[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3529 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3529

  To require States to establish contingency plans for the conduct of 
  elections for Federal office in response to national disasters and 
                  emergencies, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 18, 2020

  Ms. Klobuchar (for herself, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. 
Coons, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Markey, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Booker, Ms. Smith, 
  Ms. Harris, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Peters, Mr. Durbin, Mr. 
  Merkley, Mr. Murphy, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Warner, Mrs. 
  Murray, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Udall, Ms. Warren, Ms. Duckworth, and Ms. 
   Cantwell) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
         referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To require States to establish contingency plans for the conduct of 
  elections for Federal office in response to national disasters and 
                  emergencies, 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.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Natural Disaster and Emergency 
Ballot Act of 2020''.

SEC. 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL ELECTION CONTINGENCY PLANS IN RESPONSE 
              TO NATURAL DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, each State and jurisdiction shall 
        establish and make publicly available a contingency plan to 
        enable qualified individuals (as defined in section 322(b) of 
        the Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added by section 5(a)), 
        to vote in elections for Federal office during a state of 
        emergency, public health emergency, or national emergency which 
        has been declared for reasons including, but not limited to--
                    (A) a natural disaster; or
                    (B) an infectious disease.
            (2) Updating.--Each State and jurisdiction shall update the 
        contingency plan established under this subsection not less 
        frequently than every 5 years.
    (b) Requirements Relating to Safety.--The contingency plan 
established under subsection (a) shall include initiatives to provide 
equipment and resources needed to protect the health and safety of poll 
workers and voters when voting in person.
    (c) Requirements Relating to Recruitment of Poll Workers.--The 
contingency plan established under subsection (a) shall include 
initiatives by the chief State election official and local election 
officials to recruit poll workers for the November, 2020, general 
election and subsequent elections from resilient or unaffected 
populations, which may include--
            (1) other State and local government offices; and
            (2) high schools and colleges in the State for the 
        November, 2020, general election and in subsequent elections 
        for Federal office in the case where an infectious disease 
        poses significant increased health risks to elderly individuals 
        and affects an election for Federal office.
    (d) Plan for Voters To Be Able To Request Absentee Ballots Online 
and Vote by Mail.--The contingency plan established under subsection 
(a) shall permit all individuals who are registered to vote to--
            (1) submit an online request for an absentee ballot, which 
        requirement is satisfied if the local, county, or State 
        election official's website allows an absentee ballot request 
        application to be completed and submitted online and--
                    (A) an absentee ballot request application to be 
                printed for the voter to complete and mail; or
                    (B) a voter to submit an online request for a hard 
                copy absentee ballot request application to be mailed 
                or emailed to the voter to complete and mail;
            (2) return completed absentee ballot requests to designated 
        drop off boxes;
            (3) cast a vote in elections for Federal office by mail; 
        and
            (4) return completed absentee ballots by dropping them off 
        at designated locations before the close of polls on the date 
        of the election.
    (e) State.--For purposes of this section, the term ``State'' 
includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    (f) Enforcement.--
            (1) Attorney general.--The Attorney General may bring a 
        civil action against any State or jurisdiction in an 
        appropriate United States District Court for such declaratory 
        and injunctive relief (including a temporary restraining order, 
        a permanent or temporary injunction, or other order) as may be 
        necessary to carry out the requirements of this section.
            (2) Private right of action.--
                    (A) In general.--In the case of a violation of this 
                section, any person who is aggrieved by such violation 
                may provide written notice of the violation to the 
                chief election official of the State involved.
                    (B) Relief.--If the violation is not corrected 
                within 20 days after receipt of a notice under 
                subparagraph (A), or within 5 days after receipt of the 
                notice if the violation occurred within 120 days before 
                the date of an election for Federal office, the 
                aggrieved person may, in a civil action, obtain 
                declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the 
                violation.
                    (C) Special rule.--If the violation occurred within 
                5 days before the date of an election for Federal 
                office, the aggrieved person need not provide notice to 
                the chief election official of the State involved under 
                subparagraph (A) before bringing a civil action under 
                subparagraph (B).

SEC. 3. REQUIREMENT TO ALLOW FOR EARLY VOTING AND NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE 
              VOTING.

    (a) Requirements.--Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(52 U.S.C. 21081) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subtitle:

                 ``Subtitle C--Additional Requirements

``SEC. 321. AVAILABILITY OF EARLY VOTING AND VOTING BY MAIL.

    ``(a) In General.--Each State and jurisdiction shall, with respect 
to the 2020 general election occurring on November 3, 2020, and each 
subsequent election for Federal office--
            ``(1) allow individuals to vote in such election prior to 
        the date of the election through--
                    ``(A) early voting which meets the requirements of 
                subsection (b); and
                    ``(B) voting by mail which meets the requirements 
                of subsection (c);
            ``(2) publicize the details of any voting allowed under 
        paragraph (1);
            ``(3) comply with the absentee voting requirements of 
        subsection (d); and
            ``(4) comply with the vote counting requirements of 
        subsection (e).
    ``(b) Early Voting.--Early voting meets the requirements of this 
subsection--
            ``(1) if such voting occurs--
                    ``(A) for a 20-day period preceding the date of the 
                election so that such days constitute consecutive 
                weekdays and include at least one weekend, which period 
                may end on a date chosen by the chief election official 
                of the State that is between the date of the election 
                and 4 days preceding such date; and
                    ``(B) for no less than 8 hours on each of the 20 
                days such early voting occurs; and
            ``(2) each early voting location in the State offers a 
        ballot drop-off box for voters to submit their voted and sealed 
        absentee ballots.
    ``(c) Voting by Mail.--Voting by mail meets the requirements of 
this subsection if--
            ``(1) the State does not require an excuse in order to 
        obtain and cast a ballot by mail for any election for Federal 
        office;
            ``(2) the State permits any eligible voter to submit an 
        online request for an absentee ballot to vote in an election 
        for Federal office, which requirement is satisfied if the 
        local, county, or State election official's website allows an 
        absentee ballot request application to be completed and 
        submitted online and if--
                    ``(A) an absentee ballot request application to be 
                printed for the voter to complete and mail; or
                    ``(B) a voter is able to submit an online request 
                via the internet to have a hard-copy absentee ballot 
                request application mailed or e-mailed to them to 
                complete and mail;
            ``(3) the State sends an absentee ballot to vote in an 
        election for Federal office in the State by mail to any 
        eligible voter that submits a request for such a ballot and 
        that request is received by the appropriate election office on 
        or before the date that is 5 days, not including weekend days, 
        before the date of such election, except that nothing in this 
        paragraph shall preclude a State or local jurisdiction from 
        allowing for the acceptance and processing of ballot requests 
        submitted or received after such required period;
            ``(4) the State permits any eligible voter to have the 
        option to request an absentee ballot for subsequent elections 
        on all absentee ballot requests;
            ``(5) the State does not require any form of identification 
        for an absentee ballot request;
            ``(6) the State does not include any requirements for 
        notarization or witness signature or other formal 
        authentication (other than voter attestation);
            ``(7) the State permits voters to submit an absentee ballot 
        by dropping it off at designated locations before the close of 
        polls on the date of the election, including at any polling 
        location on the date of the election before the close of polls;
            ``(8) the State--
                    ``(A) permits a voter to designate any person to 
                return a voted and sealed absentee ballot to the post 
                office, a ballot drop-off location, tribally designated 
                building, or election office and that such person 
                designated to return an absentee ballot shall not 
                receive any form of compensation based on the number of 
                ballots that the person has returned and no individual, 
                group, or organization shall provide compensation on 
                this basis; or
                    ``(B) does not put any limits on how many voted and 
                sealed absentee ballots any designated person can 
                return to the post office, a ballot drop off location, 
                tribally designated building, or election office; and
            ``(9) the State permits any eligible voter that submits a 
        request for an absentee ballot to vote in such election, but 
        does not receive their absentee ballot at least 2 days prior to 
        election day to download and mark at home an absentee ballot 
        provided by the State pursuant to section 103C of the Uniformed 
        Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act or section 322 of this 
        Act.
    ``(d) Deadline Requirements.--The requirements described in this 
subsection are that a State shall count a ballot submitted by an 
individual by mail with respect to an election for Federal office in 
the State--
            ``(1) if it is postmarked, signed, or otherwise indicated 
        by the United States Postal Service to have been mailed on or 
        before the close of polls on the date of the election; and
            ``(2) received by the appropriate State election official 
        on or before the date that is 10 days after the date of such 
        election.
    ``(e) Ballot Processing and Scanning Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--The requirement described in this 
        subsection is that the State begins processing and scanning 
        ballots cast during early voting or through vote by mail for 
        tabulation at least 14 days prior to election day.
            ``(2) Limitation.--Nothing in this subsection shall allow 
        for the tabulation of ballots before the close of polls on the 
        date of the election.
    ``(f) State.-- For purposes of this section, the term `State' 
includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Enforcement.--Section 401 of 
such Act (52 U.S.C. 21111) is amended by striking ``and 303'' and 
inserting ``303, and subtitle C of title III''.
    (c) Private Right of Action.--Title IV of the Help America Vote Act 
of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21111 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:

``SEC. 403. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION FOR VIOLATIONS OF NATURAL DISASTER 
              AND EMERGENCY BALLOT ACT OF 2020.

    ``(a) In General.--In the case of a violation of subtitle C of 
title III, section 402 shall not apply and any person who is aggrieved 
by such violation may provide written notice of the violation to the 
chief election official of the State involved.
    ``(b) Relief.--If the violation is not corrected within 20 days 
after receipt of a notice under subsection (a), or within 5 days after 
receipt of the notice if the violation occurred within 120 days before 
the date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person may, 
in a civil action, obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with respect 
to the violation.
    ``(c) Special Rule.--If the violation occurred within 5 days before 
the date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person need 
not provide notice to the chief election official of the State involved 
under subsection (a) before bringing a civil action under subsection 
(b).''.
    (d) Conforming Amendment Relating to Voluntary Guidance by Election 
Assistance Commission.--Section 311(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21101) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'';
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) in the case of the recommendations with respect to 
        subtitle C, 1 year after the date of enactment of the Natural 
        Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act of 2020.''.
    (e) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended--
            (1) by inserting after the item relating to section 312 the 
        following:

                 ``Subtitle C--Additional Requirements

``Sec. 321. Availability of early voting and voting by mail.'';
        and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 402 the 
        following:

``Sec. 403. Private right of action for violations of Natural Disaster 
                            and Emergency Ballot Act of 2020.''.

SEC. 4. USE OF DOWNLOADABLE AND PRINTABLE ABSENTEE BALLOTS PROVIDED BY 
              STATES UNDER UOCAVA FOR VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES AND 
              THOSE WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED A BALLOT TO VOTE IN 2020 
              GENERAL ELECTION AND SUBSEQUENT FEDERAL ELECTIONS UNTIL 
              DOMESTIC DOWNLOADABLE AND PRINTABLE BALLOT PRESCRIBED BY 
              EAC IS AVAILABLE.

    (a) In General.--The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee 
Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
section 103B the following new section:

``SEC. 103C. USE OF DOWNLOADABLE AND PRINTABLE ABSENTEE BALLOTS 
              PROVIDED UNDER UOCAVA FOR VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES AND 
              THOSE WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED A BALLOT TO VOTE IN 2020 
              GENERAL ELECTION AND SUBSEQUENT FEDERAL ELECTIONS UNTIL 
              DOMESTIC DOWNLOADABLE AND PRINTABLE BALLOT PRESCRIBED BY 
              EAC IS AVAILABLE.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) State responsibilities.--Each State shall, with 
        respect to the 2020 general election occurring on November 3, 
        2020, and subsequent elections for Federal office (until such 
        time as the Election Assistance Commission prescribes a 
        domestic downloadable and printable ballot for use in elections 
        for Federal office pursuant to section 297 of the Help America 
        Vote Act of 2002), permit qualified individuals to use the 
        downloadable and printable absentee ballots the State provides 
        to overseas and military voters as prescribed under section 103 
        to vote in such election.
            ``(2) Requirements.--Such downloadable and printable 
        absentee ballots--
                    ``(A) must comply with the language requirements 
                under section 203 of the National Voter Registration 
                Act; and
                    ``(B) must comply with the disability requirements 
                under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 
                U.S.C. 794d).
            ``(3) Application of requirements.--The provisions of 
        section 103 shall apply with respect to the use of Federal 
        write-in absentee ballots by qualified individuals pursuant to 
        this section in the same manner as such provisions apply with 
        respect to the use of such ballots by absent uniformed services 
        voters and overseas voters pursuant to section 103.
            ``(4) Clarification regarding free postage.--Federal write-
        in absentee ballots of qualified individuals pursuant to this 
        section shall be considered balloting materials as defined in 
        section 107 for purposes of section 3406 of title 39, United 
        States Code.
            ``(5) Prohibiting refusal to accept ballot for failure to 
        meet certain requirements.--A State shall not refuse to accept 
        and process any otherwise valid Federal write-in absentee 
        ballot submitted in any manner by a qualified individual solely 
        on the basis of the following:
                    ``(A) Notarization or witness signature 
                requirements.
                    ``(B) Restrictions on paper type, including weight 
                and size.
                    ``(C) Restrictions on envelope type, including 
                weight and size.
    ``(b) Qualified Individual.--For purposes of this section:
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        term `qualified individual' means any individual who is 
        otherwise qualified to vote in an election for Federal office 
        and who--
                    ``(A)(i) has requested an absentee ballot from the 
                State or jurisdiction where such individual is 
                registered to vote; and
                    ``(ii) has not received such absentee ballot at 
                least 2 days before the date of the election;
                    ``(B) expects to be absent from such individual's 
                jurisdiction on the day of the election for Federal 
                office due to professional or volunteer service in 
                response to a natural disaster or emergency as so 
                declared;
                    ``(C) is hospitalized or expects to be hospitalized 
                on the day of the election for Federal office; or
                    ``(D) is an individual with a disability (as 
                defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities 
                Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102)) and resides in a State 
                which does not offer voters the ability to use secure 
                and accessible remote ballot marking.
        For purposes of subparagraph (D), a State shall permit an 
        individual to self-certify that the individual is an individual 
        with a disability.
            ``(2) Coordination with federal write-in ballot for absent 
        uniformed services and overseas voters.--The term `qualified 
        individual' shall not include an individual who--
                    ``(A) is an absent uniformed services voter or an 
                overseas voter; and
                    ``(B) is entitled to vote using the Federal write-
                in absentee ballot prescribed under section 103.
    ``(c) State.--For purposes of this section, the term `State' 
includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 102(a) of the Uniformed and 
Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302(a)) is amended 
by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (10), by striking the 
period at the end of paragraph (11) and inserting ``; and'', and by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(12) meet the requirements of section 103C with respect 
        to use of downloadable and printable absentee ballots for 
        qualified individuals to vote in the 2020 general election.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended by inserting the following after section 103:

``Sec. 103A. Procedures for collection and delivery of marked absentee 
                            ballots of absent overseas uniformed 
                            services voters.
``Sec. 103B. Federal voting assistance program improvements.
``Sec. 103C. Use of downloadable and printable absentee ballots 
                            provided under UOCAVA for voters with 
                            disabilities and those who have not 
                            received a ballot to vote in 2020 general 
                            election and subsequent Federal elections 
                            until domestic downloadable and printable 
                            ballot prescribed by EAC is available.''.

SEC. 5. DOWNLOADABLE AND PRINTABLE ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR DOMESTIC USE BY 
              VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES AND IN EMERGENCIES STARTING IN 
              2022.

    (a) State Requirement.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle C of title III of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002, as added by section 3, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 322. USE OF DOMESTIC DOWNLOADABLE AND PRINTABLE ABSENTEE BALLOT.

    ``(a) State Requirement.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each State shall permit qualified 
        individuals to use a downloadable and printable absentee ballot 
        prescribed by the Election Assistance Commission under section 
        297 to cast a vote in any election for Federal office.
            ``(2) Requirements.--Such downloadable and printable 
        absentee ballots--
                    ``(A) must comply with the language requirements 
                under section 203 of the National Voter Registration 
                Act; and
                    ``(B) must comply with the disability requirements 
                under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 
                U.S.C. 794d).
    ``(b) Qualified Individual.--For purposes of this section:
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        term `qualified individual' means any individual who is 
        otherwise qualified to vote in an election for Federal office 
        and who--
                    ``(A)(i) has requested an absentee ballot from the 
                State or jurisdiction where such individual is 
                registered to vote; and
                    ``(ii) has not received such absentee ballot at 
                least 2 days before the date of the election;
                    ``(B)(i) resides in an area of a State with respect 
                to which an emergency or public health emergency has 
                been declared by the Governor or chief government 
                official of the State or chief government official of 
                an area, 5 days or less before election day under the 
                laws of the State due to reasons including, but not 
                limited to--
                            ``(I) a natural disaster, including severe 
                        weather; or
                            ``(II) an infectious disease; and
                    ``(ii) has not requested an absentee ballot;
                    ``(C) expects to be absent from such individual's 
                jurisdiction on the day of the election for Federal 
                office due to professional or volunteer service in 
                response to a natural disaster or emergency as so 
                declared;
                    ``(D) is hospitalized or expects to be hospitalized 
                on the day of the election for Federal office; or
                    ``(E) is an individual with a disability (as 
                defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities 
                Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102)) and resides in a State 
                which does not offer voters the ability to use secure 
                and accessible remote ballot marking.
        For purposes of subparagraph (E), a State shall permit an 
        individual to self-certify that the individual is an individual 
        with a disability.
            ``(2) Coordination with federal write-in ballot for absent 
        uniformed services and overseas voters.--The term `qualified 
        individual' shall not include an individual who--
                    ``(A) is an absent uniformed services voter (as 
                defined in section 107(1) of the Uniformed and Overseas 
                Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20310(1))) or 
                an overseas voter (as defined in section 107(5) of such 
                Act (52 U.S.C. 20310(5))); and
                    ``(B) who is entitled to vote using the Federal 
                write-in absentee ballot developed under section 103 of 
                such Act (52 U.S.C. 20303).
    ``(c) Submission and Processing.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
        section, a domestic downloadable and printable absentee ballot 
        to which this section applies 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 to which this section applies shall be 
        counted--
                    ``(A) if it is postmarked, signed, or otherwise 
                indicated by the United States Postal Service to have 
                been mailed on or before the close of polls on the date 
                of the election; and
                    ``(B) received by the appropriate State election 
                official on or before the date that is 10 days after 
                the date of such election.
    ``(d) Special Rules.--The following rules shall apply with respect 
to domestic printable and downloadable absentee ballots to which this 
section applies:
            ``(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.
    ``(e) Prohibiting Refusal To Accept Ballot for Failure To Meet 
Certain Requirements.--A State shall not refuse to accept and process 
any otherwise valid Federal write-in absentee ballot submitted in any 
manner by a qualified individual solely on the basis of the following:
            ``(1) Notarization and witness signature requirements.
            ``(2) Restrictions on paper type, including weight and 
        size.
            ``(3) Restrictions on envelope type, including weight and 
        size.
    ``(f) State.--For purposes of this section, the term `State' 
includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    ``(g) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2022.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for such Act 
        is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 321, 
        as added by section 3, the following:

``Sec. 322. Use of domestic downloadable and printable absentee 
                            ballot.''.
    (b) Form of Domestic Printable and Downloadable Absentee Ballot.--
            (1) In general.--Title II of the Help America Vote Act of 
        2002 (52 U.S.C. 20921) is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new subtitle:

 ``PART 7--DOWNLOADABLE AND PRINTABLE ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR DOMESTIC USE

``SEC. 297. DOWNLOADABLE AND PRINTABLE ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR DOMESTIC 
              USE.

    ``(a) Form of Ballot.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall prescribe a 
        domestic downloadable and printable ballot (including a secrecy 
        envelope and mailing envelope for such ballot) for use in 
        elections for Federal office by qualified individuals (as 
        defined in section 322(b)).
            ``(2) Affirmation.--The ballot prescribed under paragraph 
        (1) shall contain an affirmation, signed by the person 
        submitting the ballot, that--
                    ``(A) such individual is a qualified individual (as 
                defined in section 322(b));
                    ``(B) such individual has not and will not cast 
                another ballot with respect to the election for which 
                the domestic downloadable and printable absentee ballot 
                is cast; and
                    ``(C) acknowledging that a material misstatement of 
                fact in completing the ballot may constitute grounds 
                for conviction of perjury.
    ``(b) Availability.--The Commission shall make the domestic 
downloadable and printable absentee ballot available on the internet in 
a printable format.
    ``(c) Requirements.--The domestic downloadable and printable 
absentee ballot shall be compliant with section 508 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) and shall not transmit the 
information completed by a voter over the internet.''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Section 202 of the Help America Vote Act of 
                2002 (52 U.S.C. 20922) 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 part 7 relating 
        to downloadable and printable absentee ballot for domestic 
        use;''.
                    (B) The table of contents for such Act is amended 
                by inserting after the item related to section 296 the 
                following:

 ``Part 7--Downloadable and Printable Absentee Ballot for Domestic Use

``Sec. 297. Downloadable and printable absentee ballot for domestic 
                            use.''.

SEC. 6. REQUIREMENT FOR PREPAID RETURN ENVELOPES FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS; 
              USE OF INTELLIGENT MAIL BARCODE.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle C of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002, as added by section 3 and amended by section 5, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 323. USE OF PREPAID SELF-SEALING RETURN ENVELOPES.

    ``(a) In General.--Each State and local jurisdiction shall provide 
with any voter registration application, absentee ballot application, 
or blank absentee ballot sent by mail a self-sealing return envelope, 
where possible, with prepaid postage or subject to an arrangement 
whereby the State will reimburse the United States Postal Service for 
the postage of any such return envelope that is sent by mail.
    ``(b) Use of Intelligent Mail Barcode for the 2020 General Election 
and Until Balloting Materials Status Update Service Implemented.--For 
the 2020 general election and subsequent elections for Federal office 
(until such time as a State implements a balloting materials status 
update service which meets the requirements described in section 
7(a)(2) of the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act of 2020), 
unless a State or jurisdiction has developed a system that enables 
voters to track their absentee ballot through the mail, each State and 
jurisdiction shall provide with each absentee ballot sent by mail a 
self-sealing return envelope pursuant to subsection (a) that contains 
an Intelligent Mail barcode as prescribed by the United States Postal 
Service.
    ``(c) State.--For purposes of this section, the term `State' 
includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    ``(d) Effective Date.--The requirements of this section shall apply 
to materials sent by States and local jurisdictions after the date that 
is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 322, as added 
by section 5, the following new item:

``Sec. 323. Use of prepaid self-sealing return envelopes.''.

SEC. 7. DEVELOPMENT OF A SECURE FEDERAL PORTAL TO ALLOW ELECTION 
              OFFICIALS TO PROVIDE VOTERS WITH UPDATES ON THEIR 
              BALLOTS.

    (a) Balloting Materials Status Update Service.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2024, the 
        Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security 
        Agency, in consultation with the Chair of the Election 
        Assistance Commission, the Postmaster General, the Director of 
        the General Services Administration, the Presidential designee, 
        and State election officials, shall establish a balloting 
        materials status update service to be used by States and local 
        jurisdictions to inform voters on the status of voter 
        registration applications, absentee ballot applications, and 
        absentee ballots.
            (2) Information tracked.--The balloting materials status 
        update service established under paragraph (1) shall provide to 
        a voter the following information with respect to that voter:
                    (A) In the case of balloting materials sent by 
                mail, tracking information from the United States Post 
                Office and the Presidential designee on balloting 
                materials sent to the voter and, to the extent 
                feasible, returned by the voter.
                    (B) The date on which any request by the voter for 
                an application for voter registration or an absentee 
                ballot was received.
                    (C) The date on which any such requested 
                application was sent to the voter.
                    (D) The date on which any such completed 
                application was received from the voter and the status 
                of such application.
                    (E) The date on which any absentee ballot was sent 
                to the voter.
                    (F) The date on which any absentee ballot was 
                received by the voter.
                    (G) The date on which the post office processes the 
                absentee ballot.
                    (H) The date on which post office delivered the 
                absentee ballot to the election office.
                    (I) Whether such ballot was accepted and counted, 
                and in the case of any ballot not counted, the reason 
                why the ballot was not counted.
            (3) Method of providing information.--The balloting 
        materials status update service established under paragraph (1) 
        shall allow voters the option to receive the information 
        described in paragraph (2) through email (or other electronic 
        means) or through the mail.
            (4) Prohibition on fees.--The Director may not charge any 
        fee to a State or jurisdiction for use of the balloting 
        materials status update service in connection with any Federal, 
        State, or local election.
            (5) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated to the Director such sums as are necessary 
        for purposes of carrying out this subsection.
    (b) Required Use for Absent Uniformed Service Voters and Overseas 
Voters.--
            (1) In general.--Section 102(a) of the Uniformed and 
        Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302(a)), as 
        amended by section 4(b), is amended by striking ``and'' at the 
        end of paragraph (11), by striking the period at the end of 
        paragraph (12) and inserting ``; and'', and by adding at the 
        end the following new paragraph:
            ``(13) use the balloting materials status update service 
        developed under section 7(a) of the Natural Disaster and 
        Emergency Ballot Act of 2020 to inform absent uniformed 
        services voters and overseas voters on the status of voter 
        registration applications, absentee ballot applications, and 
        absentee ballots used in elections for Federal office.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 102 of such Act (52 
        U.S.C. 20302) is amended by striking subsection (h).
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply to elections for Federal office occurring after the 
        date that is 1 year after the date on which the Director of the 
        Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency certifies that 
        the service described in subsection (a) is operational.
    (c) Required Use Under Help America Vote Act.--
            (1) In general.--Section 321(a) of the Help American Vote 
        Act of 2002, as added by section 3, is amended by striking 
        ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3), by striking the period at 
        the end of paragraph (4) and inserting ``; and'', and by adding 
        at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) use the balloting materials status update service 
        developed under section 7(a) of the Natural Disaster and 
        Emergency Ballot Act of 2020 to provide eligible voters and 
        qualified individuals (as defined in section 322(b) of this 
        Act) information regarding the status of voter registration 
        applications, absentee ballot applications, and absentee 
        ballots used in elections for Federal office, except that any 
        State or jurisdiction which has developed a balloting materials 
        status update system which meets the requirements of paragraph 
        (2) of such section 7(a) (relating to information tracked) may 
        continue to use such system.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply to elections for Federal office occurring after the 
        date that is 1 year after the date on which the Director of the 
        Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency certifies that 
        the service described in subsection (a) is operational.
    (d) Availability to Department of Defense.--The Cybersecurity and 
Infrastructure Security Agency may make the balloting materials status 
update service available to the Department of Defense to administer and 
implement to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters 
pursuant to the Uniformed Overseas and Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 
U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
    (e) Reimbursements to States.--
            (1) For use with respect to balloting materials of absent 
        uniformed service voters and overseas voters.--
                    (A) In general.--The Uniformed and Overseas 
                Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.) 
                is amended by inserting after section 103C, as added by 
                section 4(a), the following new section:

``SEC. 103D. REIMBURSEMENTS FOR USE OF BALLOTING MATERIALS STATUS 
              UPDATE SERVICE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Presidential designee shall make payments to 
each State and local jurisdiction equal to the costs to the State or 
local jurisdiction of using the balloting materials status update 
service under section 7(a) of the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot 
Act of 2020 with respect to balloting materials of absent uniformed 
services and overseas voters.
    ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Presidential designee such sums as are necessary 
for carrying out this section, to remain available without fiscal year 
limitation.''.
                    (B) Conforming amendment.--Section 101(b) of the 
                Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 
                U.S.C. 20301(b)) is amended by striking ``and'' at the 
                end of paragraph (10), by striking the period at the 
                end of paragraph (11) and inserting ``; and'', and by 
                adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(12) make payments to States in accordance with section 
        103D.''.
                    (C) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents of 
                such Act is amended by inserting after the item 
                relating to section 103, as added by section 4(c), the 
                following new item:

``Sec. 103D. Reimbursements for use of balloting materials status 
                            update service.''.
            (2) For use with respect to balloting materials of domestic 
        voters.--
                    (A) In general.--Subtitle D of title II of the Help 
                America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21001 et seq.), as 
                amended by section 5(b), is amended by adding at the 
                end the following:

 ``PART 8--REIMBURSEMENTS FOR USE OF BALLOTING MATERIALS STATUS UPDATE 
                                SERVICE

``SEC. 298. REIMBURSEMENTS FOR USE OF BALLOTING MATERIALS STATUS UPDATE 
              SERVICE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Commission shall make payments to each State 
and local jurisdiction equal to the costs to the State or local 
jurisdiction of using the ballot material update service under section 
7(a) of the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act of 2020 with 
respect to balloting materials of voters (other than balloting 
materials of absent uniformed services and overseas voters for which 
the State is eligible for payment under section 103D of the Uniformed 
and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) for which States or 
jurisdictions elect to use such tracking service.
    ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Commission such sums as are necessary for carrying 
out this section, to remain available without fiscal year 
limitation.''.
                    (B) Conforming amendments.--
                            (i) Section 202 of the Help America Vote 
                        Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20922), as amended by 
                        section 5(b), is amended by redesignating 
                        paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs (7) and 
                        (8), respectively, and by inserting after 
                        paragraph (5) the following new paragraph:
            ``(6) carrying out the duties described in part 8 (relating 
        to balloting materials status update reimbursements);''.
                            (ii) The table of contents for such Act is 
                        amended by inserting after the item related to 
                        section 297 the following:

 ``Part 8--Reimbursements for Use of Balloting Materials Status Update 
                                Service

``Sec. 298. Reimbursements for use of balloting materials status update 
                            service.''.

SEC. 8. NOTICE AND CURE PROCESS REQUIRED FOR MISMATCHED SIGNATURES ON 
              MAIL-IN AND PROVISIONAL BALLOTS.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle C of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002, as added by section 3 and amended by sections 5 and 6, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 324. SIGNATURE MISMATCH ON BALLOT SUBMITTED BY MAIL OR 
              PROVISIONAL BALLOT.

    ``(a) Covered State Defined.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), in this 
        section, the term `covered State' means a State in which, under 
        State law, a ballot submitted by mail or a provisional ballot 
        is not counted as a vote in an election for Federal office 
        unless the State verifies the signature of the individual who 
        submitted such ballot by comparing the signature on the 
        envelope containing such ballot or a document accompanying such 
        ballot and the signature of such individual on the official 
        list of registered voters in the State or other official 
        record, or other document.
            ``(2) Exception for certain states.--Such term shall not 
        include a State which conducted a Federal election entirely 
        through vote by mail prior to 2020.
    ``(b) Notice Required.--
            ``(1) In general.--If an individual submits a ballot by 
        mail or a provisional ballot in an election for Federal office 
        in a covered State, and the appropriate State or local election 
        official determines that a discrepancy exists between the 
        signature on the envelope containing such ballot or a document 
        accompanying such ballot used to verify the signature and the 
        signature of such individual on the official list of registered 
        voters in the State or other official record, or other document 
        used by the State to verify the signatures of voters, such 
        election official, prior to making a final determination as to 
        the validity of such ballot, shall make a good faith effort to 
        immediately notify such individual that--
                    ``(A) a discrepancy exists between the signature on 
                the envelope containing such ballot or a document 
                accompanying such ballot used to verify the signature 
                and the signature of such individual on the official 
                list of registered voters in the State or other 
                official record, or other document used by the State to 
                verify the signatures of voters;
                    ``(B) such individual may provide information to 
                cure such discrepancy in accordance with the procedures 
                established pursuant to subsection (c)(1)(A); and
                    ``(C) if such discrepancy is not cured, such ballot 
                will not be counted.
            ``(2) Form of notice.--An election official shall provide 
        the notice required by paragraph (1) by at least two of the 
        following methods:
                    ``(A) Regular mail.
                    ``(B) Phone.
                    ``(C) Electronic mail.
                    ``(D) Text message.
            ``(3) No effect on other notice requirements related to 
        provisional ballots.--In the case of an individual who submits 
        a provisional ballot, the requirements of this subsection shall 
        be in addition to the requirements applicable to such an 
        individual under section 302(a).
    ``(c) Opportunity To Cure.--
            ``(1) Establishment of procedures.--A covered State shall 
        establish uniform and non-discriminatory procedures--
                    ``(A) to allow an individual to whom notice is 
                provided under subsection (b)--
                            ``(i) to provide confirmation or 
                        information to cure the discrepancy described 
                        in subsection (b)(1) through the same form in 
                        which the notice is provided pursuant to 
                        subsection (b)(1) by a date that is not less 
                        than 10 calendar days following the date on 
                        which the notice required under subsection (b) 
                        is given; and
                            ``(ii) if such confirmation or information 
                        is rejected, to appeal the rejection;
                    ``(B) that require that voters whose ballots are 
                returned without signatures be notified and given an 
                opportunity to provide a missing signature on a form 
                proscribed by the State; and
                    ``(C) prior to the date of final certification of 
                ballots in the election by such State, to provide such 
                individual a final determination as to the validity of 
                the ballot and whether the individual's ballot was 
                counted in the election.
            ``(2) Deadline.-- A voter has until the day before 
        certification of election results to provide confirmation that 
        the signature in question is their genuine signature. This 
        confirmation can be provided orally, in writing, or 
        electronically, including through any of the forms described in 
        subsection (b)(2). No separate oath or affirmation is required.
            ``(3) Counting of vote.--A final determination with respect 
        to the validity of a ballot in the case of a signature mismatch 
        under this section shall be made by three election officials, 
        at least one of whom is of an opposing party and, unless such 
        election officials determine, taking into account any 
        conformation or information provided under the procedures 
        established pursuant to paragraph (1)(A), through a unanimous 
        vote and beyond a reasonable doubt that the ballot is not 
        valid, such ballot shall be counted as a vote in that election.
    ``(d) Report.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the end of 
        a Federal election cycle, each chief State election official in 
        a covered State shall submit to Congress a report containing 
        the following information for the applicable Federal election 
        cycle in the State:
                    ``(A) The number of ballots invalidated due to a 
                discrepancy under this section.
                    ``(B) Description of attempts to contact voters to 
                provide notice as required by this section.
                    ``(C) Description of the cure process developed by 
                such State pursuant to this section, including the 
                number of ballots determined valid as a result of such 
                process.
            ``(2) Federal election cycle defined.--For purposes of this 
        subsection, the term `Federal For election cycle' means the 
        period beginning on January 1 of any odd numbered year and 
        ending on December 31 of the following year.
    ``(e) Research and Development.--The Director of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology shall expand the research and 
develop best practices or guidelines for the acceptance, verification, 
and curing of signatures for mail-in ballots.
    ``(f) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the 
general election for Federal office held in 2020 and any subsequent 
election for Federal office.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 323, as added 
by section 6, the following new item:

``Sec. 324. Signature mismatch on ballot submitted by mail or 
                            provisional ballot.''.

SEC. 9. REQUIREMENT FOR ACCEPTANCE OF VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle C of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002, as added by section 3 and amended by sections 5, 6, and 8, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 325. ACCEPTANCE OF VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS.

    ``(a) Requirements for Voter Registration Applications.--Each State 
and local jurisdiction shall--
            ``(1) accept and process voter registration applications 
        submitted in person, by mail, or online at least 21 days prior 
        to the date of an election for Federal office, except nothing 
        this paragraph shall preclude a State or local jurisdiction 
        from allowing for the acceptance and processing of voter 
        registration applications submitted or received after such 
        required period; and
            ``(2) ensure that any voter registration applications 
        provided by the State permit the voter, at the time of 
        submitted the application, to register to vote by mail in 
        accordance with the requirements under section 321(c).
    ``(b) Exception.--This section shall not apply with respect to any 
State or local jurisdiction that allows--
            ``(1) voter registration during early voting; or
            ``(2) same day voter registration.
    ``(c) Effective Date.--This section shall apply beginning on the 
date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of the Natural 
Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act of 2020.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 324, as added 
by section 8, the following new item:

``Sec. 325. Acceptance of voter registration applications.''.

SEC. 10. ACCOMMODATIONS FOR VOTERS RESIDING IN INDIAN LANDS.

    (a) Accommodations.--
            (1) In general.--The following requirements shall apply 
        with respect to the general election for Federal office held in 
        2020 and any subsequent election for Federal office:
                    (A) Given the widespread lack of residential mail 
                delivery in Indian Country, an Indian Tribe may 
                designate buildings as ballot pickup and collection 
                locations at no cost to the Indian Tribe. An Indian 
                Tribe may designate one building per precinct located 
                within Indian lands. The applicable State or political 
                subdivision shall collect ballots from those locations. 
                The applicable State or political subdivision shall 
                provide the Indian Tribe with accurate precinct maps 
                for all precincts located within Indian lands 60 days 
                before any election.
                    (B) The State or political subdivision shall 
                provide mail-in and absentee ballots to each registered 
                voter residing on Indian lands in the State or 
                political subdivision without requiring a residential 
                address or a mail-in or absentee ballot request.
                    (C) The address of a designated building that is a 
                ballot pickup and collection location may serve as the 
                residential address and mailing address for voters 
                living on Indian lands if the tribally designated 
                building is in the same precinct as that voter. If 
                there is no tribally designated building within a 
                voter's precinct, the voter may use another tribally 
                designated building within the Indian lands where the 
                voter is located. Voters using a tribally designated 
                building outside of the voter's precinct may use the 
                tribally designated building as a mailing address and 
                may separately designate the voter's appropriate 
                precinct through a description of the voter's address, 
                as specified in section 9428.4(a)(2) of title 11, Code 
                of Federal Regulations.
                    (D) In the case of a State or political subdivision 
                that is a covered State or political subdivision under 
                section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 
                10503), that State or political subdivision shall 
                provide absentee or mail-in voting materials in the 
                language of the applicable minority group as well as in 
                the English language, bilingual election voting 
                assistance, and written translations of all voting 
                materials in the language of the applicable minority 
                group, as required by section 203 of the Voting Rights 
                Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10503) as amended by subsection 
                (b).
            (2) Clarification.--Nothing in this section alters the 
        ability of an individual voter residing on Indian lands to 
        request a ballot in a manner available to all other voters in 
        the State.
            (3) Definitions.--In this section:
                    (A) Indian.--The term ``Indian'' has the meaning 
                given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
                Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
                5304).
                    (B) Indian lands.--The term ``Indian lands'' 
                includes--
                            (i) any Indian country of an Indian Tribe, 
                        as defined under section 1151 of title 18, 
                        United States Code;
                            (ii) any land in Alaska owned, pursuant to 
                        the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 
                        U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), by an Indian Tribe that 
                        is a Native village (as defined in section 3 of 
                        that Act (43 U.S.C. 1602)) or by a Village 
                        Corporation that is associated with an Indian 
                        Tribe (as defined in section 3 of that Act (43 
                        U.S.C. 1602));
                            (iii) any land on which the seat of the 
                        Tribal Government is located; and
                            (iv) any land that is part or all of a 
                        Tribal designated statistical area associated 
                        with an Indian Tribe, or is part or all of an 
                        Alaska Native village statistical area 
                        associated with an Indian Tribe, as defined by 
                        the Census Bureau for the purposes of the most 
                        recent decennial census.
                    (C) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has 
                the meaning given the term ``Indian tribe'' in section 
                4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
                Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
                    (D) Tribal government.--The term ``Tribal 
                Government'' means the recognized governing body of an 
                Indian Tribe.
            (4) Enforcement.--
                    (A) Attorney general.--The Attorney General may 
                bring a civil action in an appropriate district court 
                for such declaratory or injunctive relief as is 
                necessary to carry out this subsection.
                    (B) Private right of action.--
                            (i) A person or Tribal Government who is 
                        aggrieved by a violation of this subsection may 
                        provide written notice of the violation to the 
                        chief election official of the State involved.
                            (ii) An aggrieved person or Tribal 
                        Government may bring a civil action in an 
                        appropriate district court for declaratory or 
                        injunctive relief with respect to a violation 
                        of this subsection, if--
                                    (I) that person or Tribal 
                                Government provides the notice 
                                described in clause (i); and
                                    (II)(aa) in the case of a violation 
                                that occurs more than 120 days before 
                                the date of an election for Federal 
                                office, the violation remains and 90 
                                days or more have passed since the date 
                                on which the chief election official of 
                                the State receives the notice under 
                                clause (i); or
                                    (bb) in the case of a violation 
                                that occurs 120 days or less before the 
                                date of an election for Federal office, 
                                the violation remains and 20 days or 
                                more have passed since the date on 
                                which the chief election official of 
                                the State receives the notice under 
                                clause (i).
                            (iii) In the case of a violation of this 
                        section that occurs 30 days or less before the 
                        date of an election for Federal office, an 
                        aggrieved person or Tribal Government may bring 
                        a civil action in an appropriate district court 
                        for declaratory or injunctive relief with 
                        respect to the violation without providing 
                        notice to the chief election official of the 
                        State under clause (i).
    (b) Bilingual Election Requirements.--Section 203 of the Voting 
Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10503) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(3)(C), by striking ``1990'' and 
        inserting ``2010''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Provision of Voting Materials in the Language of a Minority 
Group.--
            ``(1) In general.--Whenever any State or political 
        subdivision subject to the prohibition of subsection (b) of 
        this section provides any registration or voting notices, 
        forms, instructions, assistance, or other materials or 
        information relating to the electoral process, including 
        ballots, it shall provide them in the language of the 
        applicable minority group as well as in the English language.
            ``(2) Exceptions.--
                    ``(A) In general.--
                            ``(i) In the case of a minority group that 
                        is not American Indian or Alaska Native and the 
                        language of that minority group is oral or 
                        unwritten, the State or political subdivision 
                        shall only be required to furnish, in the 
                        covered language, oral instructions, 
                        assistance, translation of voting materials, or 
                        other information relating to registration and 
                        voting.
                            ``(ii) In the case of a minority group that 
                        is American Indian or Alaska Native, the State 
                        or political subdivision shall only be required 
                        to furnish in the covered language oral 
                        instructions, assistance, or other information 
                        relating to registration and voting, including 
                        all voting materials, if the Tribal Government 
                        of that minority group has certified that the 
                        language of the applicable American Indian or 
                        Alaska Native language is presently unwritten 
                        or the Tribal Government does not want written 
                        translations in the minority language.
            ``(3) Written translations for election workers.--
        Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the State or political division 
        may be required to provide written translations of voting 
        materials, with the consent of any applicable Indian Tribe, to 
        election workers to ensure that the translations from English 
        to the language of a minority group are complete, accurate, and 
        uniform.''.

SEC. 11. REIMBURSEMENTS TO STATES FOR COSTS OF COMPLYING WITH NATURAL 
              DISASTER AND EMERGENCY BALLOT ACT OF 2020 WITH RESPECT TO 
              2020 GENERAL ELECTION.

    (a) In General.--Title II of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
U.S.C. 21001 et seq.), as amended by section 7(e), is amended by adding 
at the end the following new part:

 ``PART 9--REIMBURSEMENT TO STATES FOR COSTS OF COMPLYING WITH NATURAL 
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY BALLOT ACT OF 2020 WITH RESPECT TO 2020 GENERAL 
                                ELECTION

``SEC. 299. REIMBURSEMENTS TO STATES FOR COSTS OF COMPLYING WITH 
              NATURAL DISASTER AND EMERGENCY BALLOT ACT OF 2020 WITH 
              RESPECT TO 2020 GENERAL ELECTION.

    ``(a) In General.--The Commission shall make payments to each State 
equal to the costs incurred by the State (and local jurisdictions 
within the State) in complying with the following requirements with 
respect to the 2020 general election occurring on November 3, 2020:
            ``(1) Costs of establishing contingency plans pursuant to 
        section 2 of the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act of 
        2020, including initiatives to recruit pollworkers pursuant to 
        subsection (b) of such section.
            ``(2) Costs of establishing a system for voters to submit 
        an online request for an absentee ballot pursuant to section 
        2(c) of such Act.
            ``(3) Costs of implementing requirements with respect to 
        availability of voting prior to election day pursuant to 
        section 321 of this Act.
            ``(4) Costs associated with purchasing additional and 
        upgrading high speed ballot printers, inserters, ballot 
        sorters, envelope extractors, and scanners to send and process 
        absentee ballots and costs associated with purchasing ballot 
        drop boxes.
            ``(5) Costs associated with the development or purchase, 
        implementation, and use of technology to allow election 
        officials to electronically verify a voter's signature on a 
        ballot envelope against a voter's signature on file without 
        physically handling the envelope, provided that the technology 
        is not connected to the internet.
            ``(6) Costs associated with the use of downloadable and 
        printable ballots by qualified individuals under section 103C 
        the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
            ``(7) Costs associated with developing or purchasing secure 
        accessible remote ballot marking systems for use by voters with 
        disabilities, provided that such systems do not cause the 
        voter's ballot selections to be transmitted over the internet 
        and do not allow for the electronic submission of a marked 
        ballot.
            ``(8) Costs associated with developing or purchasing and 
        implementing signature verification software.
            ``(9) Costs for providing return envelopes and the postage 
        associated with such envelopes pursuant to section 323 of this 
        Act.
    ``(b) Primary Elections.--
            ``(1) Payments to states.--In addition to any payments 
        under subsection (a), the Commission shall make payments to 
        each State equal to any costs that the State (and local 
        jurisdictions within the State) incurs in voluntarily electing 
        to comply with and implementing the provisions of, and 
        amendments made by, the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot 
        Act of 2020 with respect to the 2020 primary election in the 
        State.
            ``(2) State party-run primaries.--The Commission shall make 
        payments to State parties for costs incurred by such parties to 
        send absentee ballots and return envelopes with prepaid postage 
        to eligible voters participating in such primaries during 2020.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        for payments under this section any sums necessary to reimburse 
        States for costs described in subsections (a) and (b) with 
        respect to the 2020 general election occurring on November 3, 
        2020.
            ``(2) Availability of funds.--Amounts appropriated pursuant 
        to the authorization under this subsection shall remain 
        available without fiscal year limitation.
    ``(d) Insufficient Funds.--If the amount appropriated under 
subsection (b) is less than the aggregate costs incurred by all States 
for the activities described in subsections (a)(1) and (b) for any 
period, the amount of payment made under each such subsection to each 
State shall not exceed the amount which bears the same ratio to the 
aggregate amount of costs described in such subsection for such State 
for such period as--
            ``(1) the voting age population of the State (as reported 
        in the most recent decennial census); bears to
            ``(2) the total voting age population of all States (as 
        reported in the most recent decennial census).
    ``(e) Pass-Through of Funds to Local Jurisdictions.--
            ``(1) In general.--If a State receives a payment under this 
        section for costs that include costs incurred by a local 
        jurisdiction within the State, the State shall pass through to 
        such local jurisdiction or Tribal government a portion of such 
        payment that is equal to the amount of the costs incurred by 
        such local jurisdiction.
            ``(2) Insufficient funds.--If a State receives a payment 
        for a period under this section that, as a result of the 
        application of subsection (d), is less than the aggregate 
        amount of costs described in subsections (a) and (b) for such 
        State for such period, than the portion of such payment that 
        the State is required to pass through to a local jurisdiction 
        or Tribal government under paragraph (1) shall not exceed the 
        amount which bears the same ratio to the total amount of costs 
        incurred by such local jurisdiction or Tribal government for 
        such period as--
                    ``(A) the amount of the payment received by the 
                State under this section for the period; bears to
                    ``(B) the aggregate amount of costs described in 
                subsection (a) and (b) for such State for such period.
    ``(f) Limitation.--No funds may be provided to a State under this 
section for costs attributable to the electronic return of marked 
ballots by any voter.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 202 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
        U.S.C. 20922), as amended by section 7(e), is amended by 
        redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) as paragraphs (8) and (9), 
        respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (6) the 
        following new paragraph:
            ``(7) carrying out the duties described in part 9 (relating 
        to reimbursements to States for costs of complying with the 
        Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act of 2020 with respect 
        to the 2020 general election);''.
            (2) The table of contents for such Act is amended by 
        inserting after the item related to section 297 the following:

 ``Part 9--Reimbursement to States for Costs of Complying With Natural 
Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act of 2020 With Respect to 2020 General 
                                Election

``Sec. 299. Reimbursements to Sstates for costs of complying with 
                            Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act 
                            of 2020 with respect to 2020 general 
                            election.''.

SEC. 12. ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE ELECTION ASSISTANCE 
              COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--In addition to any funds otherwise appropriated to 
the Election Assistance Commission for fiscal year 2020, there is 
authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2020 in order 
for the Commission to provide additional assistance and resources to 
States for improving the administration of elections.
    (b) Availability of Funds.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to the 
authorization under this subsection shall remain available without 
fiscal year limitation.
                                 <all>