[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 17 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 17

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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 24, 2005

Mr. Dodd (for himself, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Rockefeller, and 
 Mr. Schumer) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
         referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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. National Federal write-in absentee ballot.
Sec. 4. Voter verified ballots.
Sec. 5. Requirements for counting provisional ballots.
Sec. 6. Minimum required voting systems and poll workers in polling 
                            places. 
Sec. 7. Election day registration. 
Sec. 8. Integrity of voter registration list.
Sec. 9. Early voting. 
Sec. 10. Acceleration of study on election day as a public holiday. 
Sec. 11. Improvements to voting systems. 
Sec. 12. Voter registration. 
Sec. 13. Establishing voter identification. 
Sec. 14. Impartial administration of elections. 
Sec. 15. Strengthening the election assistance commission.
Sec. 16. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 17. 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. 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 298 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 by law for 
        absentee ballots in the State involved.
            ``(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''.
    (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.''.
    (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 services voters and overseas voters.
            (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. 4. VOTER VERIFIED BALLOTS.

    (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) Voter verified ballots.--In order to meet the 
        requirements of paragraph (1)(A)(i), on and after January 1, 
        2009:
                    ``(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 ballot before it is cast and 
                counted.
                    ``(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) The requirements of this paragraph shall not 
                apply to any voting system purchased before January 1, 
                2009, in order to meet the requirements of paragraph 
                (3)(B).''.
            (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) Guidance.--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. VOTER VERIFIED BALLOTS.

    ``The Commission shall issue uniform and nondiscriminatory 
standards--
            ``(1) for voter verified ballots required under section 
        301(a)(7); and
            ``(2) for meeting the audit requirements of section 
        301(a)(2).''.
    (c) 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 
        voter 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 voter verified ballot requirements of section 301(a)(7).''.

SEC. 5. 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. 6. MINIMUM REQUIRED VOTING SYSTEMS AND POLL WORKERS IN POLLING 
              PLACES.

    (a) 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 voting systems and poll workers for each polling 
place 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.''.
    (b) Standards.--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 
polling place 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.
    ``(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 unforseen circumstances such 
as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or a change in voter 
turnout.''.

SEC. 7. ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION.

    (a) Requirement.--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.''.
    (b) Election Day Registration Form.--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.''.

SEC. 8. INTEGRITY OF VOTER REGISTRATION LIST.

    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.''.

SEC. 9. EARLY VOTING.

    (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. 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) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2007.''.
    (b) Standards for Early Voting.--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 unforseen circumstances such as a 
natural disaster, terrorist attack, or a change in voter turnout.''.

SEC. 10. 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 Enhancement and 
        Technology Accuracy 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. 11. 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. 12. 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 subparagraph:
                    ``(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.''.
    (b) Internet Registration.--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, 2009.''.
    (c) Standards for Internet Registration.--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.''.

SEC. 13. 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.--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.''.

SEC. 14. IMPARTIAL ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS.

    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) party challengers;
                    ``(B) voting rights and civil rights organizations; 
                and
                    ``(C) 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.
    ``(c) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2007.''.

SEC. 15. STRENGTHENING THE ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION.

    (a) Budget Requests.--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 the Committee on House Administration of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the 
Senate.''.
    (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.--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.''.
    (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. 16. 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. 17. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided by section 10 and subsection 
(b), the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on January 1, 
2007.
    (b) Exceptions.--The amendments made by section 4, section 11, 
section 12(b), and subsections (a) and (b) of section 15 shall take 
effect on January 1, 2009.
                                 <all>