II 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3308 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 22, 2008 Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Reid, Mr. Obama, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Leahy, Mrs. Clinton, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration A BILL To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be designated as voter registration agencies, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veteran Voting Support Act.

2.

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.

3.

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).

4.

Assistance with absentee ballots

In addition to the duties required 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 designated as a voter registration agency under section 3 shall— (1)provide information relating to the opportunity to request an absentee ballot; (2)make available absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots upon request, as well as assistance in completing such applications and ballots; and (3)work with local election officials to ensure the proper delivery of absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots.

5.

Information provided by nonpartisan organizations

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall permit a meaningful opportunity for nonpartisan organizations to provide voter registration information and assistance at facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

6.

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.

7.

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.