Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Veteran Voting Support Act

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)Veterans serving in foreign wars have performed a great service to, and risked the greatest sacrifice in the name of, our country, and should be supported by the people and the Government of the United States. (2)Veterans are especially qualified to understand issues of war, foreign policy, and government support for veterans, and they should have the opportunity to voice that understanding through voting. (3)The Department of Veterans Affairs should assist veterans in meeting their medical, social, and civic needs, including the full participation of veterans in our democracy. (4)The Department of Veterans Affairs should make every effort to assist veterans to register to vote and to vote.

Use of Department of Veterans Affairs facilities as voter registration agencies

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall permit a State to designate facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs located in such State as voter registration agencies under section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg–5) solely for the purposes of providing voter registration services under such section to individuals receiving services or assistance from the facility (or applying to receive services or assistance from the facility).

Assistance with absentee ballots

In addition to the services required to be provided under section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg–5), any facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs which is designated as a voter registration agency under section 3 shall, with respect to the individuals for whom the facility is required to provide such services— (1)provide information relating to the opportunity to request an absentee ballot; (2)make available absentee ballot applications and, upon request, assistance in completing such applications and absentee ballots, except that nothing in this paragraph may be construed to waive any requirement under State or local law regarding an individual’s eligibility to receive an absentee ballot or vote by absentee ballot in any election; and (3)work with local election officials to ensure the proper delivery of absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots.

Information provided by nonpartisan organizations

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall permit a meaningful opportunity, including reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, for nonpartisan organizations to provide voter registration information and assistance at facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Assistance provided by election officials at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities

(a)

Distribution of information

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall not prohibit any election administration official, whether State or local, party-affiliated or non-party affiliated, or elected or appointed, from providing voting information to veterans at any facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2)

Voting information

In this subsection, the term voting information means nonpartisan information intended for the public about voting, including information about voter registration, voting systems, absentee balloting, polling locations, and other important resources for voters. (b)

Voter registration services

The Secretary shall provide reasonable access to facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to State and local election officials for the purpose of providing nonpartisan voter registration services to individuals. (c)

Coordination to Minimize Disruption of Regular Activities

Any election official providing nonpartisan voting information or nonpartisan voter registration services under this section at a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall coordinate the provision of the information or services with the Secretary to ensure that the information or services are provided in a manner which minimizes the disruption of the regular activities of the facility.

Annual report on compliance

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress an annual report on how the Secretary has complied with the requirements of this Act.