[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 533 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 533

To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to protect voting rights and 
   to improve the administration of Federal elections, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 2, 2005

Mr. Conyers (for himself, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, 
 Ms. Lee, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Payne, Mr. Kucinich, Mr. 
Frank of Massachusetts, Ms. Waters, Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Weiner, Mr. Clay, 
  Mr. Owens, Mr. Fattah, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Zoe Lofgren of 
 California, Ms. DeLauro, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Mr. Cummings, 
Ms. Norton, Mr. Oberstar, Ms. Carson, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. 
 Butterfield, and Mrs. Capps) introduced the following bill; which was 
 referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to 
    the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to protect voting rights and 
   to improve the administration of Federal elections, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Voting Opportunity 
and Technology Enhancement Rights Act of 2005''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 3.  Enhanced protections against voter intimidation, threats, 
                            coercion, and deception.
Sec. 4. National Federal write-in absentee ballot.
Sec. 5. Verified ballots; preservation.
Sec. 6. Requirements for counting provisional ballots.
Sec. 7. Minimum required voting systems and poll workers in polling 
                            places.
Sec. 8. Election day registration.
Sec. 9. Integrity of voter registration list.
Sec. 10. Early voting.
Sec. 11. Acceleration of study on election day as a public holiday.
Sec. 12. Improvements to voting systems.
Sec. 13. Voter registration.
Sec. 14. Establishing voter identification.
Sec. 15. Impartial administration of elections.
Sec. 16. Strengthening the Election Assistance Commission.
Sec. 17. Additional protections to ensure fair administration of 
                            Federal elections.
Sec. 18. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 19. Effective date.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The right of all eligible citizens to vote and have 
        their vote counted is the cornerstone of a democratic form of 
        government and the core precondition of government of the 
        people, by the people, and for the people.
            (2) The right of citizens of the United States to vote is a 
        fundamental civil right guaranteed under the United States 
        Constitution.
            (3) Congress has an obligation to reaffirm the right of 
        each American to have an equal opportunity to vote and have 
        that vote counted in Federal elections, regardless of color, 
        ethnicity, disability, language, or the resources of the 
        community in which they live.
            (4) Congress has an obligation to ensure the uniform and 
        nondiscriminatory exercise of that right by removing barriers 
        in the form of election administration procedures and 
        technology and insufficient and unequal resources of State and 
        local governments.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are as follows:
            (1) To secure the opportunity to participate in democracy 
        for all eligible American citizens by establishing a national 
        Federal write-in absentee ballot for Federal elections.
            (2) To expand and establish uniform and nondiscriminatory 
        requirements and standards to remove administrative procedural 
        barriers and technological obstacles to casting a vote and 
        having that vote counted in Federal elections.
            (3) To expand and establish uniform and nondiscriminatory 
        requirements and standards to provide for the accessibility, 
        accuracy, verifiability, privacy, and security of all voting 
        systems and technology used in Federal elections.
            (4) To provide a Federal funding mechanism for the States 
        to implement the requirements and standards to preserve and 
        protect voting rights and the integrity of Federal elections in 
        the United States.

SEC. 3. ENHANCED PROTECTIONS AGAINST VOTER INTIMIDATION, THREATS, 
              COERCION, AND DECEPTION.

    (a) Prohibiting Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices Affecting 
Voting in Federal Elections.--
            (1) Declaration of unlawfulness; power to prohibit unfair 
        practices.--
                    (A) In general.--It shall be unlawful for any 
                person to engage in unfair or deceptive acts or 
                practices in or affecting voting in Federal elections, 
                and the Attorney General is hereby empowered and 
                directed to prevent persons, partnerships, or 
                corporations from using unfair or deceptive acts or 
                practices in or affecting voting in Federal elections.
                    (B) Proceeding by attorney general.--Whenever the 
                Attorney General shall have reason to believe that any 
                such person, partnership, or corporation has been or is 
                using any unfair or deceptive act or practice in or 
                affecting voting, he shall issue and serve upon such 
                person, partnership, or corporation a complaint stating 
                its charges in that respect and containing a notice of 
                a hearing upon a day and at a place therein fixed at 
                least 7 days after the service of said complaint. The 
                person, partnership, or corporation so complained of 
                shall have the right to appear at the place and time so 
                fixed and show cause why an order should not be entered 
                by the Attorney General requiring such person, 
                partnership, or corporation to cease and desist from 
                the violation of the law so charged in said complaint. 
                If upon such hearing the Attorney General shall be of 
                the opinion that the method of competition or the act 
                or practice in question is prohibited by this 
                subchapter, it shall make a report in writing in which 
                it shall state its findings as to the facts and shall 
                issue and cause to be served on such person, 
                partnership, or corporation an order requiring such 
                person, partnership, or corporation to cease and desist 
                from using such method of competition or such act or 
                practice.
                    (C) Penalty.--Any person, partnership, or 
                corporation who violates an order of the Attorney 
                General under this paragraph after it has become final, 
                and while such order is in effect, shall be fined in 
                accordance with title 18, United States Code. Each 
                separate violation of such an order shall be a separate 
                offense.
                    (D) Civil action by aggrieved person.--A person who 
                is aggrieved by a violation of this section may, in a 
                civil action, obtain declaratory and injunctive relief 
                with respect to the violation. The court in an action 
                under this subsection may award the prevailing party 
                (other than the United States) reasonable attorneys 
                fees, including litigation expenses and expert witness 
                fees, as part of the costs; fees may be awarded to a 
                prevailing defendant only when a plaintiff's civil 
                action is shown to be frivolous, unreasonable, or 
                without foundation. The Attorney General may intervene 
                as a party in a civil action brought under this 
                subsection.
            (2) Documentary evidence; subpoena power.--
                    (A) In general.--For the purposes of this 
                subsection the Attorney General shall at all reasonable 
                times have access to, for the purpose of examination, 
                and the right to copy any documentary evidence of any 
                person, partnership, or corporation being investigated 
                or proceeded against; and the Attorney General shall 
                have power to require by subpoena the attendance and 
                testimony of witnesses and the production of all such 
                documentary evidence relating to any matter under 
                investigation.
                    (B) Penalties.--Any person who shall neglect or 
                refuse to attend and testify, or to answer any lawful 
                inquiry or to produce any documentary evidence under 
                this subsection, if in his power to do so, in obedience 
                to an order of a District Court of the United States 
                directing compliance with the subpoena or lawful 
                requirement of the Attorney General shall be guilty of 
                an offense and upon conviction thereof by a court of 
                competent jurisdiction shall be fined in accordance 
                with title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned for 
                not more than one year, or both.
            (3) Unfair or deceptive acts or practices rulemaking 
        proceedings.--The Attorney General shall--
                    (A) review information and receive complaints 
                alleging unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or 
                affecting voting in Federal elections;
                    (B) make public through the Internet, radio, 
                television, and newspaper advertisements information on 
                the responsibilities, contact information and complaint 
                procedures of the Attorney General under this section;
                    (C) prescribe interpretive rules and general 
                statements of policy with respect to unfair or 
                deceptive acts or practices in or affecting voting; and
                    (D) prescribe rules which define with specificity 
                acts or practices which are unfair or deceptive acts or 
                practices in or affecting voting (within the meaning of 
                paragraph (1)), including but not limited to so-called 
                ``caging'' or selective use of poll and registration 
                challenges. Rules under this subsection shall include 
                requirements prescribed for the purpose of preventing 
                such acts or practices on a proactive basis.
            (4) Civil actions for violations of rules and cease and 
        desist orders respecting unfair or deceptive acts or 
        practices.--
                    (A) Suits against persons, partnerships, or 
                corporations; jurisdiction; relief for dishonest or 
                fraudulent acts.--
                            (i) If any person, partnership, or 
                        corporation violates any rule under this 
                        subchapter respecting unfair or deceptive acts 
                        or practices (within the meaning of paragraph 
                        (1)), then the Attorney General may commence a 
                        civil action against such person, partnership, 
                        or corporation for relief under this subsection 
                        in a United States District Court or in any 
                        court of competent jurisdiction of a State.
                            (ii) If any person, partnership, or 
                        corporation engages in any unfair or deceptive 
                        act or practice (within the meaning of 
                        paragraph (1)) with respect to which the 
                        Attorney General has issued a final cease and 
                        desist order which is applicable to such 
                        person, partnership, or corporation, then the 
                        Attorney General may commence a civil action 
                        against such person, partnership, or 
                        corporation in a United States District Court 
                        or in any court of competent jurisdiction of a 
                        State.
                    (B) Nature of relief available.--The court in an 
                action under subparagraph (A) shall have jurisdiction 
                to grant such relief as the court finds necessary to 
                redress injury to voters or other persons, 
                partnerships, and corporations resulting from the rule 
                violation or the unfair or deceptive act or practice, 
                as the case may be. Such relief may include, but shall 
                not be limited to, rescission or reformation of 
                contracts, the refund of money or return of property, 
                the payment of damages, and public notification 
                respecting the rule violation or the unfair or 
                deceptive act or practice, as the case may be, 
                including exemplary or punitive damages.
            (5) Relationship to other laws.--
                    (A) In general.--Nothing in this subsection may be 
                construed to authorize or require conduct prohibited 
                under the following laws, or supersede, restrict, or 
                limit--
                            (i) the National Voter Registration Act of 
                        1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg et seq.); or
                            (ii) the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 
                        U.S.C. 1973aa et seq.).
                    (B) No effect on preclearance or other requirements 
                under voting rights act.--Any action taken by the 
                Attorney General or a State under this subsection may 
                not be considered to have any effect on requirements 
                for preclearance under section 5 of the Voting Rights 
                Act of 1965 or any other requirements of such Act.
    (b) Revisions to Current Protections.--
            (1) Section 2004 of the revised statutes.--Section 2004(b) 
        of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1971(b)) is amended--
                    (A) by inserting after ``coerce,'' the following: 
                ``knowingly deceive,''; and
                    (B) by striking ``or coerce'' and inserting 
                ``coerce, or knowingly deceive''.
            (2) Title 18, united states code.--
                    (A) Section 245.--Section 245 of title 18, United 
                States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
                following new subsection:
    ``(e) Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, knowingly 
deceives or attempts to knowingly deceive any person because he is or 
has been, or in order to intimidate such person or any other person or 
class of persons from carrying out an activity specified in 
subparagraph (A) of subsection (b)(1), shall be punished as provided 
for a violation of subsection (b)(1)(A).''.
                    (B) Section 241.--Section 241 of such title is 
                amended by striking ``or intimidate'' and inserting 
                ``intimidate, or knowingly deceive''.
    (c) Enhanced System for Tracking, Documenting, and Monitoring 
Election Irregularities.--
            (1) In general.--The Attorney General shall direct the 
        Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division and 
        the Chief of the Voting Section to--
                    (A) develop and implement procedures to ensure that 
                the Voting Section has a reliable method of tracking 
                and documenting allegations of voting irregularities 
                and actions taken to address them, including 
                establishing precise categories for recording types of 
                allegations and actions taken, development of 
                instructions on completing the telephone logs, and 
                development and implementation of training for 
                contractors; and
                    (B) implement a method to track and report on 
                election monitoring program activities in the 
                Interactive Case Management System.
            (2) Annual reports.--The Attorney General shall submit 
        annual reports to Congress detailing the implementation of this 
        subsection, including a summary of the tracking and election 
        monitoring activities and a documentation of allegations of 
        voting irregularities.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL FEDERAL WRITE-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) In general.--Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 
        2002 (42 U.S.C. 15481 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
        the following new subtitle:

                 ``Subtitle C--Additional Requirements

``SEC. 321. USE OF NATIONAL FEDERAL WRITE-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

    ``(a) In General.--Any person who is otherwise qualified to vote in 
a Federal election in a State shall be permitted to use the national 
Federal write-in absentee ballot prescribed by the Election Assistance 
Commission under section 297 to cast a vote in an election for Federal 
office.
    ``(b) Submission and Processing.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
        section, a national Federal write-in absentee ballot shall be 
        submitted and processed in the manner provided under the 
        standards prescribed by the Commission under section 297(b).
            ``(2) Deadline.--An otherwise eligible national Federal 
        write-in absentee ballot shall be counted if postmarked or 
        signed before the close of the polls on election day and 
        received by the appropriate State election official on or 
        before the date which is 10 days after the date of the election 
        or the date provided for receipt of absentee ballots under 
        State law, whichever is later.
    ``(c) Special Rules.--The following rules shall apply with respect 
to national Federal write-in absentee ballots:
            ``(1) In completing the ballot, the voter may designate a 
        candidate by writing in the name of the candidate or by writing 
        in the name of a political party (in which case the ballot 
        shall be counted for the candidate of that political party).
            ``(2) In the case of the offices of President and Vice 
        President, a vote for a named candidate or a vote by writing in 
        the name of a political party shall be counted as a vote for 
        the electors supporting the candidate involved.
            ``(3) Any abbreviation, misspelling, or other minor 
        variation in the form of the name of a candidate or a political 
        party shall be disregarded in determining the validity of the 
        ballot.
    ``(d) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2007.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 401 of the Help America 
        Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15511) is amended by striking ``and 
        303'' and inserting ``303, and subtitle C''.
            (3) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents of title III 
        of such Act is amended by adding at the end the following:

                 ``Subtitle C--Additional Requirements

``Sec. 321. Use of national Federal write-in absentee ballot.''.
    (b) National Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.--
            (1) In general.--Title II of the Help America Vote Act of 
        2002 (42 U.S.C. 15321 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
        the following new subtitle:

                  ``Subtitle E--Guidance and Standards

``SEC. 297. NATIONAL FEDERAL WRITE-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

    ``(a) Form of Ballot.--The Commission shall prescribe a national 
Federal write-in absentee ballot (including a secrecy envelope and 
mailing envelope for such ballot) for use in elections for Federal 
office.
    ``(b) Standards.--The Commission shall prescribe standards for--
            ``(1) distributing the national Federal write-in absentee 
        ballot, including standards for distributing such ballot 
        through the Internet; and
            ``(2) processing and submission of the national Federal 
        write-in absentee ballot.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 202 of the Help America 
        Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15322) is amended by redesignating 
        paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs (6) and (7), respectively, 
        and by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(5) carrying out the duties described in subtitle E.''.
            (3) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for title II 
        of such Act is amended by adding at the end the following:

                  ``Subtitle E--Guidance and Standards

``Sec. 297. National Federal write-in absentee ballot.''.
    (c) Coordination With Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee 
Voting Act.--
            (1) In general.--The Presidential designee under the 
        Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act, in consultation 
        with the Election Assistance Commission, shall facilitate the 
        use and return of the national Federal write-in ballot for 
        absent uniformed service voters and overseas voters so that 
        such voters face no greater difficulties in the submission and 
        processing of their ballots than those faced by absentee voters 
        who reside in the United States.
            (2) Definitions.--The terms ``absent uniformed service 
        voter'' and ``overseas voter'' shall have the meanings given 
        such terms by section 107 of the Uniformed and Overseas 
        Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-6).

SEC. 5. VERIFIED BALLOTS; PRESERVATION.

    (a) Verification.--
            (1) In general.--Section 301(a) of the Help America Vote 
        Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15481(a)) is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new paragraph:
            ``(7) Verified ballots.--In order to meet the requirements 
        of paragraph (1)(A)(i), on and after January 1, 2007:
                    ``(A) The voting system shall provide an 
                independent means of voter verification which meets the 
                requirements of subparagraph (B) and which allows each 
                voter to verify the accuracy of the ballot before it is 
                cast and counted, and to correct any errors before the 
                record of the ballot is produced and preserved under 
                this paragraph and paragraph (2)(B)(iii).
                    ``(B) A means of voter verification meets the 
                requirements of this subparagraph if the voting system 
                allows the voter to choose from one of the following 
                options to verify the voter's vote selection:
                            ``(i) A paper record.
                            ``(ii) An audio record.
                            ``(iii) A pictorial record.
                            ``(iv) An electronic record or other means 
                        that provides for voter verification that is 
                        accessible for individuals with disabilities, 
                        including nonvisual accessibility for the blind 
                        and visually impaired, in a manner that 
                        provides privacy and independence equal to that 
                        provided for other voters.
                    ``(C) Any means of verification described in clause 
                (ii), (iii), or (iv) of subparagraph (B) must provide 
                verification which is equal or superior to verification 
                through the use of a paper record.
                    ``(D) None of the means of verification under this 
                paragraph may employ cryptography in the record.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Clause (i) of section 
        301(a)(1)(A) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 
        15481(a)(1)(A)(i)) is amended by inserting ``and consistent 
        with the requirements of paragraphs (2), (4), and (7)'' after 
        ``independent manner''.
    (b) Preservation of Records.--Section 301(a)(2)(B)(iii) of the Help 
America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15481(a)(2)(B)(iii)) is amended to 
read as follows:
                            ``(iii) The record produced to meet the 
                        requirements of paragraph (1)(A)(i) and this 
                        paragraph shall be available as an official 
                        record for any audit or recount conducted with 
                        respect to any election in which the system is 
                        used, and shall be preserved after the voter 
                        has verified its accuracy--
                                    ``(I) in the case of a paper 
                                record, within the polling place on the 
                                date of the election in a manner that 
                                ensures the security of the votes as 
                                verified; and
                                    ``(II) in the case of a record 
                                described in clause (ii), (iii), or 
                                (iv) of paragraph (7)(B), through a 
                                method established by the Commission 
                                which provides protection of the record 
                                equal to or superior to the methods 
                                used to preserve paper records.''.
    (c) Guidance.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle E of Title II of the Help America 
        Vote Act of 2002, as added by this Act, is amended by adding at 
        the end the following new section:

``SEC. 298. VERIFIED BALLOTS.

    ``(a) Standards.--The Commission shall issue uniform and 
nondiscriminatory standards--
            ``(1) for verified ballots required under section 
        301(a)(7); and
            ``(2) for meeting the audit requirements of section 
        301(a)(2).
    ``(b) Audits.--The standards issued under subsection (a) shall 
provide for partial audits of the results of elections using the 
records produced pursuant to section 301(a)(7), and shall provide that 
those records shall be used for the official count of votes in the 
event that the tallies derived from the records differ from the tallies 
otherwise derived from the voting system used in the election 
involved.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle 
        E of title II of such Act, as added by this Act, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 298. Verified ballots.''.
    (d) Reports.--
            (1) Election assistance commission.--Section 207 of the 
        Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15327) is amended by 
        redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6) and by inserting 
        after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) A description of the progress on implementing the 
        verified ballot requirements of section 301(a)(7) and the 
        impact of the use of such requirements on the accessibility, 
        privacy, security, usability, and auditability of voting 
        systems.''.
            (2) State reports.--Section 258 of the Help America Vote 
        Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15408) is amended by striking ``and'' at 
        the end of paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end of 
        paragraph (3) and inserting ``; and'', and by adding at the end 
        the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) an analysis and description in the form and manner 
        prescribed by the Commission of the progress on implementing 
        the verified ballot requirements of section 301(a)(7).''.

SEC. 6. REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTING PROVISIONAL BALLOTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(42 U.S.C. 15482) is amended by redesignating subsection (d) as 
subsection (e) and by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
subsection:
    ``(d) Statewide Counting of Provisional Ballots.--For purposes of 
subsection (a)(4), notwithstanding at which polling place a provisional 
ballot is cast within the State, the State shall count such ballot if 
the individual who cast such ballot is otherwise eligible to vote.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--Subsection (e) of section 302 of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15482(e)), as redesignated 
        under subsection (a), is amended by adding at the end the 
        following:
            ``(2) Effective date for statewide counting of provisional 
        ballots.--Each State shall be required to comply with the 
        requirements of subsection (d) on and after January 1, 2007.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Subsection (e) of section 302 of 
        the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15482(e)), as 
        redesignated under subsection (a), is amended by striking 
        ``Each'' and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        each''.

SEC. 7. MINIMUM REQUIRED VOTING SYSTEMS AND POLL WORKERS IN POLLING 
              PLACES.

    (a) Minimum Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle C of title III of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002, as added by this Act, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 322. MINIMUM REQUIRED VOTING SYSTEMS AND POLL WORKERS.

    ``(a) In General.--Each State shall provide for the minimum 
required number of functioning and accurate voting systems and poll 
workers required in each precinct on the day of any Federal election 
and on any days during which such State allows early voting for a 
Federal election in accordance with the standards determined under 
section 299A.
    ``(b) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2007.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle 
        C of title III of such Act, as added by this Act, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 322. Minimum required voting systems and poll workers.''.
    (b) Standards.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle E of the Help America Vote Act of 
        2002, as added and amended by this Act, is amended by adding at 
        the end the following new section:

``SEC. 299. STANDARDS FOR ESTABLISHING THE MINIMUM REQUIRED VOTING 
              SYSTEMS AND POLL WORKERS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Commission shall issue standards regarding 
the minimum number of voting systems and poll workers required in each 
precinct on the day of any Federal election and on any days during 
which early voting is allowed for a Federal election.
    ``(b) Distribution.--The standards described in subsection (a) 
shall provide for a uniform and nondiscriminatory geographic 
distribution of such systems and workers, based on a ratio of the 
number of systems and workers per voter, taking into account voter 
registration statistics for the precinct, the most recent available 
census data regarding the number of individuals residing within the 
precinct who are eligible to register to vote, and the level of voter 
turnout during previous elections held in the precinct.
    ``(c) Deviation.--The standards described in subsection (a) shall 
permit States, upon providing adequate public notice, to deviate from 
any allocation requirements in the case of unforeseen circumstances 
such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or a change in voter 
turnout.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle 
        E of title II of such Act, as added by this Act, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 299. Standards for establishing the minimum required voting 
                            systems and poll workers.''.

SEC. 8. ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION.

    (a) Requirement.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle C of title III of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by this Act, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 323. ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Registration.--Notwithstanding section 8(a)(1)(D) of 
        the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-
        6), each State shall permit any individual on the day of a 
        Federal election--
                    ``(A) to register to vote in such election at the 
                polling place using the form established by the 
                Election Assistance Commission pursuant to section 297; 
                and
                    ``(B) to cast a vote in such election.
            ``(2) Exception.--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 Act, there is no voter registration requirement for 
        individuals in the State with respect to elections for Federal 
        office.
    ``(b) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of subsection (a) on and after January 1, 2007.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle 
        C of title III of such Act, as added by this Act, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 323. Election Day registration.''.
    (b) Election Day Registration Form.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle E of title II of the Help America 
        Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by this Act, is amended 
        by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 299A. ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION FORM.

    ``The Commission shall develop an election day registration form 
for elections for Federal office.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle 
        E of title II of such Act, as added by this Act, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 299A. Election Day registration form.''.

SEC. 9. INTEGRITY OF VOTER REGISTRATION LIST.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle C of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002, as added and amended by this Act, is amended by adding at 
the end the following new section:

``SEC. 324. REMOVAL FROM VOTER REGISTRATION LIST.

    ``(a) Public Notice.--Not later than 45 days before any Federal 
election, each State shall provide public notice of all names which 
have been removed from the voter registration list of such State under 
section 303 since the later of the most recent election for Federal 
office or the day of the most recent previous public notice provided 
under this section.
    ``(b) Notice to Individual Voters.--
            ``(1) In general.--No individual shall be removed from the 
        voter registration list under section 303 unless such 
        individual is first provided with a notice which meets the 
        requirements of paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Requirements of notice.--The notice required under 
        paragraph (1) shall be--
                    ``(A) provided to each voter in a uniform and 
                nondiscriminatory manner;
                    ``(B) consistent with the requirements of the 
                National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 
                1973gg et seq.); and
                    ``(C) in the form and manner prescribed by the 
                Election Assistance Commission.
    ``(c) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2007.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle C of 
title III of such Act, as added by this Act, is amended by adding at 
the end the following new item:

``Sec. 324. Removal from voter registration list.''.

SEC. 10. EARLY VOTING.

    (a) Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle C of title III of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by this Act, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 325. EARLY VOTING.

    ``(a) In General.--Each State shall allow individuals to vote in an 
election for Federal office not less than 15 days prior to the day 
scheduled for such election in the same manner as voting is allowed on 
such day.
    ``(b) Minimum Early Voting Requirements.--Each polling place which 
allows voting prior to the day of a Federal election pursuant to 
subsection (a) shall--
            ``(1) allow such voting for no less than 4 hours on each 
        day (other than Sunday); and
            ``(2) have uniform hours each day for which such voting 
        occurs.
    ``(c) Application of Election Day Registration to Early Voting.--A 
State shall permit individuals to register to vote at each polling 
place which allows voting prior to the day of a Federal election 
pursuant to subsection (a) in the same manner as the State is required 
to permit individuals to register to vote and vote on the day of the 
election under section 323.
    ``(d) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2007.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle 
        C of title III of such Act, as added by this Act, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 325. Early voting.''.
    (b) Standards for Early Voting.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle E of the Help America Vote Act of 
        2002, as added and amended by this Act, is amended by adding at 
        the end the following new section:

``SEC. 299B. STANDARDS FOR EARLY VOTING.

    ``(a) In General.--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.
    ``(b) Deviation.--The standards described in subsection (a) 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.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle 
        E of title II of such Act, as added by this Act, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 299B. Standards for early voting.''.

SEC. 11. ACCELERATION OF STUDY ON ELECTION DAY AS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY.

    (a) In General.--Section 241 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(42 U.S.C. 15381) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(d) Report on Election Day.--
            ``(1) In general.--The report required under subsection (a) 
        with respect to election administration issues described in 
        subsection (b)(10) shall be submitted not later than 6 months 
        after the date of the enactment of the Voting Opportunity and 
        Technology Enhancement Rights Act of 2005.
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--Of the amount 
        authorized to be appropriated under section 210 for fiscal year 
        2006, $100,000 shall be authorized solely to carry out the 
        purposes of this subsection.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall take 
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 12. IMPROVEMENTS TO VOTING SYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--Subparagraph (B) of section 301(a)(1) of the Help 
America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15481(a)(1)(B)) is amended by 
striking ``, a punch card voting system, or a central count voting 
system''.
    (b) Clarification of Requirements for Punch Card Systems.--
Subparagraph (A) of section 301(a)(1) of the Help America Vote Act of 
2002 (42 U.S.C. 15481(a)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting ``punch card 
voting system,'' after ``any''.

SEC. 13. VOTER REGISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (4) of section 303(b) of the Help 
America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15483(b)(4)) is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(C) Exception.--On and after January 1, 2007--
                            ``(i) in lieu of the questions and 
                        statements required under subparagraph (A), 
                        such mail voter registration form shall include 
                        an affidavit to be signed by the registrant 
                        attesting both to citizenship and age; and
                            ``(ii) subparagraph (B) shall not apply.
                    ``(D) Application to forms developed by states.--
                For purposes of section 6(a)(2) of the National Voter 
                Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg--4(a)(2)), 
                any form developed and used by a State for the 
                registration of voters in elections for Federal office 
                shall not be considered to meet all of the criteria 
                stated in section 9(b) of such Act unless the form 
                meets the requirements of subparagraph (C).''.
    (b) Internet Registration.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle C of title III of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by this Act, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 326. INTERNET REGISTRATION.

    ``(a) Internet Registration.--Each State shall establish a program 
under which individuals may access and submit voter registration forms 
electronically through the Internet.
    ``(b) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2007.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle 
        C of title III of such Act, as added by this Act, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 326. Internet registration.''.
    (c) Standards for Internet Registration.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle E of the Help America Vote Act of 
        2002, as added and amended by this Act, is amended by adding at 
        the end the following new section:

``SEC. 299C. STANDARDS FOR INTERNET REGISTRATION PROGRAMS.

    ``The Commission shall establish standards regarding the design and 
operation of programs which allow electronic voter registration through 
the Internet.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle 
        E of title II of such Act, as added by this Act, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 299C. Standards for Internet registration programs.''.

SEC. 14. ESTABLISHING VOTER IDENTIFICATION.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) In person voting.--Clause (i) of section 303(b)(2)(A) 
        of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 
        15483(b)(2)(A)(i)) is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of 
        subclause (I) and by adding at the end the following new 
        subclause:
                                    ``(III) executes a written 
                                affidavit attesting to such 
                                individual's identity; or''.
            (2) Voting by mail.--Clause (ii) of section 303(b)(2)(A) of 
        the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 
        15483(b)(2)(A)(ii)) is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of 
        subclause (I), by striking the period at the end of subclause 
        (II) and inserting ``; or'', and by adding at the end the 
        following new subclause:
                                    ``(III) a written affidavit, 
                                executed by such individual, attesting 
                                to such individual's identity.''.
    (b) Standards for Verifying Voter Information.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle E of the Help America Vote Act of 
        2002, as added and amended by this Act, is amended by adding at 
        the end the following new section:

``SEC. 299D. VOTER IDENTIFICATION.

    ``The Commission shall develop standards for verifying the 
identification information required under section 303(a)(5) in 
connection with the registration of an individual to vote in a Federal 
election.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle 
        E of title II of such Act, as added by this Act, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 299D. Voter identification.''.

SEC. 15. IMPARTIAL ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS.

    (a) Election Administration Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle C of title III of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by this Act, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 327. ELECTION ADMINISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.

    ``(a) Notice of Changes in State Election Laws.--Not later than 15 
days prior to any Federal election, each State shall issue a public 
notice describing all changes in State law affecting the administration 
of Federal elections since the most recent prior election.
    ``(b) Observers.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each State shall allow uniform and 
        nondiscriminatory access to any polling place for purposes of 
        observing a Federal election to--
                    ``(A) voting rights and civil rights organizations; 
                and
                    ``(B) nonpartisan domestic observers and 
                international observers.
            ``(2) Notice of denial of observation request.--Each State 
        shall issue a public notice with respect to any denial of a 
        request by any observer described in paragraph (1) for access 
        to any polling place for purposes of observing a Federal 
        election. Such notice shall be issued not later than 24 hours 
        after such denial.
            ``(3) No interference with election permitted.--Nothing in 
        this subsection may be construed to permit any individual 
        observing a Federal election pursuant to this subsection to 
        engage in campaign activity at a polling place or interfere in 
        any way with the conduct of the election.
    ``(c) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2007.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle 
        C of title III of such Act, as added by this Act, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 327. Election administration requirements.''.
    (b) Study of Administration of Elections by Nonpartisan Boards.--
            (1) Study.--The Election Assistance Commission shall 
        conduct a study analyzing the feasibility and desirability of 
        requiring States to carry out the administration of elections 
        for Federal office through nonpartisan election boards.
            (2) Report.--Not later than January 1, 2007, the Commission 
        shall submit a report to Congress and the relevant committees 
        of Congress on the study conducted under paragraph (1).

SEC. 16. STRENGTHENING THE ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION.

    (a) Budget Requests.--
            (1) In general.--Part 1 of subtitle A of title II of the 
        Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15321 et seq.) is 
        amended by inserting after section 209 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 209A. SUBMISSION OF BUDGET REQUESTS.

    ``Whenever the Commission submits any budget estimate or request to 
the President or the Office of Management and Budget, it shall 
concurrently transmit a copy of such estimate or request to the 
Congress and to all relevant committees of the House and Senate.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for part 1 
        of subtitle A of title II of such Act is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 209 the following new item:

``Sec. 209A. Submission of budget requests.''.
    (b) Exemption From Paperwork Reduction Act.--Paragraph (1) of 
section 3502 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by 
redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) as subparagraphs (C), 
(D), and (E), respectively, and by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
following new subparagraph:
                    ``(B) the Election Assistance Commission;''.
    (c) Rulemaking.--Section 209 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(42 U.S.C. 15239) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Commission'' and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
Commission'', and
            (2) by inserting at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Exception.--On and after January 1, 2007, subsection (a) 
shall not apply to any authority granted under subtitle E of this title 
or subtitle C of title III.''.
    (d) NIST Authority.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle E of title II of the Help America 
        Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by this Act, is amended 
        by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 299E. TECHNICAL SUPPORT.

    ``At the request of the Commission, the Director of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology shall provide the Commission with 
technical support necessary for the Commission to carry out its duties 
under this title.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle 
        E of title II of such Act, as added by this Act, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 299E. Technical support.''.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 210 of the Help 
America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15330) is amended by striking ``for 
each of fiscal years 2003 through 2005 such sums as may be necessary 
(but not to exceed $10,000,000 for each such year)'' and inserting 
``$23,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 (of which $3,000,000 are authorized 
solely to carry out the purposes of section 299E) and such sums as may 
be necessary for succeeding fiscal years''.

SEC. 17. ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS TO ENSURE FAIR ADMINISTRATION OF 
              FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

    (a) Standards and Training for Election Officials Working at 
Polling Places.--
            (1) Requiring states to meet standards.--
                    (A) In general.--Subtitle C of title III of the 
                Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by 
                this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following 
                new section:

``SEC. 328. STANDARDS AND TRAINING FOR ELECTION OFFICIALS WORKING AT 
              POLLING PLACES.

    ``(a) In General.--No individual shall be permitted to serve as an 
election official at any polling place used for any election for 
Federal office, unless the individual is certified as having completed 
the poll worker training program established by the Commission under 
section 299F.
    ``(b) Exception for Emergencies.--A State may waive the application 
of subsection (a) in the case of an emergency.
    ``(c) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2007.''.
                    (B) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for 
                subtitle C of title III of such Act, as added by this 
                Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
                item:

``Sec. 328. Standards and training for election officials working at 
                            polling places.''.
            (2) Poll worker training program.--
                    (A) In general.--Subtitle E of title II of the Help 
                America Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by this 
                Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
                section:

``SEC. 299F. POLL WORKER TRAINING PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Establishment of Program.--The Commission shall establish a 
program for the training of individuals to serve as election officials 
at polling places used for elections for Federal office, including 
polling places used on a day during which a State allows early voting 
for a Federal election in accordance with the standards determined 
under section 299B.
    ``(b) Requirements for Certification Under Program.--An individual 
may not be certified as having completed the training program 
established under this section unless the individual meets the 
following requirements:
            ``(1) The individual has completed not fewer than 8 hours 
        of training not later than 2 months prior to the date of the 
        election for which the individual will serve as an election 
        official.
            ``(2) If the polling place at which the individual will 
        serve as an election official uses an electronic or 
        electromechanical voting system, the individual has been 
        trained to check the system's calibration, power status, and 
        other mechanical features affecting the ability of the system 
        to function properly.
            ``(3) The individual meets such other requirements as the 
        Commission may establish.''.
                    (B) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for 
                subtitle E of title II of such Act, as added by this 
                Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
                item:

``Sec. 299F. Poll worker training program.''.
    (b) Requiring Use of Publicly Available Open Source Software in 
Voting Machines.--
            (1) Requiring use of open source software.--
                    (A) In general.--Subtitle C of title III of the 
                Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by 
                this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following 
                new section:

``SEC. 329. REQUIRING USE OF PUBLICLY AVAILABLE OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE IN 
              VOTING MACHINES.

    ``(a) In General.--Each State shall ensure that each voting machine 
used by the State for elections for Federal office uses open source 
software which may be accessible for inspection by the public, in 
accordance with standards established by the Commission under section 
299G.
    ``(b) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2007.''.
                    (B) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for 
                subtitle C of title III of such Act, as added by this 
                Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
                item:

``Sec. 329. Requiring use of publicly available open source software in 
                            voting machines.''.
            (2) Establishment of standards.--
                    (A) In general.--Subtitle E of title II of the Help 
                America Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by this 
                Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
                section:

``SEC. 299G. STANDARDS FOR PUBLICLY AVAILABLE OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE IN 
              VOTING MACHINES.

    ``The Commission shall establish standards for the software used in 
voting machines for elections for Federal offices, including standards 
to ensure that all such software is open source software which may be 
accessible for inspection by the public.''.
                    (B) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for 
                subtitle E of title II of such Act, as added by this 
                Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
                item:

``Sec. 299G. Standards for publicly available open source software in 
                            voting machines.''.
    (c) Standards for Recounting Ballots.--
            (1) Requiring states to meet standards for recounts.--
                    (A) In general.--Subtitle C of title III of the 
                Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by 
                this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following 
                new section:

``SEC. 329A. STANDARDS FOR CONDUCTING RECOUNTS.

    ``(a) In General.--In conducting any recount with respect to any 
election for Federal office in the State, the State shall meet the 
standards established by the Commission under section 299H.
    ``(b) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2007.''.
                    (B) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for 
                subtitle C of title III of such Act, as added by this 
                Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
                item:

``Sec. 329A. Standards for conducting recounts.''.
            (2) Establishment of standards.--
                    (A) In general.--Subtitle E of title II of the Help 
                America Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by this 
                Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
                section:

``SEC. 299H. STANDARDS FOR RECOUNTS IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

    ``The Commission shall establish standards for the conducting of a 
recount of the results of any election for Federal office, including 
standards for determining who may request a recount, who may witness 
the recount, and the deadline for completing the recount (which, in the 
case of an election for electors for the President and Vice President, 
may not be later than 7 business days prior to the deadline referred to 
in section 12 of title 3, United States Code, for the receipt by the 
President of the Senate of the certificates of votes and lists referred 
to in sections 9 and 11 of such title). ''.
                    (B) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for 
                subtitle E of title II of such Act, as added by this 
                Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
                item:

``Sec. 299H. Standards for recounts in Federal elections.''.
    (d) Prohibiting Conflicts of Interest of Entities Involved in 
Manufacture, Distribution, or Other Activities Relating to Voting 
Machines.--
            (1) Prohibiting agreements by states with entities failing 
        to meet anti-conflict of interest standards.--
                    (A) In general.--Subtitle C of title III of the 
                Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by 
                this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following 
                new section:

``SEC. 329B. PROHIBITING AGREEMENTS WITH ENTITIES FAILING TO MEET ANTI-
              CONFLICT OF INTEREST STANDARDS FOR ENTITIES INVOLVED WITH 
              VOTING MACHINES.

    ``(a) In General.--In carrying out an election for Federal office, 
a State may not enter into any agreement with an entity regarding the 
manufacture, distribution, installation, servicing, or other activity 
with respect to a voting machine to be used for the election if the 
entity is not in compliance with the standards established by the 
Commission under section 299I for prohibiting conflicts of interest of 
such entities.
    ``(b) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2007.''.
                    (B) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for 
                subtitle C of title III of such Act, as added by this 
                Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
                item:

``Sec. 329B. Prohibiting agreement with entities failing to meet anti-
                            conflict of interest standards for entities 
                            involved with voting machines.''.
            (2) Establishment of standards.--
                    (A) In general.--Subtitle E of title II of the Help 
                America Vote Act of 2002, as added and amended by this 
                Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
                section:

``SEC. 299I. STANDARDS FOR PROHIBITING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OF 
              ENTITIES INVOLVED IN MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTION, OR OTHER 
              ACTIVITIES RELATING TO VOTING MACHINES.

    ``The Commission shall establish standards to prohibit conflicts of 
interest of entities engaged in the manufacture, distribution, 
installation, servicing, or other activities with respect to voting 
machines, including standards to prohibit any such entity from directly 
or indirectly providing any funds or property (including in-kind funds 
and property) to any candidate for public office, any political party, 
any political committee under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971, any organization described in section 527 of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986, or any other entity organized for any partisan political 
purpose.''.
                    (B) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for 
                subtitle E of title II of such Act, as added by this 
                Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
                item:

``Sec. 299I. Standards for prohibiting conflicts of interest of 
                            entities involved in manufacture, 
                            distribution, or other activities relating 
                            to voting machines.''.

SEC. 18. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Subsection (a) of section 257 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(42 U.S.C. 15408(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs:
            ``(4) For fiscal year 2006, $2,000,000,000.
            ``(5) For each fiscal year after 2006, such sums as are 
        necessary.''.

SEC. 19. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on 
January 1, 2007.
                                 <all>