B702047AA95E07867E12567F2"><enum>297A.</enum><header>Authorization of Appropriations</header> <subsection id="H1BF4510E21D2427C9221B310E7005F09"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authorization</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission for fiscal year 2022 and each succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary for payments under this part.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HA6B061F70CE342FFA287D06124893D30"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Continuing Availability of Funds</header><text>Any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization under this section shall remain available until expended.</text></subsection></section></part><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> <subsection id="HABC3285E0D604F8EAC791C8680D2D657"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clerical amendments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 1201(c), section 2001(c), section 8001(c), and section 9001(b), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H66B0D93DF4C2404A886C184F7E02C1F8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by adding at the end of the items relating to subtitle D of title II the following:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="H8234EF2AE1BE4067B54FAFD6EC4814ED" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <toc regeneration="no-regeneration"> <toc-entry level="part">Part 7—Payments To Reimburse States for Costs Incurred in Establishing Program To Track and Confirm Receipt of Absentee Ballots </toc-entry> <toc-entry level="section">Sec. 297. Payments to States. </toc-entry> <toc-entry level="section">Sec. 297A. Authorization of appropriations.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph> <paragraph id="HB842719B70B04484810E279319CB3B06"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating the items relating to sections 308 and 309 as relating to sections 309 and 310; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H33B305EA9E9F44CA8233AF869A1A8F06"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after the item relating to section 307 the following new item:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="HF26532AFB7334A7CA6EBB637FF4823A3" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <toc regeneration="no-regeneration"> <toc-entry level="section">Sec. 308. Absentee ballot tracking program.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H4AD69B1FAD324D5F9A659A2B7A8FFCB6"><enum>9003.</enum><header>Voting materials postage</header> <subsection id="H2FE28089007B4C80A7018A51A0868825"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Prepayment of postage on return envelopes</header> <paragraph id="H078FBCFDAA8D40B6BB0FD14FCA249122"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.), as amended by section 1201(a), section 2001(a), section 8001(a), section 9001(a), and section 9002(a), is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="HB2C55C83C50245EC8DB36C112E8E179D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating sections 309 and 310 as sections 310 and 311; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE122F909F0534BF7BEFD85E95C2DFE42"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting after section 308 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" id="H430457E58ED3417A886412900BC9542B" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<section id="H72A2F040A1D6419D9D4235ACA5835743"><enum>309.</enum><header>Prepayment of postage on return envelopes for voting materials</header>
<subsection id="H6E8FB0D28FB749449F8E9A0BA6FB1F3F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Provision of return envelopes</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The appropriate State or local election official shall provide a self-sealing return envelope with—</text> <paragraph id="H43771FF75C0A4A19B3E3CF53C05F5E21"><enum>(1)</enum><text>any voter registration application form transmitted to a registrant by mail;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6E76B9AC18304E348D2F2DF85E913293"><enum>(2)</enum><text>any application for an absentee ballot transmitted to an applicant by mail; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA97C67AA2E3A4FEEA3DC4FF06D9622A5"><enum>(3)</enum><text>any blank absentee ballot transmitted to a voter by mail.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF5331060DCFD40598B786AC1E00F90D5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Prepayment of postage</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Consistent with regulations of the United States Postal Service, the State or the unit of local government responsible for the administration of the election involved shall prepay the postage on any envelope provided under subsection (a).</text></subsection> <subsection id="H5407A3F3203443BF98E1D80A24416F5E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>No effect on ballots or balloting materials transmitted to absent military and overseas voters</header><text>Nothing in this section may be construed to affect the treatment of any ballot or balloting materials transmitted to an individual who is entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20301">52 U.S.C. 20301</external-xref> et seq.).</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H00DFEC1A570F47BBA7777158AE1E7350"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This section shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, except that—</text> <paragraph id="H1C0D6E0FEA1A4501B7AF497746CB3BFE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>State and local jurisdictions shall make arrangements with the United States Postal Service to pay for all postage costs that such jurisdictions would be required to pay under this section if this section took effect on the date of enactment; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H932C3605427C46D692D215FE6DFE1623"><enum>(2)</enum><text>States shall take all reasonable efforts to provide self-sealing return envelopes as provided in this section.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA360C21FF7AE4122A357E9778F57158B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 1201(c), section 2001(c), section 8001(c), and section 9001(b), is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="H7AC5B408765D42BA86FCC73A5E5A1BE3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by redesignating the items relating to sections 309 and 310 as relating to sections 310 and 311; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H63EA93FA52DB47A8B5570F72215A31E1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by inserting after the item relating to section 308 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" id="HE55BB11B2BA545BD8E1F18CA0C27F6D9" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 309. Prepayment of postage on return envelopes for voting materials.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HC39293EDFEBE47C9850D0AA6D4E7057C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Role of United States Postal Service</header>
<paragraph id="H13599F4E1F744A74887A0C7327D6D857"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/39/34">Chapter 34</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding after section 3406 the following:</text> <quoted-block style="USC" id="HA639101585DF48378143CB09186571F4" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <section id="H1C6D0A8E48764B368C5239C2EEFE8AD7"><enum>3407.</enum><header>Voting materials; restrictions on operational changes prior to elections</header> <subsection id="H7D13365E44C6412FB280BED917A49536"><enum>(a)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any voter registration application, absentee ballot application, or absentee ballot with respect to any election for Federal office shall be carried in accordance with the service standards established for first-class mail, regardless of the class of postage prepaid. </text></subsection>
<subsection id="H9D73BA78908847DEA4784501ED6AD624" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(b)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of any election mail carried by the Postal Service that consists of a ballot, the Postal Service shall indicate on the ballot envelope, using a postmark or otherwise—</text> <paragraph id="H9006845C9C3F4EA4BE11BDB43FDB15B7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the fact that the ballot was carried by the Postal Service; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1666D6C1DC27453D81A0096BC28434D5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the date on which the ballot was mailed.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H44949477D58D491AAEBE0A9A29B50F1A" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><text>During the 120-day period which ends on the date of an election for Federal office, the Postal Service may not carry out any new operational change that would restrict the prompt and reliable delivery of voting materials with respect to the election, including voter registration applications, absentee ballot applications, and absentee ballots. This paragraph applies to operational changes which include removing or eliminating any mail collection box without immediately replacing it, and removing, decommissioning, or any other form of stopping the operation of mail sorting machines, other than for routine maintenance.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HD2B22F1072D640CBBA1D8D48C23EA94C" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(d)</enum><text>The Postal Service shall appoint an Election Mail Coordinator in every Postal Area and District to facilitate relevant information sharing with State, territorial, local, and tribal election officials in regards to the mailing of voter registration applications, absentee ballot applications, and absentee ballots.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H3ABD3D65AEBE43C1A86C2740586E6436"><enum>(e)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">As used in this section—</text>
<paragraph id="HC9FD244CCCC843D99558B941873B0BCC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the term <term>absentee ballot</term> means any ballot transmitted by a voter by mail in an election for Federal office, but does not include any ballot covered by section 3406; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HFDCA943DBB9943DE878FDBB0C26E9612"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>election for Federal office</term> means a general, special, primary, or runoff election for the office of President or Vice President, or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H3CD68D987F53439692DFEA45C6E0D0B8"><enum>(f)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this section may be construed to affect the treatment of any ballot or balloting materials transmitted to an individual who is entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20301">52 U.S.C. 20301</external-xref> et seq.).</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph> <paragraph id="H1051B35D753D4F66BDC02630401343CB" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Mail-in ballots and Postal Service barcode service</header> <subparagraph id="HCFFD726AEC684EFCB5046DFD516B8A9A"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 3001 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block style="USC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFFF5DB227BF64D0F9396FE02E045FC92">
<subsection id="H1F5DDD744F5E495F8B3309E68502A823"><enum>(p)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any ballot sent within the United States for an election for Federal office is nonmailable and shall not be carried or delivered by mail unless the ballot is mailed in an envelope that—</text> <paragraph id="H58E004E388734A7097CF2ADB5DC2C059"><enum>(1)</enum><text>contains a Postal Service barcode (or successive service or marking) that enables tracking of each individual ballot;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3A7E03665A1D49EEB2EF2BB2C6D07B83"><enum>(2)</enum><text>satisfies requirements for ballot envelope design that the Postal Service may promulgate by regulation;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HF72CB6ACB2D74D4DBCB12C73B866563E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>satisfies requirements for machineable letters that the Postal Service may promulgate by regulation; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC5143981C1334A299DAD2D6D2789A9D6"><enum>(4)</enum><text>includes the Official Election Mail Logo (or any successor label that the Postal Service may establish for ballots).</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE0D6035A213E4D37A31A1D045F1B1359"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Application</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to any election for Federal office occurring after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAE20F21B039C46E7B77FDEE6DB6CA8BA"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of sections for chapter 34 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3406 the following:</text> <quoted-block style="USC" id="H2BAC5694B814423B81EB669BA66ED098" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <toc regeneration="no-regeneration"> <toc-entry level="section">3407. Voting materials; restrictions on operational changes prior to elections.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="HB07679C27A1A402189663194869492B6"><enum>9004.</enum><header>Study and report on vote-by-mail procedures</header> <subsection id="H45B83E5026484E588F457B9F7C33E96D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Election Assistance Commission shall conduct a study on the 2020 elections and compile a list of recommendations to—</text>
<paragraph id="H73C29A8B40BD4F37AD5E3CCE7810E4BB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>help States transitioning to vote-by-mail procedures; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H211A4E3AB79A4E629172A27312F4D131"><enum>(2)</enum><text>improve their current vote-by-mail systems. </text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA3DD803390054CCBB1615D6FA047F884"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than January 1, 2022, the Election Assistance Commission shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a).</text></subsection></section> <enum>X</enum><header>Absent Uniformed Services Voters and Overseas Voters</header> <section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H022E6B20FCFD4AFBA987D0779F1FA70E" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>10001.</enum><header>Pre-election reports on availability and transmission of absentee ballots</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 102(c) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20302">52 U.S.C. 20302(c)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2F39A0D6F603421EABD419CA084E6786" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H1CF3B8F86D514D82BAA26C2A77E5C91B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reports on Availability, transmission, and receipt of absentee ballots</header>
<paragraph id="H6A2C740E77D24C21B17328CA24D96DD7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Pre-election report on absentee ballot availability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 55 days before any regularly scheduled general election for Federal office, each State shall submit a report to the Attorney General, the Election Assistance Commission (hereafter in this subsection referred to as the <quote>Commission</quote>), and the Presidential Designee, and make that report publicly available that same day, certifying that absentee ballots for the election are or will be available for transmission to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters by not later than 45 days before the election. The report shall be in a form prescribed jointly by the Attorney General and the Commission and shall require the State to certify specific information about ballot availability from each unit of local government which will administer the election.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H086E6394516B4B86A1776CF33575D3C7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Pre-election report on absentee ballot transmission</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 43 days before any regularly scheduled general election for Federal office, each State shall submit a report to the Attorney General, the Commission, and the Presidential Designee, and make that report publicly available that same day, certifying whether all absentee ballots have been transmitted by not later than 45 days before the election to all qualified absent uniformed services and overseas voters whose requests were received at least 45 days before the election. The report shall be in a form prescribed jointly by the Attorney General and the Commission, and shall require the State to certify specific information about ballot transmission, including the total numbers of ballot requests received and ballots transmitted, from each unit of local government which will administer the election.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDAD767EE36D147759D2FFF35C2BFEE67"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Post-election report on number of absentee ballots transmitted and received</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of each regularly scheduled general election for Federal office, each State and unit of local government which administered the election shall (through the State, in the case of a unit of local government) submit a report to the Attorney General, the Commission, and the Presidential Designee on the combined number of absentee ballots transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters for the election and the combined number of such ballots which were returned by such voters and cast in the election, and shall make such report available to the general public that same day.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section> <section id="H1300A41934B841D796C8C076FECAEF64"><enum>10002.</enum><header>Enforcement</header> <subsection id="H627579C9E6D7440D8BDAEFFC10B18DDC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Availability of civil penalties and private rights of action</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 105 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20307">52 U.S.C. 20307</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H94A09239A1DF4FA1B45B14E468911EC6" style="OLC">
<section id="H930D6BF0ADB744119E9E017D0EBD6C71"><enum>105.</enum><header>Enforcement</header>
<subsection id="H6CD62BC8D7064F46A69EF4E99D565C41"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Action by Attorney General</header>
<paragraph id="H5AAA6A8D3F17432DBB9B65CDB75B2BEB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Attorney General may bring civil action in an appropriate district court for such declaratory or injunctive relief as may be necessary to carry out this title.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HDEC6912264054782898A8A8A3F73ED7A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Penalty</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In a civil action brought under paragraph (1), if the court finds that the State violated any provision of this title, it may, to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil penalty against the State—</text>
<subparagraph id="HEE9573DB134E4A69900224A2564AA96D"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in an amount not to exceed $110,000 for each such violation, in the case of a first violation; or</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE924C97158384FA89AF3B3532DC8FDA4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in an amount not to exceed $220,000 for each such violation, for any subsequent violation.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC793D58943F44A22BD4AB3A93C6BA101"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Report to Congress</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than December 31 of each year, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress an annual report on any civil action brought under paragraph (1) during the preceding year.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HA204E137D6F846D1A3D6900D495D134E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Private right of action</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A person who is aggrieved by a State's violation of this title may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for such declaratory or injunctive relief as may be necessary to carry out this title.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H548E844F81FE4E9AA3B8AFDBD2C002E4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>State as only necessary defendant</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In any action brought under this section, the only necessary party defendant is the State, and it shall not be a defense to any such action that a local election official or a unit of local government is not named as a defendant, notwithstanding that a State has exercised the authority described in section 576 of the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act to delegate to another jurisdiction in the State any duty or responsibility which is the subject of an action brought under this section.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> <subsection id="H3553C9E5015C4131A6DD48369E3BCE55"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to violations alleged to have occurred on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section>
<section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8F0E619F6F254AF681BB2AA1B877AACF" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>10003.</enum><header>Revisions to 45-day absentee ballot transmission rule</header>
<subsection id="H03E11C4F76A54A12A198EB0617D9D3DF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Repeal of waiver authority</header>
<paragraph id="H334F91BF8E124960BFB41B3D14F40484"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 102 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20302">52 U.S.C. 20302</external-xref>) is amended by striking subsection (g).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H67D53A845D8E47E498C292A593B62AA1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Section 102(a)(8)(A) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20302">52 U.S.C. 20302(a)(8)(A)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>except as provided in subsection (g),</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8C066298C3F2422093C7F4BA03BE2801"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requiring use of express delivery in case of failure To meet requirement</header><text>Section 102 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20302">52 U.S.C. 20302</external-xref>), as amended by subsection (a), is amended by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE6469278F4514A7BA1D2CFA714322A0F" style="OLC"> <subsection id="HECF82579D37140EEB74FB42F5AFC6E27"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Requiring use of express delivery in case of failure To transmit ballots within deadlines</header> <paragraph id="HFF5F0BF104B34BBC992B9C3EB82730FA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Transmission of ballot by express delivery</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If a State fails to meet the requirement of subsection (a)(8)(A) to transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter not later than 45 days before the election (in the case in which the request is received at least 45 days before the election)—</text>
<subparagraph id="H5CC486844A2846EA8E15C990B4E22F7F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the State shall transmit the ballot to the voter by express delivery; or</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H6B0952727BE84AFDB00354B3E3148476"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of a voter who has designated that absentee ballots be transmitted electronically in accordance with subsection (f)(1), the State shall transmit the ballot to the voter electronically.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBD17CFFEE9B8413FAD2683E4C8F61144"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Special rule for transmission fewer than 40 days before the election</header><text>If, in carrying out paragraph (1), a State transmits an absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter fewer than 40 days before the election, the State shall enable the ballot to be returned by the voter by express delivery, except that in the case of an absentee ballot of an absent uniformed services voter for a regularly scheduled general election for Federal office, the State may satisfy the requirement of this paragraph by notifying the voter of the procedures for the collection and delivery of such ballots under section 103A.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H2D79B785CEE84E1F84FDCE5F01746513"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Payment for use of express delivery</header><text>The State shall be responsible for the payment of the costs associated with the use of express delivery for the transmittal of ballots under this subsection.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H1B26DD6FEE43455AB47A658A9C4FBA66"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clarification of treatment of weekends</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 102(a)(8)(A) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20302">52 U.S.C. 20302(a)(8)(A)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>the election;</quote> and inserting the following: <quote>the election (or, if the 45th day preceding the election is a weekend or legal public holiday, not later than the most recent weekday which precedes such 45th day and which is not a legal public holiday, but only if the request is received by at least such most recent weekday);</quote>.</text></subsection></section> <section id="HD1894DBB0A09446C92B85CA1F7B2B874" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>10004.</enum><header>Use of single absentee ballot application for subsequent elections</header> <subsection id="H85AA73142BB74D8EB24EEC708141C615"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 104 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20306">52 U.S.C. 20306</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H26CDE9FE81F0476EACC6FFCAA78A7CB5" style="OLC">
<section id="HD1A6AA66773D41C994DB1515FEADE8D4"><enum>104.</enum><header>Use of single application for subsequent elections</header>
<subsection id="HC183C28A0FFC4DFEAA064C3CEB683DBE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If a State accepts and processes an official post card form (prescribed under section 101) submitted by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter for simultaneous voter registration and absentee ballot application (in accordance with section 102(a)(4)) and the voter requests that the application be considered an application for an absentee ballot for each subsequent election for Federal office held in the State through the next regularly scheduled general election for Federal office (including any runoff elections which may occur as a result of the outcome of such general election), the State shall provide an absentee ballot to the voter for each such subsequent election.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HCFC8A5A3B4C142C0B7E24DFC6A501221"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exception for voters changing registration</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to a voter registered to vote in a State for any election held after the voter notifies the State that the voter no longer wishes to be registered to vote in the State or after the State determines that the voter has registered to vote in another State or is otherwise no longer eligible to vote in the State.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HEE5B431DCB7541C0A61A3AE39135CEF1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Prohibition of refusal of application on grounds of early submission</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A State may not refuse to accept or to process, with respect to any election for Federal office, any otherwise valid voter registration application or absentee ballot application (including the postcard form prescribed under section 101) submitted by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter on the grounds that the voter submitted the application before the first date on which the State otherwise accepts or processes such applications for that election which are submitted by absentee voters who are not members of the uniformed services or overseas citizens.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> <subsection id="H2C880235571D420CB07901D53C280831"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to voter registration and absentee ballot applications which are submitted to a State or local election official on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HC9C2F977C4B0427A8F9790AA19E6F75F"><enum>10005.</enum><header>Extending guarantee of residency for voting purposes to family members of absent military personnel</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 102 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20302">52 U.S.C. 20302</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="HCBCF419E27BC485287F12C51D19A4D26" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <subsection id="H33AEE44CBFB74BF6B8F9ABFF8CE2BBF6"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Guarantee of residency for spouses and dependents of absent members of uniformed service</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For the purposes of voting for in any election for any Federal office or any State or local office, a spouse or dependent of an individual who is an absent uniformed services voter described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 107(1) shall not, solely by reason of that individual’s absence and without regard to whether or not such spouse or dependent is accompanying that individual—</text>
<paragraph id="HA302E5A02FB945EA9FA02C1948553CF7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be deemed to have lost a residence or domicile in that State, without regard to whether or not that individual intends to return to that State;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H553626ABAA1E45B59382E1E1C1C362C4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>be deemed to have acquired a residence or domicile in any other State; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H08D1D5D864B94A1B807E772F64FB03D5"><enum>(3)</enum><text>be deemed to have become a resident in or a resident of any other State.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section> <section id="HD56E94CAF5064772B456B5B87753F0B8"><enum>10006.</enum><header>Requiring transmission of blank absentee ballots under UOCAVA to certain voters</header> <subsection id="H1BD51E4A542348DDB0982B31EA0A44AD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20301">52 U.S.C. 20301</external-xref> et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 103B the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H664EA900EABD4F3386A0A94629906CBE">
<section id="H09F6EB9282C7411FAFE3D7220909C2D5"><enum>103C.</enum><header>Transmission of blank absentee ballots to certain other voters</header>
<subsection id="H0292157B9ABF409493E05F9E0C08C2B7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header>
<paragraph id="HF0664B3A0FFA4665A031D757BCC4A7D1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>State responsibilities</header><text>Subject to the provisions of this section, each State shall transmit blank absentee ballots electronically to qualified individuals who request such ballots in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions under which the State transmits such ballots electronically to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters under the provisions of section 102(f), except that no such marked ballots shall be returned electronically.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HACA67C85807B4472B035E546F91915F1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>Any blank absentee ballot transmitted to a qualified individual under this section—</text>
<subparagraph id="H0779AFCCBF2D4E39B0E96423729799D9" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>must comply with the language requirements under section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10503">52 U.S.C. 10503</external-xref>); and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC2C08EF5698245B2B43F9D6F3A6D112B" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>must comply with the disability requirements under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/794d">29 U.S.C. 794d</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H181477A12D1B4A02AB7B2468187694E8"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Affirmation</header><text>The State may not transmit a ballot to a qualified individual under this section unless the individual provides the State with a signed affirmation in electronic form that—</text> <subparagraph id="H8387D5D9FC764059A0724D03FB3FD8ED"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the individual is a qualified individual (as defined in subsection (b));</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6550CCF263E440F581DB8A74377CFDEC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the individual has not and will not cast another ballot with respect to the election; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HB1331153F6DD488895D76A2D4D057DA1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>acknowledges that a material misstatement of fact in completing the ballot may constitute grounds for conviction of perjury.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H29EBCA0C5F034E91AD82092B6BDB4E94"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Clarification regarding free postage</header><text>An absentee ballot obtained by a qualified individual under this section shall be considered balloting materials as defined in section 107 for purposes of section 3406 of title 39, United States Code.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H111D016332004318B8FC189C8D340744"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Prohibiting refusal to accept ballot for failure to meet certain requirements</header><text>A State shall not refuse to accept and process any otherwise valid blank absentee ballot which was transmitted to a qualified individual under this section and used by the individual to vote in the election solely on the basis of the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="HDAA8586DE7AF4E74A212795BED5D33FB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Notarization or witness signature requirements.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H04936A8D637247788D33F000EAF7481E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Restrictions on paper type, including weight and size.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H969A858D2766430996D1B25E37BDACA9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Restrictions on envelope type, including weight and size.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H0458B56D66C44A7F911DB6B031330F89"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Qualified individual</header> <paragraph id="H6A8237C69D0C44D8B9AA9277516C6A20"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In this section, except as provided in paragraph (2), the term <term>qualified individual</term> means any individual who is otherwise qualified to vote in an election for Federal office and who meets any of the following requirements:</text>
<subparagraph id="HA0855B4122C94FBD84CD519A3B758A53"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The individual—</text> <clause id="H32F7D32907E245BFB45874C018B146E0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>has previously requested an absentee ballot from the State or jurisdiction in which such individual is registered to vote; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H5743886DF5DE4D838AFE8138BB992BAF"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">has not received such absentee ballot at least 2 days before the date of the election.</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HEDCD1F8D6B06491DA3CBF6ECE4F93D05"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The individual—</text>
<clause id="H1590D9A0CB9F4DD89D82888ED4845569"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">resides in an area of a State with respect to which an emergency or public health emergency has been declared by the chief executive of the State or of the area involved within 5 days of the date of the election under the laws of the State due to reasons including a natural disaster, including severe weather, or an infectious disease; and</text></clause> <clause id="HAE8BE8D67A0E44F8BA5F146CD080E813"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>has not previously requested an absentee ballot.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB6E16723F72A4732B45086AFD48C97EF"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The individual expects to be absent from such individual’s jurisdiction on the date of the election due to professional or volunteer service in response to a natural disaster or emergency as described in subparagraph (B).</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H1D22AC22227B4CAAA2F0207C07A209C0"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The individual is hospitalized or expects to be hospitalized on the date of the election.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDFBD8611957D42B3B9186A261CE3A000"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The individual is an individual with a disability (as defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/12102">42 U.S.C. 12102</external-xref>)) and resides in a State which does not offer voters the ability to use secure and accessible remote ballot marking. For purposes of this subparagraph, a State shall permit an individual to self-certify that the individual is an individual with a disability.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H7AE60B2D17EA49898167AFF0B79A2349"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exclusion of absent uniformed services and overseas voters</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>qualified individual</term> shall not include an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HC5404BFA77584351A9C21505D98E70CF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>State</header><text>For purposes of this section, the term <term>State</term> includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H74CB549312CF47BE81305CBB6E3D19CE"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">This section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HF87CB1D727B14536931313DE8812AA81"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Section 102(a) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20302">52 U.S.C. 20302(a)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H9C14C7D6AD5E4FC58F4A4EE7F295FB19"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end of paragraph (10);</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H49D6B5CF93B04C008A671DE6708E5537"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end of paragraph (11) and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HCB51DC5239EC40AE970F060B09549FF7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1822EA80DB664AD785C839B60C1744AD">
<paragraph id="H7974C12732834104B2D0F71FF802505C"><enum>(12)</enum><text>meet the requirements of section 103C with respect to the provision of blank absentee ballots for the use of qualified individuals described in such section.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HDE0DEBFD39BD4CC0BD9E9722E90D2F5C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clerical amendments</header><text>The table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting the following after section 103:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H40311DA013C44A0C9E19FFFD80982E88">
<toc>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 103A. Procedures for collection and delivery of marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters. </toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section" bold="off">Sec. 103B. Federal voting assistance program improvements. </toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section" bold="off">Sec. 103C. Transmission of blank absentee ballots to certain other voters.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section id="H9B5C7F0C8BAA48069A72589C48A78C6F"><enum>10007.</enum><header>Department of Justice report on voter disenfranchisement</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 1 year of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a report on the impact of wide-spread mail-in voting on the ability of active duty military servicemembers to vote, how quickly their votes are counted, and whether higher volumes of mail-in votes makes it harder for such individuals to vote in federal elections.</text></section> <section id="HE2A91B50C2F147D28C8372A99274EFE3"><enum>10008.</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Except as provided in section 10002(b) and section 10004(b), the amendments made by this title shall apply with respect to elections occurring on or after January 1, 2022.</text></section>
<enum>XI</enum><header>Poll Worker Recruitment and Training</header>
<section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCDFC1E3298194C9C87252EB3DD8A8F8B" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>11001.</enum><header>Grants to States for poll worker recruitment and training</header>
<subsection id="H2E26BC86C8D34413817A9AB2E233D1B8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Grants by Election Assistance Commission</header>
<paragraph id="HC92905CC633C469183B64CFD99E02554"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Election Assistance Commission (hereafter referred to as the <quote>Commission</quote>) shall, subject to the availability of appropriations provided to carry out this section, make a grant to each eligible State for recruiting and training individuals to serve as poll workers on dates of elections for public office.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HB4E34764B1F145A792BF1500E29869B3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Use of Commission materials</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In carrying out activities with a grant provided under this section, the recipient of the grant shall use the manual prepared by the Commission on successful practices for poll worker recruiting, training and retention as an interactive training tool, and shall develop training programs with the participation and input of experts in adult learning.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDB0DF1E618394A3887FEF65C7AAB2D85"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Access and cultural considerations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Commission shall ensure that the manual described in paragraph (2) provides training in methods that will enable poll workers to provide access and delivery of services in a culturally competent manner to all voters who use their services, including those with limited English proficiency, diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, and regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. These methods must ensure that each voter will have access to poll worker services that are delivered in a manner that meets the unique needs of the voter.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HF96FDB8553EC40C2A333B5C4560902BE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements for Eligibility</header> <paragraph id="H815B4A65671C4F84968AA431DBC99A97"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Application</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each State that desires to receive a payment under this section shall submit an application for the payment to the Commission at such time and in such manner and containing such information as the Commission shall require.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H71A18B6984D64C2F9B319C916C6B7B83"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents of Application</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall—</text> <subparagraph id="H36961216F8224AE7A21F78DD66E502FA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7C0A445F86FC423B9DEB0FE01ECC04DE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provide assurances that the funds provided under this section will be used to supplement and not supplant other funds used to carry out the activities;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H05243CAFB77B440B9C8C4CAEEC5CC95E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>provide assurances that the State will furnish the Commission with information on the number of individuals who served as poll workers after recruitment and training with the funds provided under this section; </text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8EAC4FA46D3D46A5903F1548CF0175B7"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide assurances that the State will dedicate poll worker recruitment efforts with respect to youth and minors, including by recruiting at institutions of higher education and secondary education; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HDFF2048F4C49479AAFE266A560901B5C"><enum>(E)</enum><text>provide such additional information and certifications as the Commission determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HE28F31AD98A44606BD508DB976DB2774"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Amount of Grant</header>
<paragraph id="HD39C8A63997F4A989CE3EED313B8DB07"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The amount of a grant made to a State under this section shall be equal to the product of—</text> <subparagraph id="HF55D301BF55846FE80AC92EAF01818C5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the aggregate amount made available for grants to States under this section; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC61FC8635AA54264B61CC75C528CAB7A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the voting age population percentage for the State.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H0F0B07E987A943BFBB60FE3E61371ABF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Voting age population percentage defined</header><text>In paragraph (1), the <quote>voting age population percentage</quote> for a State is the quotient of—</text>
<subparagraph id="HE8F713DA03124BD68B0DCE6EC77D276A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the voting age population of the State (as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the Bureau of the Census); and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H0EBEE82473274F26A97F4C988EB8B0A2"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the total voting age population of all States (as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the Bureau of the Census).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H492D0DF2CBAA4FA99BD288E9F670F5DF"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reports to Congress</header>
<paragraph id="HD5CDAD2562A9400D9729A1B444D6B3F9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Reports by recipients of grants</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 6 months after the date on which the final grant is made under this section, each recipient of a grant shall submit a report to the Commission on the activities conducted with the funds provided by the grant.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HECB881C104844CDA8F78FD641920AB28"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Reports by Commission</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date on which the final grant is made under this section, the Commission shall submit a report to Congress on the grants made under this section and the activities carried out by recipients with the grants, and shall include in the report such recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H819F7FD0FE6346F09056FFA444BB4701"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Funding</header>
<paragraph id="H1D9E3140BEFD467B80BAF5D0EDF01EC1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Continuing availability of amount appropriated</header><text>Any amount appropriated to carry out this section shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H27A1E2CC33394EB09CBB62234176F672"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Administrative expenses</header><text>Of the amount appropriated for any fiscal year to carry out this section, not more than 3 percent shall be available for administrative expenses of the Commission.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H1A7EED58AC58410DAB4503D853E3C132"><enum>11002.</enum><header>State defined</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title, the term <term>State</term> includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.</text></section> <enum>XII</enum><header>Enhancement of Enforcement</header> <section id="H1F819948548C4A95A6BE127598922015"><enum>12001.</enum><header>Enhancement of enforcement of Help America Vote Act of 2002</header> <subsection id="H93400F8AF8864CF38D701CC634C84E5C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Complaints; availability of private right of action</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 401 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21111">52 U.S.C. 21111</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H506F6C33E460465E9269860E1C1BBC2D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>The Attorney General</quote> and inserting <quote>(a) <header-in-text level="subsection" style="OLC">In General.—</header-in-text>The Attorney General</quote>; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA09140A7EEC54A4FA9DF1C1D0484CDCE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subsections:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBFFCE4018BA54C60978E18C1F9157CD8" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H447AC88287CD4B6AB7D813DA8B5C1897"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Filing of Complaints by Aggrieved Persons</header>
<paragraph id="H180940F26E584A65BAC61F28E6E75762"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A person who is aggrieved by a violation of title III which has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur may file a written, signed, notarized complaint with the Attorney General describing the violation and requesting the Attorney General to take appropriate action under this section. The Attorney General shall immediately provide a copy of a complaint filed under the previous sentence to the entity responsible for administering the State-based administrative complaint procedures described in section 402(a) for the State involved.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H8DC2E97D8DEA43EFB810D6DB52D59BC2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Response by Attorney General</header><text>The Attorney General shall respond to each complaint filed under paragraph (1), in accordance with procedures established by the Attorney General that require responses and determinations to be made within the same (or shorter) deadlines which apply to a State under the State-based administrative complaint procedures described in section 402(a)(2). The Attorney General shall immediately provide a copy of the response made under the previous sentence to the entity responsible for administering the State-based administrative complaint procedures described in section 402(a) for the State involved.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HC11B746083A54309B8F29583A7EDBC27"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Availability of private right of action</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any person who is authorized to file a complaint under subsection (b)(1) (including any individual who seeks to enforce the individual’s right to a voter-verified paper ballot, the right to have the voter-verified paper ballot counted in accordance with this Act, or any other right under title III) may file an action under section 1979 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1983">42 U.S.C. 1983</external-xref>) to enforce the uniform and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration requirements under subtitle A of title III.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H9317359A9CD74910950FDC9FCFACB67E"><enum>(d)</enum><header>No effect on State procedures</header><text>Nothing in this section may be construed to affect the availability of the State-based administrative complaint procedures required under section 402 to any person filing a complaint under this subsection.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD5294FAF966E40809D22DC6E0D5AD41A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to violations occurring with respect to elections for Federal office held in 2022 or any succeeding year.</text></subsection></section> <enum>XIII</enum><header>Federal Election Integrity</header> <section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H22F909BE320E4789933762250F26F3F3" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>13001.</enum><header>Prohibition on campaign activities by chief State election administration officials</header> <subsection id="HBA50E6A0019846D48B9A5CEB1213A042"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text>Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/30101">52 U.S.C. 30101</external-xref> et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 319 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7FD65B9D9D0C4E71AB271E8B78E8EF11" style="traditional">
<section id="H2A6C8EEF39EC4E64B448C6663AA66BE1"><enum>319A.</enum><header>Campaign activities by chief State election administration officials</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H6D3581A5F7B94ED0BBEAE0DA35402B46"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>It shall be unlawful for a chief State election administration official to take an active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any election for Federal office over which such official has supervisory authority.</text></subsection> <subsection commented="no" id="HDE69C98F2EFD416DB1DF1FE3993249C2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Chief State election administration official</header><text>The term <term>chief State election administration official</term> means the highest State official with responsibility for the administration of Federal elections under State law.</text></subsection>
<subsection commented="no" id="H2A1F5BB1047348CE85898D66F4E955E7"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Active part in political management or in a political campaign</header><text>The term <term>active part in political management or in a political campaign</term> means—</text> <paragraph id="H0F9BAEC9283D4EDFB9CB2DB158D6FE41"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">holding any position (including any unpaid or honorary position) with an authorized committee of a candidate, or participating in any decision-making of an authorized committee of a candidate;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HC8135E12B1A84D8780972E915EF070EB"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the use of official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election for Federal office;</text></paragraph> <paragraph commented="no" id="HACA3BB64EE244F0BA7C2A03BBA48437A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the solicitation, acceptance, or receipt of a contribution from any person on behalf of a candidate for Federal office; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph commented="no" id="H0380A70A895E42F9803A366B6E36AACE"><enum>(4)</enum><text>any other act which would be prohibited under paragraph (2) or (3) of section 7323(b) of title 5, United States Code, if taken by an individual to whom such paragraph applies (other than any prohibition on running for public office).</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HB352CE81C3ED4AEB988D3C3753E9E16A"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Exception in case of recusal from administration of elections involving official or immediate family member</header> <paragraph id="H83144D9AF963409499D541D925DB7AD8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>This section does not apply to a chief State election administration official with respect to an election for Federal office in which the official or an immediate family member of the official is a candidate, but only if—</text>
<subparagraph id="H2A0A0A3C2E2740A299FE4CEF2115222E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>such official recuses himself or herself from all of the official’s responsibilities for the administration of such election; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HD5EAED6E0D894547975C45931C200423"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the official who assumes responsibility for supervising the administration of the election does not report directly to such official.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H85616C161D554B21AA03C2F0AFE82966"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Immediate family member defined</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In paragraph (1), the term <term>immediate family member</term> means, with respect to a candidate, a father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, father-in-law, or mother-in-law.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> <subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB0139177C9074448A0458B22E8A2DC47"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective Date</header><text>The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held after December 2021.</text></subsection></section>
<enum>XIV</enum><header>Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration Improvements</header>
<subtitle id="H7B5160EE23AE4BAAB7D8822A1EFEBE87"><enum>A</enum><header>Promoting Voter Access</header>
<section id="H17A0EB4FAE464A54A0EBD4CD79F2D6F6"><enum>14001.</enum><header>Treatment of institutions of higher education</header>
<subsection id="HCFDFF0DF8FB34E9095EB9116BAC14C89"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Treatment of certain institutions as voter registration agencies under National Voter Registration Act of 1993</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 7(a) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20506">52 U.S.C. 20506(a)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H5D638D4997324DD699591AE515C44813"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (2)—</text>
<subparagraph id="HFCDB1DB0B4EB4505B58125014BFB281E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end of subparagraph (A);</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H602D7807096C498D96F668D89970D434"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE1F4FD19FF4A4B7A9871055BD8AA66E3"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text> <quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H020B8EF1CD424753A15D8E32AA5C24FD" style="OLC"> <subparagraph id="H7A378D3445C6419A9538D5DA0A2B9E9B"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">each institution of higher education which has a program participation agreement in effect with the Secretary of Education under section 487 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1094">20 U.S.C. 1094</external-xref>), other than an institution which is treated as a contributing agency under the Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2021.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9EC6D61A64C141D2AB5EC309C628F9B4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (6)(A), by inserting <quote>or, in the case of an institution of higher education, with each registration of a student for enrollment in a course of study, including enrollment in a program of distance education, as defined in section 103(7) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1003">20 U.S.C. 1003(7)</external-xref>),</quote> after <quote>assistance,</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H0A96CA47405A4454831BA9E7341823AC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Responsibilities of institutions under Higher Education Act of 1965</header> <paragraph id="H4B32BA240E3944F0BB7A1382D1563406"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1094">20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(23)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block style="traditional" id="H62BCF2DFECA44B45A6263201D4536D55" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<paragraph id="H17D150AABAB4414AB0D0B1A694706D2A"><enum>(23)</enum>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HA574095C91D04C3C9B01DA0217D34E54"><enum>(A)</enum>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HC97D4A44F83240A6B3802C9B1BCADA1D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>The institution will ensure that an appropriate staff person or office is designated publicly as a <quote>Campus Vote Coordinator</quote> and will ensure that such person’s or office’s contact information is included on the institution’s website.</text></clause> <clause id="HC57DD466D8D6423AB78E0CC7894FCEFE" indent="up2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Not fewer than twice during each calendar year (beginning with 2021), the Campus Vote Coordinator shall transmit electronically to each student enrolled in the institution (including students enrolled in distance education programs) a message containing the following information:</text>
<subclause id="HE0300FBC03EB4B0F82CED75C879303CE"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Information on the location of polling places in the jurisdiction in which the institution is located, together with information on available methods of transportation to and from such polling places.</text></subclause> <subclause id="H2DCF218E79C943A4975EFAA1E10B8EAD"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A referral to a government-affiliated website or online platform which provides centralized voter registration information for all States, including access to applicable voter registration forms and information to assist individuals who are not registered to vote in registering to vote.</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H0051216A7C1E4DE4B34F1A4CE3609712"><enum>(III)</enum><text>Any additional voter registration and voting information the Coordinator considers appropriate, in consultation with the appropriate State election official.</text></subclause></clause> <clause id="H81A520D3F3334950845F52DC4E7B1F5F" indent="up2"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In addition to transmitting the message described in clause (ii) not fewer than twice during each calendar year, the Campus Vote Coordinator shall transmit the message under such clause, and shall include on the institution's website and boost awareness on the institution's social media platforms, not fewer than 30 days prior to the deadline for registering to vote for any election for Federal, State, or local office in the State.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H97109B0247EB4C95897081E8C8C6E2D4" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the institution in its normal course of operations requests each student registering for enrollment in a course of study, including students registering for enrollment in a program of distance education, to affirm whether or not the student is a United States citizen, the institution will comply with the applicable requirements for a contributing agency under the Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2021.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H7804CC38D17948F8B8EC24500F03A07A" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>If the institution is not described in subparagraph (B), the institution will comply with the requirements for a voter registration agency in the State in which it is located in accordance with section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20506">52 U.S.C. 20506</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8AF23CCBCBC54D63A88DD89DC52F50E8" indent="up1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>This paragraph applies only with respect to an institution which is located in a State to which section 4(b) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20503">52 U.S.C. 20503(b)</external-xref>) does not apply.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph> <paragraph id="HDA6EBB2339244BB98829F28338E9F22A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by this subsection shall apply with respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2022.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4A5939D44C4A48879C5E777ACCEC7035"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Grants to institutions demonstrating excellence in student voter registration</header>
<paragraph id="HF746F1482AFE4B68ABD03CE7EF282784"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Grants authorized</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Education may award competitive grants to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education that are subject to the requirements of section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1094">20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(23)</external-xref>), as amended by subsection (a), and that the Secretary determines have demonstrated excellence in registering students to vote in elections for public office beyond meeting the minimum requirements of such section.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H60B35AA37BAF4728B5F2FEC4D773A481"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>An institution of higher education is eligible to receive a grant under this subsection if the institution submits to the Secretary of Education, at such time and in such form as the Secretary may require, an application containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require to make the determination described in paragraph (1), including information and assurances that the institution carried out activities to promote voter registration by students, such as the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="H47266F59968F438DBD1E253FE8783E27"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Sponsoring large on-campus voter mobilization efforts.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HEC7D0B3D82744BB1982AE45937CA62E3"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Engaging the surrounding community in nonpartisan voter registration and get out the vote efforts, including initiatives to facilitate the enfranchisement of groups of individuals that have historically faced barriers to voting.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2245475E7EE44CD7B6886041A6A5BD02"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Creating a website for students with centralized information about voter registration and election dates.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H3546C5AACC484AE8A34620F223263D94"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Inviting candidates to speak on campus.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD80DB6E25C194FDAA4E1C894D9EBBE46"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Offering rides to students to the polls to increase voter education, registration, and mobilization.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H48822CD5F5964877B64919F1683038DC"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2022 and each succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to award grants under this subsection. Of the funds appropriated, the Secretary shall ensure that 25 percent is reserved for Minority Institutions described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1067q">20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H2B8B86F14FA7496C9E8902EF6E0BE998"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Sense of Congress relating to option of students To register in jurisdiction of institution of higher education or jurisdiction of domicile</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">It is the sense of Congress that, as provided under existing law, students who attend an institution of higher education and reside in the jurisdiction of the institution while attending the institution should have the option of registering to vote, without being subjected to intimidation or deceptive practices, in elections for Federal office in that jurisdiction or in the jurisdiction of their own domicile.</text></subsection></section> <section id="H9A813BAD9D75456CAF3CA62590AF2D64"><enum>14002.</enum><header>Minimum notification requirements for voters affected by polling place changes</header> <subsection id="H6DACFC3A82234293BB1F4E6E51E4E8C9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21082">52 U.S.C. 21082</external-xref>), as amended by section 7001(a), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H5AC5D5A761CF4153A6A1FAB4511967E0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H449E7C7035BB405080F09BA47412F8BF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6B67F571B93744258DE2BA02E93821B9" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H17324B29702B4FE399881993EE361C02"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Minimum notification requirements for voters affected by polling place changes</header>
<paragraph id="H06B0943C40F040C4AE413767578A130C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If a State assigns an individual who is a registered voter in a State to a polling place with respect to an election for Federal office which is not the same polling place to which the individual was previously assigned with respect to the most recent election for Federal office in the State in which the individual was eligible to vote—</text> <subparagraph id="H356AD9F285634E27BEA88337A6304859"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the State shall notify the individual of the location of the polling place not later than 7 days before the date of the election or the first day of an early voting period (whichever occurs first); or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3CF0695B25DA40DA9908D8F33DC10865"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if the State makes such an assignment fewer than 7 days before the date of the election and the individual appears on the date of the election at the polling place to which the individual was previously assigned, the State shall make every reasonable effort to enable the individual to vote on the date of the election.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H74C65B31C7D94F87B148E1B41F761106"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Methods of notification</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The State shall notify an individual under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) by mail, telephone, and (if available) text message and electronic mail, taking into consideration factors which include the linguistic preferences of voters in the jurisdiction.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H41194DAA9C7747AC8E7962FE0C5888B6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Placement of signs at closed polling places</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If a location which served as a polling place in an election for Federal office does not serve as a polling place in the next election for Federal office held in the jurisdiction involved, the State shall ensure that signs are posted at such location on the date of the election and during any early voting period for the election containing the following information, taking into consideration factors which include the linguistic preferences of voters in the jurisdiction:</text> <subparagraph id="H7B8CF8549F8C4C9DAD438D1F25B44E71"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A statement that the location is not serving as a polling place in the election.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD47826A8F44343CE93166A7F8E48BFE7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The locations serving as polling places in the election in the jurisdiction involved.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H27DAF95FB0A14DE3846C63AA0B6025B1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Contact information, including a telephone number and website, for the appropriate State or local election official through which an individual may find the polling place to which the individual is assigned for the election.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEA486F31A9B046F88C45382D4915E7C8"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This subsection shall apply with respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2021.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H6DD005D5EF544F99BFF4A40276BC63F7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Section 302(g) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21082">52 U.S.C. 21082(g)</external-xref>), as redesignated by subsection (a) and as amended by section 7001(b), is amended by striking <quote>(d)(2) and (e)(2)</quote> and inserting <quote>(d)(2), (e)(2), and (f)(4)</quote>.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HD315E4E7E9EC460AA746A602049EDA06"><enum>14003.</enum><header>Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet identification requirements for voting</header>
<subsection id="HCC34287EFA9E4B1F9906C101D9D7DB3C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Permitting use of statement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 303 the following new section:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="HD8CB044C7CAF4A199791B33CF57A1B7C" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <section id="H6413EFAF08A346B484D4687CA3C91659"><enum>303A.</enum><header>Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet identification requirements</header> <subsection id="H9BCC7FEF016745338346C6B46DC0208F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Use of statement</header> <paragraph id="HE565CC838C9841B4ABDB6BD37312457A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subsection (c), if a State has in effect a requirement that an individual present identification as a condition of receiving and casting a ballot in an election for Federal office, the State shall permit the individual to meet the requirement—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD34DD49A50154FD68EC50858A0EA6842"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of an individual who desires to vote in person, by presenting the appropriate State or local election official with a sworn written statement, signed by the individual under penalty of perjury, attesting to the individual’s identity and attesting that the individual is eligible to vote in the election; or</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H610D8266E34E4C2DA781A1D730586886"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in the case of an individual who desires to vote by mail, by submitting with the ballot the statement described in subparagraph (A).</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8105A60EC10748588A0865EC9C5D2D13"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Development of pre-printed version of statement by Commission</header><text>The Commission shall develop a pre-printed version of the statement described in paragraph (1)(A) which includes a blank space for an individual to provide a name and signature for use by election officials in States which are subject to paragraph (1).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HED6A35B8B5504AD29CF4114050B62288"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Providing pre-printed copy of statement</header><text>A State which is subject to paragraph (1) shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="HE796915BDE50421CB6E0065D113E20E9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>make copies of the pre-printed version of the statement described in paragraph (1)(A) which is prepared by the Commission available at polling places for election officials to distribute to individuals who desire to vote in person; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF6238DC38C8640548CA8012CA39898A7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>include a copy of such pre-printed version of the statement with each blank absentee or other ballot transmitted to an individual who desires to vote by mail.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HAB54A23FBA3A491697F51DF527A5CDB9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requiring use of ballot in same manner as individuals presenting identification</header><text>An individual who presents or submits a sworn written statement in accordance with subsection (a)(1) shall be permitted to cast a ballot in the election in the same manner as an individual who presents identification.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H204BD845540049E59F9A8B5964B2D225"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Exception for first-Time voters registering by mail</header><text>Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply with respect to any individual described in paragraph (1) of section 303(b) who is required to meet the requirements of paragraph (2) of such section.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H6B885E3B4D2944F68F9382B4E1F0317A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requiring States To include information on use of sworn written statement in voting information material posted at polling places</header><text>Section 302(b)(2) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21082">52 U.S.C. 21082(b)(2)</external-xref>), as amended by section 1602(b) and section 3002(b), is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H157481F4201C4D4EBC0E6EADE92FE284"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end of subparagraph (G);</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4DFE98C58E56484D9F000ED5D4833EE5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (H) and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H1D266D7D9BB24EB291C9D38A4C88247D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" id="HA61D0BC24E1841E084215CE54DF35222" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<subparagraph id="H13A6CC44123B464581D7A338F8C7CE75"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of a State that has in effect a requirement that an individual present identification as a condition of receiving and casting a ballot in an election for Federal office, information on how an individual may meet such requirement by presenting a sworn written statement in accordance with section 303A.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HEC618020DD844E3C9E2F06FA5F51263C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" id="H4606125C42A64379B6089194B868145A" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 303A. Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet identification requirements.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HBD16D9AF41E147759569842EAA78F0B4"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section> <section id="HD71228C27C6F4B82B6B9D71309CC466F"><enum>14004.</enum><header>Accommodations for voters residing in Indian lands</header> <subsection id="H8D33DCD4E09245288BD16B56B0EB85A3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Accommodations Described</header> <paragraph id="H3725D4FD8C724506AC6D7C677DF38942"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Designation of ballot pickup and collection locations</header><text>Given the widespread lack of residential mail delivery in Indian Country, an Indian Tribe may designate buildings as ballot pickup and collection locations with respect to an election for Federal office at no cost to the Indian Tribe. An Indian Tribe may designate one building per precinct located within Indian lands. The applicable State or political subdivision shall collect ballots from those locations. The applicable State or political subdivision shall provide the Indian Tribe with accurate precinct maps for all precincts located within Indian lands 60 days before the election.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCDF8178D3B94435AA2949B30D1EC13F7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Provision of mail-in and absentee ballots</header><text>The State or political subdivision shall provide mail-in and absentee ballots with respect to an election for Federal office to each individual who is registered to vote in the election who resides on Indian lands in the State or political subdivision involved without requiring a residential address or a mail-in or absentee ballot request.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H1657566692134BBF8FF1E2513E27ACB6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Use of designated building as residential and mailing address</header><text>The address of a designated building that is a ballot pickup and collection location with respect to an election for Federal office may serve as the residential address and mailing address for voters living on Indian lands if the tribally designated building is in the same precinct as that voter. If there is no tribally designated building within a voter’s precinct, the voter may use another tribally designated building within the Indian lands where the voter is located. Voters using a tribally designated building outside of the voter’s precinct may use the tribally designated building as a mailing address and may separately designate the voter’s appropriate precinct through a description of the voter’s address, as specified in section 9428.4(a)(2) of title 11, Code of Federal Regulations.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE90108CC8EB8436C8A8FA1555380275A"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Language accessibility</header><text>In the case of a State or political subdivision that is a covered State or political subdivision under section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10503">52 U.S.C. 10503</external-xref>), that State or political subdivision shall provide absentee or mail-in voting materials with respect to an election for Federal office in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the English language, bilingual election voting assistance, and written translations of all voting materials in the language of the applicable minority group, as required by section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10503">52 U.S.C. 10503</external-xref>), as amended by subsection (b).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA29A94B4CC0A4F5388F8C67C15671B57"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Clarification</header><text>Nothing in this section alters the ability of an individual voter residing on Indian lands to request a ballot in a manner available to all other voters in the State.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0CF10984747F4394ADD3DDFA4CF9E447"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text> <subparagraph id="HD81691F2959747A2A5970E118882C1E1"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Election for Federal office</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>election for Federal office</term> means a general, special, primary or runoff election for the office of President or Vice President, or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress. </text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H858D226AF29C4C63A17990622B3324C3"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Indian</header><text>The term <term>Indian</term> has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/25/5304">25 U.S.C. 5304</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC58EDE8A85FA42379D4656776A155F66"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Indian lands</header><text>The term <term>Indian lands</term> includes—</text>
<clause id="H3CCF6539FCF94ECF9A8649C46D4B265F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>any Indian country of an Indian Tribe, as defined under section 1151 of title 18, United States Code;</text></clause> <clause id="H90B4AE1C4FB842DDB2C2D544D6963120"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any land in Alaska owned, pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/1601">43 U.S.C. 1601</external-xref> et seq.), by an Indian Tribe that is a Native village (as defined in section 3 of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/1602">43 U.S.C. 1602</external-xref>)) or by a Village Corporation that is associated with an Indian Tribe (as defined in section 3 of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/1602">43 U.S.C. 1602</external-xref>));</text></clause>
<clause id="H18C2C87DFFB34A0C8B4B16C366894C4B"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any land on which the seat of the Tribal Government is located; and</text></clause> <clause id="HFB54E42451AC419A834D7549EB83C002"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>any land that is part or all of a Tribal designated statistical area associated with an Indian Tribe, or is part or all of an Alaska Native village statistical area associated with an Indian Tribe, as defined by the Census Bureau for the purposes of the most recent decennial census.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0781F5CD1826423FAF6B38E645D9450F"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Indian tribe</header><text>The term <term>Indian Tribe</term> has the meaning given the term <term>Indian tribe</term> in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/25/5304">25 U.S.C. 5304</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H5EF852BE52184454A334D22B89DB332E"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Tribal government</header><text>The term <term>Tribal Government</term> means the recognized governing body of an Indian Tribe.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H55CE294DB0BE4A9A84F9B997E779CA31" commented="no"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Enforcement</header>
<subparagraph id="HF60EAC1B8E8F463EB0BFDF94783AB67F" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Attorney general</header><text>The Attorney General may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for such declaratory or injunctive relief as is necessary to carry out this subsection.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph commented="no" id="HD39D96E287024B0DB792BD9A8048531B"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Private right of action</header> <clause commented="no" id="H42FD5B688B51436B89AE938CE32BFE85"><enum>(i)</enum><text>A person or Tribal Government who is aggrieved by a violation of this subsection may provide written notice of the violation to the chief election official of the State involved.</text></clause>
<clause commented="no" id="H712ECB5AECFE4A109674DE895225A03B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>An aggrieved person or Tribal Government may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to a violation of this subsection, if—</text> <subclause commented="no" id="H3EA1FB0CB6514D13BD3B92954811963C"><enum>(I)</enum><text>that person or Tribal Government provides the notice described in clause (i); and</text></subclause>
<subclause commented="no" id="HEB7E23B7223E4FB9B01FFD8AD867DCA1"><enum>(II)</enum>
<item commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H3317BF94CA814E4A879475927968EAB6"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>in the case of a violation that occurs more than 120 days before the date of an election for Federal office, the violation remains and 90 days or more have passed since the date on which the chief election official of the State receives the notice under clause (i); or</text></item> <item commented="no" id="H6BA3DD5D05C2490DA34591619B6EBF6F" indent="up1"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>in the case of a violation that occurs 120 days or less before the date of an election for Federal office, the violation remains and 20 days or more have passed since the date on which the chief election official of the State receives the notice under clause (i).</text></item></subclause></clause>
<clause id="HA415724A82D54947ADC29A5FC6F7BCA0" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>In the case of a violation of this section that occurs 30 days or less before the date of an election for Federal office, an aggrieved person or Tribal Government may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation without providing notice to the chief election official of the State under clause (i).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HA3F765C5D3E74D1CB036302980F1E67D" commented="no"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Bilingual election requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10503">52 U.S.C. 10503</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H5370B6F5DC2D4420A582E95461BB7ED4" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (b)(3)(C)), by striking <quote>1990</quote> and inserting <quote>2010</quote>; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph commented="no" id="HF648531417C844F4A54BB8D18DCEAF52"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB590EEB3E60B4502AAEAB95E73DA48F6">
<subsection commented="no" id="HEE73D880CD424F4BAF20A11945E46065"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Provision of voting materials in the language of a minority group</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="H700907AA123743E7A33F0B528258DA7C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In General</header><text>Whenever any State or political subdivision subject to the prohibition of subsection (b) of this section provides any registration or voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance, or other materials or information relating to the electoral process, including ballots, it shall provide them in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the English language.</text></paragraph> <paragraph commented="no" id="H2BF7AED16BBF4FF48B9E6B191EAC8875"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exceptions</header> <subparagraph commented="no" id="HF6E88A03764D4696A8A6A0AF837FC600"><enum>(A)</enum><text>In the case of a minority group that is not American Indian or Alaska Native and the language of that minority group is oral or unwritten, the State or political subdivision shall only be required to furnish, in the covered language, oral instructions, assistance, translation of voting materials, or other information relating to registration and voting.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC547A67917C04A28893CB70BCB20D39F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>In the case of a minority group that is American Indian or Alaska Native, the State or political subdivision shall only be required to furnish in the covered language oral instructions, assistance, or other information relating to registration and voting, including all voting materials, if the Tribal Government of that minority group has certified that the language of the applicable American Indian or Alaska Native language is presently unwritten or the Tribal Government does not want written translations in the minority language.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph commented="no" id="HBA2BEAFF5F284A0D8FF18662CFF3A38E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Written translations for election workers</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the State or political division may be required to provide written translations of voting materials, with the consent of any applicable Indian Tribe, to election workers to ensure that the translations from English to the language of a minority group are complete, accurate, and uniform.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HC225066E91304F4F81946CDE50E53E3B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This section and the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.</text></subsection></section> <section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H005167E5FB054808B334E517BE6591E8" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>14005.</enum><header>Voter information response systems and hotline</header> <subsection id="HA9FF413934E6421499CE8568D86B4E51"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment and operation of systems and services</header> <paragraph id="HDE7CDE866621470CA27BB37176C7ACB6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>State-based response systems</header><text>The Attorney General shall coordinate the establishment of a State-based response system for responding to questions and complaints from individuals voting or seeking to vote, or registering to vote or seeking to register to vote, in elections for Federal office. Such system shall provide—</text>
<subparagraph id="H841987773D254EA6A3C1CE916A78201A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>State-specific, same-day, and immediate assistance to such individuals, including information on how to register to vote, the location and hours of operation of polling places, and how to obtain absentee ballots; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H8F8966BAC37846D4A18A21D753BE64B0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>State-specific, same-day, and immediate assistance to individuals encountering problems with registering to vote or voting, including individuals encountering intimidation or deceptive practices.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBEE83A69B0E54618985BA5BD58C33862"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Hotline</header><text>The Attorney General, in consultation with State election officials, shall establish and operate a toll-free telephone service, using a telephone number that is accessible throughout the United States and that uses easily identifiable numerals, through which individuals throughout the United States—</text> <subparagraph id="H6ABE61A75DAB456D8C6BAD53EC64BB3E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>may connect directly to the State-based response system described in paragraph (1) with respect to the State involved;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6B09EC9E1F8F4AF7914C4CE5CEEA820F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may obtain information on voting in elections for Federal office, including information on how to register to vote in such elections, the locations and hours of operation of polling places, and how to obtain absentee ballots; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H47C52DFBE9FB401CAD9F2D4585738E9C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>may report information to the Attorney General on problems encountered in registering to vote or voting, including incidences of voter intimidation or suppression.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6DBBD7B256AC499B8FDA629767FC2D64"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Collaboration with State and local election officials</header>
<subparagraph id="HB04B35F7A8A84DE4828259F15C4A6822"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Collection of information from states</header><text>The Attorney General shall coordinate the collection of information on State and local election laws and policies, including information on the statewide computerized voter registration lists maintained under title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, so that individuals who contact the free telephone service established under paragraph (2) on the date of an election for Federal office may receive an immediate response on that day.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HEA9E9519DEFA412696B2FCF1B8AE5C29"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Forwarding questions and complaints to States</header><text>If an individual contacts the free telephone service established under paragraph (2) on the date of an election for Federal office with a question or complaint with respect to a particular State or jurisdiction within a State, the Attorney General shall forward the question or complaint immediately to the appropriate election official of the State or jurisdiction so that the official may answer the question or remedy the complaint on that date.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD081F73FF42D403DB8FF72B9652E5050"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Consultation requirements for development of systems and services</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Attorney General shall ensure that the State-based response system under paragraph (1) and the free telephone service under paragraph (2) are each developed in consultation with civil rights organizations, voting rights groups, State and local election officials, voter protection groups, and other interested community organizations, especially those that have experience in the operation of similar systems and services.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HD286D8BA7BEA4B03BB6C129366FC3575"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Use of service by individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited English language proficiency</header><text>The Attorney General shall design and operate the telephone service established under this section in a manner that ensures that individuals with disabilities are fully able to use the service, and that assistance is provided in any language in which the State (or any jurisdiction in the State) is required to provide election materials under section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H22CD6831471D4D17BEC3753BE8B72184"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Voter Hotline Task Force</header>
<paragraph id="H03CF9046184D426CAA6CB1DF8AE51918"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appointment by attorney general</header><text>The Attorney General shall appoint individuals (in such number as the Attorney General considers appropriate but in no event fewer than 3) to serve on a Voter Hotline Task Force to provide ongoing analysis and assessment of the operation of the telephone service established under this section, and shall give special consideration in making appointments to the Task Force to individuals who represent civil rights organizations. At least one member of the Task Force shall be a representative of an organization promoting voting rights or civil rights which has experience in the operation of similar telephone services or in protecting the rights of individuals to vote, especially individuals who are members of racial, ethnic, or linguistic minorities or of communities who have been adversely affected by efforts to suppress voting rights.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HCE006E470D134161AF0A2BFE8931AA12"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>An individual shall be eligible to serve on the Task Force under this subsection if the individual meets such criteria as the Attorney General may establish, except that an individual may not serve on the task force if the individual has been convicted of any criminal offense relating to voter intimidation or voter suppression.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0FE8A69ECC7144F397A1F4AAE48C9FEC"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Term of service</header><text>An individual appointed to the Task Force shall serve a single term of 2 years, except that the initial terms of the members first appointed to the Task Force shall be staggered so that there are at least 3 individuals serving on the Task Force during each year. A vacancy in the membership of the Task Force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HE0594BFF48074DB6952AB9E350F2719B"><enum>(4)</enum><header>No compensation for service</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Members of the Task Force shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/57">chapter 57</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HAA39ADB7B88C49639618EC1626F1DE10"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Bi-Annual report to Congress</header><text>Not later than March 1 of each odd-numbered year, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress on the operation of the telephone service established under this section during the previous 2 years, and shall include in the report—</text> <paragraph id="H42904363706B45DA9682D26E347E3F86"><enum>(1)</enum><text>an enumeration of the number and type of calls that were received by the service;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE92D7892B8244EF08F766BF801B497FF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a compilation and description of the reports made to the service by individuals citing instances of voter intimidation or suppression, together with a description of any actions taken in response to such instances of voter intimidation or suppression;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA88AF3B4074045BC84D30011CE4B6B4F"><enum>(3)</enum><text>an assessment of the effectiveness of the service in making information available to all households in the United States with telephone service;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H52D49DEEB0234EA4AE08087989F48F00"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any recommendations developed by the Task Force established under subsection (c) with respect to how voting systems may be maintained or upgraded to better accommodate voters and better ensure the integrity of elections, including but not limited to identifying how to eliminate coordinated voter suppression efforts and how to establish effective mechanisms for distributing updates on changes to voting requirements; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H092527B94C344F9FBFA1D9EF10AD7D50"><enum>(5)</enum><text>any recommendations on best practices for the State-based response systems established under subsection (a)(1).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0542D5CE9D6E47829AD2AF5B99375FA6"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header>
<paragraph id="H56A69DEF711142BABAC77ABF5E532B1A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Authorization</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General for fiscal year 2021 and each succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HDC9B64C3363641C4A828A282997E2940"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Set-aside for outreach</header><text>Of the amounts appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year pursuant to the authorization under paragraph (1), not less than 15 percent shall be used for outreach activities to make the public aware of the availability of the telephone service established under this section, with an emphasis on outreach to individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited proficiency in the English language.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H5DB15949F1894236B1870EB75A4D6751"><enum>14006.</enum><header>Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of polling places</header>
<subsection id="H77088AD16526494B98AA8F1D77B8DBA3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.), as amended by section 1201(a), section 2001(a), section 8001(a), section 9001(a), section 9002(a), and section 9003(a), is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H88E98D3E5BFA46C597A88FA51476639A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating sections 310 and 311 as sections 311 and 312; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H66BCF62DE2E643549FEE57745A6DF08F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after section 309 the following new section:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="H3A764EDDEB2D44829FE70EF0D4634FD6" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <section id="HBF90F95ECFA14EA2A5B4FBE7D6530A0B"><enum>310.</enum><header>Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of polling places</header> <subsection id="H5B698284BF0A4001A1B0C65E70524202"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Preventing unreasonable waiting times for voters</header> <paragraph id="H5D73B81AF55D4A72A3AA88DC4E3A7170"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each State shall provide a sufficient number of voting systems, poll workers, and other election resources (including physical resources) at a polling place used in any election for Federal office, including a polling place at which individuals may cast ballots prior to the date of the election, to ensure—</text>
<subparagraph id="H70A6391DC464432F921BFCA1EA7CFE59"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a fair and equitable waiting time for all voters in the State; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H7212CA1044BB49A5875B2F76213E14F9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>that no individual will be required to wait longer than 30 minutes to cast a ballot at the polling place.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9812F09EAEA240D790FE2DC7D8F6261C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Criteria</header><text>In determining the number of voting systems, poll workers, and other election resources provided at a polling place for purposes of paragraph (1), the State shall take into account the following factors:</text> <subparagraph id="H3F488325072B466D8D7E18EF60C80BC4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The voting age population.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H91913DD751E242C3B3FDE06642472177"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Voter turnout in past elections.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HFA7A69329FF74EB2A65B29A938275C1C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The number of voters registered.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF8E38833635F4B45BBBF407455C169E8"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The number of voters who have registered since the most recent Federal election.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H949570F9985043E8823632AB1EA4BE56"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Census data for the population served by the polling place, such as the proportion of the voting-age population who are under 25 years of age or who are naturalized citizens.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8F7381193B48463C8FD6F5EA2C80F176"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The needs and numbers of voters with disabilities and voters with limited English proficiency.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H4DC164DD2EF44F2984CC5135C9723F6C"><enum>(G)</enum><text>The type of voting systems used.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H819A77DEC1CC4BB99DA0A486E4AF1219"><enum>(H)</enum><text>The length and complexity of initiatives, referenda, and other questions on the ballot.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H36E20F1336AC4071AA4B1B989D8B4A5C"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Such other factors, including relevant demographic factors relating to the population served by the polling place, as the State considers appropriate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAF74122FC1604CED92219FFC07CEB9E9"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this subsection may be construed to authorize a State to meet the requirements of this subsection by closing any polling place, prohibiting an individual from entering a line at a polling place, or refusing to permit an individual who has arrived at a polling place prior to closing time from voting at the polling place. </text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD33D6B468EDD4F4E811257A5AD001A3C"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Guidelines</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Commission shall establish and publish guidelines to assist States in meeting the requirements of this subsection.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEF3A0522064A4F87BB5705B644FC555A"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This subsection shall take effect upon the expiration of the 180-day period which begins on the date of the enactment of this subsection, without regard to whether or not the Commission has established and published guidelines under paragraph (4).</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H8255C440C09D441A87576D95AA24DBEC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limiting variations on number of hours of operation of polling places within a State</header> <paragraph id="HE0F331D1290E4A8A94BEAFA133CFFA8B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Limitation</header> <subparagraph id="H9C737667FFD34F819F708B24C046FA0C"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and paragraph (2), each State shall establish hours of operation for all polling places in the State on the date of any election for Federal office held in the State such that the polling place with the greatest number of hours of operation on such date is not in operation for more than 2 hours longer than the polling place with the fewest number of hours of operation on such date.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7A29C1FA89A54A08B71E56DA8A741FC9"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Permitting variance on basis of population</header><text>Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the extent that the State establishes variations in the hours of operation of polling places on the basis of the overall population or the voting age population (as the State may select) of the unit of local government in which such polling places are located.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HC39B1311C59B4749A3C985B53992C79F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exceptions for polling places with hours established by units of local government</header><text>Paragraph (1) does not apply in the case of a polling place—</text>
<subparagraph id="H63257DB56E954CA1B9E23084EC0D8FC1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>whose hours of operation are established, in accordance with State law, by the unit of local government in which the polling place is located; or</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H7C8F7D927D5E4BC2AC1461ECDDB2AD53"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">which is required pursuant to an order by a court to extend its hours of operation beyond the hours otherwise established. </text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H119C0007F2E845779EBD77695CB03E32" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Minimum hours of operation outside of typical working hours</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each State shall establish hours of operation for all polling places in the State on the date of any election for Federal office held in the State such that no polling place is open for less than a total of 4 hours outside of the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in time zone in which the polling place is located.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HE1B2A89439CC4DFA94F79E3A190DA583"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Study of methods To enforce fair and equitable waiting times</header> <paragraph id="H5E09F42B622A41178F1B201953BBCB1F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Study</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Election Assistance Commission and the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a joint study of the effectiveness of various methods of enforcing the requirements of section 310(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added by subsection (a), including methods of best allocating resources to jurisdictions which have had the most difficulty in providing a fair and equitable waiting time at polling places to all voters, and to communities of color in particular.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE803F5C799034286AF28A24F072A815B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Election Assistance Commission and the Comptroller General of the United States shall publish and submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under paragraph (1).</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF8119B46579D472E913719F3140B3D08"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of contents of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, as amended by section 1201(c), section 2001(c), section 8001(c), section 9001(b), section 9002(c), and section 9003(a), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H6C55128263454568868A75B173319871"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating the items relating to sections 310 and 311 as relating to sections 311 and 312; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H1A61360DD44A4B7BBEB0C16014012363"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after the item relating to section 309 the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE969B621C4C745F9ABC443C2E9C51DBC" style="OLC">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 310. Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of polling places.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HF4F719D4F4524491A0218086D4EC7765"><enum>14007.</enum><header>Requiring States to provide secured drop boxes for voted absentee ballots in elections for Federal office</header>
<subsection id="H3F01A222717A4E969DAC0188D3AB0DF8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.), as amended by section 1201(a), section 2001(a), section 8001(a), section 9001(a), section 9002(a), section 9003(a), and section 14006(a), is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H00C212AD23664139B329914A5A0B731A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating sections 311 and 312 as sections 312 and 313; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H10B3A9268F0B44A6B091E62F6B76AE66"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after section 310 the following new section:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="H882F285B0A954AFB80C9724DBA0CB043" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <section id="HA0050AD6C35846C4877D89C532F415E6"><enum>311.</enum><header>Use of secured drop boxes for voted absentee ballots</header> <subsection id="HEA76A405527541F09097651C8A16B11B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requiring use of drop boxes</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In each county in the State, each State shall provide in-person, secured, and clearly labeled drop boxes at which individuals may, at any time during the period described in subsection (b), drop off voted absentee ballots in an election for Federal office.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H7C83A78ACC694F7B8556A339EE2EF4B5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Minimum period for availability of drop boxes</header><text>The period described in this subsection is, with respect to an election, the period which begins 45 days before the date of the election and which ends at the time the polls close for the election in the county involved.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H841C5FB35D154B1FA3C25481E447C34A"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Accessibility</header> <paragraph id="H6B21A3D7B7F5448083B71C0C1F71C703"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each State shall ensure that the drop boxes provided under this section are accessible for use—</text>
<subparagraph id="H2EB8D1788A26400EA24B3EEA98D094CA"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by individuals with disabilities, as determined in consultation with the protection and advocacy systems (as defined in section 102 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15002">42 U.S.C. 15002</external-xref>)) of the State; </text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H2B50A4E524D14B71A38C5D7E498FB015"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by individuals with limited proficiency in the English language; and </text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAC2DBEF7FF0948D3B5E16B9D978F3A92"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by homeless individuals (as defined in section 103 of the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/11302">42 U.S.C. 11302</external-xref>)) of the State.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H5DBD024E7F64462BBEC6CDBFB6E1D540"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Determination of accessibility for individuals with disabilities</header><text>For purposes of this subsection, drop boxes shall be considered to be accessible for use by individuals with disabilities if the drop boxes meet such criteria as the Attorney General may establish for such purposes.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HABE55B094EE94B3186187D8B41AA0CA2"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>If a State provides a drop box under this section on the grounds of or inside a building or facility which serves as a polling place for an election during the period described in subsection (b), nothing in this subsection may be construed to waive any requirements regarding the accessibility of such polling place for the use of individuals with disabilities or individuals with limited proficiency in the English language.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HE18E7D920E30488A807C35F316446B15"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Number of drop boxes</header> <paragraph id="HD109D4786BF94372B56D996BAC285ECF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Formula for determination of number</header><text>The number of drop boxes provided under this section in a county with respect to an election shall be determined as follows:</text>
<subparagraph id="HA9034A50BE9B4F929D802E8B9AFBB2A6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>In the case of a county in which the number of individuals who are residents of the county and who are registered to vote in the election is equal to or greater than 20,000, the number of drop boxes shall be a number equal to or greater than the number of such individuals divided by 20,000 (rounded to the nearest whole number).</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE578267635AB45DDAD862DB357455899"><enum>(B)</enum><text>In the case of any other county, the number of drop boxes shall be equal to or greater than one. </text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H164A98C5CB2749D0940FE38EAD9681A1"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The State shall ensure that the number of drop boxes provided is sufficient to provide a reasonable opportunity for voters to submit their voted ballots in a timely manner.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HCCC5457C526B41CEB60B9433C13A4C85"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Timing</header><text>For purposes of this subsection, the number of individuals who reside in a county and who are registered to vote in the election shall be determined as of the 90th day before the date of the election.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA8221C2F50EE443084A0131194AEA76B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Location of drop boxes</header><text>The State shall determine the location of drop boxes provided under this section in a county on the basis of criteria which ensure that the drop boxes are—</text> <paragraph id="HB3F9F59B1F77479A991517E571E955A7"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">available to all voters on a non-discriminatory basis;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC975C6F62A20443A9F6E0E98BDE4B393"><enum>(2)</enum><text>accessible to voters with disabilities (in accordance with subsection (c));</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HC30D963C4BB840389DC88F780D00A801"><enum>(3)</enum><text>accessible by public transportation to the greatest extent possible;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H76D7C8D00DB24D6CB99E13D2A626C8EC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>available during all hours of the day; </text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H6FA39FE9B6E34F048F8F8D020DE61856"><enum>(5)</enum><text>sufficiently available in all communities in the county, including rural communities and on Tribal lands within the county (subject to subsection (f)); and </text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCB42B8DAA01E4D2AADCC12CF03B08F87"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">geographically distributed to provide a reasonable opportunity for voters to submit their voted ballot in a timely manner.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H454A78CA97C34AF1BDEB3721B7642FB2"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Rules for drop boxes on Tribal lands</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In making a determination of the number and location of drop boxes provided under this section on Tribal lands in a county, the appropriate State and local election officials shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HF68618365DBF444F835D8008522CE040"><enum>(1)</enum><text>consult with Tribal leaders prior to making the determination; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H4F1D8DB4C45C41DE94A2E8DAED38EAD8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>take into account criteria such as the availability of direct-to-door residential mail delivery, the distance and time necessary to travel to the drop box locations (including in inclement weather), modes of transportation available, conditions of roads, and the availability (if any) of public transportation.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H24FC7711F9FE4106A0B30A19E5660436"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Timing of scanning and processing of ballots</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of section 306(e) (relating to the timing of the processing and scanning of ballots for tabulation), a vote cast using a drop box provided under this section shall be treated in the same manner as any other vote cast during early voting.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H33C66CB3490B45B1B4A1CC2921AEE7DA"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Posting of information</header><text>On or adjacent to each drop box provided under this section, the State shall post information on the requirements that voted absentee ballots must meet in order to be counted and tabulated in the election.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H4FC701D233AE440287061DF142E6AEF1" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Remote surveillance permitted</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The State may provide for the security of drop boxes through remote or electronic surveillance.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HCCCCBEBB50C7444F82C01F25A9FFE0A5"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA05012238D124B1F9970A83552C40191"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 1201(c), section 2001(c), section 8001(c), section 9001(b), section 9002(c), section 9003(a), and section 14006(c), is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HCE5F840AA99F436FA8EA41652009A4A6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating the items relating to sections 311 and 312 as relating to sections 312 and 313; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFE528156F3484982B83431991EDB8E36"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after the item relating to section 310 the following new item:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="H79AFDBE1877148B6B44019EE7DF7DB9C" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <toc regeneration="no-regeneration"> <toc-entry level="section">Sec. 311. Use of secured drop boxes for voted absentee ballots.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H8C359D39E90842A0A598AFED6A377D7B"><enum>14008.</enum><header>Prohibiting States from restricting curbside voting</header> <subsection id="H22D914E451EE4D098B8E3E2CB04CC789"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.), as amended by section 1201(a), section 2001(a), section 8001(a), section 9001(a), section 9002(a), section 9003(a), section 14006(a), and section 14007(a), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H37C6E604ACCB459697478978182E84B9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating sections 312 and 313 as sections 313 and 314; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA8C90DE09DF64ACDB1E6D5B2934BB3F9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after section 311 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" id="H51FCB041C0BD4DCCABD09C5159F29C13" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<section id="HD9ACB68179154E8486B6F1283AB0AC8D"><enum>312.</enum><header>Prohibiting States from restricting curbside voting</header>
<subsection id="H44619854661145EEA774AAB63A175ED6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A State may not—</text> <paragraph id="HA191B1B39E9E408FBAF867369C2191D3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>prohibit any jurisdiction administering an election for Federal office in the State from utilizing curbside voting as a method by which individuals may cast ballots in the election; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H18C878FC7AB348929244900E8968D3C8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>impose any restrictions which would exclude any individual who is eligible to vote in such an election in a jurisdiction which utilizes curbside voting from casting a ballot in the election by the method of curbside voting.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H364F55E7C0F04F6B8FBA6091ED483C29"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HAEDA8FB2752149AE8BB352D7535B2216"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 1201(c), section 2001(c), section 8001(c), section 9001(b), section 9002(c), section 9003(a), section 14006(c), and section 14007(b), is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H8102DC5EF410409A915A5E39734F7217"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating the items relating to sections 312 and 313 as relating to sections 313 and 314; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF8D42494D9124C81B61C5729ED21E6B1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after the item relating to section 311 the following new item:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="H3EA95A76995447DCB72A84743516B230" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <toc regeneration="no-regeneration"> <toc-entry level="section">Sec. 312. Prohibiting States from restricting curbside voting.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H8A28E95BD7974BFCB31C7E88D27EDA3C" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>14009.</enum><header>Election Day holiday</header> <subsection id="HCD71DA1FBE5C4AC6A17646EA4D7C3DBF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Treatment of Election Day in same manner as legal public holiday for purposes of Federal employment</header><text>For purposes of any law relating to Federal employment, the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in 2022 and each even-numbered year thereafter shall be treated in the same manner as a legal public holiday described in section 6103 of title 5, United States Code.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HD5F5E84DAC414B3497D7DFB380AE8EAF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Sense of Congress relating to treatment of day by private employers</header><text>It is the sense of Congress that private employers in the United States should give their employees a day off on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in 2022 and each even-numbered year thereafter to enable the employees to cast votes in the elections held on that day.</text></subsection></section> <section id="H274D998168824B3E809012F98F28B971"><enum>14010.</enum><header>GAO study on voter turnout rates</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on voter turnout rates delineated by age in States and localities that permit voters to participate in elections before reaching the age of 18, with a focus on localities that permit voting upon reaching the age of 16. </text></section>
<section id="HB23F706F397E4D808EA012097B0CC199"><enum>14011.</enum><header>Study on ranked-choice voting</header>
<subsection id="H9C97CE95C2CF43CD8D1405663F7F5DEC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Comptroller General shall conduct a study on the implementation and impact of ranked-choice voting in States and localities with a focus on how to best implement a model for Federal elections nationwide. The study shall include the impact on voter turnout, negative campaigning, and who decides to run for office.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H94F8F8B3DE8F408DAF1457B691CA094C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall transmit to Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a), including any recommendations on how to best implement a ranked-choice voting for Federal elections nationwide.</text></subsection></section></subtitle>
<subtitle id="H7633209C2180408C920868679EA2B740"><enum>B</enum><header>Disaster and Emergency Contingency Plans</header>
<section id="H48A77D01F72B4B0E9FEE99E974C9F80A"><enum>14101.</enum><header>Requirements for Federal election contingency plans in response to natural disasters and emergencies</header>
<subsection id="H05D27550B7074A94A461B0C5DD2DF249"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header>
<paragraph id="HDCC4F1F431CF44149A164F726C057989"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each State and each jurisdiction in a State which is responsible for administering elections for Federal office shall establish and make publicly available a contingency plan to enable individuals to vote in elections for Federal office during a state of emergency, public health emergency, or national emergency which has been declared for reasons including—</text> <subparagraph id="H02F80883D84D491CAC6C01298FCEAE7C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a natural disaster; or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9C0818CAA6344B08A575AFCFDBD7CFE0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an infectious disease.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H1A8FFF93737F418280907BCCEC5F6AA4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Updating</header><text>Each State and jurisdiction shall update the contingency plan established under this subsection not less frequently than every 5 years.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HCFC52CDD4E394A8BA35B5A4704A63E47"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements Relating to Safety</header><text>The contingency plan established under subsection (a) shall include initiatives to provide equipment and resources needed to protect the health and safety of poll workers and voters when voting in person.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HE178CC5FD39B49C78E405CB7B3995271"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Requirements relating to recruitment of poll workers</header><text>The contingency plan established under subsection (a) shall include initiatives by the chief State election official and local election officials to recruit poll workers from resilient or unaffected populations, which may include—</text>
<paragraph id="H2ECBF77844054F59BF49C57F0D22C034"><enum>(1)</enum><text>employees of other State and local government offices; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H71069E40D752499BA9010FA685350527"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case in which an infectious disease poses significant increased health risks to elderly individuals, students of secondary schools and institutions of higher education in the State.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H88523BAD6D8D4DC696204047781CD752"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Enforcement</header>
<paragraph id="H63EF3C55970A435FA1BD382178C2DF09"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Attorney general</header><text>The Attorney General may bring a civil action against any State or jurisdiction in an appropriate United States District Court for such declaratory and injunctive relief (including a temporary restraining order, a permanent or temporary injunction, or other order) as may be necessary to carry out the requirements of this section.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H9557C919ADAB48DAAC46F5D675D0A826"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Private right of action</header> <subparagraph id="H7969BA124CC44CD396B244C3CCEDD8A5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In the case of a violation of this section, any person who is aggrieved by such violation may provide written notice of the violation to the chief election official of the State involved.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA6CA9D6CB87D4B67ADBD463A708A7478"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Relief</header><text>If the violation is not corrected within 20 days after receipt of a notice under subparagraph (A), or within 5 days after receipt of the notice if the violation occurred within 120 days before the date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person may, in a civil action, obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HE0C77C2D4DBF4114A39A70A4D8E16ED0"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Special rule</header><text>If the violation occurred within 5 days before the date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person need not provide notice to the chief election official of the State involved under subparagraph (A) before bringing a civil action under subparagraph (B).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H32B46AD74C044CA294B82E95E786173E"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Definitions</header>
<paragraph id="H3CFA6390190C43E4BB80DF81B69640D1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Election for Federal office</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of this section, the term <term>election for Federal office</term> means a general, special, primary, or runoff election for the office of President or Vice President, or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress. </text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA0AA85C03464454EA750DA7F50E7C4EB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>State</header><text>For purposes of this section, the term <term>State</term> includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H669E7653FADB49BBA1528885BBCB33FF"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.</text></subsection></section></subtitle> <subtitle id="H27EA9A7286964A71A08EEDEAE4A3231C"><enum>C</enum><header>Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission</header> <section id="HDBF7653EF3D840BF921DA3D8156C636F"><enum>14201.</enum><header>Reauthorization of Election Assistance Commission</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 210 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20930">52 U.S.C. 20930</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H3FD4D9B788B1465D82C69F11C29B089A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>for each of the fiscal years 2003 through 2005</quote> and inserting <quote>for fiscal year 2021 and each succeeding fiscal year</quote>; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA5FDB67BE3754C56A17B69F98323CFBE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>(but not to exceed $10,000,000 for each such year)</quote>. </text></paragraph></section>
<section id="HFE2C28EAB553470E8F61A585B3714820"><enum>14202.</enum><header>Requiring States to participate in post-general election surveys</header>
<subsection id="H3AFAAA52636241E8BAF92B8315FF5F36"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.), as amended by section 14003(a), is further amended by inserting after section 303A the following new section:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="HB9122AC248E042E9A28A755A3CF974E3" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <section id="HBF893D637ACA4541BD581128930AECD7"><enum>303B.</enum><header>Requiring participation in post-general election surveys</header> <subsection id="HE9C4241B79FF4D5B8A9286C9C507C471"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each State shall furnish to the Commission such information as the Commission may request for purposes of conducting any post-election survey of the States with respect to the administration of a regularly scheduled general election for Federal office.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HDCDB6BF5F19B46A2A3EBB98E34CDC31A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2022 and any succeeding election.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> <subsection id="H17240F4055C6482AAB67F544FEE9EFF5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 14003(c), is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 303A the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" id="HE69D6654A86F470E97936CCBD40F0465" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 303B. Requiring participation in post-general election surveys.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section id="H62E38D8757114E28AE5E69BFBEB8854F"><enum>14203.</enum><header>Reports by National Institute of Standards and Technology on use of funds transferred from Election Assistance Commission</header>
<subsection id="HF1517320B3D54617B2421197539EE843"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requiring reports on use funds as condition of receipt</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 231 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20971">52 U.S.C. 20971</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="H7D562879BD064FE9B4992A31C38D85C6" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <subsection id="H4C75AA4899A54F97955E5732C0036E4C"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Report on use of funds transferred from Commission</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To the extent that funds are transferred from the Commission to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology for purposes of carrying out this section during any fiscal year, the Director may not use such funds unless the Director certifies at the time of transfer that the Director will submit a report to the Commission not later than 90 days after the end of the fiscal year detailing how the Director used such funds during the year.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H91F90465F6CD45499DEFA4DAEA719671"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2022 and each succeeding fiscal year.</text></subsection></section> <section id="H606C761C2270489586AC2E15339D951B"><enum>14204.</enum><header>Recommendations to improve operations of Election Assistance Commission</header> <subsection id="HE06DC52D1A9A44F491AE38241641BADC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Assessment of information technology and cybersecurity</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than December 31, 2021, the Election Assistance Commission shall carry out an assessment of the security and effectiveness of the Commission’s information technology systems, including the cybersecurity of such systems.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HA08016A6E9CD44648046A46309D4CFB1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Improvements to administrative complaint procedures</header>
<paragraph id="HA90B165B69ED4628A09FC1DDC8AD1C04"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Review of procedures</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Election Assistance Commission shall carry out a review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the State-based administrative complaint procedures established and maintained under section 402 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21112">52 U.S.C. 21112</external-xref>) for the investigation and resolution of allegations of violations of title III of such Act.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H7E4FEB4FAE6641A8BF74273100A110B7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Recommendations to streamline procedures</header><text>Not later than December 31, 2021, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report on the review carried out under paragraph (1), and shall include in the report such recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate to streamline and improve the procedures which are the subject of the review.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H600D7ADC7A844418BDAC7DEA48454ECB"><enum>14205.</enum><header>Repeal of exemption of Election Assistance Commission from certain government contracting requirements</header>
<subsection id="H53A632B9C59C43EA9589323FF5A07D9D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 205 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20925">52 U.S.C. 20925</external-xref>) is amended by striking subsection (e).</text></subsection> <subsection id="H65CA8ADE5D58411F98022DE50758E18D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to contracts entered into by the Election Assistance Commission on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section></subtitle>
<subtitle id="H06CD02C34B4C4A80B056355BE3F5D85A"><enum>D</enum><header>Miscellaneous Provisions</header>
<section id="H1DC1D51B46444F938DC920178E70468F"><enum>14301.</enum><header>Application of Federal election administration laws to territories of the United States</header>
<subsection id="HDDB5B42FF5544B24A2D31276D70E205E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>National Voter Registration Act of 1993</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 3(4) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20502">52 U.S.C. 20502(4)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>States and the District of Columbia</quote> and inserting <quote>States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands</quote>. </text></subsection> <subsection id="HF508545416DD4EEAA23873D521B82A8F" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Help America Vote Act of 2002</header> <paragraph id="HBA84753D4D064B259073E6EA46442E55"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Coverage of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands</header><text>Section 901 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21141">52 U.S.C. 21141</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>and the United States Virgin Islands</quote> and inserting <quote>the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands</quote>.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H041C43C58E0C4234B250ABD35037A9F7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conforming amendments to Help America Vote Act of 2002</header><text>Such Act is further amended as follows:</text> <subparagraph id="H586860A7E0824FABB75B589071A80881"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The second sentence of section 213(a)(2) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20943">52 U.S.C. 20943(a)(2)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>and American Samoa</quote> and inserting <quote>American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands</quote>. </text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1976496BED244506B0CECD5A27CADB14"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Section 252(c)(2) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21002">52 U.S.C. 21002(c)(2)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>or the United States Virgin Islands</quote> and inserting <quote>the United States Virgin Islands, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands</quote>. </text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H003435E4D7644501A2DA706CAA2CECBC"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Conforming amendment relating to consultation of Help America Vote Foundation with local election officials</header><text>Section 90102(c) of title 36, United States Code, is amended by striking <quote>and the United States Virgin Islands</quote> and inserting <quote>the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H62170E3D7AC744BEA842F5B0AE465866"><enum>14302.</enum><header>Definition of election for Federal office</header>
<subsection id="H83652932877E4703AFA100800A06D114"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Title IX of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21141">52 U.S.C. 21141</external-xref> et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="H630D2A4105594FBBBAAE210C5E9EDA4A" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <section id="HFECC27108BD1449CB107C8D88375E3C6"><enum>907.</enum><header>Election for Federal office defined</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">For purposes of titles I through III, the term <term>election for Federal office</term> means a general, special, primary, or runoff election for the office of President or Vice President, or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.</text></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H1EFBDFC7CD114B71B8A0E3CA6ECC4B9B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of contents of such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title IX the following new item:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="H5F23DAB67B2844FCBBD9971D2071EFE6" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <toc regeneration="no-regeneration"> <toc-entry level="section">Sec. 907. Election for Federal office defined.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section> <section id="H46F294A1D92F4E3494D36D32DC68FE82"><enum>14303.</enum><header>Authorizing payments to voting accessibility protection and advocacy systems serving the American Indian Consortium</header> <subsection id="HA3DA5D98EC1C4F0CA2363F933BEF7407"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Recipients defined</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 291 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21061">52 U.S.C. 21061</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HC4695E547C094ED893D32EA79BB85774"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H0C05DBF452C94C30BBD6F3FFA6175642"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" id="H5B9B37263AB14122A0E0A8CFA394E4AD" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<subsection id="H3E2FF8A4B74C447B9AA03FBFD0841662"><enum>(c)</enum><header>American Indian Consortium eligibility</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A system serving the American Indian Consortium for which funds have been reserved under section 509(c)(1)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/794e">29 U.S.C. 794e(c)(1)(B)</external-xref>) shall be eligible for payments under subsection (a) in the same manner as a protection and advocacy system of a State.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HACAE1BD923D343DC84B1568F33A63852"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Grant minimums for American Indian Consortium</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 291(b) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21061">52 U.S.C. 21061(b)</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HA2D131E15D1746FDAA41E0407E057E0F"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting <quote>(c)(1)(B),</quote> after <quote>as set forth in subsections</quote>; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H1337FF203C81447B867173CD7CC98E77"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>subsections (c)(3)(B) and (c)(4)(B) of that section shall be not less than $70,000 and $35,000, respectively</quote> and inserting <quote>subsection (c)(3)(B) shall not be less than $70,000, and the amount of the grants to systems referred to in subsections (c)(1)(B) and (c)(4)(B) shall not be less than $35,000</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H9616C1EA437C456E850E6B695871BA95"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by this section shall take effect at the start of the first fiscal year following the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section> <section id="H333F77190AF54AF4BDDE62211B5BFF0A"><enum>14304.</enum><header>Application of Federal voter protection laws to territories of the United States</header> <subsection id="HC5325DC215274F74B5F1E71564DB5131"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Intimidation of voters</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 594 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Delegate from the District of Columbia, or Resident Commissioner,’’ and inserting ‘‘or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress’’.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H1A37634AE17749D6975B47FE9A2C11B4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Interference by government employees</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 595 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Delegate from the District of Columbia, or Resident Commissioner,’’ and inserting ‘‘or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress’’.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HDEE6BFEA2F804D90B85365A7BBA7EA23"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Voting by noncitizens</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 611(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Delegate from the District of Columbia, or Resident Commissioner,’’ and inserting ‘‘or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress’’.</text></subsection></section>
<section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFAA8725AA18543A6A15285F30E018A49" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>14305.</enum><header>Placement of statues of citizens of territories of the United States in Statuary Hall</header>
<subsection id="H43EAB233B8EA486DAAAA91D80206EC21"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 1814 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/2/2131">2 U.S.C. 2131</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: <quote>For purposes of this section, the term <term>State</term> includes American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands, and the term <term>citizen</term> includes a national of the United States, as defined in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22)</external-xref>).</quote>.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H5C463836B64F479AB14EDCD8024FBA4D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment relating to procedures for replacement of statues</header><text>Section 311 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2001 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/2/2132">2 U.S.C. 2132</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2AC30B89068445DF8C7E9405C0590F7F" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H164B4E8AA57E474D90CA2F401B8E81CF"><enum>(f)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of this section, the term <term>State</term> includes American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section> <section id="H4EDCAEBDCD15447498B879F6BB0D0E92"><enum>14306.</enum><header>No effect on other laws</header> <subsection id="H03C98D3764E04CC8AA0E1CEFB01ABE7B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as specifically provided, nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize or require conduct prohibited under any of the following laws, or to supersede, restrict, or limit the application of such laws:</text>
<paragraph id="H5717ECE4537F42479AA67DA1D8A4984A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10301">52 U.S.C. 10301</external-xref> et seq.).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H88BDCA55FC384D1D891A502F9C7B0E3E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20101">52 U.S.C. 20101</external-xref> et seq.).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H82E8378F2C044ED3B80F7F0B4DB5C1F6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20301">52 U.S.C. 20301</external-xref> et seq.).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H23F77CD822DB4BFBAE17B5E2D362E14D"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/20501">52 U.S.C. 20501</external-xref> et seq.).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H134C9B42963B49D4AC3B50E1DC8EACFA"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/12101">42 U.S.C. 12101</external-xref> et seq.).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H8C47BCE469444498AAAC0B15EB92C04A"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/701">29 U.S.C. 701</external-xref> et seq.).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6E918CC25F1347D98CB0F761FAD2A840"><enum>(b)</enum><header>No effect on preclearance or other requirements under Voting Rights Act</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The approval by any person of a payment or grant application under this Act, or any other action taken by any person under this Act, shall not be considered to have any effect on requirements for preclearance under section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10304">52 U.S.C. 10304</external-xref>) or any other requirements of such Act.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H7B42C56F6E5646CDB1221A9AE08C12A5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>No effect on authority of States To provide greater opportunities for voting</header><text>Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act may be construed to prohibit any State from enacting any law which provides greater opportunities for individuals to register to vote and to vote in elections for Federal office than are provided by this Act and the amendments made by this Act.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H4004A79E7BF04D459A67351E1E1C5B24" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>14307.</enum><header>Clarification of exemption for States without voter registration</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">To the extent that any provision of this Act or any amendment made by this Act imposes a requirement on a State relating to registering individuals to vote in elections for Federal office, such provision shall not apply in the case of any State in which, under law that is in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this Act, there is no voter registration requirement for any voter in the State with respect to an election for Federal office.</text></section></subtitle> <subtitle id="H8E2459E6CBDD41D4A2420076EE7043E5"><enum>E</enum><header>Voter Notice</header> <section id="H93E644229017412B92A2A621B7750BBB"><enum>14401.</enum><header>Public education campaigns in event of changes in elections in response to emergencies</header> <subsection id="HE2B4FEDCA49E4F95A68C97C1A989325F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirement for election officials to conduct campaigns</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21082">52 U.S.C. 21082</external-xref>), as amended by section 7001(a) and section 14001(a), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H25E8CB7D35944C208308656990D83FC1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H15AB2F988B0A4F9B98718B5FB5D07577"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block style="OLC" id="H5812BB805EBC48A6A92BCFAA3A9EC420" display-inline="no-display-inline">
<subsection id="H6F912C45C9BA43ECB0D26D36E4EBA3FB"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Public education campaigns in event of changes in elections in response to emergencies</header>
<paragraph id="H773E5D042BB24197ACC2FDD894F00B3D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the administration of an election for Federal office, including the methods of voting or registering to vote in the election, is changed in response to an emergency affecting public health and safety, the appropriate State or local election official shall conduct a public education campaign through at least one direct mailing to each individual who is registered to vote in the election, and through additional direct mailings, newspaper advertisements, broadcasting (including through television, radio, satellite, and the Internet), and social media, to notify individuals who are eligible to vote or to register to vote in the election of the changes.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HB7CC7044C75B45CB9970A8D291CC1CD2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Frequency and methods of providing information</header><text>The election official shall carry out the public education campaign under this subsection at such frequency, and using such methods, as will have the greatest likelihood of providing timely knowledge of the change in the administration of the election to those individuals who will be most adversely affected by the change.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDCCC6D0375FA48388C6F4B6F3A7C4306"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Language accessibility</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a State or political subdivision that is a covered State or political subdivision under section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/10503">52 U.S.C. 10503</external-xref>), the appropriate election official shall ensure that the information disseminated under a public education campaign conducted under this subsection is provided in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the English language, as required by section 203 of such Act.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HCDA2897ADF894072AACEC68DEC52BFEF"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This subsection shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2020 and each succeeding election for Federal office.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H27799A54467741AD885EAFC19BCDA710"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment relating to effective date</header><text>Section 302(h) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21082">52 U.S.C. 21082(h)</external-xref>), as redesignated by subsection (a) and as amended by section 7001(b) and section 14001(b), is amended by striking <quote>and (f)(4)</quote> and inserting <quote>(f)(4), and (g)(4)</quote>.</text></subsection></section> <section id="H3E68A6C1B5FC4017A23FFB40C53CDD41"><enum>14402.</enum><header>Requirements for websites of election officials</header> <subsection id="H2BCB3C55AF2C4263BE90D443A4F83876"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21081">52 U.S.C. 21081</external-xref> et seq.), as amended by section 1201(a), section 2001(a), section 8001(a), section 9001(a), section 9002(a), section 9003(a), section 14006(a), section 14007(a), and 14008(a), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HC46C9ECC7CB54BAEAC552FF16D27BEA5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating sections 313 and 314 as sections 314 and 315; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H087316FA9A1548188CE6C993A1C10D4D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after section 312 the following new section:</text>
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<section id="HC535A6A28862450EB0D0BAAD9FA373DE"><enum>313.</enum><header>Requirements for websites of election officials</header>
<subsection id="H33D0C74FF4D542FFAAD208013680FFD3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Accessibility</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each State and local election official shall ensure that the official public website of the official is fully accessible for individuals with disabilities, including the blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation as the website provides for other individuals.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HE52FB02E8EBB4DAFA57C0636F963F0F1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Continuing operation in case of emergencies</header> <paragraph id="H0378F59763604E14B1FAD35DB9608C73"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Establishment of best practices</header> <subparagraph id="H87D5AEF5790248A799E1C448B5868579"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall establish and regularly update best practices for ensuring the continuing operation of the official public websites of State and local election officials during emergencies affecting public health and safety.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H29C5D98F0BB6460FABE3538622A77728"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Deadline</header><text>The Director shall first establish the best practices required under this paragraph as soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this section, but in no case later than August 15, 2021.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="HBD7C287B4BDE4F25A7A1E190223BCC7E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requiring websites to meet best practices</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each State and local election official shall ensure that the official public website of the official is in compliance with the best practices established by the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology under paragraph (2).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H59945B1CFB7849FB9408732D6B69F1CD"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2020 and each succeeding election for Federal office.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HFDAA479C8B3D4D548EA86AF6B408E8D4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment relating to adoption of voluntary guidance by Election Assistance Commission</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 321(b) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21101">52 U.S.C. 21101(b)</external-xref>), as redesignated and amended by section 2001(b) and section 8001(b), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HD3125A7AE33846D59FB419B4528AE219"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end of paragraph (4);</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H67EC6FD6ACC249399517C3EE2437225D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF3D8033214DC490CBBA6B4D16C411EE1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="HCE1AFF0AFACD4696A6FA1B0CC7BFDE53" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <paragraph id="HBD72A80EC61A4279B569C513440FC3A0"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the case of the recommendations with respect to section 304, as soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, but in no case later than August 15, 2021.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA3356DB934E94F14B3C35031AF285FDC"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 1201(c), section 2001(c), section 8001(c), section 9001(b), section 9002(c), section 9003(a), section 14006(c), section 14007(b), and section 14008(b), is amended—</text> <paragraph id="HAE344F07E8D84DDFBF825038BF1D79A0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating the items relating to sections 313 and 314 as relating to sections 314 and 315; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1EFC9CDEE46547C6B73206D3DE0013A8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after the item relating to section 312 the following new item:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="H4DEA76733E3142BE9BA851B95293A7B9" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <toc regeneration="no-regeneration"> <toc-entry level="section">Sec. 313. Requirements for websites of election officials.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="HEA990F638C274857BDF9E609BEB8560F"><enum>14403.</enum><header>Payments by Election Assistance Commission to States for costs of compliance</header> <subsection id="H99C1CB1614414758922C2D22EB36002F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Availability of payments</header><text>Title IX of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/52/21141">52 U.S.C. 21141</external-xref> et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:</text>
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<section id="H79A5EC1F2B694E8DBED778B96C155449"><enum>907.</enum><header>Payments for costs of compliance with certain requirements relating to public notification</header>
<subsection id="HB9A5B0C62960499996B63CF98F962B8D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Payments</header>
<paragraph id="H59DFF09D89024AF48D388024D8337C2A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Availability and use of payments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Commission shall make a payment to each eligible State to cover the costs the State incurs or expects to incur in meeting the requirements of section 302(g) (relating to public education campaigns in event of changes in elections in response to emergencies) and section 313 (relating to requirements for the websites of election officials).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H1F19FB086E044175AC34A522483B148C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Schedule of payments</header><text>As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this section, and not less frequently than once each calendar year thereafter, the Commission shall make payments under this section.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA4F6AAF22FEB4E53BA25059EC2BE8232"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Administration of payments</header><text>The chief State election official of the State shall receive the payment made to a State under this section, and may use the payment for the purposes set forth in this section without intervening action by the legislature of the State.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H80277A1483A942118ADF47CCFC7264B5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Amount of payment</header> <paragraph id="H6233C656D11244BA87AE8D49A59A2AFA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amount of a payment made to an eligible State for a year under this section shall be determined by the Commission on the basis of the information provided by the State in its application under subsection (c).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H58CD77620E554285B58355236C09962B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Continuing availability of funds after appropriation</header><text>A payment made to an eligible State under this section shall be available without fiscal year limitation.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HC2F57DAA44D3412389EF61B54EB2B80E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Requirements for eligibility</header> <paragraph id="HFD32493B05504E53A3C44926A78ECF44"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Application</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each State that desires to receive a payment under this section for a fiscal year shall submit an application for the payment to the Commission at such time and in such manner and containing such information as the Commission shall require.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBA4D53ACE5B34A27ABF12F4F89B7BB54"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents of application</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall—</text> <subparagraph id="H1DA82D2C28E845A39532AC153F436E48"><enum>(A)</enum><text>describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2468E6E82ECD4B8AAEB4EB3136E33517"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provide an estimate of the costs the State has incurred or expects to incur in carrying out the provisions described in subsection (a), together with such additional information and certifications as the Commission determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section. </text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H426A7B6C1E46424DA6A38B21AFC52247"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated for payments under this section such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2022 through 2025.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HC5AC807F27134FEC84A673CB23B152C3"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Reports</header>
<paragraph id="H3D02C298031D4432B5824ECEE5A78639"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Reports by recipients</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than the 6 months after the end of each fiscal year for which an eligible State received a payment under this section, the State shall submit a report to the Commission on the activities conducted with the funds provided during the year.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H2073BD855EC44022820FBC95B3DBA8A7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Reports by Commission to committees</header><text>With respect to each fiscal year for which the Commission makes payments under this section, the Commission shall submit a report on the activities carried out under this part to the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="HFC0A59535E69423BBCE97516A720E42D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clerical amendment</header><text>The table of contents of such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title IX the following:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="HDC1AA987AE58410EBBE2BA63E9AE0C95" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <toc regeneration="no-regeneration"> <toc-entry level="section">Sec. 907. Payments for costs of compliance with certain requirements relating to public notification.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section></subtitle> <enum>XV</enum><header>Severability</header> <section id="H3AD8530C647F4D08B158406EAEFEB9C5"><enum>15001.</enum><header>Severability</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">If any provision of this Act or amendment made by this Act, or the application of a provision or amendment to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions and amendment to any person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.</text></section>