    [Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
    [H.R. 11 Introduced in House (IH)]

    <DOC>

    118th CONGRESS
      1st Session
                                     H. R. 11

    To expand Americans' access to the ballot box and reduce the influence
               of big money in politics, and for other purposes.

    _______________________________________________________________________

                        IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                 July 18, 2023

     Mr. Sarbanes (for himself, Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Morelle, and Ms. Sewell)
     introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
        House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the
           Judiciary, Science, Space, and Technology, Oversight and
    Accountability, Financial Services, Ways and Means, Natural Resources,
     and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by
    the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
               within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

    _______________________________________________________________________

                                     A BILL

    To expand Americans' access to the ballot box and reduce the influence
               of big money in politics, 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 ``Freedom to Vote Act''.

    SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF ACT INTO DIVISIONS; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

        (a) Divisions.--This Act is organized into divisions as follows:
                (1) Division A--Voter Access.
                (2) Division B--Election Integrity.
                (3) Division C--Civic Participation and Empowerment.
        (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
    follows:

    Sec. 1. Short title.
    Sec. 2. Organization of Act into divisions; table of contents.
    Sec. 3. Findings of general constitutional authority.
    Sec. 4. Standards for judicial review.
    Sec. 5. Severability.
                            DIVISION A--VOTER ACCESS

               TITLE I--ELECTION MODERNIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

    Sec. 1000. Short title; statement of policy.
                  Subtitle A--Voter Registration Modernization

    Sec. 1000A. Short title.
                      Part 1--Automatic Voter Registration

    Sec. 1001. Short title; findings and purpose.
    Sec. 1002. Automatic registration of eligible individuals.
    Sec. 1003. Voter protection and security in automatic registration.
    Sec. 1004. Payments and grants.
    Sec. 1005. Miscellaneous provisions.
    Sec. 1006. Definitions.
    Sec. 1007. Effective date.
                  Part 2--Election Day as Legal Public Holiday

    Sec. 1011. Election day as legal public holiday.
                    Part 3--Promoting Internet Registration

    Sec. 1021. Requiring availability of internet for voter registration.
    Sec. 1022. Use of internet to update registration information.
    Sec. 1023. Provision of election information by electronic mail to
                                individuals registered to vote.
    Sec. 1024. Clarification of requirement regarding necessary information
                                to show eligibility to vote.
    Sec. 1025. Prohibiting State from requiring applicants to provide more
                                than last 4 digits of social security
                                number.
    Sec. 1026. Application of rules to certain exempt States.
    Sec. 1027. Report on data collection relating to online voter
                                registration systems.
    Sec. 1028. Permitting voter registration application form to serve as
                                application for absentee ballot.
    Sec. 1029. Effective date.
                      Part 4--Same-Day Voter Registration

    Sec. 1031. Same-day registration.
    Sec. 1032. Ensuring pre-election registration deadlines are consistent
                                with timing of legal public holidays.
     Part 5--Streamline Voter Registration Information, Access, and Privacy

    Sec. 1041. Authorizing the dissemination of voter registration
                                information displays following
                                naturalization ceremonies.
    Sec. 1042. Inclusion of voter registration information with certain
                                leases and vouchers for federally assisted
                                rental housing and mortgage applications.
    Sec. 1043. Acceptance of voter registration applications from
                                individuals under 18 years of age.
    Sec. 1044. Requiring States to establish and operate voter privacy
                                programs.
                Part 6--Funding Support to States for Compliance

    Sec. 1051. Availability of requirements payments under HAVA to cover
                                costs of compliance with new requirements.
         Subtitle B--Access to Voting for Individuals With Disabilities

    Sec. 1101. Requirements for States to promote access to voter
                                registration and voting for individuals
                                with disabilities.
    Sec. 1102. Establishment and maintenance of State accessible election
                                websites.
    Sec. 1103. Protections for in-person voting for individuals with
                                disabilities and older individuals.
    Sec. 1104. Protections for individuals subject to guardianship.
    Sec. 1105. Expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure
                                voting access for individuals with
                                disabilities.
    Sec. 1106. Pilot programs for enabling individuals with disabilities to
                                register to vote privately and
                                independently at residences.
    Sec. 1107. GAO analysis and report on voting access for individuals
                                with disabilities.
                            Subtitle C--Early Voting

    Sec. 1201. Early voting.
                           Subtitle D--Voting by Mail

    Sec. 1301. Voting by mail.
    Sec. 1302. Balloting materials tracking program.
    Sec. 1303. Election mail and delivery improvements.
    Sec. 1304. Carriage of election mail.
    Sec. 1305. Requiring States to provide secured drop boxes for voted
                                ballots in elections for Federal office.
        Subtitle E--Absent Uniformed Services Voters and Overseas Voters

    Sec. 1401. Pre-election reports on availability and transmission of
                                absentee ballots.
    Sec. 1402. Enforcement.
    Sec. 1403. Transmission requirements; repeal of waiver provision.
    Sec. 1404. Use of single absentee ballot application for subsequent
                                elections.
    Sec. 1405. Extending guarantee of residency for voting purposes to
                                family members of absent military
                                personnel.
    Sec. 1406. Technical clarifications to conform to Military and Overseas
                                Voter Empowerment Act amendments related to
                                the Federal write-in absentee ballot.
    Sec. 1407. Treatment of postcard registration requests.
    Sec. 1408. Presidential designee report on voter disenfranchisement.
    Sec. 1409. Effective date.
                     Subtitle F--Enhancement of Enforcement

    Sec. 1501. Enhancement of enforcement of Help America Vote Act of 2002.
      Subtitle G--Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration
                           Modernization Improvements

                         Part 1--Promoting Voter Access

    Sec. 1601. Minimum notification requirements for voters affected by
                                polling place changes.
    Sec. 1602. Applicability to Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
                                Islands.
    Sec. 1603. Elimination of 14-day time period between general election
                                and runoff election for Federal elections
                                in the Virgin Islands and Guam.
    Sec. 1604. Application of Federal election administration laws to
                                territories of the United States.
    Sec. 1605. Application of Federal voter protection laws to territories
                                of the United States.
    Sec. 1606. Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of polling
                                places.
    Sec. 1607. Prohibiting States from restricting curbside voting.
      Part 2--Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission

    Sec. 1611. Reauthorization of Election Assistance Commission.
    Sec. 1612. Recommendations to improve operations of Election Assistance
                                Commission.
    Sec. 1613. Repeal of exemption of Election Assistance Commission from
                                certain government contracting
                                requirements.
                        Part 3--Miscellaneous Provisions

    Sec. 1621. Definition of election for Federal office.
    Sec. 1622. No effect on other laws.
    Sec. 1623. Clarification of exemption for States without voter
                                registration.
    Sec. 1624. Clarification of exemption for States which do not collect
                                telephone information.
                       Subtitle H--Democracy Restoration

    Sec. 1701. Short title.
    Sec. 1702. Findings.
    Sec. 1703. Rights of citizens.
    Sec. 1704. Enforcement.
    Sec. 1705. Notification of restoration of voting rights.
    Sec. 1706. Definitions.
    Sec. 1707. Relation to other laws.
    Sec. 1708. Federal prison funds.
    Sec. 1709. Effective date.
          Subtitle I--Voter Identification and Allowable Alternatives

    Sec. 1801. Requirements for voter identification.
                 Subtitle J--Voter List Maintenance Procedures

                        Part 1--Voter Caging Prohibited

    Sec. 1901. Voter caging prohibited.
               Part 2--Saving Eligible Voters From Voter Purging

    Sec. 1911. Conditions for removal of voters from list of registered
                                voters.
                            Subtitle K--Severability

    Sec. 1921. Severability.
                         DIVISION B--ELECTION INTEGRITY

           TITLE II--PROHIBITING INTERFERENCE WITH VOTER REGISTRATION

    Sec. 2001. Prohibiting hindering, interfering with, or preventing voter
                                registration.
    Sec. 2002. Establishment of best practices.
                   TITLE III--PREVENTING ELECTION SUBVERSION

         Subtitle A--Restrictions on Removal of Election Administrators

    Sec. 3001. Restrictions on removal of local election administrators in
                                administration of elections for Federal
                                office.
             Subtitle B--Increased Protections for Election Workers

    Sec. 3101. Harassment of election workers prohibited.
    Sec. 3102. Protection of election workers.
       Subtitle C--Prohibiting Deceptive Practices and Preventing Voter
                                  Intimidation

    Sec. 3201. Short title.
    Sec. 3202. Prohibition on deceptive practices in Federal elections.
    Sec. 3203. Corrective action.
    Sec. 3204. Reports to Congress.
    Sec. 3205. Private rights of action by election officials.
    Sec. 3206. Making intimidation of tabulation, canvass, and
                                certification efforts a crime.
     Subtitle D--Protection of Election Records and Election Infrastructure

    Sec. 3301. Strengthen protections for Federal election records.
    Sec. 3302. Penalties; inspection; nondisclosure; jurisdiction.
    Sec. 3303. Judicial review to ensure compliance.
     Subtitle E--Judicial Protection of the Right To Vote and Non-Partisan
                                Vote Tabulation

                           Part 1--Right To Vote Act

    Sec. 3401. Short title.
    Sec. 3402. Undue burdens on the ability to vote in elections for
                                Federal office prohibited.
    Sec. 3403. Judicial review.
    Sec. 3404. Definitions.
    Sec. 3405. Rules of construction.
    Sec. 3406. Severability.
    Sec. 3407. Effective date.
             Part 2--Clarifying Jurisdiction Over Election Disputes

    Sec. 3411. Findings.
    Sec. 3412. Clarifying authority of United States district courts to
                                hear cases.
    Sec. 3413. Effective date.
                Subtitle F--Poll Worker Recruitment and Training

    Sec. 3501. Grants to States for poll worker recruitment and training.
    Sec. 3502. State defined.
               Subtitle G--Preventing Poll Observer Interference

    Sec. 3601. Protections for voters on Election Day.
           Subtitle H--Preventing Restrictions on Food and Beverages

    Sec. 3701. Short title; findings.
    Sec. 3702. Prohibiting restrictions on donations of food and beverages
                                at polling stations.
     Subtitle I--Establishing Duty To Report Foreign Election Interference

    Sec. 3801. Findings relating to illicit money undermining our
                                democracy.
    Sec. 3802. Federal campaign reporting of foreign contacts.
    Sec. 3803. Federal campaign foreign contact reporting compliance
                                system.
    Sec. 3804. Criminal penalties.
    Sec. 3805. Report to congressional intelligence committees.
    Sec. 3806. Rule of construction.
     Subtitle J--Promoting Accuracy, Integrity, and Security Through Voter-
                       Verifiable Permanent Paper Ballot

    Sec. 3901. Short title.
    Sec. 3902. Paper ballot and manual counting requirements.
    Sec. 3903. Accessibility and ballot verification for individuals with
                                disabilities.
    Sec. 3904. Durability and readability requirements for ballots.
    Sec. 3905. Study and report on optimal ballot design.
    Sec. 3906. Ballot marking device cybersecurity requirements.
    Sec. 3907. Effective date for new requirements.
    Sec. 3908. Grants for obtaining compliant paper ballot voting systems
                                and carrying out voting system security
                                improvements.
     ``Part 8--Grants for Obtaining Compliant Paper Ballot Voting Systems
              and Carrying Out Voting System Security Improvements

            ``Sec. 298. Grants for obtaining compliant paper ballot voting
                                systems and carrying out voting system
                                security improvements.
            ``Sec. 298A. Voting system security improvements described.
            ``Sec. 298B. Eligibility of States.
            ``Sec. 298C. Reports to Congress.
            ``Sec. 298D. Authorization of appropriations.
                        Subtitle K--Provisional Ballots

    Sec. 3911. Requirements for counting provisional ballots; establishment
                                of uniform and nondiscriminatory standards.
                        TITLE IV--VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY

    Sec. 4001. Post-election audit requirement.
    Sec. 4002. Election infrastructure designation.
    Sec. 4003. Guidelines and certification for electronic poll books and
                                remote ballot marking systems.
    Sec. 4004. Pre-election reports on voting system usage.
    Sec. 4005. Use of voting machines manufactured in the United States.
    Sec. 4006. Use of political party headquarters building fund for
                                technology or cybersecurity-related
                                purposes.
    Sec. 4007. Severability.
                DIVISION C--CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT

                   TITLE V--NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING REFORM

    Sec. 5001. Finding of constitutional authority.
    Sec. 5002. Ban on mid-decade redistricting.
    Sec. 5003. Criteria for redistricting.
    Sec. 5004. Development of plan.
    Sec. 5005. Failure by State to enact plan.
    Sec. 5006. Civil enforcement.
    Sec. 5007. No effect on elections for State and local office.
    Sec. 5008. Effective date.
                    TITLE VI--CAMPAIGN FINANCE TRANSPARENCY

                            Subtitle A--DISCLOSE Act

    Sec. 6001. Short title.
    Sec. 6002. Findings.
      Part 1--Closing Loopholes Allowing Spending by Foreign Nationals in
                                   Elections

    Sec. 6003. Clarification of application of foreign money ban to certain
                                disbursements and activities.
    Sec. 6004. Study and report on illicit foreign money in Federal
                                elections.
    Sec. 6005. Prohibition on contributions and donations by foreign
                                nationals in connection with ballot
                                initiatives and referenda.
    Sec. 6006. Disbursements and activities subject to foreign money ban.
    Sec. 6007. Prohibiting establishment of corporation to conceal election
                                contributions and donations by foreign
                                nationals.
              Part 2--Reporting of Campaign-Related Disbursements

    Sec. 6011. Reporting of campaign-related disbursements.
    Sec. 6012. Reporting of Federal judicial nomination disbursements.
    Sec. 6013. Coordination with FinCEN.
    Sec. 6014. Application of foreign money ban to disbursements for
                                campaign-related disbursements consisting
                                of covered transfers.
    Sec. 6015. Sense of Congress regarding implementation.
    Sec. 6016. Effective date.
                      Part 3--Other Administrative Reforms

    Sec. 6021. Petition for certiorari.
    Sec. 6022. Judicial review of actions related to campaign finance laws.
    Sec. 6023. Effective date.
                             Subtitle B--Honest Ads

    Sec. 6101. Short title.
    Sec. 6102. Purpose.
    Sec. 6103. Findings.
    Sec. 6104. Sense of Congress.
    Sec. 6105. Expansion of definition of public communication.
    Sec. 6106. Expansion of definition of electioneering communication.
    Sec. 6107. Application of disclaimer statements to online
                                communications.
    Sec. 6108. Political record requirements for online platforms.
    Sec. 6109. Preventing contributions, expenditures, independent
                                expenditures, and disbursements for
                                electioneering communications by foreign
                                nationals in the form of online
                                advertising.
    Sec. 6110. Requiring online platforms to display notices identifying
                                sponsors of political advertisements and to
                                ensure notices continue to be present when
                                advertisements are shared.
                           Subtitle C--Spotlight Act

    Sec. 6201. Short title.
    Sec. 6202. Inclusion of contributor information on annual returns of
                                certain organizations.
                     TITLE VII--CAMPAIGN FINANCE OVERSIGHT

             Subtitle A--Stopping Super PAC-Candidate Coordination

    Sec. 7001. Short title.
    Sec. 7002. Clarification of treatment of coordinated expenditures as
                                contributions to candidates.
             Subtitle B--Restoring Integrity to America's Elections

    Sec. 7101. Short title.
    Sec. 7102. Revision to enforcement process.
    Sec. 7103. Official exercising the responsibilities of the general
                                counsel.
    Sec. 7104. Permitting appearance at hearings on requests for advisory
                                opinions by persons opposing the requests.
    Sec. 7105. Permanent extension of administrative penalty authority.
    Sec. 7106. Restrictions on ex parte communications.
    Sec. 7107. Clarifying authority of FEC attorneys to represent FEC in
                                Supreme Court.
    Sec. 7108. Requiring forms to permit use of accent marks.
    Sec. 7109. Extension of the statutes of limitations for offenses under
                                the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
    Sec. 7110. Effective date; transition.
            Subtitle C--Imposition of Fee for Reports Filed by Paper

    Sec. 7201. Imposition of fee for reports filed by paper.
                        TITLE VIII--CITIZEN EMPOWERMENT

                    Subtitle A--Funding To Promote Democracy

                   Part 1--Payments and Allocations to States

    Sec. 8001. Democracy Advancement and Innovation Program.
    Sec. 8002. State plan.
    Sec. 8003. Prohibiting reduction in access to participation in
                                elections.
    Sec. 8004. Amount of State allocation.
    Sec. 8005. Procedures for disbursements of payments and allocations.
    Sec. 8006. Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation.
          Part 2--State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust Fund

    Sec. 8011. State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust Fund.
    Sec. 8012. Uses of Fund.
    Sec. 8013. Assessments against fines and penalties.
                           Part 3--General Provisions

    Sec. 8021. Definitions.
    Sec. 8022. Rule of construction regarding calculation of deadlines.
               Subtitle B--Elections for House of Representatives

    Sec. 8101. Short title.
                   Part 1--Optional Democracy Credit Program

    Sec. 8102. Establishment of program.
    Sec. 8103. Credit program described.
    Sec. 8104. Reports.
    Sec. 8105. Election cycle defined.
       Part 2--Optional Small Dollar Financing of Elections for House of
                                Representatives

    Sec. 8111. Benefits and eligibility requirements for candidates.
          ``TITLE V--SMALL DOLLAR FINANCING OF ELECTIONS FOR HOUSE OF
                                REPRESENTATIVES

                             ``Subtitle A--Benefits

            ``Sec. 501. Benefits for participating candidates.
            ``Sec. 502. Procedures for making payments.
            ``Sec. 503. Use of funds.
            ``Sec. 504. Qualified small dollar contributions described.
                  ``Subtitle B--Eligibility and Certification

            ``Sec. 511. Eligibility.
            ``Sec. 512. Qualifying requirements.
            ``Sec. 513. Certification.
     ``Subtitle C--Requirements for Candidates Certified as Participating
                                   Candidates

            ``Sec. 521. Contribution and expenditure requirements.
            ``Sec. 522. Administration of campaign.
            ``Sec. 523. Preventing unnecessary spending of matching funds.
            ``Sec. 524. Remitting unspent funds after election.
                      ``Subtitle D--Enhanced Match Support

            ``Sec. 531. Enhanced support for general election.
            ``Sec. 532. Eligibility.
            ``Sec. 533. Amount.
            ``Sec. 534. Waiver of authority to retain portion of unspent
                                funds after election.
                    ``Subtitle E--Administrative Provisions

            ``Sec. 541. Source of payments.
            ``Sec. 542. Administration through dedicated division within
                                Commission.
            ``Sec. 543. Violations and penalties.
            ``Sec. 544. Indexing of amounts.
            ``Sec. 545. Election cycle defined.
            ``Sec. 546. Division Director defined.
    Sec. 8112. Contributions and expenditures by multicandidate and
                                political party committees on behalf of
                                participating candidates.
    Sec. 8113. Prohibiting use of contributions by participating candidates
                                for purposes other than campaign for
                                election.
    Sec. 8114. Deadline for regulations; effective date.
     Subtitle C--Personal Use Services as Authorized Campaign Expenditures

    Sec. 8201. Short title; findings; purpose.
    Sec. 8202. Treatment of payments for childcare and other personal use
                                services as authorized campaign
                                expenditure.
                 Subtitle D--Empowering Small Dollar Donations

    Sec. 8301. Permitting political party committees to provide enhanced
                                support for House candidates through use of
                                separate small dollar accounts.
                            Subtitle E--Severability

    Sec. 8401. Severability.

    SEC. 3. FINDINGS OF GENERAL CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY.

        Congress finds that the Constitution of the United States grants
    explicit and broad authority to protect the right to vote, to regulate
    elections for Federal office, to prevent and remedy discrimination in
    voting, and to defend the Nation's democratic process. Congress enacts
    the Freedom to Vote Act pursuant to this broad authority, including but
    not limited to the following:
                (1) Congress finds that it has broad authority to regulate
            the time, place, and manner of congressional elections under
            the Elections Clause of the Constitution, article I, section 4,
            clause 1. The Supreme Court has affirmed that the ``substantive
            scope'' of the Elections Clause is ``broad''; that ``Times,
            Places, and Manner'' are ``comprehensive words which embrace
            authority to provide for a complete code for congressional
            elections''; and ``[t]he power of Congress over the Times,
            Places and Manner of congressional elections is paramount, and
            may be exercised at any time, and to any extent which it deems
            expedient; and so far as it is exercised, and no farther, the
            regulations effected supersede those of the State which are
            inconsistent therewith''. Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of
            Arizona, 570 U.S. 1, 8-9 (2013) (internal quotation marks and
            citations omitted). Indeed, ``Congress has plenary and
            paramount jurisdiction over the whole subject'' of
            congressional elections, Ex parte Siebold, 100 U.S. (10 Otto)
            371, 388 (1879), and this power ``may be exercised as and when
            Congress sees fit'', and ``so far as it extends and conflicts
            with the regulations of the State, necessarily supersedes
            them''. Id. at 384. Among other things, Congress finds that the
            Elections Clause was intended to ``vindicate the people's right
            to equality of representation in the House''. Wesberry v.
            Sanders, 376 U.S. 1, 16 (1964), and to address partisan
            gerrymandering, Rucho v. Common Cause, 139 S. Ct. 2484 (2019).
                (2) Congress also finds that it has both the authority and
            responsibility, as the legislative body for the United States,
            to fulfill the promise of article IV, section 4, of the
            Constitution, which states: ``The United States shall guarantee
            to every State in this Union a Republican Form of
            Government[.]''. Congress finds that its authority and
            responsibility to enforce the Guarantee Clause is clear given
            that Federal courts have not enforced this clause because they
            understood that its enforcement is committed to Congress by the
            Constitution.
                (3)(A) Congress also finds that it has broad authority
            pursuant to section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment to legislate
            to enforce the provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment,
            including its protections of the right to vote and the
            democratic process.
                (B) Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment protects the
            fundamental right to vote, which is ``of the most fundamental
            significance under our constitutional structure''. Ill. Bd. of
            Election v. Socialist Workers Party, 440 U.S. 173, 184 (1979);
            see United States v. Classic, 313 U.S. 299 (1941) (``Obviously
            included within the right to choose, secured by the
            Constitution, is the right of qualified voters within a State
            to cast their ballots and have them counted . . .''). As the
            Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed, the right to vote is
            ``preservative of all rights'', Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S.
            356, 370 (1886). Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment also
            protects the right to vote, granting Congress additional
            authority to reduce a State's representation in Congress when
            the right to vote is abridged or denied.
                (C) As a result, Congress finds that it has the authority
            pursuant to section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment to protect
            the right to vote. Congress also finds that States and
            localities have eroded access to the right to vote through
            restrictions on the right to vote including excessively onerous
            voter identification requirements, burdensome voter
            registration procedures, voter purges, limited and unequal
            access to voting by mail, polling place closures, unequal
            distribution of election resources, and other impediments.
                (D) Congress also finds that ``the right of suffrage can be
            denied by a debasement or dilution of the weight of a citizen's
            vote just as effectively as by wholly prohibiting the free
            exercise of the franchise''. Reynolds v. Sims, 377 U.S. 533,
            555 (1964). Congress finds that the right of suffrage has been
            so diluted and debased by means of gerrymandering of districts.
            Congress finds that it has authority pursuant to section 5 of
            the Fourteenth Amendment to remedy this debasement.
                (4)(A) Congress also finds that it has authority to
            legislate to eliminate racial discrimination in voting and the
            democratic process pursuant to both section 5 of the Fourteenth
            Amendment, which grants equal protection of the laws, and
            section 2 of the Fifteenth Amendment, which explicitly bars
            denial or abridgment of the right to vote on account of race,
            color, or previous condition of servitude.
                (B) Congress finds that racial discrimination in access to
            voting and the political process persists. Voting restrictions,
            redistricting, and other electoral practices and processes
            continue to disproportionately impact communities of color in
            the United States and do so as a result of both intentional
            racial discrimination, structural racism, and the ongoing
            structural socioeconomic effects of historical racial
            discrimination.
                (C) Recent elections and studies have shown that minority
            communities wait longer in lines to vote, are more likely to
            have their mail ballots rejected, continue to face intimidation
            at the polls, are more likely to be disenfranchised by voter
            purges, and are disproportionately burdened by excessively
            onerous voter identification and other voter restrictions.
            Research shows that communities of color are more likely to
            face nearly every barrier to voting than their white
            counterparts.
                (D) Congress finds that racial disparities in
            disenfranchisement due to past felony convictions is
            particularly stark. In 2022, according to the Sentencing
            Project, an estimated 4,600,000 Americans could not vote due to
            a felony conviction. One in 19 African Americans of voting age
            is disenfranchised, a rate 3.5 times greater than that of non-
            African Americans. In eight States--Alabama, Arizona, Florida,
            Kentucky, Mississippi, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Virginia--
            more than one in ten African Americans is disenfranchised,
            nearly twice the national average for African Americans.
            Congress finds that felony disenfranchisement was one of the
            tools of intentional racial discrimination during the Jim Crow
            era. Congress further finds that current racial disparities in
            felony disenfranchisement are linked to this history of voter
            suppression, structural racism in the criminal justice system,
            and ongoing effects of historical discrimination.
                (5)(A) Congress finds that it further has the power to
            protect the right to vote from denial or abridgment on account
            of sex, age, or ability to pay a poll tax or other tax pursuant
            to the Nineteenth, Twenty-Fourth, and Twenty-Sixth Amendments.
                (B) Congress finds that electoral practices including
            voting rights restoration conditions for people with
            convictions and other restrictions to the franchise burden
            voters on account of their ability to pay.
                (C) Congress further finds that electoral practices
            including voting restrictions related to college campuses, age
            restrictions on mail voting, and similar practices burden the
            right to vote on account of age.

    SEC. 4. STANDARDS FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW.

        (a) In General.--For any action brought for declaratory or
    injunctive relief to challenge, whether facially or as-applied, the
    constitutionality or lawfulness of any provision of this Act or any
    amendment made by this Act or any rule or regulation promulgated under
    this Act, the following rules shall apply:
                (1) The action shall be filed in the United States District
            Court for the District of Columbia and an appeal from the
            decision of the district court may be taken to the Court of
            Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. These courts, and
            the Supreme Court of the United States on a writ of certiorari
            (if such writ is issued), shall have exclusive jurisdiction to
            hear such actions.
                (2) The party filing the action shall concurrently deliver
            a copy the complaint to the Clerk of the House of
            Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate.
                (3) It shall be the duty of the United States District
            Court for the District of Columbia and the Court of Appeals for
            the District of Columbia Circuit to advance on the docket and
            to expedite to the greatest possible extent the disposition of
            the action and appeal.
        (b) Clarifying Scope of Jurisdiction.--If an action at the time of
    its commencement is not subject to subsection (a), but an amendment,
    counterclaim, cross-claim, affirmative defense, or any other pleading
    or motion is filed challenging, whether facially or as-applied, the
    constitutionality or lawfulness of this Act or any amendment made by
    this Act or any rule or regulation promulgated under this Act, the
    district court shall transfer the action to the District Court for the
    District of Columbia, and the action shall thereafter be conducted
    pursuant to subsection (a).
        (c) Intervention by Members of Congress.--In any action described
    in subsection (a), any Member of the House of Representatives
    (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress) or
    Senate shall have the right to intervene either in support of or
    opposition to the position of a party to the case regarding the
    constitutionality of the provision. To avoid duplication of efforts and
    reduce the burdens placed on the parties to the action, the court in
    any such action may make such orders as it considers necessary,
    including orders to require interveners taking similar positions to
    file joint papers or to be represented by a single attorney at oral
    argument.

    SEC. 5. SEVERABILITY.

        If any provision of this Act or any amendment made by this Act, or
    the application of any such provision or amendment to any person or
    circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this
    Act, and the application of such provision or amendment to any other
    person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.

                            DIVISION A--VOTER ACCESS

               TITLE I--ELECTION MODERNIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

    SEC. 1000. SHORT TITLE; STATEMENT OF POLICY.

        (a) Short Title.--This title may be cited as the ``Voter
    Empowerment Act of 2023''.
        (b) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United States
    that--
                (1) the ability of all eligible citizens of the United
            States to access and exercise their constitutional right to
            vote in a free, fair, and timely manner must be vigilantly
            enhanced, protected, and maintained; and
                (2) the integrity, security, and accountability of the
            voting process must be vigilantly protected, maintained, and
            enhanced in order to protect and preserve electoral and
            participatory democracy in the United States.

                  Subtitle A--Voter Registration Modernization

    SEC. 1000A. SHORT TITLE.

        This subtitle may be cited as the ``Voter Registration
    Modernization Act of 2023''.

                      PART 1--AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION

    SEC. 1001. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

        (a) Short Title.--This part may be cited as the ``Automatic Voter
    Registration Act of 2023''.
        (b) Findings and Purpose.--
                (1) Findings.--Congress finds that--
                        (A) the right to vote is a fundamental right of
                    citizens of the United States;
                        (B) it is the responsibility of the State and
                    Federal governments to ensure that every eligible
                    citizen is registered to vote;
                        (C) existing voter registration systems can be
                    inaccurate, costly, inaccessible and confusing, with
                    damaging effects on voter participation in elections
                    for Federal office and disproportionate impacts on
                    young people, persons with disabilities, and racial and
                    ethnic minorities; and
                        (D) voter registration systems must be updated with
                    21st century technologies and procedures to maintain
                    their security.
                (2) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this part--
                        (A) to establish that it is the responsibility of
                    government to ensure that all eligible citizens are
                    registered to vote in elections for Federal office;
                        (B) to enable the State governments to register all
                    eligible citizens to vote with accurate, cost-
                    efficient, and up-to-date procedures;
                        (C) to modernize voter registration and list
                    maintenance procedures with electronic and internet
                    capabilities; and
                        (D) to protect and enhance the integrity, accuracy,
                    efficiency, and accessibility of the electoral process
                    for all eligible citizens.

    SEC. 1002. AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION OF ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.

        (a) In General.--The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52
    U.S.C. 20504) is amended by inserting after section 5 the following new
    section:

    ``SEC. 5A. AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION BY STATE MOTOR VEHICLE AUTHORITY.

        ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
                ``(1) Applicable agency.--The term `applicable agency'
            means, with respect to a State, the State motor vehicle
            authority responsible for motor vehicle driver's licenses under
            State law.
                ``(2) Applicable transaction.--The term `applicable
            transaction' means--
                        ``(A) an application to an applicable agency for a
                    motor vehicle driver's license; and
                        ``(B) any other service or assistance (including
                    for a change of address) provided by an applicable
                    agency.
                ``(3) Automatic registration.--The term `automatic
            registration' means a system that registers an individual to
            vote and updates existing registrations, in elections for
            Federal office in a State, if eligible, by electronically
            transferring the information necessary for registration from
            the applicable agency to election officials of the State so
            that, unless the individual affirmatively declines to be
            registered or to update any voter registration, the individual
            will be registered to vote in such elections.
                ``(4) Eligible individual.--The term `eligible individual'
            means, with respect to an election for Federal office, an
            individual who is otherwise qualified to vote in that election.
                ``(5) Register to vote.--The term `register to vote'
            includes updating an individual's existing voter registration.
        ``(b) Establishment.--
                ``(1) In general.--The chief State election official of
            each State shall establish and operate a system of automatic
            registration for the registration of eligible individuals to
            vote for elections for Federal office in the State, in
            accordance with the provisions of this section.
                ``(2) Registration of voters based on new agency records.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The chief State election
                    official shall--
                                ``(i) subject to subparagraph (B), ensure
                            that each eligible individual who completes an
                            applicable transaction and does not decline to
                            register to vote is registered to vote--
                                        ``(I) in the next upcoming election
                                    for Federal office (and subsequent
                                    elections for Federal office), if an
                                    applicable agency transmits information
                                    under subsection (c)(1)(E) with respect
                                    to the individual not later than the
                                    applicable date; and
                                        ``(II) in subsequent elections for
                                    Federal office, if an applicable agency
                                    transmits such information with respect
                                    to such individual after the applicable
                                    date; and
                                ``(ii) not later than 60 days after the
                            receipt of such information with respect to an
                            individual, send written notice to the
                            individual, in addition to other means of
                            notice established by this section, of the
                            individual's voter registration status.
                        ``(B) Applicable date.--For purposes of this
                    subsection, the term `applicable date' means, with
                    respect to any election for Federal office, the later
                    of--
                                ``(i) the date that is 28 days before the
                            date of the election; or
                                ``(ii) the last day of the period provided
                            by State law for registration with respect to
                            such election.
                        ``(C) Clarification.--Nothing in this subsection
                    shall prevent the chief State election official from
                    registering an eligible individual to vote for the next
                    upcoming election for Federal office in the State even
                    if an applicable agency transmits information under
                    subsection (c)(1)(E) with respect to the individual
                    after the applicable date.
                ``(3) Treatment of individuals under 18 years of age.--A
            State may not refuse to treat an individual as an eligible
            individual for purposes of this section on the grounds that the
            individual is less than 18 years of age at the time an
            applicable agency receives information with respect to the
            individual, so long as the individual is at least 16 years of
            age at such time. Nothing in the previous sentence may be
            construed to require a State to permit an individual who is
            under 18 years of age at the time of an election for Federal
            office to vote in the election.
        ``(c) Applicable Agency Responsibilities.--
                ``(1) Instructions on automatic registration for agencies
            collecting citizenship information.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in
                    this section, in the case of any applicable transaction
                    for which an applicable agency (in the normal course of
                    its operations) requests individuals to affirm United
                    States citizenship (either directly or as part of the
                    overall application for service or assistance or
                    enrollment), the applicable agency shall inform each
                    such individual who is a citizen of the United States
                    of the following:
                                ``(i) Unless that individual declines to
                            register to vote, or is found ineligible to
                            vote, the individual will be registered to vote
                            or, if applicable, the individual's
                            registration will be updated.
                                ``(ii) The substantive qualifications of an
                            elector in the State as listed in the mail
                            voter registration application form for
                            elections for Federal office prescribed
                            pursuant to section 9, the consequences of
                            false registration, and how the individual
                            should decline to register if the individual
                            does not meet all those qualifications.
                                ``(iii) In the case of a State in which
                            affiliation or enrollment with a political
                            party is required in order to participate in an
                            election to select the party's candidate in an
                            election for Federal office, the requirement
                            that the individual must affiliate or enroll
                            with a political party in order to participate
                            in such an election.
                                ``(iv) Voter registration is voluntary, and
                            neither registering nor declining to register
                            to vote will in any way affect the availability
                            of services or benefits, nor be used for other
                            purposes.
                        ``(B) Individuals with limited english
                    proficiency.--In the case in which the individual is a
                    member of a group that constitutes 3 percent or more of
                    the overall population within the State served by the
                    applicable agency as measured by the United States
                    Census and are limited English proficient, the
                    information described in clauses (i) through (iv) of
                    subparagraph (A) shall be provided in a language
                    understood by the individual.
                        ``(C) Clarification on procedures for ineligible
                    voters.--An applicable agency shall not provide an
                    individual who did not affirm United States
                    citizenship, or for whom the agency has conclusive
                    documentary evidence obtained through its normal course
                    of operations that the individual is not a United
                    States citizen, the opportunity to register to vote
                    under subparagraph (A).
                        ``(D) Opportunity to decline registration
                    required.--Except as otherwise provided in this
                    section, each applicable agency shall ensure that each
                    applicable transaction described in subparagraph (A)
                    with an eligible individual cannot be completed until
                    the individual is given the opportunity to decline to
                    be registered to vote. In the case where the individual
                    is a member of a group that constitutes 3 percent or
                    more of the overall population within the State served
                    by the applicable agency as measured by the United
                    States Census and are limited English proficient, such
                    opportunity shall be given in a language understood by
                    the individual.
                        ``(E) Information transmittal.--Not later than 10
                    days after an applicable transaction with an eligible
                    individual, if the individual did not decline to be
                    registered to vote, the applicable agency shall
                    electronically transmit to the appropriate State
                    election official the following information with
                    respect to the individual:
                                ``(i) The individual's given name(s) and
                            surname(s).
                                ``(ii) The individual's date of birth.
                                ``(iii) The individual's residential
                            address.
                                ``(iv) Information showing that the
                            individual is a citizen of the United States.
                                ``(v) The date on which information
                            pertaining to that individual was collected or
                            last updated.
                                ``(vi) If available, the individual's
                            signature in electronic form.
                                ``(vii) In the case of a State in which
                            affiliation or enrollment with a political
                            party is required in order to participate in an
                            election to select the party's candidate in an
                            election for Federal office, information
                            regarding the individual's affiliation or
                            enrollment with a political party, but only if
                            the individual provides such information.
                                ``(viii) Any additional information listed
                            in the mail voter registration application form
                            for elections for Federal office prescribed
                            pursuant to section 9, including any valid
                            driver's license number or the last 4 digits of
                            the individual's social security number, if the
                            individual provided such information.
                        ``(F) Provision of information regarding
                    participation in primary elections.--In the case of a
                    State in which affiliation or enrollment with a
                    political party is required in order to participate in
                    an election to select the party's candidate in an
                    election for Federal office, if the information
                    transmitted under subparagraph (E) with respect to an
                    individual does not include information regarding the
                    individual's affiliation or enrollment with a political
                    party, the chief State election official shall--
                                ``(i) notify the individual that such
                            affiliation or enrollment is required to
                            participate in primary elections; and
                                ``(ii) provide an opportunity for the
                            individual to update their registration with a
                            party affiliation or enrollment.
                        ``(G) Clarification.--Nothing in this section shall
                    be read to require an applicable agency to transmit to
                    an election official the information described in
                    subparagraph (E) for an individual who is ineligible to
                    vote in elections for Federal office in the State,
                    except to the extent required to pre-register citizens
                    between 16 and 18 years of age.
                ``(2) Alternate procedure for certain other applicable
            agencies.--With each applicable transaction for which an
            applicable agency in the normal course of its operations does
            not request individuals to affirm United States citizenship
            (either directly or as part of the overall application for
            service or assistance), the applicable agency shall--
                        ``(A) complete the requirements of section 5;
                        ``(B) ensure that each applicant's transaction with
                    the applicable agency cannot be completed until the
                    applicant has indicated whether the applicant wishes to
                    register to vote or declines to register to vote in
                    elections for Federal office held in the State; and
                        ``(C) for each individual who wishes to register to
                    vote, transmit that individual's information in
                    accordance with subsection (c)(1)(E), unless the
                    applicable agency has conclusive documentary evidence
                    obtained through its normal course of operations that
                    the individual is not a United States citizen.
                ``(3) Required availability of automatic registration
            opportunity with each application for service or assistance.--
            Each applicable agency shall offer each eligible individual,
            with each applicable transaction, the opportunity to register
            to vote as prescribed by this section without regard to whether
            the individual previously declined a registration opportunity.
        ``(d) Voter Protection.--
                ``(1) Applicable agencies' protection of information.--
            Nothing in this section authorizes an applicable agency to
            collect, retain, transmit, or publicly disclose any of the
            following, except as necessary to comply with title III of the
            Civil Rights Act of 1960 (52 U.S.C. 20701 et seq.):
                        ``(A) An individual's decision to decline to
                    register to vote or not to register to vote.
                        ``(B) An individual's decision not to affirm his or
                    her citizenship.
                        ``(C) Any information that an applicable agency
                    transmits pursuant to subsection (c)(1)(E), except in
                    pursuing the agency's ordinary course of business.
                ``(2) Election officials' protection of information.--
                        ``(A) Public disclosure prohibited.--
                                ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii),
                            with respect to any individual for whom any
                            State election official receives information
                            from an applicable agency, the State election
                            official shall not publicly disclose any of the
                            following:
                                        ``(I) Any information not necessary
                                    to voter registration.
                                        ``(II) Any voter information
                                    otherwise shielded from disclosure
                                    under State law or section 8(a).
                                        ``(III) Any portion of the
                                    individual's social security number.
                                        ``(IV) Any portion of the
                                    individual's motor vehicle driver's
                                    license number.
                                        ``(V) The individual's signature.
                                        ``(VI) The individual's telephone
                                    number.
                                        ``(VII) The individual's email
                                    address.
                                ``(ii) Special rule for individuals
                            registered to vote.--The prohibition on public
                            disclosure under clause (i) shall not apply
                            with respect to the telephone number or email
                            address of any individual for whom any State
                            election official receives information from the
                            applicable agency and who, on the basis of such
                            information, is registered to vote in the State
                            under this section.
        ``(e) Miscellaneous Provisions.--
                ``(1) Accessibility of registration services.--Each
            applicable agency shall ensure that the services it provides
            under this section are made available to individuals with
            disabilities to the same extent as services are made available
            to all other individuals.
                ``(2) Transmission through secure third party permitted.--
            Nothing in this section or in the Automatic Voter Registration
            Act of 2023 shall be construed to prevent an applicable agency
            from contracting with a third party to assist the agency in
            meeting the information transmittal requirements of this
            section, so long as the data transmittal complies with the
            applicable requirements of this section and such Act, including
            provisions relating to privacy and security.
                ``(3) Nonpartisan, nondiscriminatory provision of
            services.--The services made available by applicable agencies
            under this section shall be made in a manner consistent with
            paragraphs (4), (5), and (6)(C) of section 7(a).
                ``(4) Notices.--Each State may send notices under this
            section via electronic mail if the individual has provided an
            electronic mail address and consented to electronic mail
            communications for election-related materials. All notices sent
            pursuant to this section that require a response must offer the
            individual notified the opportunity to respond at no cost to
            the individual.
                ``(5) Registration at other state offices permitted.--
            Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit a State
            from offering voter registration services described in this
            section at offices of the State other than the State motor
            vehicle authority.
        ``(f) Applicability.--
                ``(1) In general.--This section shall not apply to an
            exempt State.
                ``(2) Exempt state defined.--The term `exempt State' means
            a State that, under law that is in effect continuously on and
            after the date of enactment of this section, either--
                        ``(A) has no voter registration requirement for any
                    voter in the State with respect to a Federal election;
                    or
                        ``(B) operates a system of automatic registration
                    at the motor vehicle authority of the State or a
                    Permanent Dividend Fund of the State under which an
                    individual is provided the opportunity to decline
                    registration during the transaction or by way of a
                    notice sent by mail or electronically after the
                    transaction.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendments.--
                (1) Section 4(a) of the National Voter Registration Act of
            1993 (52 U.S.C. 20503(a)) is amended by redesignating
            paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively,
            and by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
            paragraph:
                ``(2) by application made simultaneously with an
            application for a motor vehicle driver's license pursuant to
            section 5A;''.
                (2) Section 4(b) of the National Voter Registration Act of
            1993 (52 U.S.C. 20503(b)) is amended--
                        (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
                    subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting
                    appropriately;
                        (B) by striking ``States.--This Act'' and inserting
                    ``States.--
                ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
            this Act''; and
                        (C) by adding at the end the following new
                    paragraph:
                ``(2) Application of automatic registration requirements.--
            Section 5A shall apply to a State described in paragraph (1),
            unless the State is an exempt State as defined in subsection
            (f)(2) of such section.''.
                (3) Section 8(a)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(1)) 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) in the case of registration under section 5A,
                    within the period provided in section 5A(b)(2);''.

    SEC. 1003. VOTER PROTECTION AND SECURITY IN AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION.

        (a) Protections for Errors in Registration.--An individual shall
    not be prosecuted under any Federal or State law, adversely affected in
    any civil adjudication concerning immigration status or naturalization,
    or subject to an allegation in any legal proceeding that the individual
    is not a citizen of the United States on any of the following grounds:
                (1) The individual notified an election office of the
            individual's automatic registration to vote.
                (2) The individual is not eligible to vote in elections for
            Federal office but was registered to vote due to individual or
            agency error.
                (3) The individual was automatically registered to vote at
            an incorrect address.
                (4) The individual declined the opportunity to register to
            vote or did not make an affirmation of citizenship, including
            through automatic registration.
        (b) Limits on Use of Automatic Registration.--The automatic
    registration (within the meaning of section 5A of the National Voter
    Registration Act of 1993) of any individual or the fact that an
    individual declined the opportunity to register to vote or did not make
    an affirmation of citizenship (including through automatic
    registration) may not be used as evidence against that individual in
    any State or Federal law enforcement proceeding or any civil
    adjudication concerning immigration status or naturalization, and an
    individual's lack of knowledge or willfulness of such registration may
    be demonstrated by the individual's testimony alone.
        (c) Protection of Election Integrity.--Nothing in subsection (a) or
    (b) may be construed to prohibit or restrict any action under color of
    law against an individual who--
                (1) knowingly and willfully makes a false statement to
            effectuate or perpetuate automatic voter registration (within
            the meaning of section 5A of the National Voter Registration
            Act of 1993) by any individual; or
                (2) casts a ballot knowingly and willfully in violation of
            State law or the laws of the United States.
        (d) Election Officials' Protection of Information.--
                (1) Voter record changes.--Each State shall maintain for
            not less than 2 years and shall make available for public
            inspection (and, where available, photocopying at a reasonable
            cost), including in electronic form and through electronic
            methods, all records of changes to voter records, including
            removals, the reasons for removals, and updates.
                (2) Database management standards.--Not later than 1 year
            after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the
            National Institute of Standards and Technology, in consultation
            with State and local election officials and the Commission,
            shall, after providing the public with notice and the
            opportunity to comment--
                        (A) establish standards governing the comparison of
                    data for voter registration list maintenance purposes,
                    identifying as part of such standards the specific data
                    elements, the matching rules used, and how a State may
                    use the data to determine and deem that an individual
                    is ineligible under State law to vote in an election,
                    or to deem a record to be a duplicate or outdated;
                        (B) ensure that the standards developed pursuant to
                    this paragraph are uniform and nondiscriminatory and
                    are applied in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner;
                        (C) not later than 45 days after the deadline for
                    public notice and comment, publish the standards
                    developed pursuant to this paragraph on the Director's
                    website and make those standards available in written
                    form upon request; and
                        (D) ensure that the standards developed pursuant to
                    this paragraph are maintained and updated in a manner
                    that reflects innovations and best practices in the
                    security of database management.
                (3) Security policy.--
                        (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
                    date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the
                    National Institute of Standards and Technology shall,
                    after providing the public with notice and the
                    opportunity to comment, publish privacy and security
                    standards for voter registration information not later
                    than 45 days after the deadline for public notice and
                    comment. The standards shall require the chief State
                    election official of each State to adopt a policy that
                    shall specify--
                                (i) each class of users who shall have
                            authorized access to the computerized statewide
                            voter registration list, specifying for each
                            class the permission and levels of access to be
                            granted, and setting forth other safeguards to
                            protect the privacy, security, and accuracy of
                            the information on the list; and
                                (ii) security safeguards to protect
                            personal information transmitted through the
                            information transmittal processes of section
                            5A(b) of the National Voter Registration Act of
                            1993, any telephone interface, the maintenance
                            of the voter registration database, and any
                            audit procedure to track access to the system.
                        (B) Maintenance and updating.--The Director of the
                    National Institute of Standards and Technology shall
                    ensure that the standards developed pursuant to this
                    paragraph are maintained and updated in a manner that
                    reflects innovations and best practices in the privacy
                    and security of voter registration information.
                (4) State compliance with national standards.--
                        (A) Certification.--The chief State election
                    official of the State shall annually file with the
                    Commission a statement certifying to the Director of
                    the National Institute of Standards and Technology that
                    the State is in compliance with the standards referred
                    to in paragraphs (2) and (3). A State may meet the
                    requirement of the previous sentence by filing with the
                    Commission a statement that reads as follows: ``_____
                    hereby certifies that it is in compliance with the
                    standards referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3) of
                    section 1003(d) of the Automatic Voter Registration Act
                    of 2023.'' (with the blank to be filled in with the
                    name of the State involved).
                        (B) Publication of policies and procedures.--The
                    chief State election official of a State shall publish
                    on the official's website the policies and procedures
                    established under this section, and shall make those
                    policies and procedures available in written form upon
                    public request.
                        (C) Funding dependent on certification.--If a State
                    does not timely file the certification required under
                    this paragraph, it shall not receive any payment under
                    this part for the upcoming fiscal year.
                        (D) Compliance of states that require changes to
                    state law.--In the case of a State that requires State
                    legislation to carry out an activity covered by any
                    certification submitted under this paragraph, for a
                    period of not more than 2 years, the State shall be
                    permitted to make the certification notwithstanding
                    that the legislation has not been enacted at the time
                    the certification is submitted, and such State shall
                    submit an additional certification once such
                    legislation is enacted.
        (e) Restrictions on Use of Information.--No person acting under
    color of law may discriminate against any individual based on, or use
    for any purpose other than voter registration, election administration,
    juror selection, or enforcement relating to election crimes, any of the
    following:
                (1) Voter registration records.
                (2) An individual's declination to register to vote or
            complete an affirmation of citizenship under section 5A of the
            National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
                (3) An individual's voter registration status.
        (f) Prohibition on the Use of Voter Registration Information for
    Commercial Purposes.--Information collected under this part or the
    amendments made by this part shall not be used for commercial purposes.
    Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prohibit the
    transmission, exchange, or dissemination of information for political
    purposes, including the support of campaigns for election for Federal,
    State, or local public office or the activities of political committees
    (including committees of political parties) under the Federal Election
    Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.).

    SEC. 1004. PAYMENTS AND GRANTS.

        (a) In General.--The Commission shall make grants to each eligible
    State to assist the State in implementing the requirements of this part
    and the amendments made by this part (or, in the case of an exempt
    State, in implementing its existing automatic voter registration
    program or expanding its automatic voter registration program in a
    manner consistent with the requirements of this part) with respect to
    the offices of the State motor vehicle authority and any other offices
    of the State at which the State offers voter registration services as
    described in this part and the amendments made by this part.
        (b) Eligibility; Application.--A State is eligible to receive a
    grant under this section if the State submits to the Commission, at
    such time and in such form as the Commission may require, an
    application containing--
                (1) a description of the activities the State will carry
            out with the grant;
                (2) an assurance that the State shall carry out such
            activities without partisan bias and without promoting any
            particular point of view regarding any issue; and
                (3) such other information and assurances as the Commission
            may require.
        (c) Amount of Grant; Priorities.--The Commission shall determine
    the amount of a grant made to an eligible State under this section. In
    determining the amounts of the grants, the Commission shall give
    priority to providing funds for those activities that are most likely
    to accelerate compliance with the requirements of this part (or, in the
    case of an exempt State, which are most likely to enhance the ability
    of the State to automatically register individuals to vote through its
    existing automatic voter registration program), including--
                (1) investments supporting electronic information transfer,
            including electronic collection and transfer of signatures,
            between applicable agencies (as defined in section 5A of the
            National Voter Registration Act of 1993) and the appropriate
            State election officials;
                (2) updates to online or electronic voter registration
            systems already operating as of the date of enactment of this
            Act;
                (3) introduction of online voter registration systems in
            jurisdictions in which those systems did not previously exist;
            and
                (4) public education on the availability of new methods of
            registering to vote, updating registration, and correcting
            registration.
        (d) Exempt State.--For purposes of this section, the term ``exempt
    State'' has the meaning given that term in section 5A of the National
    Voter Registration Act of 1993, and also includes a State in which,
    under law that is in effect continuously on and after the date of
    enactment of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, there is no
    voter registration requirement for any voter in the State with respect
    to an election for Federal office.
        (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
                (1) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated
            to carry out this section--
                        (A) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
                        (B) such sums as may be necessary for each
                    succeeding fiscal year.
                (2) Continuing availability of funds.--Any amounts
            appropriated pursuant to the authority of this subsection shall
            remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended.

    SEC. 1005. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

        (a) Enforcement.--Section 11 of the National Voter Registration Act
    of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20510), relating to civil enforcement and the
    availability of private rights of action, shall apply with respect to
    this part in the same manner as such section applies to such Act.
        (b) Relation to Other Laws.--Except as provided, nothing in this
    part or the amendments made by this part may be construed to authorize
    or require conduct prohibited under, or to supersede, restrict, or
    limit the application of any of the following:
                (1) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et
            seq.).
                (2) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
            (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
                (3) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C.
            20501 et seq.) (other than section 5A thereof).
                (4) The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et
            seq.).
                (5) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
            12101 et seq.).

    SEC. 1006. DEFINITIONS.

        In this part, the following definitions apply:
                (1) The term ``chief State election official'' means, with
            respect to a State, the individual designated by the State
            under section 10 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993
            (52 U.S.C. 20509) to be responsible for coordination of the
            State's responsibilities under such Act.
                (2) The term ``Commission'' means the Election Assistance
            Commission.
                (3) The term ``State'' means each of the several States,
            the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
            United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the
            Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

    SEC. 1007. EFFECTIVE DATE.

        (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), this part
    and the amendments made by this part shall apply on and after January
    1, 2025.
        (b) Waiver.--If a State certifies to the Commission not later than
    January 1, 2025, that the State will not meet the deadline described in
    subsection (a) because it would be impracticable to do so and includes
    in the certification the reasons for the failure to meet such deadline,
    subsection (a) shall apply to the State as if the reference in such
    subsection to ``January 1, 2025'' were a reference to ``January 1,
    2027''.

                  PART 2--ELECTION DAY AS LEGAL PUBLIC HOLIDAY

    SEC. 1011. ELECTION DAY AS LEGAL PUBLIC HOLIDAY.

        (a) In General.--Section 6103(a) of title 5, United States Code, is
    amended by inserting after the item relating to Columbus Day, the
    following:
        ``Election Day, the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November
    in each even-numbered year.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 241(b) of the Help America Vote
    Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20981(b)) is amended--
                (1) by striking paragraph (10); and
                (2) by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (19) as
            paragraphs (10) through (18), respectively.
        (c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
    apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general elections for
    Federal office held in November 2024 or any succeeding year.

                    PART 3--PROMOTING INTERNET REGISTRATION

    SEC. 1021. REQUIRING AVAILABILITY OF INTERNET FOR VOTER REGISTRATION.

        (a) Requiring Availability of Internet for Registration.--The
    National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.) is
    amended by inserting after section 6 the following new section:

    ``SEC. 6A. INTERNET REGISTRATION.

        ``(a) Requiring Availability of Internet for Online Registration.--
    Each State, acting through the chief State election official, shall
    ensure that the following services are available to the public at any
    time on the official public websites of the appropriate State and local
    election officials in the State, in the same manner and subject to the
    same terms and conditions as the services provided by voter
    registration agencies under section 7(a):
                ``(1) Online application for voter registration.
                ``(2) Online assistance to applicants in applying to
            register to vote.
                ``(3) Online completion and submission by applicants of the
            mail voter registration application form prescribed by the
            Election Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2),
            including assistance with providing a signature as required
            under subsection (c).
                ``(4) Online receipt of completed voter registration
            applications.
        ``(b) Acceptance of Completed Applications.--A State shall accept
    an online voter registration application provided by an individual
    under this section, and ensure that the individual is registered to
    vote in the State, if--
                ``(1) the individual meets the same voter registration
            requirements applicable to individuals who register to vote by
            mail in accordance with section 6(a)(1) using the mail voter
            registration application form prescribed by the Election
            Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2); and
                ``(2) the individual meets the requirements of subsection
            (c) to provide a signature in electronic form (but only in the
            case of applications submitted during or after the second year
            in which this section is in effect in the State).
        ``(c) Signature Requirements.--
                ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, an
            individual meets the requirements of this subsection as
            follows:
                        ``(A) In the case of an individual who has a
                    signature on file with a State agency, including the
                    State motor vehicle authority, that is required to
                    provide voter registration services under this Act or
                    any other law, the individual consents to the transfer
                    of that electronic signature.
                        ``(B) If subparagraph (A) does not apply, the
                    individual submits with the application an electronic
                    copy of the individual's handwritten signature through
                    electronic means.
                        ``(C) If subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B) do
                    not apply, the individual executes a computerized mark
                    in the signature field on an online voter registration
                    application, in accordance with reasonable security
                    measures established by the State, but only if the
                    State accepts such mark from the individual.
                ``(2) Treatment of individuals unable to meet
            requirement.--If an individual is unable to meet the
            requirements under paragraph (1), the State shall--
                        ``(A) permit the individual to complete all other
                    elements of the online voter registration application;
                        ``(B) permit the individual to provide a signature
                    at the time the individual requests a ballot in an
                    election (whether the individual requests the ballot at
                    a polling place or requests the ballot by mail); and
                        ``(C) if the individual carries out the steps
                    described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), ensure that the
                    individual is registered to vote in the State.
                ``(3) Notice.--The State shall ensure that individuals
            applying to register to vote online are notified of the
            requirements under paragraph (1) and of the treatment of
            individuals unable to meet such requirements, as described in
            paragraph (2).
        ``(d) Confirmation and Disposition.--
                ``(1) Confirmation of receipt.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Upon the online submission of a
                    completed voter registration application by an
                    individual under this section, the appropriate State or
                    local election official shall provide the individual a
                    notice confirming the State's receipt of the
                    application and providing instructions on how the
                    individual may check the status of the application.
                        ``(B) Method of notification.--The appropriate
                    State or local election official shall provide the
                    notice required under subparagraph (A) though the
                    online submission process and--
                                ``(i) in the case of an individual who has
                            provided the official with an electronic mail
                            address, by electronic mail; and
                                ``(ii) at the option of the individual, by
                            text message.
                ``(2) Notice of disposition.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Not later than 7 days after the
                    date on which the appropriate State or local election
                    official approves or rejects an application submitted
                    by an individual under this section, the official shall
                    provide the individual a notice of the disposition of
                    the application.
                        ``(B) Method of notification.--The appropriate
                    State or local election official shall provide the
                    notice required under subparagraph (A) by regular mail
                    and--
                                ``(i) in the case of an individual who has
                            provided the official with an electronic mail
                            address, by electronic mail; and
                                ``(ii) at the option of the individual, by
                            text message.
        ``(e) Provision of Services in Nonpartisan Manner.--The services
    made available under subsection (a) shall be provided in a manner that
    ensures that--
                ``(1) the online application does not seek to influence an
            applicant's political preference or party registration; and
                ``(2) there is no display on the website promoting any
            political preference or party allegiance, except that nothing
            in this paragraph may be construed to prohibit an applicant
            from registering to vote as a member of a political party.
        ``(f) Protection of Security of Information.--In meeting the
    requirements of this section, the State shall establish appropriate
    technological security measures to prevent to the greatest extent
    practicable any unauthorized access to information provided by
    individuals using the services made available under subsection (a).
        ``(g) Accessibility of Services.--A State shall ensure that the
    services made available under this section are made available to
    individuals with disabilities to the same extent as services are made
    available to all other individuals.
        ``(h) Nondiscrimination Among Registered Voters Using Mail and
    Online Registration.--In carrying out this Act, the Help America Vote
    Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et seq.), or any other Federal, State, or
    local law governing the treatment of registered voters in the State or
    the administration of elections for public office in the State, a State
    shall treat a registered voter who registered to vote online in
    accordance with this section in the same manner as the State treats a
    registered voter who registered to vote by mail.''.
        (b) Special Requirements for Individuals Using Online
    Registration.--
                (1) Treatment as individuals registering to vote by mail
            for purposes of first-time voter identification requirements.--
            Section 303(b)(1)(A) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52
            U.S.C. 21083(b)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``by mail'' and
            inserting ``by mail or online under section 6A of the National
            Voter Registration Act of 1993''.
                (2) Requiring signature for first-time voters in
            jurisdiction.--Section 303(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21083(b))
            is amended--
                        (A) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph
                    (6); and
                        (B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following
                    new paragraph:
                ``(5) Signature requirements for first-time voters using
            online registration.--
                        ``(A) In general.--A State shall, in a uniform and
                    nondiscriminatory manner, require an individual to meet
                    the requirements of subparagraph (B) if--
                                ``(i) the individual registered to vote in
                            the State online under section 6A of the
                            National Voter Registration Act of 1993; and
                                ``(ii) the individual has not previously
                            voted in an election for Federal office in the
                            State.
                        ``(B) Requirements.--An individual meets the
                    requirements of this subparagraph if--
                                ``(i) in the case of an individual who
                            votes in person, the individual provides the
                            appropriate State or local election official
                            with a handwritten signature; or
                                ``(ii) in the case of an individual who
                            votes by mail, the individual submits with the
                            ballot a handwritten signature.
                        ``(C) Inapplicability.--Subparagraph (A) does not
                    apply in the case of an individual who is--
                                ``(i) entitled to vote by absentee ballot
                            under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens
                            Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302 et seq.);
                                ``(ii) provided the right to vote otherwise
                            than in person under section 3(b)(2)(B)(ii) of
                            the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and
                            Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20102(b)(2)(B)(ii));
                            or
                                ``(iii) entitled to vote otherwise than in
                            person under any other Federal law.''.
                (3) Conforming amendment relating to effective date.--
            Section 303(d)(2)(A) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21083(d)(2)(A)) is
            amended by striking ``Each State'' and inserting ``Except as
            provided in subsection (b)(5), each State''.
        (c) Conforming Amendments.--
                (1) Timing of registration.--Section 8(a)(1) of the
            National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C.
            20507(a)(1)), as amended by section 1002(b)(3), is amended--
                        (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
                    (D);
                        (B) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as
                    subparagraph (F); and
                        (C) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the
                    following new subparagraph:
                        ``(E) in the case of online registration through
                    the official public website of an election official
                    under section 6A, if the valid voter registration
                    application is submitted online not later than the
                    lesser of 28 days, or the period provided by State law,
                    before the date of the election (as determined by
                    treating the date on which the application is sent
                    electronically as the date on which it is submitted);
                    and''.
                (2) Informing applicants of eligibility requirements and
            penalties.--Section 8(a)(5) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(5))
            is amended by striking ``and 7'' and inserting ``6A, and 7''.

    SEC. 1022. USE OF INTERNET TO UPDATE REGISTRATION INFORMATION.

        (a) In General.--
                (1) Updates to information contained on computerized
            statewide voter registration list.--Section 303(a) of the Help
            America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(a)) is amended by
            adding at the end the following new paragraph:
                ``(6) Use of internet by registered voters to update
            information.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The appropriate State or local
                    election official shall ensure that any registered
                    voter on the computerized list may at any time update
                    the voter's registration information, including the
                    voter's address and electronic mail address, online
                    through the official public website of the election
                    official responsible for the maintenance of the list,
                    so long as the voter attests to the contents of the
                    update by providing a signature in electronic form in
                    the same manner required under section 6A(c) of the
                    National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
                        ``(B) Processing of updated information by election
                    officials.--If a registered voter updates registration
                    information under subparagraph (A), the appropriate
                    State or local election official shall--
                                ``(i) revise any information on the
                            computerized list to reflect the update made by
                            the voter; and
                                ``(ii) if the updated registration
                            information affects the voter's eligibility to
                            vote in an election for Federal office, ensure
                            that the information is processed with respect
                            to the election if the voter updates the
                            information not later than the lesser of 7
                            days, or the period provided by State law,
                            before the date of the election.
                        ``(C) Confirmation and disposition.--
                                ``(i) Confirmation of receipt.--Upon the
                            online submission of updated registration
                            information by an individual under this
                            paragraph, the appropriate State or local
                            election official shall send the individual a
                            notice confirming the State's receipt of the
                            updated information and providing instructions
                            on how the individual may check the status of
                            the update.
                                ``(ii) Notice of disposition.--Not later
                            than 7 days after the appropriate State or
                            local election official has accepted or
                            rejected updated information submitted by an
                            individual under this paragraph, the official
                            shall send the individual a notice of the
                            disposition of the update.
                                ``(iii) Method of notification.--The
                            appropriate State or local election official
                            shall send the notices required under this
                            subparagraph by regular mail and--
                                        ``(I) in the case of an individual
                                    who has requested that the State
                                    provide voter registration and voting
                                    information through electronic mail, by
                                    electronic mail; and
                                        ``(II) at the option of the
                                    individual, by text message.''.
                (2) Conforming amendment relating to effective date.--
            Section 303(d)(1)(A) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21083(d)(1)(A)) is
            amended by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting
            ``subparagraph (B) and subsection (a)(6)''.
        (b) Ability of Registrant To Use Online Update To Provide
    Information on Residence.--Section 8(d)(2)(A) of the National Voter
    Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(d)(2)(A)) is amended--
                (1) in the first sentence, by inserting after ``return the
            card'' the following: ``or update the registrant's information
            on the computerized statewide voter registration list using the
            online method provided under section 303(a)(6) of the Help
            America Vote Act of 2002''; and
                (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``returned,'' and
            inserting the following: ``returned or if the registrant does
            not update the registrant's information on the computerized
            statewide voter registration list using such online method,''.

    SEC. 1023. PROVISION OF ELECTION INFORMATION BY ELECTRONIC MAIL TO
                  INDIVIDUALS REGISTERED TO VOTE.

        (a) Including Option on Voter Registration Application To Provide
    Email Address and Receive Information.--
                (1) In general.--Section 9(b) of the National Voter
            Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20508(b)) is amended--
                        (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
                    (3);
                        (B) in paragraph (4)--
                                (i) by redesignating clauses (i), (ii), and
                            (iii) as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C),
                            respectively; and
                                (ii) in subparagraph (C), as so
                            redesignated, by striking the period at the end
                            and inserting ``; and''; and
                        (C) by adding at the end the following new
                    paragraph:
                ``(5) shall include a space for the applicant to provide
            (at the applicant's option) an electronic mail address,
            together with a statement that, if the applicant so requests,
            instead of using regular mail the appropriate State and local
            election officials shall provide to the applicant, through
            electronic mail sent to that address, the same voting
            information (as defined in section 302(b)(2) of the Help
            America Vote Act of 2002) that the officials would provide to
            the applicant through regular mail.''.
                (2) Prohibiting use for purposes unrelated to official
            duties of election officials.--Section 9 of such Act (52 U.S.C.
            20508) is amended by adding at the end the following new
            subsection:
        ``(c) Prohibiting Use of Electronic Mail Addresses for Other Than
    Official Purposes.--The chief State election official shall ensure that
    any electronic mail address provided by an applicant under subsection
    (b)(5) is used only for purposes of carrying out official duties of
    election officials and is not transmitted by any State or local
    election official (or any agent of such an official, including a
    contractor) to any person who does not require the address to carry out
    such official duties and who is not under the direct supervision and
    control of a State or local election official.''.
        (b) Requiring Provision of Information by Election Officials.--
    Section 302(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C.
    21082(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
                ``(3) Provision of other information by electronic mail.--
            If an individual who is a registered voter has provided the
            State or local election official with an electronic mail
            address for the purpose of receiving voting information (as
            described in section 9(b)(5) of the National Voter Registration
            Act of 1993), the appropriate State or local election official,
            through electronic mail transmitted not later than 7 days
            before the date of the election for Federal office involved,
            shall provide the individual with information on how to obtain
            the following information by electronic means:
                        ``(A)(i) If the individual is assigned to vote in
                    the election at a specific polling place--
                                ``(I) the name and address of the polling
                            place; and
                                ``(II) the hours of operation for the
                            polling place.
                        ``(ii) If the individual is not assigned to vote in
                    the election at a specific polling place--
                                ``(I) the name and address of locations at
                            which the individual is eligible to vote; and
                                ``(II) the hours of operation for those
                            locations.
                        ``(B) A description of any identification or other
                    information the individual may be required to present
                    at the polling place or a location described in
                    subparagraph (A)(ii)(I) to vote in the election.''.

    SEC. 1024. CLARIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT REGARDING NECESSARY INFORMATION
                  TO SHOW ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE.

        Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C.
    20507) is amended--
                (1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and
                (2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following new
            subsection:
        ``(j) Requirement for State To Register Applicants Providing
    Necessary Information To Show Eligibility To Vote.--For purposes
    meeting the requirement of subsection (a)(1) that an eligible applicant
    is registered to vote in an election for Federal office within the
    deadlines required under such subsection, the State shall consider an
    applicant to have provided a `valid voter registration form' if--
                ``(1) the applicant has substantially completed the
            application form and attested to the statement required by
            section 9(b)(2); and
                ``(2) in the case of an applicant who registers to vote
            online in accordance with section 6A, the applicant provides a
            signature in accordance with subsection (c) of such section.''.

    SEC. 1025. PROHIBITING STATE FROM REQUIRING APPLICANTS TO PROVIDE MORE
                  THAN LAST 4 DIGITS OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

        (a) Form Included With Application for Motor Vehicle Driver's
    License.--Section 5(c)(2)(B)(ii) of the National Voter Registration Act
    of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20504(c)(2)(B)(ii)) is amended by striking the
    semicolon at the end and inserting the following: ``, and to the extent
    that the application requires the applicant to provide a social
    security number, may not require the applicant to provide more than the
    last 4 digits of such number;''.
        (b) National Mail Voter Registration Form.--Section 9(b)(1) of such
    Act (52 U.S.C. 20508(b)(1)) is amended by striking the semicolon at the
    end and inserting the following: ``, and to the extent that the form
    requires the applicant to provide a social security number, the form
    may not require the applicant to provide more than the last 4 digits of
    such number;''.

    SEC. 1026. APPLICATION OF RULES TO CERTAIN EXEMPT STATES.

        Section 4 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C.
    20503) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
        ``(c) Application of Internet Voter Registration Rules.--
    Notwithstanding subsection (b), the following provisions shall apply to
    a State described in paragraph (2) thereof:
                ``(1) Section 6A (as added by section 1021(a) of the Voter
            Registration Modernization Act of 2023).
                ``(2) Section 8(a)(1)(E) (as added by section 1021(c)(1) of
            the Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2023).
                ``(3) Section 8(a)(5) (as amended by section 1021(c)(2) of
            Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2023), but only to the
            extent such provision relates to section 6A.
                ``(4) Section 8(j) (as added by section 1024 of the Voter
            Registration Modernization Act of 2023), but only to the extent
            such provision relates to section 6A.''.

    SEC. 1027. REPORT ON DATA COLLECTION RELATING TO ONLINE VOTER
                  REGISTRATION SYSTEMS.

        Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
    Attorney General shall submit to Congress a report on local, State, and
    Federal personally identifiable information data collections efforts
    related to online voter registration systems, the cybersecurity
    resources necessary to defend such efforts from online attacks, and the
    impact of a potential data breach of local, State, or Federal online
    voter registration systems.

    SEC. 1028. PERMITTING VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION FORM TO SERVE AS
                  APPLICATION FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT.

        Section 5(c) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52
    U.S.C. 20504(c)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (2)--
                        (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
                    (D);
                        (B) by striking the period at the end of
                    subparagraph (E) and inserting ``; and''; and
                        (C) by adding at the end the following new
                    subparagraph:
                ``(F) at the option of the applicant, shall serve as an
            application to vote by absentee ballot in the next election for
            Federal office held in the State and in each subsequent
            election for Federal office held in the State.''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
        ``(3)(A) In the case of an individual who is treated as having
    applied for an absentee ballot in the next election for Federal office
    held in the State and in each subsequent election for Federal office
    held in the State under paragraph (2)(F), such treatment shall remain
    effective until the earlier of such time as--
                ``(i) the individual is no longer registered to vote in the
            State; or
                ``(ii) the individual provides an affirmative written
            notice revoking such treatment.
        ``(B) The treatment of an individual as having applied for an
    absentee ballot in the next election for Federal office held in the
    State and in each subsequent election for Federal office held in the
    State under paragraph (2)(F) shall not be revoked on the basis that the
    individual has not voted in an election''.

    SEC. 1029. EFFECTIVE DATE.

        (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the
    amendments made by this part (other than the amendments made by section
    1024) shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general
    election for Federal office held in November 2024 and each succeeding
    election for Federal office.
        (b) Waiver.--If a State certifies to the Election Assistance
    Commission not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
    Act that the State will not meet the deadline described in subsection
    (a) because it would be impracticable to do so and includes in the
    certification the reasons for the failure to meet such deadline,
    subsection (a) shall apply to the State as if the reference in such
    subsection to ``the regularly scheduled general election for Federal
    office held in November 2024'' were a reference to ``January 1, 2026''.

                      PART 4--SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION

    SEC. 1031. SAME-DAY REGISTRATION.

        (a) In General.--Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52
    U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended--
                (1) by redesignating sections 304 and 305 as sections 305
            and 306, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after section 303 the following new
            section:

    ``SEC. 304. SAME-DAY REGISTRATION.

        ``(a) In General.--
                ``(1) Registration.--Each State shall permit any eligible
            individual on the day of a Federal election and on any day when
            voting, including early voting, is permitted for a Federal
            election--
                        ``(A) to register to vote in such election at the
                    polling place using a form that meets the requirements
                    under section 9(b) of the National Voter Registration
                    Act of 1993 (or, if the individual is already
                    registered to vote, to revise any of the individual's
                    voter registration information); 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 enactment of this
            section, there is no voter registration requirement for
            individuals in the State with respect to elections for Federal
            office.
        ``(b) Eligible Individual.--For purposes of this section, the term
    `eligible individual' means, with respect to any election for Federal
    office, an individual who is otherwise qualified to vote in that
    election.
        ``(c) Ensuring Availability of Forms.--The State shall ensure that
    each polling place has copies of any forms an individual may be
    required to complete in order to register to vote or revise the
    individual's voter registration information under this section.
        ``(d) Effective Date.--
                ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), each State
            shall be required to comply with the requirements of this
            section for the regularly scheduled general election for
            Federal office occurring in November 2024 and for any
            subsequent election for Federal office.
                ``(2) Special rules for elections before november 2026.--
                        ``(A) Elections prior to november 2026 general
                    election.--A State shall be deemed to be in compliance
                    with the requirements of this section for the regularly
                    scheduled general election for Federal office occurring
                    in November 2024 and subsequent elections for Federal
                    office occurring before the regularly scheduled general
                    election for Federal office in November 2026 if at
                    least 1 location for each 15,000 registered voters in
                    each jurisdiction in the State meets such requirements,
                    and such location is reasonably located to serve voting
                    populations equitably across the jurisdiction.
                        ``(B) November 2026 general election.--If a State
                    certifies to the Election Assistance Commission not
                    later than November 3, 2026, that the State will not be
                    in compliance with the requirements of this section for
                    the regularly scheduled general election for Federal
                    office occurring in November 2026 because it would be
                    impracticable to do so and includes in the
                    certification the reasons for the failure to meet such
                    requirements, the State shall be deemed to be in
                    compliance with the requirements of this section for
                    such election if at least one location for each 15,000
                    registered voters in each jurisdiction in the State
                    meets such requirements, and such location is
                    reasonably located to serve voting populations
                    equitably across the jurisdiction.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Enforcement.--Section 401 of
    such Act (52 U.S.C. 21111) is amended by striking ``sections 301, 302,
    and 303'' and inserting ``subtitle A of title III''.
        (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act is
    amended--
                (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 304 and
            305 as relating to sections 305 and 306, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the
            following new item:

    ``Sec. 304. Same-day registration.''.

    SEC. 1032. ENSURING PRE-ELECTION REGISTRATION DEADLINES ARE CONSISTENT
                  WITH TIMING OF LEGAL PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

        (a) In General.--Section 8(a)(1) of the National Voter Registration
    Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``30 days''
    each place it appears and inserting ``28 days''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
    apply with respect to elections held in 2024 or any succeeding year.

     PART 5--STREAMLINE VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION, ACCESS, AND PRIVACY

    SEC. 1041. AUTHORIZING THE DISSEMINATION OF VOTER REGISTRATION
                  INFORMATION DISPLAYS FOLLOWING NATURALIZATION CEREMONIES.

        (a) Authorization.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall
    establish a process for authorizing the chief State election official
    of a State to disseminate voter registration information at the
    conclusion of any naturalization ceremony conducted by the Department
    of Homeland Security, its constituent agencies, or the Federal
    judiciary.
        (b) No Effect on Other Authority.--Nothing in this section shall be
    construed to imply that a Federal agency cannot provide voter
    registration services beyond those minimally required herein, or to
    imply that agencies not named may not distribute voter registration
    information or provide voter registration services up to the limits of
    their statutory and funding authority.
        (c) Designated Voter Registration Agencies.--In any State or other
    location in which a Federal agency is designated as a voter
    registration agency under section 7(a)(3)(B)(ii) of the National Voter
    Registration Act, the voter registration responsibilities incurred
    through such designation shall supersede the requirements described in
    this section.

    SEC. 1042. INCLUSION OF VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION WITH CERTAIN
                  LEASES AND VOUCHERS FOR FEDERALLY ASSISTED RENTAL HOUSING
                  AND MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS.

        (a) Definitions.--In this section:
                (1) Bureau.--The term ``Bureau'' means the Bureau of
            Consumer Financial Protection.
                (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
            the Bureau.
                (3) Federal rental assistance.--The term ``Federal rental
            assistance'' means rental assistance provided under--
                        (A) any covered housing program, as defined in
                    section 41411(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of
                    1994 (34 U.S.C. 12491(a));
                        (B) title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C.
                    1471 et seq.), including voucher assistance under
                    section 542 of such title (42 U.S.C. 1490r);
                        (C) the Housing Trust Fund program under section
                    1338 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial
                    Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4588); or
                        (D) subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento
                    Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.).
                (4) Federally backed multifamily mortgage loan.--The term
            ``federally backed multifamily mortgage loan'' includes any
            loan (other than temporary financing such as a construction
            loan) that--
                        (A) is secured by a first or subordinate lien on
                    residential multifamily real property designed
                    principally for the occupancy of 5 or more families,
                    including any such secured loan, the proceeds of which
                    are used to prepay or pay off an existing loan secured
                    by the same property; and
                        (B) is made in whole or in part, or insured,
                    guaranteed, supplemented, or assisted in any way, by
                    any officer or agency of the Federal Government or
                    under or in connection with a housing or urban
                    development program administered by the Secretary of
                    Housing and Urban Development or a housing or related
                    program administered by any other such officer or
                    agency, or is purchased or securitized by the Federal
                    Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Federal National
                    Mortgage Association.
                (5) Owner.--The term ``owner'' has the meaning given the
            term in section 8(f) of the United States Housing Act of 1937
            (42 U.S.C. 1437f(f)).
                (6) Public housing; public housing agency.--The terms
            ``public housing'' and ``public housing agency'' have the
            meanings given those terms in section 3(b) of the United States
            Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)).
                (7) Residential mortgage loan.--The term ``residential
            mortgage loan'' includes any loan that is secured by a first or
            subordinate lien on residential real property, including
            individual units of condominiums and cooperatives, designed
            principally for the occupancy of from 1 to 4 families.
        (b) Uniform Statement.--
                (1) Development.--The Director, after consultation with the
            Election Assistance Commission, shall develop a uniform
            statement designed to provide recipients of the statement
            pursuant to this section with information on how the recipient
            can register to vote and the voting rights of the recipient
            under law.
                (2) Responsibilities.--In developing the uniform statement,
            the Director shall be responsible for--
                        (A) establishing the format of the statement;
                        (B) consumer research and testing of the statement;
                    and
                        (C) consulting with and obtaining from the Election
                    Assistance Commission the content regarding voter
                    rights and registration issues needed to ensure the
                    statement complies with the requirements of paragraph
                    (1).
                (3) Languages.--
                        (A) In general.--The uniform statement required
                    under paragraph (1) shall be developed and made
                    available in English and in each of the 10 languages
                    most commonly spoken by individuals with limited
                    English proficiency, as determined by the Director
                    using information published by the Director of the
                    Bureau of the Census.
                        (B) Publication.--The Director shall make all
                    translated versions of the uniform statement required
                    under paragraph (1) publicly available in a centralized
                    location on the website of the Bureau.
        (c) Leases and Vouchers for Federally Assisted Rental Housing.--
    Each Federal agency administering a Federal rental assistance program
    shall require--
                (1) each public housing agency to provide a copy of the
            uniform statement developed pursuant to subsection (b) to each
            lessee of a dwelling unit in public housing administered by the
            agency--
                        (A) together with the lease for the dwelling unit,
                    at the same time the lease is signed by the lessee; and
                        (B) together with any income verification form, at
                    the same time the form is provided to the lessee;
                (2) each public housing agency that administers rental
            assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher program under
            section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
            U.S.C. 1437f(o)), including the program under paragraph (13) of
            such section 8(o), to provide a copy of the uniform statement
            developed pursuant to subsection (b) to each assisted family or
            individual--
                        (A) together with the voucher for the assistance,
                    at the time the voucher is issued for the family or
                    individual; and
                        (B) together with any income verification form, at
                    the time the voucher is provided to the applicant or
                    assisted family or individual; and
                (3) each owner of a dwelling unit assisted with Federal
            rental assistance to provide a copy of the uniform statement
            developed pursuant to subsection (b) to the lessee of the
            dwelling unit--
                        (A) together with the lease for such dwelling unit,
                    at the same time the lease is signed by the lessee; and
                        (B) together with any income verification form, at
                    the same time the form is provided to the applicant or
                    tenant.
        (d) Applications for Residential Mortgage Loans.--The Director
    shall require each creditor (within the meaning of such term as used in
    section 1026.2(a)(17) of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations) that
    receives an application (within the meaning of such term as used in
    section 1026.2(a)(3)(ii) of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations) to
    provide a copy of the uniform statement developed pursuant to
    subsection (b) in written form to the applicant for the residential
    mortgage loan not later than 5 business days after the date of the
    application.
        (e) Federally Backed Multifamily Mortgage Loans.--The head of the
    Federal agency insuring, guaranteeing, supplementing, or assisting a
    federally backed multifamily mortgage loan, or the Director of the
    Federal Housing Finance Agency in the case of a federally backed
    multifamily mortgage loan that is purchased or securitized by the
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Federal National Mortgage
    Association, shall require the owner of the property secured by the
    federally backed multifamily mortgage loan to provide a copy of the
    uniform statement developed pursuant to subsection (b) in written form
    to each lessee of a dwelling unit assisted by that loan at the time the
    lease is signed by the lessee.
        (f) Optional Completion of Voter Registration.--Nothing in this
    section may be construed to require any individual to complete a voter
    registration form.
        (g) Regulations.--The head of a Federal agency administering a
    Federal rental assistance program, the head of the Federal agency
    insuring, guaranteeing, supplementing, or assisting a federally backed
    multifamily mortgage loan, the Director of the Federal Housing Finance
    Agency, and the Director may issue such regulations as may be necessary
    to carry out this section.
        (h) No Effect on Other Authority.--Nothing in this section shall be
    construed to imply that a Federal agency cannot provide voter
    registration services beyond those minimally required herein, or to
    imply that agencies not named may not distribute voter registration
    information or provide voter registration services up to the limits of
    their statutory and funding authority.
        (i) Designated Voter Registration Agencies.--In any State or other
    location in which a Federal agency is designated as a voter
    registration agency under section 7(a)(3)(B)(ii) of the National Voter
    Registration Act, the voter registration responsibilities incurred
    through such designation shall supersede the requirements described in
    this section.

    SEC. 1043. ACCEPTANCE OF VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS FROM
                  INDIVIDUALS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE.

        (a) Acceptance of Applications.--Section 8 of the National Voter
    Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507), as amended by section 1024,
    is amended--
                (1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and
                (2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following new
            subsection:
        ``(k) Acceptance of Applications From Individuals Under 18 Years of
    Age.--
                ``(1) In general.--A State may not refuse to accept or
            process an individual's application to register to vote in
            elections for Federal office on the grounds that the individual
            is under 18 years of age at the time the individual submits the
            application, so long as the individual is at least 16 years of
            age at such time.
                ``(2) No effect on state voting age requirements.--Nothing
            in paragraph (1) may be construed to require a State to permit
            an individual who is under 18 years of age at the time of an
            election for Federal office to vote in the election.''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
    apply with respect to elections occurring on or after January 1, 2024.

    SEC. 1044. REQUIRING STATES TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE VOTER PRIVACY
                  PROGRAMS.

        (a) In General.--Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52
    U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 1031(a), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating sections 305 and 306 as sections 306
            and 307, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after section 304 the following new
            section:

    ``SEC. 305. VOTER PRIVACY PROGRAMS.

        ``(a) In General.--Each State shall establish and operate a privacy
    program to enable victims of domestic violence, dating violence,
    stalking, sexual assault, and trafficking to have personally
    identifiable information that State or local election officials
    maintain with respect to an individual voter registration status for
    purposes of elections for Federal office in the State, including
    addresses, be kept confidential.
        ``(b) Notice.--Each State shall notify residents of that State of
    the information that State and local election officials maintain with
    respect to an individual voter registration status for purposes of
    elections for Federal office in the State, how that information is
    shared or sold and with whom, what information is automatically kept
    confidential, what information is needed to access voter information
    online, and the privacy programs that are available.
        ``(c) Public Availability.--Each State shall make information about
    the program established under subsection (a) available on a publicly
    accessible website.
        ``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
                ``(1) The terms `dating violence', `domestic violence',
            `sexual assault', and `stalking' have the meanings given those
            terms in section 40002 of the Violence Against Women Act of
            1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291).
                ``(2) The term `trafficking' means an act or practice
            described in paragraph (11) or (12) of section 103 of the
            Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102).
        ``(e) Effective Date.--Each State and jurisdiction shall be
    required to comply with the requirements of this section on and after
    January 1, 2025.''.
        (b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as
    amended by section 1031(c), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 305 and
            306 as relating to sections 306 and 307, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 304 the
            following new item:

    ``Sec. 305. Voter privacy programs.''.

                PART 6--FUNDING SUPPORT TO STATES FOR COMPLIANCE

    SEC. 1051. AVAILABILITY OF REQUIREMENTS PAYMENTS UNDER HAVA TO COVER
                  COSTS OF COMPLIANCE WITH NEW REQUIREMENTS.

        (a) In General.--Section 251(b) of the Help America Vote Act of
    2002 (52 U.S.C. 21001(b)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``as provided in
            paragraphs (2) and (3)'' and inserting ``as otherwise provided
            in this subsection''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
                ``(4) Certain voter registration activities.--
            Notwithstanding paragraph (3), a State may use a requirements
            payment to carry out any of the requirements of the Voter
            Registration Modernization Act of 2023, including the
            requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993
            that are imposed pursuant to the amendments made to such Act by
            the Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2023.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 254(a)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    21004(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``section 251(a)(2)'' and inserting
    ``section 251(b)(2)''.
        (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
    apply with respect to fiscal year 2024 and each succeeding fiscal year.

         Subtitle B--Access to Voting for Individuals With Disabilities

    SEC. 1101. REQUIREMENTS FOR STATES TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO VOTER
                  REGISTRATION AND VOTING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
                  DISABILITIES.

        (a) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote
    Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 1031(a)
    and section 1044(a), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating sections 306 and 307 as sections 307
            and 308, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after section 305 the following new
            section:

    ``SEC. 306. ACCESS TO VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTING FOR INDIVIDUALS
                  WITH DISABILITIES.

        ``(a) Treatment of Applications and Ballots.--Each State shall--
                ``(1) ensure that absentee registration forms, absentee
            ballot applications, and absentee ballots that are available
            electronically are accessible (as defined in section 307);
                ``(2) permit individuals with disabilities to use absentee
            registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in
            elections for Federal office;
                ``(3) accept and process, with respect to any election for
            Federal office, any otherwise valid voter registration
            application and absentee ballot application from an individual
            with a disability if the application is received by the
            appropriate State election official within the deadline for the
            election which is applicable under Federal law;
                ``(4) in addition to any other method of registering to
            vote or applying for an absentee ballot in the State, establish
            procedures--
                        ``(A) for individuals with disabilities to request
                    by mail and electronically voter registration
                    applications and absentee ballot applications with
                    respect to elections for Federal office in accordance
                    with subsection (c);
                        ``(B) for States to send by mail and electronically
                    (in accordance with the preferred method of
                    transmission designated by the individual under
                    subparagraph (C)) voter registration applications and
                    absentee ballot applications requested under
                    subparagraph (A) in accordance with subsection (c); and
                        ``(C) by which such an individual can designate
                    whether the individual prefers that such voter
                    registration application or absentee ballot application
                    be transmitted by mail or electronically;
                ``(5) in addition to any other method of transmitting blank
            absentee ballots in the State, establish procedures for
            transmitting by mail and electronically blank absentee ballots
            to individuals with disabilities with respect to elections for
            Federal office in accordance with subsection (d); and
                ``(6) if the State declares or otherwise holds a runoff
            election for Federal office, establish a written plan that
            provides absentee ballots are made available to individuals
            with disabilities in a manner that gives them sufficient time
            to vote in the runoff election.
        ``(b) Designation of Single State Office To Provide Information on
    Registration and Absentee Ballot Procedures for Voters With
    Disabilities in State.--
                ``(1) In general.--Each State shall designate a single
            office that shall be responsible for providing information
            regarding voter registration procedures, absentee ballot
            procedures, and in-person voting procedures to be used by
            individuals with disabilities with respect to elections for
            Federal office to all individuals with disabilities who wish to
            register to vote or vote in any jurisdiction in the State.
                ``(2) Responsibilities.--Each State shall, through the
            office designated under paragraph (1)--
                        ``(A) provide information to election officials--
                                ``(i) on how to set up and operate
                            accessible voting systems; and
                                ``(ii) regarding the accessibility of
                            voting procedures, including guidance on
                            compatibility with assistive technologies such
                            as screen readers and ballot marking devices;
                        ``(B) integrate information on accessibility,
                    accommodations, disability, and older individuals into
                    regular training materials for poll workers and
                    election administration officials;
                        ``(C) train poll workers on how to make polling
                    places accessible for individuals with disabilities and
                    older individuals;
                        ``(D) promote the hiring of individuals with
                    disabilities and older individuals as poll workers and
                    election staff; and
                        ``(E) publicly post the results of any audits to
                    determine the accessibility of polling places not later
                    than 6 months after the completion of the audit.
        ``(c) Designation of Means of Electronic Communication for
    Individuals With Disabilities To Request and for States To Send Voter
    Registration Applications and Absentee Ballot Applications, and for
    Other Purposes Related to Voting Information.--
                ``(1) In general.--Each State shall, in addition to the
            designation of a single State office under subsection (b),
            designate not less than 1 means of accessible electronic
            communication--
                        ``(A) for use by individuals with disabilities who
                    wish to register to vote or vote in any jurisdiction in
                    the State to request voter registration applications
                    and absentee ballot applications under subsection
                    (a)(4);
                        ``(B) for use by States to send voter registration
                    applications and absentee ballot applications requested
                    under such subsection; and
                        ``(C) for the purpose of providing related voting,
                    balloting, and election information to individuals with
                    disabilities.
                ``(2) Clarification regarding provision of multiple means
            of electronic communication.--A State may, in addition to the
            means of electronic communication so designated, provide
            multiple means of electronic communication to individuals with
            disabilities, including a means of electronic communication for
            the appropriate jurisdiction of the State.
                ``(3) Inclusion of designated means of electronic
            communication with informational and instructional materials
            that accompany balloting materials.--Each State shall include a
            means of electronic communication so designated with all
            informational and instructional materials that accompany
            balloting materials sent by the State to individuals with
            disabilities.
                ``(4) Transmission if no preference indicated.--In the case
            in which an individual with a disability does not designate a
            preference under subsection (a)(4)(C), the State shall transmit
            the voter registration application or absentee ballot
            application by any delivery method allowable in accordance with
            applicable State law, or if there is no applicable State law,
            by mail.
        ``(d) Transmission of Blank Absentee Ballots by Mail and
    Electronically.--
                ``(1) In general.--Each State shall establish procedures--
                        ``(A) to securely transmit blank absentee ballots
                    by mail and electronically (in accordance with the
                    preferred method of transmission designated by the
                    individual with a disability under subparagraph (B)) to
                    individuals with disabilities for an election for
                    Federal office; and
                        ``(B) by which the individual with a disability can
                    designate whether the individual prefers that such
                    blank absentee ballot be transmitted by mail or
                    electronically.
                ``(2) Transmission if no preference indicated.--In the case
            where an individual with a disability does not designate a
            preference under paragraph (1)(B), the State shall transmit the
            ballot by any delivery method allowable in accordance with
            applicable State law, or if there is no applicable State law,
            by mail.
                ``(3) Application of methods to track delivery to and
            return of ballot by individual requesting ballot.--Under the
            procedures established under paragraph (1), the State shall
            apply such methods as the State considers appropriate, such as
            assigning a unique identifier to the ballot envelope, to ensure
            that if an individual with a disability requests the State to
            transmit a blank absentee ballot to the individual in
            accordance with this subsection, the voted absentee ballot that
            is returned by the individual is the same blank absentee ballot
            that the State transmitted to the individual.
        ``(e) Individual With a Disability Defined.--In this section, an
    `individual with a disability' means an individual with an impairment
    that substantially limits any major life activities and who is
    otherwise qualified to vote in elections for Federal office.
        ``(f) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to
    elections for Federal office held on or after January 1, 2024.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Issuance of Voluntary Guidance
    by Election Assistance Commission.--
                (1) Timing of issuance.--Section 311(b) of such Act (52
            U.S.C. 21101(b)) is amended--
                        (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
                    (2);
                        (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph
                    (3) and inserting ``; and''; and
                        (C) by adding at the end the following new
                    paragraph:
                ``(4) in the case of the recommendations with respect to
            section 306, January 1, 2024.''.
                (2) Redesignation.--
                        (A) In general.--Title III of such Act (52 U.S.C.
                    21081 et seq.) is amended by redesignating sections 311
                    and 312 as sections 321 and 322, respectively.
                        (B) Conforming amendment.--Section 321(a) of such
                    Act, as redesignated by subparagraph (A), is amended by
                    striking ``section 312'' and inserting ``section 322''.
        (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as
    amended by section 1031(c) and section 1044(b), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 306 and
            307 as relating to sections 307 and 308, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 305 the
            following new item:

    ``Sec. 306. Access to voter registration and voting for individuals
                                with disabilities.''.

    SEC. 1102. ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE ACCESSIBLE ELECTION
                  WEBSITES.

        (a) In General.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote
    Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 1031(a),
    section 1044(a), and section 1101(a), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating sections 307 and 308 as sections 308
            and 309, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after section 306 the following:

    ``SEC. 307. ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ACCESSIBLE ELECTION
                  WEBSITES.

        ``(a) In General.--Not later than January 1, 2025, each State shall
    establish a single election website that is accessible and meets the
    following requirements:
                ``(1) Local election officials.--The website shall provide
            local election officials, poll workers, and volunteers with--
                        ``(A) guidance to ensure that polling places are
                    accessible for individuals with disabilities and older
                    individuals in a manner that provides the same
                    opportunity for access and participation (including
                    privacy and independence) as for other voters; and
                        ``(B) online training and resources on--
                                ``(i) how best to promote the access and
                            participation of individuals with disabilities
                            and older individuals in elections for public
                            office; and
                                ``(ii) the voting rights and protections
                            for individuals with disabilities and older
                            individuals under State and Federal law.
                ``(2) Voters.--The website shall provide information about
            voting, including--
                        ``(A) the accessibility of all polling places
                    within the State, including outreach programs to inform
                    individuals about the availability of accessible
                    polling places;
                        ``(B) how to register to vote and confirm voter
                    registration in the State;
                        ``(C) the location and operating hours of all
                    polling places in the State;
                        ``(D) the availability of aid or assistance for
                    individuals with disabilities and older individuals to
                    cast their vote in a manner that provides the same
                    opportunity for access and participation (including
                    privacy and independence) as for other voters at
                    polling places;
                        ``(E) the availability of transportation aid or
                    assistance to the polling place for individuals with
                    disabilities or older individuals;
                        ``(F) the rights and protections under State and
                    Federal law for individuals with disabilities and older
                    individuals to participate in elections; and
                        ``(G) how to contact State, local, and Federal
                    officials with complaints or grievances if individuals
                    with disabilities, older individuals, Native Americans,
                    Alaska Natives, and individuals with limited
                    proficiency in the English language feel their ability
                    to register to vote or vote has been blocked or
                    delayed.
        ``(b) Partnership With Outside Technical Organization.--The chief
    State election official of each State, through the committee of
    appropriate individuals under subsection (c)(2), shall partner with an
    outside technical organization with demonstrated experience in
    establishing accessible and easy to use accessible election websites
    to--
                ``(1) update an existing election website of the State to
            make the website fully accessible in accordance with this
            section; or
                ``(2) develop an election website of the State that is
            fully accessible in accordance with this section.
        ``(c) State Plan.--
                ``(1) Development.--The chief State election official of
            each State shall, through a committee of appropriate
            individuals as described in paragraph (2), develop a State plan
            that describes how the State and local governments will meet
            the requirements under this section.
                ``(2) Committee membership.--The committee shall comprise
            at least the following individuals:
                        ``(A) The chief election officials of the 4 most
                    populous jurisdictions within the State.
                        ``(B) The chief election officials of the 4 least
                    populous jurisdictions within the State.
                        ``(C) Representatives from 2 disability advocacy
                    groups, including not fewer than 1 such representative
                    who is an individual with a disability.
                        ``(D) Representatives from 2 older individual
                    advocacy groups, including not fewer than 1 such
                    representative who is an older individual.
                        ``(E) Representatives from 2 independent non-
                    governmental organizations with expertise in
                    establishing and maintaining accessible websites.
                        ``(F) Representatives from 2 independent non-
                    governmental voting rights organizations.
                        ``(G) Representatives from State protection and
                    advocacy systems, as defined in section 102 of the
                    Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of
                    Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15002).
        ``(d) Partnership To Monitor and Verify Accessibility.--The chief
    State election official of each eligible State, through the committee
    of appropriate individuals established under subsection (c)(2), shall
    partner with not fewer than 2 of the following organizations to monitor
    and verify the accessibility of the election website of the State and
    the completeness of the election information and the accuracy of the
    disability information provided on such website:
                ``(1) University Centers for Excellence in Developmental
            Disabilities Education, Research, and Services established
            under subtitle D of title I of the Developmental Disabilities
            Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15061 et
            seq.).
                ``(2) Centers for independent living, as described in part
            C of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.
            796f et seq.).
                ``(3) The State Council on Developmental Disabilities
            established under section 125 of the Developmental Disabilities
            Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15025).
                ``(4) State protection and advocacy systems, as defined in
            section 102 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and
            Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15002).
                ``(5) Statewide Independent Living Councils established
            under section 705 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.
            796d).
                ``(6) State programs established under the Assistive
            Technology Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.).
                ``(7) A visual access advocacy organization.
                ``(8) An organization for the deaf.
                ``(9) A mental health organization.
        ``(e) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, section 305, and
    section 307:
                ``(1) Accessible.--The term `accessible' means--
                        ``(A) in the case of the election website under
                    subsection (a) or an electronic communication under
                    section 305--
                                ``(i) that the functions and content of the
                            website or electronic communication, including
                            all text, visual, and aural content, are as
                            accessible to people with disabilities as to
                            those without disabilities;
                                ``(ii) that the functions and content of
                            the website or electronic communication are
                            accessible to individuals with limited
                            proficiency in the English language; and
                                ``(iii) that the website or electronic
                            communication meets, at a minimum, conformance
                            to Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility
                            Guidelines 2.0 of the Web Accessibility
                            Initiative (or any successor guidelines); and
                        ``(B) in the case of a facility (including a
                    polling place), that the facility is readily accessible
                    to and usable by individuals with disabilities and
                    older individuals, as determined under the 2010 ADA
                    Standards for Accessible Design of the Department of
                    Justice, published on September 15, 2010 (or any
                    successor standards).
                ``(2) Individual with a disability.--The term `individual
            with a disability' means an individual with a disability, as
            defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of
            1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102), and who is otherwise qualified to vote
            in elections for Federal office.
                ``(3) Older individual.--The term `older individual' means
            an individual who is 60 years of age or older and who is
            otherwise qualified to vote in elections for Federal office.''.
        (b) Voluntary Guidance.--Section 321(b)(4) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    21101(b)), as added and redesignated by section 1101(b), is amended by
    striking ``section 306'' and inserting ``sections 306 and 307''.
        (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as
    amended by section 1031(c), section 1044(b), and section 1101(c), is
    amended--
                (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 307 and
            308 as relating to sections 308 and 309, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 306 the
            following new item:

    ``Sec. 307. Establishment and maintenance of accessible election
                                websites.''.

    SEC. 1103. PROTECTIONS FOR IN-PERSON VOTING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
                  DISABILITIES AND OLDER INDIVIDUALS.

        (a) Requirement.--
                (1) In general.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help
            America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended
            by section 1031(a), section 1044(a), section 1101(a), and
            section 1102(a), is amended--
                        (A) by redesignating sections 308 and 309 as
                    sections 309 and 310, respectively; and
                        (B) by inserting after section 307 the following:

    ``SEC. 308. ACCESS TO VOTING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND
                  OLDER INDIVIDUALS.

        ``(a) In General.--Each State shall--
                ``(1) ensure all polling places within the State are
            accessible, as defined in section 306;
                ``(2) consider procedures to address long wait times at
            polling places that allow individuals with disabilities and
            older individuals alternate options to cast a ballot in person
            in an election for Federal office, such as the option to cast a
            ballot outside of the polling place or from a vehicle, or
            providing an expedited voting line; and
                ``(3) consider options to establish mobile polling sites to
            allow election officials or volunteers to travel to long-term
            care facilities and assist residents who request assistance in
            casting a ballot in order to maintain the privacy and
            independence of voters in those facilities.
        ``(b) Clarification.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to
    alter the requirements under Federal law that all polling places for
    Federal elections are accessible to individuals with disabilities and
    older individuals.
        ``(c) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to
    elections for Federal office held on or after January 1, 2026.''.
                (2) Voluntary guidance.--Section 321(b)(4) of such Act (52
            U.S.C. 21101(b)), as added and redesignated by section 1101(b)
            and as amended by section 1102(b), is amended by striking ``and
            307'' and inserting ``, 307, and 308''.
                (3) Clerical amendments.--The table of contents of such
            Act, as amended by section 1031(c), section 1044(b), section
            1101(c), and section 1102(c), is amended--
                        (A) by redesignating the items relating to sections
                    308 and 309 as relating to sections 309 and 310,
                    respectively; and
                        (B) by inserting after the item relating to section
                    307 the following new item:

    ``Sec. 308. Access to voting for individuals with disabilities and
                                older individuals.''.
        (b) Revisions to Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and
    Handicapped Act.--
                (1) Reports to election assistance commission.--Section
            3(c) of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and
            Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20102(c)) is amended--
                        (A) in the subsection heading, by striking
                    ``Federal Election Commission'' and inserting
                    ``Election Assistance Commission'';
                        (B) in each of paragraphs (1) and (2), by striking
                    ``Federal Election Commission'' and inserting
                    ``Election Assistance Commission''; and
                        (C) by striking paragraph (3).
                (2) Conforming amendments relating to references.--The
            Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (52
            U.S.C. 20101 et seq.), as amended by paragraph (1), is
            amended--
                        (A) by striking ``handicapped and elderly
                    individuals'' each place it appears and inserting
                    ``individuals with disabilities and older
                    individuals'';
                        (B) by striking ``handicapped and elderly voters''
                    each place it appears and inserting ``individuals with
                    disabilities and older individuals'';
                        (C) in section 3(b)(2)(B), by striking
                    ``handicapped or elderly voter'' and inserting
                    ``individual with a disability or older individual'';
                        (D) in section 5(b), by striking ``handicapped
                    voter'' and inserting ``individual with a disability'';
                    and
                        (E) in section 8--
                                (i) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and
                            inserting the following:
                ``(1) `accessible' has the meaning given that term in
            section 307 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added by
            section 1102(a) of the Freedom to Vote Act;
                ``(2) `older individual' has the meaning given that term in
            such section 307;''; and
                                (ii) by striking paragraph (4), and
                            inserting the following:
                ``(4) `individual with a disability' has the meaning given
            that term in such section 306; and''.
                (3) Short title amendment.--
                        (A) In general.--Section 1 of the Voting
                    Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act
                    (Public Law 98-435; 42 U.S.C. 1973ee note) is amended
                    by striking ``for the Elderly and Handicapped'' and
                    inserting ``for Individuals with Disabilities and Older
                    Individuals''.
                        (B) References.--Any reference in any other
                    provision of law, regulation, document, paper, or other
                    record of the United States to the ``Voting
                    Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act''
                    shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Voting
                    Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities and
                    Older Individuals Act''.
                (4) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
            shall take effect on January 1, 2026, and shall apply with
            respect to elections for Federal office held on or after that
            date.

    SEC. 1104. PROTECTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS SUBJECT TO GUARDIANSHIP.

        (a) In General.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote
    Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 1031(a),
    section 1044(a), section 1101(a), section 1102(a), and section
    1103(a)(1), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating sections 309 and 310 as sections 310
            and 311, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after section 308 the following:

    ``SEC. 309. PROTECTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS SUBJECT TO GUARDIANSHIP.

        ``(a) In General.--A State shall not determine that an individual
    lacks the capacity to vote in an election for Federal office on the
    ground that the individual is subject to guardianship, unless a court
    of competent jurisdiction issues a court order finding by clear and
    convincing evidence that the individual cannot communicate, with or
    without accommodations, a desire to participate in the voting process.
        ``(b) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to
    elections for Federal office held on or after January 1, 2024.''.
        (b) Voluntary Guidance.--Section 321(b)(4) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    21101(b)), as added and redesignated by section 1101(b) and as amended
    by sections 1102 and 1103, is amended by striking ``and 308'' and
    inserting ``308, and 309''.
        (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as
    amended by section 1031(c), section 1044(b), section 1101(c), section
    1102(c), and section 1103(a)(3), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 309 and
            310 as relating to sections 310 and 311, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 308 the
            following new item:

    ``Sec. 309. Protections for individuals subject to guardianship.''.

    SEC. 1105. EXPANSION AND REAUTHORIZATION OF GRANT PROGRAM TO ASSURE
                  VOTING ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

        (a) Purposes of Payments.--Section 261(b) of the Help America Vote
    Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21021(b)) is amended by striking paragraphs (1)
    and (2) and inserting the following:
                ``(1) making absentee voting and voting at home accessible
            to individuals with the full range of disabilities (including
            impairments involving vision, hearing, mobility, or dexterity)
            through the implementation of accessible absentee voting
            systems that work in conjunction with assistive technologies
            for which individuals have access at their homes, independent
            living centers, or other facilities;
                ``(2) making polling places, including the path of travel,
            entrances, exits, and voting areas of each polling facility,
            accessible to individuals with disabilities, including the
            blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same
            opportunity for access and participation (including privacy and
            independence) as for other voters; and
                ``(3) providing solutions to problems of access to voting
            and elections for individuals with disabilities that are
            universally designed and provide the same opportunities for
            individuals with and without disabilities.''.
        (b) Reauthorization.--Section 264(a) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    21024(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
                ``(4) For fiscal year 2024 and each succeeding fiscal year,
            such sums as may be necessary to carry out this part.''.
        (c) Period of Availability of Funds.--Section 264 of such Act (52
    U.S.C. 21024) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``Any amounts'' and
            inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (c), any
            amounts''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
        ``(c) Return and Transfer of Certain Funds.--
                ``(1) Deadline for obligation and expenditure.--In the case
            of any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of
            subsection (a) for a payment to a State or unit of local
            government for fiscal year 2024 or any succeeding fiscal year,
            any portion of such amounts which have not been obligated or
            expended by the State or unit of local government prior to the
            expiration of the 4-year period that begins on the date the
            State or unit of local government first received the amounts
            shall be transferred to the Commission.
                ``(2) Reallocation of transferred amounts.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The Commission shall use the
                    amounts transferred under paragraph (1) to make
                    payments on a pro rata basis to each covered payment
                    recipient described in subparagraph (B), which may
                    obligate and expend such payment for the purposes
                    described in section 261(b) during the 1-year period
                    which begins on the date of receipt.
                        ``(B) Covered payment recipients described.--In
                    subparagraph (A), a `covered payment recipient' is a
                    State or unit of local government with respect to
                    which--
                                ``(i) amounts were appropriated pursuant to
                            the authority of subsection (a); and
                                ``(ii) no amounts were transferred to the
                            Commission under paragraph (1).''.

    SEC. 1106. PILOT PROGRAMS FOR ENABLING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO
                  REGISTER TO VOTE PRIVATELY AND INDEPENDENTLY AT
                  RESIDENCES.

        (a) Establishment of Pilot Programs.--The Election Assistance
    Commission (hereafter referred to as the ``Commission'') shall, subject
    to the availability of appropriations to carry out this section, make
    grants to eligible States to conduct pilot programs under which
    individuals with disabilities may use electronic means (including the
    internet and telephones utilizing assistive devices) to register to
    vote and to request and receive absentee ballots in a manner which
    permits such individuals to do so privately and independently at their
    own residences.
        (b) Reports.--
                (1) In general.--A State receiving a grant for a year under
            this section shall submit a report to the Commission on the
            pilot programs the State carried out with the grant with
            respect to elections for public office held in the State during
            the year.
                (2) Deadline.--A State shall submit a report under
            paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after the last election
            for public office held in the State during the year.
        (c) Eligibility.--A State is eligible to receive a grant under this
    section if the State submits to the Commission, at such time and in
    such form as the Commission may require, an application containing such
    information and assurances as the Commission may require.
        (d) Timing.--The Commission shall make the first grants under this
    section for pilot programs which will be in effect with respect to
    elections for Federal office held in 2024, or, at the option of a
    State, with respect to other elections for public office held in the
    State in 2024.
        (e) State Defined.--In 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.

    SEC. 1107. GAO ANALYSIS AND REPORT ON VOTING ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS
                  WITH DISABILITIES.

        (a) Analysis.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
    conduct an analysis after each regularly scheduled general election for
    Federal office with respect to the following:
                (1) In relation to polling places located in houses of
            worship or other facilities that may be exempt from
            accessibility requirements under the Americans with
            Disabilities Act--
                        (A) efforts to overcome accessibility challenges
                    posed by such facilities; and
                        (B) the extent to which such facilities are used as
                    polling places in elections for Federal office.
                (2) Assistance provided by the Election Assistance
            Commission, Department of Justice, or other Federal agencies to
            help State and local officials improve voting access for
            individuals with disabilities during elections for Federal
            office.
                (3) When accessible voting machines are available at a
            polling place, the extent to which such machines--
                        (A) are located in places that are difficult to
                    access;
                        (B) malfunction; or
                        (C) fail to provide sufficient privacy to ensure
                    that the ballot of the individual cannot be seen by
                    another individual.
                (4) The process by which Federal, State, and local
            governments track compliance with accessibility requirements
            related to voting access, including methods to receive and
            address complaints.
                (5) The extent to which poll workers receive training on
            how to assist individuals with disabilities, including the
            receipt by such poll workers of information on legal
            requirements related to voting rights for individuals with
            disabilities.
                (6) The extent and effectiveness of training provided to
            poll workers on the operation of accessible voting machines.
                (7) The extent to which individuals with a developmental or
            psychiatric disability experience greater barriers to voting,
            and whether poll worker training adequately addresses the needs
            of such individuals.
                (8) The extent to which State or local governments employ,
            or attempt to employ, individuals with disabilities to work at
            polling sites.
        (b) Report.--
                (1) In general.--Not later than 9 months after the date of
            a regularly scheduled general election for Federal office, the
            Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate
            congressional committees a report with respect to the most
            recent regularly scheduled general election for Federal office
            that contains the following:
                        (A) The analysis required by subsection (a).
                        (B) Recommendations, as appropriate, to promote the
                    use of best practices used by State and local officials
                    to address barriers to accessibility and privacy
                    concerns for individuals with disabilities in elections
                    for Federal office.
                (2) Appropriate congressional committees.--For purposes of
            this subsection, the term ``appropriate congressional
            committees'' means--
                        (A) the Committee on House Administration of the
                    House of Representatives;
                        (B) the Committee on Rules and Administration of
                    the Senate;
                        (C) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
                    Representatives; and
                        (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

                            Subtitle C--Early Voting

    SEC. 1201. EARLY VOTING.

        (a) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote
    Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 1031(a),
    section 1044(a), section 1101(a), section 1102(a), section 1103(a), and
    section 1104(a), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating sections 310 and 311 as sections 311
            and 312, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after section 309 the following new
            section:

    ``SEC. 310. EARLY VOTING.

        ``(a) Requiring Voting Prior to Date of Election.--Each election
    jurisdiction shall allow individuals to vote in an election for Federal
    office during an early voting period which occurs prior to the date of
    the election, in a manner that allows the individual to receive,
    complete, and cast their ballot in person.
        ``(b) Minimum Early Voting Requirements.--
                ``(1) In general.--
                        ``(A) Length of period.--The early voting period
                    required under this subsection with respect to an
                    election shall consist of a period of consecutive days
                    (including weekends) which begins on the 15th day
                    before the date of the election (or, at the option of
                    the State, on a day prior to the 15th day before the
                    date of the election) and ends no earlier than the
                    second day before the date of the election.
                        ``(B) Hours for early voting.--Each polling place
                    which allows voting during an early voting period under
                    subparagraph (A) shall--
                                ``(i) allow such voting for no less than 10
                            hours on each day during the period;
                                ``(ii) have uniform hours each day for
                            which such voting occurs; and
                                ``(iii) allow such voting to be held for
                            some period of time prior to 9:00 a.m. (local
                            time) and some period of time after 5:00 p.m.
                            (local time).
                ``(2) Requirements for vote-by-mail jurisdictions.--In the
            case of a jurisdiction that sends every registered voter a
            ballot by mail--
                        ``(A) paragraph (1) shall not apply;
                        ``(B) such jurisdiction shall allow eligible
                    individuals to vote during an early voting period that
                    ensures voters are provided the greatest opportunity to
                    cast ballots ahead of Election Day and which includes
                    at least one consecutive Saturday and Sunday; and
                        ``(C) each polling place which allows voting during
                    an early voting period under subparagraph (B) shall
                    allow such voting--
                                ``(i) during the election office's regular
                            business hours; and
                                ``(ii) for a period of not less than 8
                            hours on Saturdays and Sundays included in the
                            early voting period.
                ``(3) Requirements for small jurisdictions.--
                        ``(A) In general.--In the case of a jurisdiction
                    described in subparagraph (B), paragraph (1)(B) shall
                    not apply so long as all eligible individuals in the
                    jurisdiction have the opportunity to vote--
                                ``(i) at each polling place which allows
                            voting during the early voting period described
                            in paragraph (1)(A)--
                                        ``(I) during the election office's
                                    regular business hours; and
                                        ``(II) for a period of not less
                                    than 8 hours on at least one Saturday
                                    and at least one Sunday included in the
                                    early voting period; or
                                ``(ii) at 1 or more polling places in the
                            county in which such jurisdiction is located
                            that allows voting during the early voting
                            period described in paragraph (1)(A) in
                            accordance with the requirements under
                            paragraph (1)(B).
                        ``(B) Jurisdiction described.--A jurisdiction is
                    described in this subparagraph if such jurisdiction--
                                ``(i) had less than 3,000 registered voters
                            at the time of the most recent prior election
                            for Federal office; and
                                ``(ii) consists of a geographic area that
                            is smaller than the jurisdiction of the county
                            in which such jurisdiction is located.
                ``(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
            shall be construed--
                        ``(A) to limit the availability of additional
                    temporary voting sites which provide voters more
                    opportunities to cast their ballots but which do not
                    meet the requirements of this subsection;
                        ``(B) to limit a polling place from being open for
                    additional hours outside of the uniform hours set for
                    the polling location on any day of the early voting
                    period; or
                        ``(C) to limit a State or jurisdiction from
                    offering early voting on the Monday before Election
                    Day.
        ``(c) Availability of Polling Places.--To the greatest extent
    practicable, each State and jurisdiction shall--
                ``(1) ensure that there are an appropriate number of
            polling places which allow voting during an early voting
            period; and
                ``(2) ensure that such polling places provide the greatest
            opportunity for residents of the jurisdiction to vote.
        ``(d) Location of Polling Places.--
                ``(1) Proximity to public transportation.--To the greatest
            extent practicable, each State and jurisdiction shall ensure
            that each polling place which allows voting during an early
            voting period under subsection (b) is located within walking
            distance of a stop on a public transportation route.
                ``(2) Availability in rural areas.--In the case of a
            jurisdiction that includes a rural area, the State or
            jurisdiction shall--
                        ``(A) ensure that an appropriate number of polling
                    places, but not less than 1, that allow voting during
                    an early voting period under subsection (b) will be
                    located in such rural areas; and
                        ``(B) ensure that such polling places are located
                    in communities which will provide the greatest
                    opportunity for residents of rural areas to vote during
                    the early voting period.
                ``(3) Campuses of institutions of higher education.--In the
            case of a jurisdiction that is not considered a vote by mail
            jurisdiction described in subsection (b)(2) or a small
            jurisdiction described in subsection (b)(3) and that includes
            an institution of higher education (as defined under section
            102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)),
            including a branch campus of such an institution, the State or
            jurisdiction shall--
                        ``(A) ensure that an appropriate number of polling
                    places, but not less than 1, that allow voting during
                    the early voting period under subsection (b) will be
                    located on the physical campus of each such
                    institution, including each such branch campus; and
                        ``(B) ensure that such polling places provide the
                    greatest opportunity for residents of the jurisdiction
                    to vote.
        ``(e) Standards.--Not later than June 30, 2024, the Commission
    shall issue voluntary standards for the administration of voting during
    voting periods which occur prior to the date of a Federal election.
    Subject to subsection (d), such voluntary standards shall include the
    nondiscriminatory geographic placement of polling places at which such
    voting occurs.
        ``(f) Ballot Processing and Scanning Requirements.--
                ``(1) In general.--Each State or jurisdiction shall begin
            processing and scanning ballots cast during in-person early
            voting for tabulation not later than the date that is 14 days
            prior to the date of the election involved, except that a State
            or jurisdiction may begin processing and scanning ballots cast
            during in-person early voting for tabulation after such date if
            the date on which the State or jurisdiction begins such
            processing and scanning ensures, to the greatest extent
            practical, that ballots cast before the date of the election
            are processed and scanned before the date of the election.
                ``(2) Limitation.--Nothing in this subsection shall be
            construed--
                        ``(A) to permit a State or jurisdiction to tabulate
                    ballots in an election before the closing of the polls
                    on the date of the election unless such tabulation is a
                    necessary component of preprocessing in the State or
                    jurisdiction and is performed in accordance with
                    existing State law; or
                        ``(B) to permit an official to make public any
                    results of tabulation and processing before the closing
                    of the polls on the date of the election.
        ``(g) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the
    regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in
    November 2024 and each succeeding election for Federal office.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendments Relating to Issuance of Voluntary
    Guidance by Election Assistance Commission.--Section 321(b) of such Act
    (52 U.S.C. 21101(b)), as redesignated and amended by section 1101(b),
    is amended--
                (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3);
                (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and
            inserting ``; and''; and
                (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
                ``(5) except as provided in paragraph (4), in the case of
            the recommendations with respect to any section added by the
            Freedom to Vote Act, June 30, 2024.''.
        (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as
    amended by section 1031(c), section 1044(b), section 1101(c), section
    1102(c), section 1103(a), and section 1104(c), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 310 and
            311 as relating to sections 311 and 312, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 309 the
            following new item:

    ``Sec. 310. Early voting.''.

                           Subtitle D--Voting by Mail

    SEC. 1301. VOTING BY MAIL.

        (a) In General.--
                (1) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help
            America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended
            by section 1031(a), section 1044(a), section 1101(a), section
            1102(a), section 1103(a), section 1104(a), and section 1201(a),
            is amended--
                        (A) by redesignating sections 311 and 312 as
                    sections 312 and 313, respectively; and
                        (B) by inserting after section 310 the following
                    new section:

    ``SEC. 311. PROMOTING ABILITY OF VOTERS TO VOTE BY MAIL.

        ``(a) Uniform Availability of Absentee Voting to All Voters.--
                ``(1) In general.--If an individual in a State is eligible
            to cast a vote in an election for Federal office, the State may
            not impose any additional conditions or requirements on the
            eligibility of the individual to cast the vote in such election
            by absentee ballot by mail.
                ``(2) Administration of voting by mail.--
                        ``(A) Prohibiting identification requirement as
                    condition of obtaining or casting ballot.--A State may
                    not require an individual to submit any form of
                    identifying document as a condition of obtaining or
                    casting an absentee ballot, except that nothing in this
                    subparagraph may be construed to prevent a State from
                    requiring--
                                ``(i) the information required to complete
                            an application for voter registration for an
                            election for Federal office under section
                            303(a)(5)(A), provided that a State may not
                            deny a voter a ballot or the opportunity to
                            cast it on the grounds that the voter does not
                            possess a current and valid driver's license
                            number or a social security number; or
                                ``(ii) a signature of the individual or
                            similar affirmation as a condition of obtaining
                            or casting an absentee ballot.
                        ``(B) Prohibiting faulty matching requirements for
                    identifying information.--A State may not deny a voter
                    an absentee ballot or reject an absentee ballot cast by
                    a voter--
                                ``(i) on the grounds that the voter
                            provided a different form of identifying
                            information under subparagraph (A) than the
                            voter originally provided when registering to
                            vote or when requesting an absentee ballot; or
                                ``(ii) due to an error in, or omission of,
                            identifying information required by a State
                            under subparagraph (A), if such error or
                            omission is not material to an individual's
                            eligibility to vote under section 2004(a)(2)(B)
                            of the Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C.
                            10101(a)(2)(B)).
                        ``(C) Prohibiting requirement to provide
                    notarization or witness signature as condition of
                    obtaining or casting ballot.--A State may not require
                    notarization or witness signature or other formal
                    authentication (other than voter attestation) as a
                    condition of obtaining or casting an absentee ballot,
                    except that nothing in this subparagraph may be
                    construed to prohibit a State from enforcing a law
                    which has a witness signature requirement for a ballot
                    where a voter oath is attested to with a mark rather
                    than a voter's signature.
                ``(3) No effect on identification requirements for first-
            time voters registering by mail.--Nothing in this subsection
            may be construed to exempt any individual described in
            paragraph (1) of section 303(b) from meeting the requirements
            of paragraph (2) of such section or to exempt an individual
            described in paragraph (5)(A) of section 303(b) from meeting
            the requirements of paragraph (5)(B).
        ``(b) Due Process Requirements for States Requiring Signature
    Verification.--
                ``(1) Requirement.--
                        ``(A) In general.--A State may not impose a
                    signature verification requirement as a condition of
                    accepting and counting a mail-in ballot or absentee
                    ballot submitted by any individual with respect to an
                    election for Federal office unless the State meets the
                    due process requirements described in paragraph (2).
                        ``(B) Signature verification requirement
                    described.--In this subsection, a `signature
                    verification requirement' is a requirement that an
                    election official verify the identification of an
                    individual by comparing the signature of the individual
                    on the mail-in ballot or absentee ballot with the
                    individual's signature on the official list of
                    registered voters in the State or another official
                    record or other document used by the State to verify
                    the signatures of voters.
                ``(2) Due process requirements.--
                        ``(A) Notice and opportunity to cure discrepancy in
                    signatures.--If an individual submits a mail-in ballot
                    or an absentee ballot and the appropriate State or
                    local election official determines that a discrepancy
                    exists between the signature on such ballot and the
                    signature of such individual on the official list of
                    registered voters in the State or other official record
                    or 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--
                                ``(i) as soon as practical, but not later
                            than the next business day after such
                            determination is made, make a good faith effort
                            to notify the individual by mail, telephone,
                            and (if available) text message and electronic
                            mail that--
                                        ``(I) a discrepancy exists between
                                    the signature on such ballot and the
                                    signature of the individual on the
                                    official list of registered voters in
                                    the State or other official record or
                                    document used by the State to verify
                                    the signatures of voters; and
                                        ``(II) if such discrepancy is not
                                    cured prior to the expiration of the
                                    third day following the State's
                                    deadline for receiving mail-in ballots
                                    or absentee ballots, such ballot will
                                    not be counted; and
                                ``(ii) cure such discrepancy and count the
                            ballot if, prior to the expiration of the third
                            day following the State's deadline for
                            receiving mail-in ballots or absentee ballots,
                            the individual provides the official with
                            information to cure such discrepancy, either in
                            person, by telephone, or by electronic methods.
                        ``(B) Notice and opportunity to cure missing
                    signature or other defect.--If an individual submits a
                    mail-in ballot or an absentee ballot without a
                    signature or submits a mail-in ballot or an absentee
                    ballot with another defect which, if left uncured,
                    would cause the ballot to not be counted, the
                    appropriate State or local election official, prior to
                    making a final determination as to the validity of the
                    ballot, shall--
                                ``(i) as soon as practical, but not later
                            than the next business day after such
                            determination is made, make a good faith effort
                            to notify the individual by mail, telephone,
                            and (if available) text message and electronic
                            mail that--
                                        ``(I) the ballot did not include a
                                    signature or has some other defect; and
                                        ``(II) if the individual does not
                                    provide the missing signature or cure
                                    the other defect prior to the
                                    expiration of the third day following
                                    the State's deadline for receiving
                                    mail-in ballots or absentee ballots,
                                    such ballot will not be counted; and
                                ``(ii) count the ballot if, prior to the
                            expiration of the third day following the
                            State's deadline for receiving mail-in ballots
                            or absentee ballots, the individual provides
                            the official with the missing signature on a
                            form proscribed by the State or cures the other
                            defect.
                    This subparagraph does not apply with respect to a
                    defect consisting of the failure of a ballot to meet
                    the applicable deadline for the acceptance of the
                    ballot, as described in subsection (e).
                        ``(C) Other requirements.--
                                ``(i) In general.--An election official may
                            not make a determination that a discrepancy
                            exists between the signature on a mail-in
                            ballot or an absentee ballot and the signature
                            of the 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
                            unless--
                                        ``(I) not fewer than 2 election
                                    officials make the determination;
                                        ``(II) each official who makes the
                                    determination has received training in
                                    procedures used to verify signatures;
                                    and
                                        ``(III) of the officials who make
                                    the determination, not fewer than 1 is
                                    affiliated with the political party
                                    whose candidate received the most votes
                                    in the most recent statewide election
                                    for Federal office held in the State
                                    and not fewer than 1 is affiliated with
                                    the political party whose candidate
                                    received the second most votes in the
                                    most recent statewide election for
                                    Federal office held in the State.
                                ``(ii) Exception.--Clause (i)(III) shall
                            not apply to any State in which, under a law
                            that is in effect continuously on and after the
                            date of enactment of this section,
                            determinations regarding signature
                            discrepancies are made by election officials
                            who are not affiliated with a political party.
                ``(3) Report.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after
                    the end of a Federal election cycle, each chief State
                    election official shall submit to the Commission a
                    report containing the following information for the
                    applicable Federal election cycle in the State:
                                ``(i) The number of ballots invalidated due
                            to a discrepancy under this subsection.
                                ``(ii) Description of attempts to contact
                            voters to provide notice as required by this
                            subsection.
                                ``(iii) Description of the cure process
                            developed by such State pursuant to this
                            subsection, including the number of ballots
                            determined valid as a result of such process.
                        ``(B) Submission to congress.--Not later than 10
                    days after receiving a report under subparagraph (A),
                    the Commission shall transmit such report to Congress.
                        ``(C) Federal election cycle defined.--For purposes
                    of this subsection, the term `Federal election cycle'
                    means, with respect to any regularly scheduled election
                    for Federal office, the period beginning on the day
                    after the date of the preceding regularly scheduled
                    general election for Federal office and ending on the
                    date of such regularly scheduled general election.
                ``(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
            shall be construed--
                        ``(A) to prohibit a State from rejecting a ballot
                    attempted to be cast in an election for Federal office
                    by an individual who is not eligible to vote in the
                    election; or
                        ``(B) to prohibit a State from providing an
                    individual with more time and more methods for curing a
                    discrepancy in the individual's signature, providing a
                    missing signature, or curing any other defect than the
                    State is required to provide under this subsection.
        ``(c) Applications for Absentee Ballots.--
                ``(1) In general.--In addition to such other methods as the
            State may establish for an individual to apply for an absentee
            ballot, each State shall permit an individual to submit an
            application for an absentee ballot online.
                ``(2) Treatment of websites.--A State shall be considered
            to meet the requirements of paragraph (1) if the website of the
            appropriate State or local election official allows an
            application for an absentee ballot to be completed and
            submitted online and if the website permits the individual--
                        ``(A) to print the application so that the
                    individual may complete the application and return it
                    to the official; or
                        ``(B) to request that a paper copy of the
                    application be transmitted to the individual by mail or
                    electronic mail so that the individual may complete the
                    application and return it to the official.
                ``(3) Ensuring delivery prior to election.--
                        ``(A) In general.--If an individual who is eligible
                    to vote in an election for Federal office submits an
                    application for an absentee ballot in the election and
                    such application is received by the appropriate State
                    or local election official not later than 13 days
                    (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public
                    holidays) before the date of the election, the election
                    official shall ensure that the ballot and related
                    voting materials are promptly mailed to the individual.
                        ``(B) Applications received close to election
                    day.--If an individual who is eligible to vote in an
                    election for Federal office submits an application for
                    an absentee ballot in the election and such application
                    is received by the appropriate State or local election
                    official after the date described in subparagraph (A)
                    but not later than 7 days (excluding Saturdays,
                    Sundays, and legal public holidays) before the date of
                    the election, the election official shall, to the
                    greatest extent practical, ensure that the ballot and
                    related voting materials are mailed to the individual
                    within 1 business day of the receipt of the
                    application.
                        ``(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this
                    paragraph shall preclude a State or local jurisdiction
                    from allowing for the acceptance and processing of
                    absentee ballot applications submitted or received
                    after the date described in subparagraph (B).
                ``(4) Application for all future elections.--
                        ``(A) In general.--At the option of an individual,
                    the individual's application to vote by absentee ballot
                    by mail in an election for Federal office shall be
                    treated as an application for an absentee ballot by
                    mail in all subsequent elections for Federal office
                    held in the State.
                        ``(B) Duration of treatment.--
                                ``(i) In general.--In the case of an
                            individual who is treated as having applied for
                            an absentee ballot for all subsequent elections
                            for Federal office held in the State under
                            subparagraph (A), such treatment shall remain
                            effective until the earlier of such time as--
                                        ``(I) the individual is no longer
                                    registered to vote in the State; or
                                        ``(II) the individual provides an
                                    affirmative written notice revoking
                                    such treatment.
                                ``(ii) Prohibition on revocation based on
                            failure to vote.--The treatment of an
                            individual as having applied for an absentee
                            ballot for all subsequent elections held in the
                            State under subparagraph (A) shall not be
                            revoked on the basis that the individual has
                            not voted in an election.
        ``(d) Accessibility for Individuals With Disabilities.--Each State
    shall ensure that all absentee ballot applications, absentee ballots,
    and related voting materials in elections for Federal office are
    accessible to individuals with disabilities in a manner that provides
    the same opportunity for access and participation (including with
    privacy and independence) as for other voters.
        ``(e) Uniform Deadline for Acceptance of Mailed Ballots.--
                ``(1) In general.--A State or local election official may
            not refuse to accept or process a ballot submitted by an
            individual by mail with respect to an election for Federal
            office in the State on the grounds that the individual did not
            meet a deadline for returning the ballot to the appropriate
            State or local election official if--
                        ``(A) the ballot is postmarked or otherwise
                    indicated by the United States Postal Service to have
                    been mailed on or before the date of the election; and
                        ``(B) the ballot is received by the appropriate
                    election official prior to the expiration of the 7-day
                    period which begins on the date of the election.
                ``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
            shall be construed to prohibit a State from having a law that
            allows for counting of ballots in an election for Federal
            office that are received through the mail after the date that
            is 7 days after the date of the election.
        ``(f) Alternative Methods of Returning Ballots.--In addition to
    permitting an individual to whom a ballot in an election was provided
    under this section to return the ballot to an election official by
    mail, each State shall permit the individual to cast the ballot by
    delivering the ballot at such times and to such locations as the State
    may establish, including--
                ``(1) permitting the individual to deliver the ballot to a
            polling place within the jurisdiction in which the individual
            is registered or otherwise eligible to vote on any date on
            which voting in the election is held at the polling place; and
                ``(2) permitting the individual to deliver the ballot to a
            designated ballot drop-off location, a tribally designated
            building, or the office of a State or local election official.
        ``(g) Ballot Processing and Scanning Requirements.--
                ``(1) In general.--Each State or jurisdiction shall begin
            processing and scanning ballots cast by mail for tabulation not
            later than the date that is 14 days prior to the date of the
            election involved, except that a State may begin processing and
            scanning ballots cast by mail for tabulation after such date if
            the date on which the State begins such processing and scanning
            ensures, to the greatest extent practical, that ballots cast
            before the date of the election are processed and scanned
            before the date of the election.
                ``(2) Limitation.--Nothing in this subsection shall be
            construed--
                        ``(A) to permit a State to tabulate ballots in an
                    election before the closing of the polls on the date of
                    the election unless such tabulation is a necessary
                    component of preprocessing in the State and is
                    performed in accordance with existing State law; or
                        ``(B) to permit an official to make public any
                    results of tabulation and processing before the closing
                    of the polls on the date of the election.
        ``(h) Prohibiting Restrictions on Distribution of Absentee Ballot
    Applications by Third Parties.--A State may not prohibit any person
    from providing an application for an absentee ballot in the election to
    any individual who is eligible to vote in the election.
        ``(i) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
    construed to affect the authority of States to conduct elections for
    Federal office through the use of polling places at which individuals
    cast ballots.
        ``(j) No Effect on Ballots Submitted by Absent Military and
    Overseas Voters.--Nothing in this section may be construed to affect
    the treatment of any ballot submitted by an individual who is entitled
    to vote by absentee ballot under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens
    Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
        ``(k) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the
    regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in
    November 2024 and each succeeding election for Federal office.''.
                (2) Clerical amendments.--The table of contents of such
            Act, as amended by section 1031(c), section 1044(b), section
            1101(c), section 1102(c), section 1103(a), section 1104(c), and
            section 1201(c), is amended--
                        (A) by redesignating the items relating to sections
                    311 and 312 as relating to sections 312 and 313,
                    respectively; and
                        (B) by inserting after the item relating to section
                    310 the following new item:

    ``Sec. 311. Promoting ability of voters to vote by mail.''.
        (b) Same-Day Processing of Absentee Ballots.--
                (1) In general.--Chapter 34 of title 39, United States
            Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``Sec. 3407. Same-day processing of ballots
        ``(a) In General.--The Postal Service shall ensure, to the maximum
    extent practicable, that any ballot carried by the Postal Service is
    processed by and cleared from any postal facility or post office on the
    same day that the ballot is received by that facility or post office.
        ``(b) Definitions.--As used in this section--
                ``(1) the term `ballot' means any ballot transmitted by a
            voter by mail in an election for Federal office, but does not
            include any ballot covered by section 3406; and
                ``(2) the term `election for Federal office' means a
            general, special, primary, or runoff election for the office of
            President or Vice President, or of Senator or Representative
            in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.''.
                (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of
            sections for chapter 34 of title 39, United States Code, is
            amended by adding at the end the following:

    ``3407. Same-day processing of ballots.''.
                (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
            shall apply to absentee ballots relating to an election for
            Federal office occurring on or after January 1, 2024.
        (c) Development of Alternative Verification Methods.--
                (1) Development of standards.--The Director of the National
            Institute of Standards, in consultation with the Election
            Assistance Commission, shall develop standards for the use of
            alternative methods which could be used in place of signature
            verification requirements for purposes of verifying the
            identification of an individual voting by mail-in or absentee
            ballot in elections for Federal office.
                (2) Public notice and comment.--The Director of the
            National Institute of Standards shall solicit comments from the
            public in the development of standards under paragraph (1).
                (3) Deadline.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
            enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Institute
            of Standards shall publish the standards developed under
            paragraph (1).

    SEC. 1302. BALLOTING MATERIALS TRACKING PROGRAM.

        (a) In General.--
                (1) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help
            America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended
            by section 1031(a), section 1044(a), section 1101(a), section
            1102(a), section 1103(a), section 1104(a), section 1201(a), and
            section 1301(a), is amended--
                        (A) by redesignating sections 312 and 313 as
                    sections 313 and 314, respectively; and
                        (B) by inserting after section 311 the following
                    new section:

    ``SEC. 312. BALLOT MATERIALS TRACKING PROGRAM.

        ``(a) Requirement.--Each State shall carry out a program to track
    and confirm the receipt of mail-in ballots and absentee ballots in an
    election for Federal office under which the State or local election
    official responsible for the receipt of such voted ballots in the
    election carries out procedures to track and confirm the receipt of
    such ballots, and makes information on the receipt of such ballots
    available to the individual who cast the ballot.
        ``(b) Means of Carrying Out Program.--A State may meet the
    requirements of subsection (a)--
                ``(1) through a program--
                        ``(A) which is established by the State;
                        ``(B) under which the State or local election
                    official responsible for the receipt of voted mail-in
                    ballots and voted absentee ballots in the election--
                                ``(i) carries out procedures to track and
                            confirm the receipt of such ballots; and
                                ``(ii) makes information on the receipt of
                            such ballots available to the individual who
                            cast the ballot; and
                        ``(C) which meets the requirements of subsection
                    (c); or
                ``(2) through the ballot materials tracking service
            established under section 1302(b) of the Freedom to Vote Act.
        ``(c) State Program Requirements.--The requirements of this
    subsection are as follows:
                ``(1) Information on whether vote was accepted.--The
            information referred to under subsection (b)(1)(B)(ii) with
            respect to the receipt of mail-in ballot or an absentee ballot
            shall include information regarding whether the vote cast on
            the ballot was accepted, and, in the case of a vote which was
            rejected, the reasons therefor.
                ``(2) Availability of information.--Information on whether
            a ballot was accepted or rejected shall be available within 1
            business day of the State accepting or rejecting the ballot.
                ``(3) Accessibility of information.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Except as provided under
                    subparagraph (B), the information provided under the
                    program shall be available by means of online access
                    using the internet site of the State or local election
                    office.
                        ``(B) Use of toll-free telephone number by
                    officials without internet site.--In the case of a
                    State or local election official whose office does not
                    have an internet site, the program shall require the
                    official to establish a toll-free telephone number that
                    may be used by an individual who cast an absentee
                    ballot to obtain the information required under
                    subsection (b)(1)(B).
        ``(d) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the
    regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in
    November 2026 and each succeeding election for Federal office.''.
                (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 102 of the Uniformed
            and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302) is
            amended by striking subsection (h) and redesignating subsection
            (i) as subsection (h).
        (b) Balloting Materials Tracking Service.--
                (1) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2026, the
            Secretary of Homeland Security, 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 tracking service to be used by
            State and local jurisdictions to inform voters on the status of
            voter registration applications, absentee ballot applications,
            absentee ballots, and mail-in ballots.
                (2) Information tracked.--The balloting materials tracking
            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
                    Postal Service 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 mail-in ballot or
                    absentee ballot was sent to the voter.
                        (F) The date on which any mail-in ballot or
                    absentee ballot was out for delivery to the voter.
                        (G) The date on which the post office processes the
                    ballot.
                        (H) The date on which the returned ballot was out
                    for delivery 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.
            The information described in subparagraph (I) shall be
            available not later than 1 day after a determination is made on
            whether or not to accept and count the ballot.
                (3) Method of providing information.--The balloting
            materials tracking 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) Public availability of limited information.--
            Information described in subparagraphs (E), (G), and (I) of
            paragraph (2) shall be made available to political parties and
            voter registration organizations, at cost to cover the expense
            of providing such information, for use, in accordance with
            State guidelines and procedures, in helping to return or cure
            mail-in ballots during any period in which mail-in ballots may
            be returned.
                (5) Prohibition on fees.--The Director may not charge any
            fee to a State or jurisdiction for use of the balloting
            materials tracking service in connection with any Federal,
            State, or local election.
                (6) Presidential designee.--For purposes of this
            subsection, the term ``Presidential designee'' means the
            Presidential designee under section 101(a) of the Uniformed and
            Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20301(a)).
                (7) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
            to be appropriated to the Director such sums as are necessary
            for purposes of carrying out this subsection.
        (c) Reimbursement for Costs Incurred by States in Establishing
    Program.--Subtitle D of title II of the Help America Vote Act of 2002
    (52 U.S.C. 21001 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following
    new part:

         ``PART 7--PAYMENTS TO REIMBURSE STATES FOR COSTS INCURRED IN
     ESTABLISHING PROGRAM TO TRACK AND CONFIRM RECEIPT OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS

    ``SEC. 297. PAYMENTS TO STATES.

        ``(a) Payments for Costs of Program.--In accordance with this
    section, the Commission shall make a payment to a State to reimburse
    the State for the costs incurred in establishing the absentee ballot
    tracking program under section 322(b)(1) (including costs incurred
    prior to the date of enactment of this part).
        ``(b) Certification of Compliance and Costs.--
                ``(1) Certification required.--In order to receive a
            payment under this section, a State shall submit to the
            Commission a statement containing--
                        ``(A) a certification that the State has
                    established an absentee ballot tracking program with
                    respect to elections for Federal office held in the
                    State; and
                        ``(B) a statement of the costs incurred by the
                    State in establishing the program.
                ``(2) Amount of payment.--The amount of a payment made to a
            State under this section shall be equal to the costs incurred
            by the State in establishing the absentee ballot tracking
            program, as set forth in the statement submitted under
            paragraph (1), except that such amount may not exceed the
            product of--
                        ``(A) the number of jurisdictions in the State
                    which are responsible for operating the program; and
                        ``(B) $3,000.
                ``(3) Limit on number of payments received.--A State may
            not receive more than one payment under this part.

    ``SEC. 297A. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

        ``(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
    the Commission for fiscal year 2024 and each succeeding fiscal year
    such sums as may be necessary for payments under this part.
        ``(b) Continuing Availability of Funds.--Any amounts appropriated
    pursuant to the authorization under this section shall remain available
    until expended.''.
        (d) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as
    amended by section 1031(c), 1044(b), section 1101(c), section 1102(c),
    section 1103(a), section 1104(c), section 1201(c), and section 1301(a),
    is amended--
                (1) by adding at the end of the items relating to subtitle
            D of title II the following:

         ``Part 7--Payments To Reimburse States for Costs Incurred in
     Establishing Program To Track and Confirm Receipt of Absentee Ballots

    ``Sec. 297. Payments to States.
    ``Sec. 297A. Authorization of appropriations.'';
                (2) by redesignating the items relating to sections 312 and
            313 as relating to sections 313 and 314, respectively; and
                (3) by inserting after the item relating to section 311 the
            following new item:

    ``Sec. 312. Ballot materials tracking program.''.

    SEC. 1303. ELECTION MAIL AND DELIVERY IMPROVEMENTS.

        (a) Postmark Required for Ballots.--
                (1) In general.--Chapter 34 of title 39, United States
            Code, as amended by section 1301(b), is amended by adding at
            the end the following:
    ``Sec. 3408. Postmark required for ballots
        ``(a) In General.--In the case of any absentee ballot carried by
    the Postal Service, the Postal Service shall indicate on the ballot
    envelope, using a postmark or otherwise--
                ``(1) the fact that the ballot was carried by the Postal
            Service; and
                ``(2) the date on which the ballot was mailed.
        ``(b) Definitions.--As used in this section--
                ``(1) the term `absentee ballot' means any ballot
            transmitted by a voter by mail in an election for Federal
            office, but does not include any ballot covered by section
            3406; and
                ``(2) the term `election for Federal office' means a
            general, special, primary, or runoff election for the office of
            President or Vice President, or of Senator or Representative
            in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.''.
                (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of
            sections for chapter 34 of title 39, United States Code, as
            amended by section 1301(b), is amended by adding at the end the
            following:

    ``3408. Postmark required for ballots.''.
                (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
            shall apply to absentee ballots relating to an election for
            Federal office occurring on or after January 1, 2024.
        (b) Greater Visibility for Ballots.--
                (1) In general.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help
            America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended
            by section 1031(a), section 1044(a), section 1101(a), section
            1102(a), section 1103(a), section 1104(a), section 1201(a),
            section 1301(a), and section 1302(a), is amended--
                        (A) by redesignating sections 313 and 314 as
                    sections 314 and 315, respectively; and
                        (B) by inserting after section 312 the following
                    new section:

    ``SEC. 313. BALLOT VISIBILITY.

        ``(a) In General.--Each State or local election official shall--
                ``(1) affix Tag 191, Domestic and International Mail-In
            Ballots (or any successor tag designated by the United States
            Postal Service), to any tray or sack of official ballots
            relating to an election for Federal office that is destined for
            a domestic or international address;
                ``(2) use the Official Election Mail logo to designate
            official ballots relating to an election for Federal office
            that is destined for a domestic or international address; and
                ``(3) if an intelligent mail barcode is utilized for any
            official ballot relating to an election for Federal office that
            is destined for a domestic or international address, ensure the
            specific ballot service type identifier for such mail is
            visible.
        ``(b) Effective Date.--The requirements of this section shall apply
    to elections for Federal office occurring on and after January 1,
    2024.''.
                (2) Voluntary guidance.--Section 321(b)(4) of such Act (52
            U.S.C. 21101(b)), as added and redesignated by section 1101(b)
            and as amended by sections 1102, 1103 and 1104, is amended by
            striking ``and 309'' and inserting ``309, and 313''.
                (3) Clerical amendments.--The table of contents of such
            Act, as amended by section 1031(c), section 1044(b), section
            1101(c), section 1102(c), section 1103(a), section 1104(c),
            section 1201(c), section 1301(a), and section 1302(a), is
            amended--
                        (A) by redesignating the items relating to sections
                    313 and 314 as relating to sections 314 and 315; and
                        (B) by inserting after the item relating to section
                    312 the following new item:

    ``Sec. 313. Ballot visibility.''.

    SEC. 1304. CARRIAGE OF ELECTION MAIL.

        (a) Treatment of Election Mail.--
                (1) Treatment as first-class mail; free postage.--Chapter
            34 of title 39, United States Code, as amended by section
            1301(b) and section 1303(a), is amended by adding at the end
            the following:
    ``Sec. 3409. Domestic election mail; restriction of operational changes
                  prior to elections
        ``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `election mail'
    means--
                ``(1) a blank or completed voter registration application
            form, voter registration card, or similar materials, relating
            to an election for Federal office;
                ``(2) a blank or completed absentee and other mail-in
            ballot application form, and a blank or completed absentee or
            other mail-in ballot, relating to an election for Federal
            office, and
                ``(3) other materials relating to an election for Federal
            office that are mailed by a State or local election official to
            an individual who is registered to vote.
        ``(b) Carriage of Election Mail.--Election mail (other than
    balloting materials covered under section 3406 (relating to the
    Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act)), individually or in bulk,
    shall be carried in accordance with the service standards established
    for first-class mail under section 3691.
        ``(c) No Postage Required for Completed Ballots.--Completed
    absentee or other mail-in ballots (other than balloting materials
    covered under section 3406 (relating to the Uniformed and Overseas
    Absentee Voting Act)) shall be carried free of postage.
        ``(d) Restriction of Operational Changes.--During the 120-day
    period that ends on the date of an election for Federal office, the
    Postal Service may not carry out any new operational change that would
    restrict the prompt and reliable delivery of election mail. This
    subsection applies to operational changes which include--
                ``(1) removing or eliminating any mail collection box
            without immediately replacing it; and
                ``(2) removing, decommissioning, or any other form of
            stopping the operation of mail sorting machines, other than for
            routine maintenance.
        ``(e) Election Mail Coordinator.--The Postal Service shall appoint
    an Election Mail Coordinator at each area office and district office to
    facilitate relevant information sharing with State, territorial, local,
    and Tribal election officials in regards to the mailing of election
    mail.''.
                (2) Reimbursement of postal service for revenue forgone.--
            Section 2401(c) of title 39, United States Code, is amended by
            striking ``sections 3217 and 3403 through 3406'' and inserting
            ``sections 3217, 3403 through 3406, and 3409''.
        (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for
    chapter 34 of title 39, United States Code, as amended by section
    1301(b) and section 1303(a), is amended by adding at the end the
    following:

    ``3409. Domestic election mail; restriction of operational changes
                                prior to elections.''.
        (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
    effect upon the expiration of the 180-day period that begins on the
    date of enactment of this section.

    SEC. 1305. REQUIRING STATES TO PROVIDE SECURED DROP BOXES FOR VOTED
                  BALLOTS IN ELECTIONS FOR FEDERAL OFFICE.

        (a) Requirement.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote
    Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 1031(a),
    section 1044(a), section 1101(a), section 1102(a), section 1103(a),
    section 1104(a), section 1201(a), section 1301(a), section 1302(a), and
    section 1303(b) is amended--
                (1) by redesignating sections 314 and 315 as sections 315
            and 316, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after section 313 the following new
            section:

    ``SEC. 314. USE OF SECURED DROP BOXES FOR VOTED BALLOTS.

        ``(a) Requiring Use of Drop Boxes.--Each jurisdiction shall provide
    in-person, secured, and clearly labeled drop boxes at which individuals
    may, at any time during the period described in subsection (b), drop
    off voted ballots in an election for Federal office.
        ``(b) Minimum Period for Availability of Drop Boxes.--The period
    described in this subsection is, with respect to an election, the
    period that begins on the first day on which the jurisdiction sends
    mail-in ballots or absentee ballots (other than ballots for absent
    uniformed overseas voters (as defined in section 107(1) of the
    Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C.
    20310(1))) or overseas voters (as defined in section 107(5) of such Act
    (52 U.S.C. 20310(5)))) to voters for such election and which ends at
    the time the polls close for the election in the jurisdiction involved.
        ``(c) Accessibility.--
                ``(1) Hours of access.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
                    subparagraph (B), each drop box provided under this
                    section shall be accessible to voters for a reasonable
                    number of hours each day.
                        ``(B) 24-hour drop boxes.--
                                ``(i) In general.--Of the number of drop
                            boxes provided in any jurisdiction, not less
                            than the required number shall be accessible
                            for 24 hours per day during the period
                            described in subsection (b).
                                ``(ii) Required number.--The required
                            number is the greater of--
                                        ``(I) 25 percent of the drop boxes
                                    required under subsection (d); or
                                        ``(II) 1 drop box.
                ``(2) Population.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Drop boxes provided under this
                    section shall be accessible for use--
                                ``(i) by individuals with disabilities, as
                            determined in consultation with the protection
                            and advocacy systems (as defined in section 102
                            of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance
                            and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C.
                            15002)) of the State;
                                ``(ii) by individuals with limited
                            proficiency in the English language; and
                                ``(iii) by homeless individuals (as defined
                            in section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
                            Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302)) within the
                            State.
                        ``(B) Determination of accessibility for
                    individuals with disabilities.--For purposes of this
                    paragraph, drop boxes shall be considered to be
                    accessible for use by individuals with disabilities if
                    the drop boxes meet such criteria as the Attorney
                    General may establish for such purposes.
                        ``(C) Rule of construction.--If a drop box provided
                    under this section is on the grounds of or inside a
                    building or facility which serves as a polling place
                    for an election during the period described in
                    subsection (b), nothing in this subsection may be
                    construed to waive any requirements regarding the
                    accessibility of such polling place for the use of
                    individuals with disabilities, individuals with limited
                    proficiency in the English language, or homeless
                    individuals.
        ``(d) Number of Drop Boxes.--Each jurisdiction shall have--
                ``(1) in the case of any election for Federal office prior
            to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office
            held in November 2026, not less than 1 drop box for every
            45,000 registered voters located in the jurisdiction; and
                ``(2) in the case of the regularly scheduled general
            election for Federal office held in November 2026 and each
            election for Federal office occurring thereafter, not less than
            the greater of--
                        ``(A) 1 drop box for every 45,000 registered voters
                    located in the jurisdiction; or
                        ``(B) 1 drop box for every 15,000 votes that were
                    cast by mail in the jurisdiction in the most recent
                    general election that includes an election for the
                    office of President.
            In no case shall a jurisdiction have fewer than 1 drop box for
            any election for Federal office.
        ``(e) Location of Drop Boxes.--The State shall determine the
    location of drop boxes provided under this section in a jurisdiction on
    the basis of criteria which ensure that the drop boxes are--
                ``(1) available to all voters on a non-discriminatory
            basis;
                ``(2) accessible to voters with disabilities (in accordance
            with subsection (c));
                ``(3) accessible by public transportation to the greatest
            extent possible;
                ``(4) available during all hours of the day;
                ``(5) sufficiently available in all communities in the
            jurisdiction, including rural communities and on Tribal lands
            within the jurisdiction (subject to subsection (f)); and
                ``(6) geographically distributed to provide a reasonable
            opportunity for voters to submit their voted ballot in a timely
            manner.
        ``(f) Timing of Scanning and Processing of Ballots.--For purposes
    of section 311(g) (relating to the timing of the processing and
    scanning of ballots for tabulation), a vote cast using a drop box
    provided under this section shall be treated in the same manner as a
    ballot cast by mail.
        ``(g) Posting of Information.--On or adjacent to each drop box
    provided under this section, the State shall post information on the
    requirements that voted absentee ballots must meet in order to be
    counted and tabulated in the election.
        ``(h) Remote Surveillance.--Nothing in this section shall prohibit
    a State from providing for the security of drop boxes through remote or
    electronic surveillance.
        ``(i) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the
    regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in
    November 2024 and each succeeding election for Federal office.''.
        (b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as
    amended by section 1031(c), section 1044(b), section 1101(c), section
    1102(c), section 1103(a), section 1104(c), section 1201(c), section
    1301(c), section 1302(a), and section 1303(b), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 314 and
            315 as relating to sections 315 and 316, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 313 the
            following new item:

    ``Sec. 314. Use of secured drop boxes for voted ballots.''.

        Subtitle E--Absent Uniformed Services Voters and Overseas Voters

    SEC. 1401. PRE-ELECTION REPORTS ON AVAILABILITY AND TRANSMISSION OF
                  ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

        Section 102(c) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
    Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302(c)) is amended to read as follows:
        ``(c) Reports on Availability, Transmission, and Receipt of
    Absentee Ballots.--
                ``(1) Pre-election report on absentee ballot
            availability.--Not later than 55 days before any regularly
            scheduled general election for Federal office, each State shall
            submit a report to the Attorney General certifying that
            absentee ballots for the election are or will be available for
            transmission to absent uniformed services voters and overseas
            voters by not later than 46 days before the election. The
            report shall be in a form prescribed by the Attorney General
            and shall require the State to certify specific information
            about ballot availability from each unit of local government
            which will administer the election.
                ``(2) Pre-election report on absentee ballots
            transmitted.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Not later than 43 days before
                    any election for Federal office held in a State, the
                    chief State election official of such State shall
                    submit a report containing the information in
                    subparagraph (B) to the Attorney General.
                        ``(B) Information reported.--The report under
                    subparagraph (A) shall consist of the following:
                                ``(i) The total number of absentee ballots
                            validly requested by absent uniformed services
                            voters and overseas voters whose requests were
                            received by the 47th day before the election by
                            each unit of local government within the State
                            that will transmit absentee ballots.
                                ``(ii) The total number of ballots
                            transmitted to such voters by the 46th day
                            before the election by each unit of local
                            government within the State that will
                            administer the election.
                                ``(iii) Specific information about any late
                            transmitted ballots.
                        ``(C) Requirement to supplement incomplete
                    information.--If the report under subparagraph (A) has
                    incomplete information on any items required to be
                    included in the report, the chief State election
                    official shall make all reasonable efforts to
                    expeditiously supplement the report with complete
                    information.
                        ``(D) Format.--The report under subparagraph (A)
                    shall be in a format prescribed by the Attorney General
                    in consultation with the chief State election officials
                    of each State.
                ``(3) Post-election report on number of absentee ballots
            transmitted and received.--Not later than 90 days after the
            date of each regularly scheduled general election for Federal
            office, each State and unit of local government which
            administered the election shall (through the State, in the case
            of a unit of local government) submit a report to the Election
            Assistance Commission on the combined number of absentee
            ballots transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and
            overseas voters for the election and the combined number of
            such ballots which were returned by such voters and cast in the
            election, and shall make such report available to the general
            public that same day.''.

    SEC. 1402. ENFORCEMENT.

        (a) Availability of Civil Penalties and Private Rights of Action.--
    Section 105 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
    (52 U.S.C. 20307) is amended to read as follows:

    ``SEC. 105. ENFORCEMENT.

        ``(a) Action by Attorney General.--The Attorney General may bring
    civil action in an appropriate district court for such declaratory or
    injunctive relief as may be necessary to carry out this title.
        ``(b) Private Right of Action.--A person who is aggrieved by a
    violation of this title may bring a civil action in an appropriate
    district court for such declaratory or injunctive relief as may be
    necessary to carry out this title.
        ``(c) State as Only Necessary Defendant.--In any action brought
    under this section, the only necessary party defendant is the State,
    and it shall not be a defense to any such action that a local election
    official or a unit of local government is not named as a defendant,
    notwithstanding that a State has exercised the authority described in
    section 576 of the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act to
    delegate to another jurisdiction in the State any duty or
    responsibility which is the subject of an action brought under this
    section.''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
    apply with respect to violations alleged to have occurred on or after
    the date of enactment of this Act.

    SEC. 1403. TRANSMISSION REQUIREMENTS; REPEAL OF WAIVER PROVISION.

        (a) In General.--Paragraph (8) of section 102(a) of the Uniformed
    and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302(a)) is
    amended to read as follows:
                ``(8) transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an
            absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter by the date
            and in the manner determined under subsection (g);''.
        (b) Ballot Transmission Requirements and Repeal of Waiver
    Provision.--Subsection (g) of section 102 of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    20302(g)) is amended to read as follows:
        ``(g) Ballot Transmission Requirements.--
                ``(1) In general.--For purposes of subsection (a)(8), in
            the case in which a valid request for an absentee ballot is
            received at least 47 days before an election for Federal
            office, the following rules shall apply:
                        ``(A) Transmission deadline.--The State shall
                    transmit the absentee ballot not later than 46 days
                    before the election.
                        ``(B) Special rules in case of failure to transmit
                    on time.--
                                ``(i) In general.--If the State fails to
                            transmit any absentee ballot by the 46th day
                            before the election as required by subparagraph
                            (A) and the absent uniformed services voter or
                            overseas voter did not request electronic
                            ballot transmission pursuant to subsection (f),
                            the State shall transmit such ballot by express
                            delivery.
                                ``(ii) Extended failure.--If the State
                            fails to transmit any absentee ballot by the
                            41st day before the election, in addition to
                            transmitting the ballot as provided in clause
                            (i), the State shall--
                                        ``(I) in the case of absentee
                                    ballots requested by absent uniformed
                                    services voters with respect to
                                    regularly scheduled general elections,
                                    notify such voters of the procedures
                                    established under section 103A for the
                                    collection and delivery of marked
                                    absentee ballots; and
                                        ``(II) in any other case, provide
                                    for the return of such ballot by
                                    express delivery.
                                ``(iii) Cost of express delivery.--In any
                            case in which express delivery is required
                            under this subparagraph, the cost of such
                            express delivery--
                                        ``(I) shall not be paid by the
                                    voter; and
                                        ``(II) if determined appropriate by
                                    the chief State election official, may
                                    be required by the State to be paid by
                                    a local jurisdiction.
                                ``(iv) Exception.--Clause (ii)(II) shall
                            not apply when an absent uniformed services
                            voter or overseas voter indicates the
                            preference to return the late sent absentee
                            ballot by electronic transmission in a State
                            that permits return of an absentee ballot by
                            electronic transmission.
                                ``(v) Enforcement.--A State's compliance
                            with this subparagraph does not bar the
                            Attorney General from seeking additional
                            remedies necessary to fully resolve or prevent
                            ongoing, future, or systematic violations of
                            this provision or to effectuate the purposes of
                            this Act.
                        ``(C) Special procedure in event of disaster.--If a
                    disaster (hurricane, tornado, earthquake, storm,
                    volcanic eruption, landslide, fire, flood, or
                    explosion), or an act of terrorism prevents the State
                    from transmitting any absentee ballot by the 46th day
                    before the election as required by subparagraph (A),
                    the chief State election official shall notify the
                    Attorney General as soon as practicable and take all
                    actions necessary, including seeking any necessary
                    judicial relief, to ensure that affected absent
                    uniformed services voters and overseas voters are
                    provided a reasonable opportunity to receive and return
                    their absentee ballots in time to be counted.
                ``(2) Requests received after 47th day before election.--
            For purposes of subsection (a)(8), in the case in which a valid
            request for an absentee ballot is received less than 47 days
            but not less than 30 days before an election for Federal
            office, the State shall transmit the absentee ballot within one
            business day of receipt of the request.''.

    SEC. 1404. USE OF SINGLE ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION FOR SUBSEQUENT
                  ELECTIONS.

        (a) In General.--Section 104 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens
    Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20306) is amended to read as follows:

    ``SEC. 104. TREATMENT OF BALLOT REQUESTS.

        ``(a) In General.--If a State accepts and processes an official
    postcard form (prescribed under section 101) submitted by an absent
    uniformed services voter or overseas voter for simultaneous voter
    registration and absentee ballot application (in accordance with
    section 102(a)(4)) and the voter requests that the application be
    considered an application for an absentee ballot for each subsequent
    election for Federal office held in the State through the end of the
    calendar year following the next regularly scheduled general election
    for Federal office, the State shall provide an absentee ballot to the
    voter for each such subsequent election.
        ``(b) Exception for Voters Changing Registration.--Subsection (a)
    shall not apply with respect to a voter registered to vote in a State
    for any election held after the voter notifies the State that the voter
    no longer wishes to be registered to vote in the State or after the
    State determines that the voter has registered to vote in another State
    or is otherwise no longer eligible to vote in the State.
        ``(c) Prohibition of Refusal of Application on Grounds of Early
    Submission.--A State may not refuse to accept or to process, with
    respect to any election for Federal office, any otherwise valid voter
    registration application or absentee ballot application (including the
    postcard form prescribed under section 101) submitted by an absent
    uniformed services voter or overseas voter on the grounds that the
    voter submitted the application before the first date on which the
    State otherwise accepts or processes such applications for that
    election which are submitted by absentee voters who are not members of
    the uniformed services or overseas citizens.''.
        (b) Requirement for Revision to Postcard Form.--
                (1) In general.--The Presidential designee shall ensure
            that the official postcard form prescribed under section
            101(b)(2) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
            Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20301(b)(2)) enables a voter using the
            form to--
                        (A) request an absentee ballot for each election
                    for Federal office held in a State through the end of
                    the calendar year following the next regularly
                    scheduled general election for Federal office; or
                        (B) request an absentee ballot for a specific
                    election or elections for Federal office held in a
                    State during the period described in subparagraph (A).
                (2) Presidential designee.--For purposes of this paragraph,
            the term ``Presidential designee'' means the individual
            designated under section 101(a) of the Uniformed and Overseas
            Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20301(a)).
        (c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
    apply with respect to voter registration and absentee ballot
    applications which are submitted to a State or local election official
    on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

    SEC. 1405. EXTENDING GUARANTEE OF RESIDENCY FOR VOTING PURPOSES TO
                  FAMILY MEMBERS OF ABSENT MILITARY PERSONNEL.

        Section 102 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting
    Act (52 U.S.C. 20302), as amended by section 1302, is amended by adding
    at the end the following new subsection:
        ``(i) Guarantee of Residency for Spouses and Dependents of Absent
    Members of Uniformed Service.--For the purposes of voting in any
    election for any Federal office or any State or local office, a spouse
    or dependent of an individual who is an absent uniformed services voter
    described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 107(1) shall not,
    solely by reason of that individual's absence and without regard to
    whether or not such spouse or dependent is accompanying that
    individual--
                ``(1) be deemed to have lost a residence or domicile in
            that State, without regard to whether or not that individual
            intends to return to that State;
                ``(2) be deemed to have acquired a residence or domicile in
            any other State; or
                ``(3) be deemed to have become a resident in or a resident
            of any other State.''.

    SEC. 1406. TECHNICAL CLARIFICATIONS TO CONFORM TO MILITARY AND OVERSEAS
                  VOTER EMPOWERMENT ACT AMENDMENTS RELATED TO THE FEDERAL
                  WRITE-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

        (a) In General.--Section 102(a)(3) of the Uniformed and Overseas
    Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302(a)(3)) is amended by
    striking ``general elections'' and inserting ``general, special,
    primary, and runoff elections''.
        (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 103 of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    20303) is amended--
                (1) in subsection (b)(2)(B), by striking ``general''; and
                (2) in the heading thereof, by striking ``general''.

    SEC. 1407. TREATMENT OF POSTCARD REGISTRATION REQUESTS.

        Section 102 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting
    Act (52 U.S.C. 20302), as amended by sections 1302 and 1405, is amended
    by adding at the end the following new subsection:
        ``(j) Treatment of Postcard Registrations.--A State shall not
    remove any absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter who has
    registered to vote using the official postcard form (prescribed under
    section 101) from the official list of registered voters except in
    accordance with subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 8(a)(3) of the
    National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507).''.

    SEC. 1408. PRESIDENTIAL DESIGNEE REPORT ON VOTER DISENFRANCHISEMENT.

        (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
    of this Act, the Presidential designee shall submit to Congress a
    report on the impact of widespread mail-in voting on the ability of
    active duty military service members to vote, how quickly the votes of
    those individuals are counted, and whether higher volumes of mail-in
    votes makes it harder for such individuals to vote in elections for
    Federal elections.
        (b) Presidential Designee.--For purposes of this section, the term
    ``Presidential designee'' means the individual designated under section
    101(a) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52
    U.S.C. 20301(a)).

    SEC. 1409. EFFECTIVE DATE.

        Except as provided in section 1402(b) and section 1404(c), the
    amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with respect to elections
    occurring on or after January 1, 2024.

                     Subtitle F--Enhancement of Enforcement

    SEC. 1501. ENHANCEMENT OF ENFORCEMENT OF HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002.

        (a) Complaints; Availability of Private Right of Action.--Section
    401 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21111) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``The Attorney General'' and inserting
            ``(a) In General.--The Attorney General''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
        ``(b) Filing of Complaints by Aggrieved Persons.--A person who is
    aggrieved by a violation of title III that impairs their ability to
    cast a ballot or a provisional ballot, to register or maintain one's
    registration to vote, or to vote on a voting system meeting the
    requirements of such title, which has occurred, is occurring, or is
    about to occur may file a written, signed, and notarized complaint with
    the Attorney General describing the violation and requesting the
    Attorney General to take appropriate action under this section. The
    Attorney General shall immediately provide a copy of a complaint filed
    under the previous sentence to the entity responsible for administering
    the State-based administrative complaint procedures described in
    section 402(a) for the State involved.
        ``(c) Availability of Private Right of Action.--Any person who is
    authorized to file a complaint under subsection (b) (including any
    individual who seeks to enforce the individual's right to a voter-
    verifiable paper ballot, the right to have the voter-verifiable paper
    ballot counted in accordance with this Act, or any other right under
    title III) may file an action under section 1979 of the Revised
    Statutes of the United States (42 U.S.C. 1983) to enforce the uniform
    and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration
    requirements under subtitle A of title III.
        ``(d) No Effect on State Procedures.--Nothing in this section may
    be construed to affect the availability of the State-based
    administrative complaint procedures required under section 402 to any
    person filing a complaint under this subsection.''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
    apply with respect to violations occurring with respect to elections
    for Federal office held in 2024 or any succeeding year.

      Subtitle G--Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration
                           Modernization Improvements

                         PART 1--PROMOTING VOTER ACCESS

    SEC. 1601. MINIMUM NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTERS AFFECTED BY
                  POLLING PLACE CHANGES.

        (a) Requirements.--Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002
    (52 U.S.C. 21082) is amended--
                (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
                (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new
            subsection:
        ``(d) Minimum Notification Requirements for Voters Affected by
    Polling Place Changes.--
                ``(1) Requirement for precinct-based polling.--
                        ``(A) In general.--If an applicable individual has
                    been assigned to a polling place that is different than
                    the polling place that such individual was assigned
                    with respect to the most recent past election for
                    Federal office in which the individual was eligible to
                    vote--
                                ``(i) the appropriate election official
                            shall, not later than 2 days before the
                            beginning of an early voting period--
                                        ``(I) notify the individual of the
                                    location of the polling place; and
                                        ``(II) post a general notice on the
                                    website of the State or jurisdiction,
                                    on social media platforms (if
                                    available), and on signs at the prior
                                    polling place; and
                                ``(ii) if such assignment is made after the
                            date that is 2 days before the beginning of an
                            early voting period and the individual appears
                            on the date of the election at the polling
                            place to which the individual was previously
                            assigned, the jurisdiction shall make every
                            reasonable effort to enable the individual to
                            vote a ballot on the date of the election
                            without the use of a provisional ballot.
                        ``(B) Applicable individual.--For purposes of
                    subparagraph (A), the term `applicable individual'
                    means, with respect to any election for Federal office,
                    any individual--
                                ``(i) who is registered to vote in a
                            jurisdiction for such election and was
                            registered to vote in such jurisdiction for the
                            most recent past election for Federal office;
                            and
                                ``(ii) whose voter registration address has
                            not changed since such most recent past
                            election for Federal office.
                        ``(C) Methods of notification.--The appropriate
                    election official shall notify an individual under
                    clause (i)(I) of subparagraph (A) by mail, telephone,
                    and (if available) text message and electronic mail.
                ``(2) Requirements for vote centers.--In the case of a
            jurisdiction in which individuals are not assigned to specific
            polling places, not later than 2 days before the beginning of
            an early voting period, the appropriate election official shall
            notify each individual eligible to vote in such jurisdiction of
            the location of all polling places at which the individual may
            vote.
                ``(3) Notice with respect to closed polling places.--
                        ``(A) In general.--If a location which served as a
                    polling place for an election for Federal office in a
                    State does not serve as a polling place in the next
                    election for Federal office held in the State, the
                    State shall ensure that signs are posted at such
                    location on the date of the election and during any
                    early voting period for the election containing the
                    following information:
                                ``(i) A statement that the location is not
                            serving as a polling place in the election.
                                ``(ii) The locations serving as polling
                            places in the election in the jurisdiction
                            involved.
                                ``(iii) The name and address of any
                            substitute polling place serving the same
                            precinct and directions from the former polling
                            place to the new polling place.
                                ``(iv) Contact information, including a
                            telephone number and website, for the
                            appropriate State or local election official
                            through which an individual may find the
                            polling place to which the individual is
                            assigned for the election.
                        ``(B) Internet posting.--Each State which is
                    required to post signs under subparagraph (A) shall
                    also provide such information through a website and
                    through social media (if available).
                ``(4) Linguistic preference.--The notices required under
            this subsection shall comply with the requirements of section
            203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10503).
                ``(5) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply with
            respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2024.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 302(e) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    21082(e)), as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by striking
    ``Each State'' and inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (d)(4),
    each State''.

    SEC. 1602. APPLICABILITY TO COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA
                  ISLANDS.

        Paragraphs (6) and (8) of section 107 of the Uniformed and Overseas
    Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20310) are each amended by
    striking ``and American Samoa'' and inserting ``American Samoa, and the
    Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands''.

    SEC. 1603. ELIMINATION OF 14-DAY TIME PERIOD BETWEEN GENERAL ELECTION
                  AND RUNOFF ELECTION FOR FEDERAL ELECTIONS IN THE VIRGIN
                  ISLANDS AND GUAM.

        Section 2 of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide that the
    unincorporated territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands shall each be
    represented in Congress by a Delegate to the House of
    Representatives'', approved April 10, 1972 (48 U.S.C. 1712), is
    amended--
                (1) by striking ``(a) The Delegate'' and inserting ``The
            Delegate'';
                (2) by striking ``on the fourteenth day following such an
            election'' in the fourth sentence of subsection (a); and
                (3) by striking subsection (b).

    SEC. 1604. APPLICATION OF FEDERAL ELECTION ADMINISTRATION LAWS TO
                  TERRITORIES OF THE UNITED STATES.

        (a) National Voter Registration Act of 1993.--Section 3(4) of the
    National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20502(4)) is amended
    by striking ``States and the District of Columbia'' and inserting
    ``States, 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) Help America Vote Act of 2002.--
                (1) Coverage of commonwealth of the northern mariana
            islands.--Section 901 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52
            U.S.C. 21141) is amended by striking ``and the United States
            Virgin Islands'' and inserting ``the United States Virgin
            Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
            Islands''.
                (2) Conforming amendments to help america vote act of
            2002.--Such Act is further amended as follows:
                        (A) The second sentence of section 213(a)(2) (52
                    U.S.C. 20943(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``and
                    American Samoa'' and inserting ``American Samoa, and
                    the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands''.
                        (B) Section 252(c)(2) (52 U.S.C. 21002(c)(2)) is
                    amended by striking ``or the United States Virgin
                    Islands'' and inserting ``the United States Virgin
                    Islands, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
                    Islands''.
                (3) Conforming amendment relating to consultation of help
            america vote foundation with local election officials.--Section
            90102(c) of title 36, United States Code, is amended by
            striking ``and the United States Virgin Islands'' and inserting
            ``the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the
            Northern Mariana Islands''.

    SEC. 1605. APPLICATION OF FEDERAL VOTER PROTECTION LAWS TO TERRITORIES
                  OF THE UNITED STATES.

        (a) Intimidation of Voters.--Section 594 of title 18, United States
    Code, is amended by striking ``Delegate from the District of Columbia,
    or Resident Commissioner,'' and inserting ``or Delegate or Resident
    Commissioner to the Congress''.
        (b) Interference by Government Employees.--Section 595 of title 18,
    United States Code, is amended by striking ``Delegate from the District
    of Columbia, or Resident Commissioner,'' and inserting ``or Delegate or
    Resident Commissioner to the Congress''.
        (c) Voting by Noncitizens.--Section 611(a) of title 18, United
    States Code, is amended by striking ``Delegate from the District of
    Columbia, or Resident Commissioner,'' and inserting ``or Delegate or
    Resident Commissioner to the Congress''.

    SEC. 1606. ENSURING EQUITABLE AND EFFICIENT OPERATION OF POLLING
                  PLACES.

        (a) In General.--
                (1) Requirement.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help
            America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended
            by section 1031(a), section 1044(a), section 1101(a), section
            1102(a), section 1103(a), section 1104(a), section 1201(a),
            section 1301(a), section 1302(a), section 1303(b), and section
            1305(a), is amended--
                        (A) by redesignating sections 315 and 316 as
                    sections 316 and 317, respectively; and
                        (B) by inserting after section 314 the following
                    new section:

    ``SEC. 315. ENSURING EQUITABLE AND EFFICIENT OPERATION OF POLLING
                  PLACES.

        ``(a) Preventing Unreasonable Waiting Times for Voters.--
                ``(1) In general.--Each State or jurisdiction shall take
            reasonable efforts to provide a sufficient number of voting
            systems, poll workers, and other election resources (including
            physical resources) at a polling place used in any election for
            Federal office, including a polling place at which individuals
            may cast ballots prior to the date of the election, to ensure--
                        ``(A) a fair and equitable waiting time for all
                    voters in the State or jurisdiction; and
                        ``(B) that no individual will be required to wait
                    longer than 30 minutes to cast a ballot at the polling
                    place.
                ``(2) Criteria.--In determining the number of voting
            systems, poll workers, and other election resources provided at
            a polling place for purposes of paragraph (1), the State or
            jurisdiction shall take into account the following factors:
                        ``(A) The voting age population.
                        ``(B) Voter turnout in past elections.
                        ``(C) The number of voters registered.
                        ``(D) The number of voters who have registered
                    since the most recent Federal election.
                        ``(E) Census data for the population served by the
                    polling place, such as the proportion of the voting-age
                    population who are under 25 years of age or who are
                    naturalized citizens.
                        ``(F) The needs and numbers of voters with
                    disabilities and voters with limited English
                    proficiency.
                        ``(G) The type of voting systems used.
                        ``(H) The length and complexity of initiatives,
                    referenda, and other questions on the ballot.
                        ``(I) Such other factors, including relevant
                    demographic factors relating to the population served
                    by the polling place, as the State considers
                    appropriate.
                ``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may
            be construed--
                        ``(A) to authorize a State or jurisdiction to meet
                    the requirements of this subsection by closing any
                    polling place, prohibiting an individual from entering
                    a line at a polling place, or refusing to permit an
                    individual who has arrived at a polling place prior to
                    closing time from voting at the polling place; or
                        ``(B) to limit the use of mobile voting centers.
        ``(b) Limiting Variations on Number of Hours of Operation of
    Polling Places Within a State.--
                ``(1) Limitation.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
                    subparagraph (B) and paragraph (2), each State shall
                    establish hours of operation for all polling places in
                    the State on the date of any election for Federal
                    office held in the State such that the polling place
                    with the greatest number of hours of operation on such
                    date is not in operation for more than 2 hours longer
                    than the polling place with the fewest number of hours
                    of operation on such date.
                        ``(B) Permitting variance on basis of population.--
                    Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the extent that the
                    State establishes variations in the hours of operation
                    of polling places on the basis of the overall
                    population or the voting age population (as the State
                    may select) of the unit of local government in which
                    such polling places are located.
                ``(2) Exceptions for polling places with hours established
            by units of local government.--Paragraph (1) does not apply in
            the case of a polling place--
                        ``(A) whose hours of operation are established, in
                    accordance with State law, by the unit of local
                    government in which the polling place is located; or
                        ``(B) which is required pursuant to an order by a
                    court to extend its hours of operation beyond the hours
                    otherwise established.
        ``(c) Ensuring Access to Polling Places for Voters.--
                ``(1) Proximity to public transportation.--To the greatest
            extent practicable, each State and jurisdiction shall ensure
            that each polling place used on the date of the election is
            located within walking distance of a stop on a public
            transportation route.
                ``(2) Availability in rural areas.--In the case of a
            jurisdiction that includes a rural area, the State or
            jurisdiction shall--
                        ``(A) ensure that an appropriate number of polling
                    places (not less than one) used on the date of the
                    election will be located in such rural areas; and
                        ``(B) ensure that such polling places are located
                    in communities which will provide the greatest
                    opportunity for residents of rural areas to vote on the
                    date of the election.
                ``(3) Campuses of institutions of higher education.--In the
            case of a jurisdiction that is not considered a vote by mail
            jurisdiction described in section 310(b)(2) or a small
            jurisdiction described in section 310(b)(3) and that includes
            an institution of higher education (as defined under section
            102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)),
            including a branch campus of such an institution, the State or
            jurisdiction shall--
                        ``(A) ensure that an appropriate number of polling
                    places (not less than one) used on the date of the
                    election will be located on the physical campus of each
                    such institution, including each such branch campus;
                    and
                        ``(B) ensure that such polling places provide the
                    greatest opportunity for residents of the jurisdiction
                    to vote.
        ``(d) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect upon the
    expiration of the 180-day period which begins on the date of enactment
    of this subsection.''.
                (2) Conforming amendments relating to issuance of voluntary
            guidance by election assistance commission.--Section 321(b) of
            such Act (52 U.S.C. 21101(b)), as redesignated and amended by
            section 1101(b) and as amended by sections, 1102, 1103, 1104,
            and 1201, is amended--
                        (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
                    (4);
                        (B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph
                    (6);
                        (C) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by
                    striking ``paragraph (4)'' and inserting ``paragraph
                    (4) or (5)''; and
                        (D) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following
                    new paragraph:
                ``(5) in the case of the recommendations with respect to
            section 315, 180 days after the date of enactment of such
            section; and''.
                (3) Clerical amendments.--The table of contents of such
            Act, as amended by section 1031(c), section 1044(b), section
            1101(c), section 1102(c), section 1103(a), section 1104(c),
            section 1201(c), section 1301(a), section 1302(a), section
            1303(b), and section 1305(b), is amended--
                        (A) by redesignating the items relating to sections
                    315 and 316 as relating to sections 316 and 317,
                    respectively; and
                        (B) by inserting after the item relating to section
                    314 the following new item:

    ``Sec. 315. Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of polling
                                places.''.
        (b) Study of Methods To Enforce Fair and Equitable Waiting Times.--
                (1) Study.--The Election Assistance Commission and the
            Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a joint
            study of the effectiveness of various methods of enforcing the
            requirements of section 315(a) of the Help America Vote Act of
            2002, as added by subsection (a), including methods of best
            allocating resources to jurisdictions which have had the most
            difficulty in providing a fair and equitable waiting time at
            polling places to all voters, and to communities of color in
            particular.
                (2) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
            enactment of this Act, the Election Assistance Commission and
            the Comptroller General of the United States shall publish and
            submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under
            paragraph (1).

    SEC. 1607. PROHIBITING STATES FROM RESTRICTING CURBSIDE VOTING.

        (a) Requirement.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote
    Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 1031(a),
    section 1044(a), section 1101(a), section 1102(a), section 1103(a),
    section 1104(a), section 1201(a), section 1301(a), section 1302(a),
    section 1303(b), section 1305(a), and section 1606(a)(1), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating sections 316 and 317 as sections 317
            and 318, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after section 315 the following new
            section:

    ``SEC. 316. PROHIBITING STATES FROM RESTRICTING CURBSIDE VOTING.

        ``(a) Prohibition.--A State may not--
                ``(1) prohibit any jurisdiction administering an election
            for Federal office in the State from utilizing curbside voting
            as a method by which individuals may cast ballots in the
            election; or
                ``(2) impose any restrictions which would exclude any
            individual who is eligible to vote in such an election in a
            jurisdiction which utilizes curbside voting from casting a
            ballot in the election by such method.
        ``(b) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the
    regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in
    November 2024 and each succeeding election for Federal office.''.
        (b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as
    amended by section 1031(c), section 1044(b), section 1101(c), section
    1102(c), section 1103(a), section 1104(c), section 1201(c), section
    1301(a), section 1302(a), section 1303(b), section 1305(a), and section
    1606(a)(3), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 316 and
            317 as relating to sections 317 and 318, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 315 the
            following new item:

    ``Sec. 316. Prohibiting States from restricting curbside voting.''.

      PART 2--IMPROVEMENTS IN OPERATION OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

    SEC. 1611. REAUTHORIZATION OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION.

        Section 210 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20930)
    is amended--
                (1) by striking ``for each of the fiscal years 2003 through
            2005'' and inserting ``for fiscal year 2024 and each succeeding
            fiscal year''; and
                (2) by striking ``(but not to exceed $10,000,000 for each
            such year)''.

    SEC. 1612. RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE
                  COMMISSION.

        (a) Assessment of Information Technology and Cybersecurity.--Not
    later than June 30, 2024, the Election Assistance Commission shall
    carry out an assessment of the security and effectiveness of the
    Commission's information technology systems, including the
    cybersecurity of such systems.
        (b) Improvements to Administrative Complaint Procedures.--
                (1) Review of procedures.--The Election Assistance
            Commission shall carry out a review of the effectiveness and
            efficiency of the State-based administrative complaint
            procedures established and maintained under section 402 of the
            Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21112) for the
            investigation and resolution of allegations of violations of
            title III of such Act.
                (2) Recommendations to streamline procedures.--Not later
            than June 30, 2024, the Commission shall submit to Congress a
            report on the review carried out under paragraph (1), and shall
            include in the report such recommendations as the Commission
            considers appropriate to streamline and improve the procedures
            which are the subject of the review.

    SEC. 1613. REPEAL OF EXEMPTION OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION FROM
                  CERTAIN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS.

        (a) In General.--Section 205 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002
    (52 U.S.C. 20925) is amended by striking subsection (e).
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
    apply with respect to contracts entered into by the Election Assistance
    Commission on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

                        PART 3--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

    SEC. 1621. DEFINITION OF ELECTION FOR FEDERAL OFFICE.

        (a) Definition.--Title IX of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52
    U.S.C. 21141 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new
    section:

    ``SEC. 907. ELECTION FOR FEDERAL OFFICE DEFINED.

        ``For purposes of titles I through III, the term `election for
    Federal office' means a general, special, primary, or runoff election
    for the office of President or Vice President, or of Senator or
    Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the
    Congress.''.
        (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act is
    amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title IX the
    following new item:

    ``Sec. 907. Election for Federal office defined.''.

    SEC. 1622. NO EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.

        (a) In General.--Except as specifically provided, nothing in this
    title may be construed to authorize or require conduct prohibited under
    any of the following laws, or to supersede, restrict, or limit the
    application of such laws:
                (1) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et
            seq.).
                (2) The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and
            Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20101 et seq.).
                (3) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
            (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
                (4) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C.
            20501 et seq.).
                (5) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
            12101 et seq.).
                (6) The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.).
        (b) No Effect on Preclearance or Other Requirements Under Voting
    Rights Act.--The approval by any person of a payment or grant
    application under this title, or any other action taken by any person
    under this title, shall not be considered to have any effect on
    requirements for preclearance under section 5 of the Voting Rights Act
    of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10304) or any other requirements of such Act.
        (c) No Effect on Authority of States To Provide Greater
    Opportunities for Voting.--Nothing in this title or the amendments made
    by this title may be construed to prohibit any State from enacting any
    law which provides greater opportunities for individuals to register to
    vote and to vote in elections for Federal office than are provided by
    this title and the amendments made by this title.

    SEC. 1623. CLARIFICATION OF EXEMPTION FOR STATES WITHOUT VOTER
                  REGISTRATION.

        To the extent that any provision of this title or any amendment
    made by this title imposes a requirement on a State relating to
    registering individuals to vote in elections for Federal office, such
    provision shall not apply in the case of any State in which, under law
    that is in effect continuously on and after the date of enactment of
    this Act, there is no voter registration requirement for any voter in
    the State with respect to an election for Federal office.

    SEC. 1624. CLARIFICATION OF EXEMPTION FOR STATES WHICH DO NOT COLLECT
                  TELEPHONE INFORMATION.

        (a) Amendment to Help America Vote Act of 2002.--Subtitle A of
    title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et
    seq.), as amended by section 1031(a), section 1044(a), section 1101(a),
    section 1102(a), section 1103(a), section 1104(a), section 1201(a),
    section 1301(a), section 1302(a), section 1303(b), section 1305(a),
    section 1606(a)(1), and section 1607(a), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating sections 317 and 318 as sections 318
            and 319, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after section 316 the following new
            section:

    ``SEC. 317. APPLICATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS TO STATES WHICH DO NOT
                  COLLECT TELEPHONE INFORMATION.

        ``(a) In General.--To the extent that any provision of this title
    imposes a requirement on a State or jurisdiction relating to contacting
    voters by telephone, such provision shall not apply in the case of any
    State which continuously on and after the date of enactment of this
    Act, does not collect telephone numbers for voters as part of voter
    registration in the State with respect to an election for Federal
    office.
        ``(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply in any case in
    which the voter has voluntarily provided telephone information.''.
        (b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as
    amended by section 1031(c), section 1044(b), section 1101(c), section
    1102(c), section 1103(a), section 1104(c), section 1201(c), section
    1301(a), section 1302(a), section 1303(b), section 1305(a), section
    1606(a)(3), and section 1607(b), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 317 and
            318 as relating to sections 318 and 319, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 316 the
            following new item:

    ``Sec. 317. Application of certain provisions to States which do not
                                collect telephone information.''.

                       Subtitle H--Democracy Restoration

    SEC. 1701. SHORT TITLE.

        This subtitle may be cited as the ``Democracy Restoration Act of
    2023''.

    SEC. 1702. FINDINGS.

        Congress makes the following findings:
                (1) The right to vote is the most basic constitutive act of
            citizenship. Regaining the right to vote reintegrates
            individuals with criminal convictions into free society,
            helping to enhance public safety.
                (2) Article I, section 4, of the Constitution grants
            Congress ultimate supervisory power over Federal elections, an
            authority which has repeatedly been upheld by the United States
            Supreme Court.
                (3) Basic constitutional principles of fairness and equal
            protection require an equal opportunity for citizens of the
            United States to vote in Federal elections. The right to vote
            may not be abridged or denied by the United States or by any
            State on account of race, color, gender, or previous condition
            of servitude. The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth,
            Nineteenth, Twenty-fourth, and Twenty-sixth Amendments to the
            Constitution empower Congress to enact measures to protect the
            right to vote in Federal elections. The Eighth Amendment to the
            Constitution provides for no excessive bail to be required, nor
            excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments
            inflicted.
                (4) There are 3 areas in which discrepancies in State laws
            regarding criminal convictions lead to unfairness in Federal
            elections--
                        (A) the lack of a uniform standard for voting in
                    Federal elections leads to an unfair disparity and
                    unequal participation in Federal elections based solely
                    on where a person lives;
                        (B) laws governing the restoration of voting rights
                    after a criminal conviction vary throughout the country
                    and persons in some States can easily regain their
                    voting rights while in other States persons effectively
                    lose their right to vote permanently; and
                        (C) State disenfranchisement laws
                    disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minorities.
                (5) State disenfranchisement laws vary widely. Two States
            (Maine and Vermont) and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico do not
            disenfranchise individuals with criminal convictions at all. In
            2020, the District of Columbia re-enfranchised its citizens who
            are under the supervision of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
            Twenty-five States disenfranchise certain individuals on felony
            probation or parole. During 2023, lawmakers in Minnesota and
            New Mexico expanded voting rights to citizens on felony
            probation and parole. In 11 States, a conviction for certain
            offenses can result in lifetime disenfranchisement.
                (6) Several States deny the right to vote to individuals
            convicted of certain misdemeanors.
                (7) In 2022, over 4,600,000 citizens of the United States,
            or about 1 in 50 adults in the United States, could not vote as
            a result of a felony conviction. Of the 4,600,000 citizens
            barred from voting then, only 23 percent were in prison or
            jail. By contrast, 75 percent of persons disenfranchised then
            resided in their communities while on probation or parole or
            after having completed their sentences. Approximately 2,200,000
            citizens who had completed their sentences were disenfranchised
            due to restrictive State laws. Over 930,000 Floridians who
            completed their sentence remain disenfranchised because of a
            pay-to-vote requirement that was enacted by Florida lawmakers
            in 2019 to undermine the impact of a 2018 ballot initiative
            that eliminated the lifetime ban for persons with certain
            felony convictions. In 3 States--Alabama, Mississippi, and
            Tennessee--more than 8 percent of the total population is
            disenfranchised.
                (8) In those States that disenfranchise individuals post-
            sentence, the right to vote can be regained in theory, but in
            practice this possibility is often granted in a non-uniform and
            potentially discriminatory manner. Disenfranchised individuals
            sometimes must either obtain a pardon or an order from the
            Governor or an action by the parole or pardon board, depending
            on the offense and State. Financial restrictions may also
            inhibit individuals who have completed their sentences from re-
            enfranchisement. Individuals convicted of a Federal offense
            often have additional barriers to regaining voting rights.
                (9) Many felony disenfranchisement laws today derive
            directly from post-Civil War efforts to stifle the Fourteenth
            and Fifteenth Amendments. Between 1865 and 1880, at least 14
            States--Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia,
            Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North
            Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas--enacted or
            expanded their felony disenfranchisement laws. One of the
            primary goals of these laws was to prevent African Americans
            from voting. Of the States that enacted or expanded their
            felony disenfranchisement laws during this post-Civil War
            period, at least 11 continue to preclude persons on felony
            probation or parole from voting.
                (10) State disenfranchisement laws disproportionately
            impact racial and ethnic minorities. In recent years, African
            Americans have been imprisoned at over 5 times the rate of
            Whites. More than 6 percent of the voting-age African-American
            population, or 1,800,000 African Americans, are disenfranchised
            due to a felony conviction. In 9 States--Alabama (16 percent),
            Arizona (13 percent), Florida (15 percent), Kentucky (15
            percent), Mississippi (16 percent), South Dakota (14 percent),
            Tennessee (21 percent), Virginia (16 percent), and Wyoming (36
            percent)--more than 1 in 8 African Americans are unable to vote
            because of a felony conviction, twice the national average for
            African Americans.
                (11) Latino citizens are also disproportionately
            disenfranchised based upon their disproportionate
            representation in the criminal justice system. Although data on
            ethnicity in correctional populations are unevenly reported and
            undercounted in some States, a conservative estimate is that at
            least 506,000 Latino Americans or 1.7 percent of the voting-age
            population are disenfranchised. In 31 States Latinos are
            disenfranchised at a higher rate than the general population.
            In Arizona and Tennessee over 6 percent of Latino voters are
            disenfranchised due to a felony conviction.
                (12) Women have been significantly impacted by mass
            incarceration since the early 1980s. Approximately 1,000,000
            women were disenfranchised in 2022, comprising over 20 percent
            of the total disenfranchised population.
                (13) Disenfranchising citizens who have been convicted of a
            criminal offense and who are living and working in the
            community serves no compelling State interest and hinders their
            rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Models of
            successful re-entry for persons convicted of a crime emphasize
            the importance of community ties, feeling vested and
            integrated, and prosocial attitudes. Individuals with criminal
            convictions who succeed in avoiding recidivism are typically
            more likely to see themselves as law-abiding members of the
            community. Restoration of voting rights builds those qualities
            and facilitates reintegration into the community. That is why
            allowing citizens with criminal convictions who are living in a
            community to vote is correlated with a lower likelihood of
            recidivism. Restoration of voting rights thus reduces violence
            and protects public safety.
                (14) State disenfranchisement laws can suppress electoral
            participation among eligible voters by discouraging voting
            among family and community members of disenfranchised persons.
            Future electoral participation by the children of
            disenfranchised parents may be impacted as well.
                (15) The United States is one of the only Western
            democracies that permits the permanent denial of voting rights
            for individuals with felony convictions.
                (16) The Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and
            unusual punishments ``guarantees individuals the right not to
            be subjected to excessive sanctions''. (Roper v. Simmons, 543
            U.S. 551, 560 (2005)). That right stems from the basic precept
            of justice ``that punishment for crime should be graduated and
            proportioned to [the] offense''. Id. (quoting Weems v. United
            States, 217 U.S. 349, 367 (1910)). As the Supreme Court has
            long recognized, ``[t]he concept of proportionality is central
            to the Eighth Amendment''. (Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48, 59
            (2010)). Many State disenfranchisement laws are grossly
            disproportional to the offenses that lead to disenfranchisement
            and thus violate the bar on cruel and unusual punishments. For
            example, a number of States mandate lifetime disenfranchisement
            for a single felony conviction or just two felony convictions,
            even where the convictions were for non-violent offenses. In
            numerous other States, disenfranchisement can last years or
            even decades while individuals remain on probation or parole,
            often only because a person cannot pay their legal financial
            obligations. These kinds of extreme voting bans run afoul of
            the Eighth Amendment.
                (17) The Twenty-Fourth Amendment provides that the right to
            vote ``shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or
            any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other
            tax''. Section 2 of the Twenty-Fourth Amendment gives Congress
            the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
            Court fines and fees that individuals must pay to have their
            voting rights restored constitute an ``other tax'' for purposes
            of the Twenty-Fourth Amendment. At least five States explicitly
            require the payment of fines and fees before individuals with
            felony convictions can have their voting rights restored. More
            than 20 other States effectively tie the right to vote to the
            payment of fines and fees, by requiring that individuals
            complete their probation or parole before their rights are
            restored. In these States, the non-payment of fines and fees is
            a basis on which probation or parole can be extended. Moreover,
            these States sometimes do not record the basis on which an
            individual's probation or parole was extended, making it
            impossible to determine from the State's records whether non-
            payment of fines and fees is the reason that an individual
            remains on probation or parole. For these reasons, the only way
            to ensure that States do not deny the right to vote based
            solely on non-payment of fines and fees is to prevent States
            from conditioning voting rights on the completion of probation
            or parole.

    SEC. 1703. RIGHTS OF CITIZENS.

        The right of an individual who is a citizen of the United States to
    vote in any election for Federal office shall not be denied or abridged
    because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless
    such individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional
    institution or facility at the time of the election.

    SEC. 1704. ENFORCEMENT.

        (a) Attorney General.--The Attorney General may, in a civil action,
    obtain such declaratory or injunctive relief as is necessary to remedy
    a violation of this subtitle.
        (b) Private Right of Action.--
                (1) In general.--A person who is aggrieved by a violation
            of this subtitle may provide written notice of the violation to
            the chief election official of the State involved.
                (2) Relief.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), if the
            violation is not corrected within 90 days after receipt of a
            notice under paragraph (1), or within 20 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.
                (3) Exception.--If the violation occurred within 30 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 under paragraph (1) before bringing a
            civil action to obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with
            respect to the violation.

    SEC. 1705. NOTIFICATION OF RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS.

        (a) State Notification.--
                (1) Notification.--On the date determined under paragraph
            (2), each State shall notify in writing any individual who has
            been convicted of a criminal offense under the law of that
            State that such individual has the right to vote in an election
            for Federal office pursuant to the Democracy Restoration Act of
            2023 and may register to vote in any such election and provide
            such individuals with any materials that are necessary to
            register to vote in any such election.
                (2) Date of notification.--
                        (A) Felony conviction.--In the case of such an
                    individual who has been convicted of a felony, the
                    notification required under paragraph (1) shall be
                    given on the date on which the individual--
                                (i) is sentenced to serve only a term of
                            probation; or
                                (ii) is released from the custody of that
                            State (other than to the custody of another
                            State or the Federal Government to serve a term
                            of imprisonment for a felony conviction).
                        (B) Misdemeanor conviction.--In the case of such an
                    individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the
                    notification required under paragraph (1) shall be
                    given on the date on which such individual is sentenced
                    by a State court.
        (b) Federal Notification.--
                (1) Notification.--Any individual who has been convicted of
            a criminal offense under Federal law shall be notified in
            accordance with paragraph (2) that such individual has the
            right to vote in an election for Federal office pursuant to the
            Democracy Restoration Act of 2023 and may register to vote in
            any such election.
                (2) Date of notification.--
                        (A) Felony conviction.--In the case of such an
                    individual who has been convicted of a felony, the
                    notification required under paragraph (1) shall be
                    given--
                                (i) in the case of an individual who is
                            sentenced to serve only a term of probation, by
                            the Assistant Director for the Office of
                            Probation and Pretrial Services of the
                            Administrative Office of the United States
                            Courts on the date on which the individual is
                            sentenced; or
                                (ii) in the case of any individual
                            committed to the custody of the Bureau of
                            Prisons, by the Director of the Bureau of
                            Prisons, during the period beginning on the
                            date that is 6 months before such individual is
                            released and ending on the date such individual
                            is released from the custody of the Bureau of
                            Prisons.
                        (B) Misdemeanor conviction.--In the case of such an
                    individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the
                    notification required under paragraph (1) shall be
                    given on the date on which such individual is sentenced
                    by a court established by an Act of Congress.

    SEC. 1706. DEFINITIONS.

        For purposes of this subtitle:
                (1) Correctional institution or facility.--The term
            ``correctional institution or facility'' means any prison,
            penitentiary, jail, or other institution or facility for the
            confinement of individuals convicted of criminal offenses,
            whether publicly or privately operated, except that such term
            does not include any residential community treatment center (or
            similar public or private facility).
                (2) Election.--The term ``election'' means--
                        (A) a general, special, primary, or runoff
                    election;
                        (B) a convention or caucus of a political party
                    held to nominate a candidate;
                        (C) a primary election held for the selection of
                    delegates to a national nominating convention of a
                    political party; or
                        (D) a primary election held for the expression of a
                    preference for the nomination of persons for election
                    to the office of President.
                (3) Federal office.--The term ``Federal office'' means the
            office of President or Vice President of the United States, or
            of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
            Commissioner to, the Congress of the United States.
                (4) Probation.--The term ``probation'' means probation,
            imposed by a Federal, State, or local court, with or without a
            condition on the individual involved concerning--
                        (A) the individual's freedom of movement;
                        (B) the payment of damages by the individual;
                        (C) periodic reporting by the individual to an
                    officer of the court; or
                        (D) supervision of the individual by an officer of
                    the court.

    SEC. 1707. RELATION TO OTHER LAWS.

        (a) State Laws Relating to Voting Rights.--Nothing in this Act
    shall be construed to prohibit any State from enacting any State law
    which affords the right to vote in any election for Federal office on
    terms less restrictive than those established by this Act.
        (b) Certain Federal Acts.--The rights and remedies established by
    this subtitle are in addition to all other rights and remedies provided
    by law, and neither rights and remedies established by this subtitle
    shall supersede, restrict, or limit the application of the Voting
    Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.), the National Voter
    Registration Act (52 U.S.C. 20501), or the Help America Vote Act of
    2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et seq.).

    SEC. 1708. FEDERAL PRISON FUNDS.

        No State, unit of local government, or other person may receive or
    use, to construct or otherwise improve a prison, jail, or other place
    of incarceration, any Federal funds unless that State, unit of local
    government, or person--
                (1) is in compliance with section 1703; and
                (2) has in effect a program under which each individual
            incarcerated in that person's jurisdiction who is a citizen of
            the United States is notified, upon release from such
            incarceration, of that individual's rights under section 1703.

    SEC. 1709. EFFECTIVE DATE.

        This subtitle shall apply to citizens of the United States voting
    in any election for Federal office held on or after the date of
    enactment of this Act.

          Subtitle I--Voter Identification and Allowable Alternatives

    SEC. 1801. REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTER IDENTIFICATION.

        (a) Requirement To Provide Identification as Condition of Receiving
    Ballot.--Section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C.
    21083) is amended by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as
    subsections (d) and (e), respectively, and by inserting after
    subsection (b) the following new subsection:
        ``(c) Voter Identification Requirements.--
                ``(1) Voter identification requirement defined.--For
            purposes of this subsection:
                        ``(A) In general.--The term `voter identification
                    requirement' means any requirement that an individual
                    desiring to vote in person in an election for Federal
                    office present identification as a requirement to
                    receive or cast a ballot in person in such election.
                        ``(B) Exception.--Such term does not include any
                    requirement described in subsection (b)(2)(A) as
                    applied with respect to an individual described in
                    subsection (b)(1).
                ``(2) In general.--If a State or local jurisdiction has a
            voter identification requirement, the State or local
            jurisdiction--
                        ``(A) shall treat any applicable identifying
                    document as meeting such voter identification
                    requirement;
                        ``(B) notwithstanding the failure to present an
                    applicable identifying document, shall treat an
                    individual desiring to vote in person in an election
                    for Federal office as meeting such voter identification
                    requirement if--
                                ``(i) the individual presents the
                            appropriate State or local election official
                            with a sworn written statement, signed in the
                            presence of the official by an adult who has
                            known the individual for not less than 6 months
                            under penalty of perjury, attesting to the
                            individual's identity;
                                ``(ii) the official has known the
                            individual for at least six months; or
                                ``(iii) in the case of a resident of a
                            State-licensed care facility, an employee of
                            the facility confirms the individual's
                            identity; and
                        ``(C) shall permit any individual desiring to vote
                    in an election for Federal office who does not present
                    an applicable identifying document required under
                    subparagraph (A) or qualify for an exception under
                    subparagraph (B) to cast a provisional ballot with
                    respect to the election under section 302(a) in
                    accordance with paragraph (3).
                ``(3) Rules for provisional ballot.--
                        ``(A) In general.--An individual may cast a
                    provisional ballot pursuant to paragraph (2)(C) so long
                    as the individual presents the appropriate State or
                    local election official with a sworn written statement,
                    signed by the individual under penalty of perjury,
                    attesting to the individual's identity.
                        ``(B) Prohibition on other requirements.--Except as
                    otherwise provided this paragraph, a State or local
                    jurisdiction may not impose any other additional
                    requirement or condition with respect to the casting of
                    a provisional ballot by an individual described in
                    paragraph (2)(C).
                        ``(C) Counting of provisional ballot.--In the case
                    of a provisional ballot cast pursuant to paragraph
                    (2)(C), the appropriate State or local election
                    official shall not make a determination under section
                    302(a)(4) that the individual is eligible under State
                    law to vote in the election unless--
                                ``(i) the official determines that the
                            signature on such statement matches the
                            signature of such individual on the official
                            list of registered voters in the State or other
                            official record or document used by the State
                            to verify the signatures of voters; or
                                ``(ii) not later than 10 days after casting
                            the provisional ballot, the individual presents
                            an applicable identifying document, either in
                            person or by electronic methods, to the
                            official and the official confirms the
                            individual is the person identified on the
                            applicable identifying document.
                        ``(D) Notice and opportunity to cure discrepancy in
                    signatures or other defects on provisional ballots.--
                                ``(i) Notice and opportunity to cure
                            discrepancy in signatures.--If an individual
                            casts a provisional ballot under this paragraph
                            and the appropriate State or local election
                            official determines that a discrepancy exists
                            between the signature on such ballot and the
                            signature of such individual on the official
                            list of registered voters in the State or other
                            official record or 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--
                                        ``(I) as soon as practical, but not
                                    later than the next business day after
                                    such determination is made, make a good
                                    faith effort to notify the individual
                                    by mail, telephone, and (if available)
                                    text message and electronic mail that--
                                                ``(aa) a discrepancy exists
                                            between the signature on such
                                            ballot and the signature of the
                                            individual on the official list
                                            of registered voters in the
                                            State or other official record
                                            or document used by the State
                                            to verify the signatures of
                                            voters; and
                                                ``(bb) if such discrepancy
                                            is not cured prior to the
                                            expiration of the third day
                                            following the State's deadline
                                            for receiving mail-in ballots
                                            or absentee ballots, such
                                            ballot will not be counted; and
                                        ``(II) cure such discrepancy and
                                    count the ballot if, prior to the
                                    expiration of the third day following
                                    the State's deadline for receiving
                                    mail-in ballots or absentee ballots,
                                    the individual provides the official
                                    with information to cure such
                                    discrepancy, either in person, by
                                    telephone, or by electronic methods.
                                ``(ii) Notice and opportunity to cure other
                            defects.--If an individual casts a provisional
                            ballot under this paragraph with a defect
                            which, if left uncured, would cause the ballot
                            to not be counted, the appropriate State or
                            local election official, prior to making a
                            final determination as to the validity of the
                            ballot, shall--
                                        ``(I) as soon as practical, but not
                                    later than the next business day after
                                    such determination is made, make a good
                                    faith effort to notify the individual
                                    by mail, telephone, and (if available)
                                    text message and electronic mail that--
                                                ``(aa) the ballot has some
                                            defect; and
                                                ``(bb) if the individual
                                            does not cure the other defect
                                            prior to the expiration of the
                                            third day following the State's
                                            deadline for receiving mail-in
                                            ballots or absentee ballots,
                                            such ballot will not be
                                            counted; and
                                        ``(II) count the ballot if, prior
                                    to the expiration of the third day
                                    following the State's deadline for
                                    receiving mail-in ballots or absentee
                                    ballots, the individual cures the
                                    defect.
                        ``(E) No exemption.--Notwithstanding section
                    302(a), States described in section 4(b) of the
                    National Voter Registration Act of 1993 shall be
                    required to meet the requirements of paragraph (2)(C).
                        ``(F) Rule of construction.--
                                ``(i) In general.--Nothing in paragraph
                            (2)(C) or this paragraph shall be construed to
                            prevent a State from permitting an individual
                            who provides a sworn statement described in
                            subparagraph (A) to cast a regular ballot in
                            lieu of a provisional ballot.
                                ``(ii) Regular ballot.--For purpose of this
                            subparagraph, the term `regular ballot' means a
                            ballot which is cast and counted in the same
                            manner as ballots cast by individuals meeting
                            the voter identification requirement (and all
                            other applicable requirements with respect to
                            voting in the election).
                ``(4) Development and use of pre-printed version of
            statement by commission.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The Commission shall develop
                    pre-printed versions of the statements described in
                    paragraphs (2)(B)(i) and (3)(A) which include
                    appropriate blank spaces for the provision of names and
                    signatures.
                        ``(B) Providing pre-printed copy of statement.--
                    Each State and jurisdiction that has a voter
                    identification requirement shall make copies of the
                    pre-printed version of the statement developed under
                    subparagraph (A) available at polling places for use by
                    individuals voting in person.
                ``(5) Required provision of identifying documents.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Each State and jurisdiction that
                    has a voter identification requirement shall--
                                ``(i) for each individual who, on or after
                            the applicable date, is registered to vote in
                            such State or jurisdiction in elections for
                            Federal office, provide the individual with a
                            government-issued identification that meets the
                            requirements of this subsection without charge;
                                ``(ii) for each individual who, before the
                            applicable date, was registered to vote in such
                            State or jurisdiction in elections for Federal
                            office but does not otherwise possess an
                            identifying document, provide the individual
                            with a government-issued identification that
                            meets the requirements of this subsection
                            without charge, so long as the State provides
                            the individual with reasonable opportunities to
                            obtain such identification prior to the date of
                            the election; and
                                ``(iii) for each individual who is provided
                            with an identification under clause (i) or
                            clause (ii), provide the individual with such
                            assistance without charge upon request as may
                            be necessary to enable the individual to obtain
                            and process any documentation necessary to
                            obtain the identification.
                        ``(B) Applicable date.--For purposes of this
                    paragraph, the term `applicable date' means the later
                    of--
                                ``(i) January 1, 2024, or
                                ``(ii) the first date after the date of
                            enactment of this subsection for which the
                            State or local jurisdiction has in effect a
                            voter identification requirement.
                ``(6) Applicable identifying document.--For purposes of
            this subsection--
                        ``(A) In general.--The term `applicable identifying
                    document' means, with respect to any individual, any
                    document issued to such individual containing the
                    individual's name.
                        ``(B) Included documents.--The term `applicable
                    identifying document' shall include any of the
                    following (so long as such document is not expired, as
                    indicated by an expiration date included on the
                    document):
                                ``(i) A valid driver's license or an
                            identification card issued by a State, the
                            Federal Government, or a State or federally
                            recognized Tribal government.
                                ``(ii) A State-issued identification
                            described in paragraph (4).
                                ``(iii) A valid United States passport or
                            passport card.
                                ``(iv) A valid employee identification card
                            issued by--
                                        ``(I) any branch, department,
                                    agency, or entity of the United States
                                    Government or of any State,
                                        ``(II) any State or federally
                                    recognized Tribal government, or
                                        ``(III) any county, municipality,
                                    board, authority, or other political
                                    subdivision of a State.
                                ``(v) A valid student identification card
                            issued by an institution of higher education,
                            or a valid high school identification card
                            issued by a State-accredited high school.
                                ``(vi) A valid military identification card
                            issued by the United States.
                                ``(vii) A valid gun license or concealed
                            carry permit.
                                ``(viii) A valid Medicare card or Social
                            Security card.
                                ``(ix) A valid birth certificate.
                                ``(x) A valid voter registration card.
                                ``(xi) A valid hunting or fishing license
                            issued by a State.
                                ``(xii) A valid identification card issued
                            to the individual by the Supplemental Nutrition
                            Assistance (SNAP) program.
                                ``(xiii) A valid identification card issued
                            to the individual by the Temporary Assistance
                            for Needy Families (TANF) program.
                                ``(xiv) A valid identification card issued
                            to the individual by Medicaid.
                                ``(xv) A valid bank card or valid debit
                            card.
                                ``(xvi) A valid utility bill issued within
                            six months of the date of the election.
                                ``(xvii) A valid lease or mortgage document
                            issued within six months of the date of the
                            election.
                                ``(xviii) A valid bank statement issued
                            within six months of the date of the election.
                                ``(xix) A valid health insurance card
                            issued to the voter.
                                ``(xx) Any other document containing the
                            individual's name issued by--
                                        ``(I) any branch, department,
                                    agency, or entity of the United States
                                    Government or of any State;
                                        ``(II) any State or federally
                                    recognized tribal government; or
                                        ``(III) any county, municipality,
                                    board, authority, or other political
                                    subdivision of a State.
                        ``(C) Copies and electronic documents accepted.--
                    The term `applicable identifying document' includes--
                                ``(i) any copy of a document described in
                            subparagraph (A) or (B); and
                                ``(ii) any document described in
                            subparagraph (A) or (B) which is presented in
                            electronic format.''.
        (b) Payments to States To Cover Costs of Required Identification
    Documents.--
                (1) In general.--The Election Assistance Commission shall
            make payments to States to cover the costs incurred in
            providing identifications under section 303(c)(5) of the Help
            America Vote Act of 2002, as amended by this section.
                (2) Amount of payment.--The amount of the payment made to a
            State under this subsection for any year shall be equal to the
            amount of fees which would have been collected by the State
            during the year in providing the identifications required under
            section 303(c)(5) of such Act if the State had charged the
            usual and customary rates for such identifications, as
            determined on the basis of information furnished to the
            Commission by the State at such time and in such form as the
            Commission may require.
                (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
            to be appropriated for payments under this subsection an
            aggregate amount of $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 and each of
            the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
        (c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 303(b)(2)(A) of the Help
    America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(b)(2)(A)) is amended--
                (1) in clause (i), by striking ``in person'' and all that
            follows and inserting ``in person, presents to the appropriate
            State or local election official an applicable identifying
            document (as defined in subsection (c)(6)); or''; and
                (2) in clause (ii), by striking ``by mail'' and all that
            follows and inserting ``by mail, submits with the ballot an
            applicable identifying document (as so defined).''.
        (d) Definition.--For the purposes of this section, the term
    ``State'' means each of the several States, 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.
        (e) Effective Date.--Section 303(e) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    21083(d)(2)), as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by adding
    at the end the following new paragraph:
                ``(3) Voter identification requirements.--Each State and
            jurisdiction shall be required to comply with the requirements
            of subsection (c) with respect to elections for Federal office
            held on or after January 1, 2024.''.

                 Subtitle J--Voter List Maintenance Procedures

                        PART 1--VOTER CAGING PROHIBITED

    SEC. 1901. VOTER CAGING PROHIBITED.

        (a) Definitions.--In this section--
                (1) the term ``voter caging document'' means--
                        (A) a non-forwardable document sent by any person
                    other than a State or local election official that is
                    returned to the sender or a third party as undelivered
                    or undeliverable despite an attempt to deliver such
                    document to the address of a registered voter or
                    applicant; or
                        (B) any document sent by any person other than a
                    State or local election official with instructions to
                    an addressee that the document be returned to the
                    sender or a third party but is not so returned, despite
                    an attempt to deliver such document to the address of a
                    registered voter or applicant;
                (2) the term ``voter caging list'' means a list of
            individuals compiled from voter caging documents; and
                (3) the term ``unverified match list'' means any list
            produced by matching the information of registered voters or
            applicants for voter registration to a list of individuals who
            are ineligible to vote in the registrar's jurisdiction, by
            virtue of death, conviction, change of address, or otherwise,
            unless one of the pieces of information matched includes a
            signature, photograph, or unique identifying number ensuring
            that the information from each source refers to the same
            individual.
        (b) Prohibition Against Voter Caging.--No State or local election
    official shall prevent an individual from registering or voting in any
    election for Federal office, or permit in connection with any election
    for Federal office a formal challenge under State law to an
    individual's registration status or eligibility to vote, if the basis
    for such decision is evidence consisting of--
                (1) a voter caging document or voter caging list;
                (2) an unverified match list;
                (3) an error or omission on any record or paper relating to
            any application, registration, or other act requisite to
            voting, if such error or omission is not material to an
            individual's eligibility to vote under section 2004(a)(2)(B) of
            the Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(a)(2)(B)); or
                (4) any other evidence so designated for purposes of this
            section by the Election Assistance Commission,
    except that the election official may use such evidence if it is
    corroborated by independent evidence of the individual's ineligibility
    to register or vote.
        (c) Enforcement.--
                (1) Civil enforcement.--
                        (A) In 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 section.
                        (B) Private right of action.--
                                (i) In general.--A person who is aggrieved
                            by a violation of this section may provide
                            written notice of the violation to the chief
                            election official of the State involved.
                                (ii) Relief.--Except as provided in clause
                            (iii), if the violation is not corrected within
                            90 days after receipt of a notice under clause
                            (i), or within 20 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.
                                (iii) Exception.--If the violation occurred
                            within 30 days before the date of an election
                            for Federal office, on the date of the
                            election, or after the date of the election but
                            prior to the completion of the canvass, the
                            aggrieved person need not provide notice under
                            clause (i) before bringing a civil action to
                            obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with
                            respect to the violation.
                (2) Criminal penalty.--Whoever knowingly challenges the
            eligibility of one or more individuals to register or vote or
            knowingly causes the eligibility of such individuals to be
            challenged in violation of this section with the intent that
            one or more eligible voters be disqualified, shall be fined
            under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than
            1 year, or both, for each such violation. Each violation shall
            be a separate offense.
        (d) No Effect on Related Laws.--Nothing in this section is intended
    to override the protections of the National Voter Registration Act of
    1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.) or to affect the Voting Rights Act of
    1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.).

               PART 2--SAVING ELIGIBLE VOTERS FROM VOTER PURGING

    SEC. 1911. CONDITIONS FOR REMOVAL OF VOTERS FROM LIST OF REGISTERED
                  VOTERS.

        (a) Conditions Described.--The National Voter Registration Act of
    1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 8
    the following new section:

    ``SEC. 8A. CONDITIONS FOR REMOVAL OF VOTERS FROM OFFICIAL LIST OF
                  REGISTERED VOTERS.

        ``(a) Verification on Basis of Objective and Reliable Evidence of
    Ineligibility.--
                ``(1) Requiring verification.--Notwithstanding any other
            provision of this Act, a State may not remove the name of any
            registrant from the official list of voters eligible to vote in
            elections for Federal office in the State unless the State
            verifies, on the basis of objective and reliable evidence, that
            the registrant is ineligible to vote in such elections.
                ``(2) Factors not considered as objective and reliable
            evidence of ineligibility.--For purposes of paragraph (1),
            except as permitted under section 8(d) after a notice described
            in paragraph (2) of such section has been sent, the following
            factors, or any combination thereof, shall not be treated as
            objective and reliable evidence of a registrant's ineligibility
            to vote:
                        ``(A) The failure of the registrant to vote in any
                    election.
                        ``(B) The failure of the registrant to respond to
                    any election mail, unless the election mail has been
                    returned as undeliverable.
                        ``(C) The failure of the registrant to take any
                    other action with respect to voting in any election or
                    with respect to the registrant's status as a
                    registrant.
                ``(3) Removal based on official records.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Nothing in this section shall
                    prohibit a State from removing a registrant from the
                    official list of eligible voters in elections for
                    Federal office if, on the basis of official records
                    maintained by the State, a State or local election
                    official knows, on the basis of objective and reliable
                    evidence, that the registrant has--
                                ``(i) died; or
                                ``(ii) permanently moved out of the State
                            and is no longer eligible to vote in the State.
                        ``(B) Opportunity to demonstrate eligibility.--The
                    State shall provide a voter removed from the official
                    list of eligible voters in elections for Federal office
                    under this paragraph an opportunity to demonstrate that
                    the registrant is eligible to vote and be reinstated on
                    the official list of eligible voters in elections for
                    Federal office in the State.
        ``(b) Notice After Removal.--
                ``(1) Notice to individual removed.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Not later than 48 hours after a
                    State removes the name of a registrant from the
                    official list of eligible voters, the State shall send
                    notice of the removal to the former registrant, and
                    shall include in the notice the grounds for the removal
                    and information on how the former registrant may
                    contest the removal or be reinstated, including a
                    telephone number for the appropriate election official.
                        ``(B) Exceptions.--Subparagraph (A) does not apply
                    in the case of a registrant--
                                ``(i) who sends written confirmation to the
                            State that the registrant is no longer eligible
                            to vote in the registrar's jurisdiction in
                            which the registrant was registered; or
                                ``(ii) who is removed from the official
                            list of eligible voters by reason of the death
                            of the registrant.
                ``(2) Public notice.--Not later than 48 hours after
            conducting any general program to remove the names of
            ineligible voters from the official list of eligible voters (as
            described in section 8(a)(4)), the State shall disseminate a
            public notice through such methods as may be reasonable to
            reach the general public (including by publishing the notice in
            a newspaper of wide circulation and posting the notice on the
            websites of the appropriate election officials) that list
            maintenance is taking place and that registrants should check
            their registration status to ensure no errors or mistakes have
            been made. The State shall ensure that the public notice
            disseminated under this paragraph is in a format that is
            reasonably convenient and accessible to voters with
            disabilities, including voters who have low vision or are
            blind.''.
        (b) Conditions for Transmission of Notices of Removal.--Section
    8(d) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(d)) is amended by adding at the end
    the following new paragraph:
                ``(4) A State may not transmit a notice to a registrant
            under this subsection unless the State obtains objective and
            reliable evidence (in accordance with the standards for such
            evidence which are described in section 8A(a)(2)) that the
            registrant has changed residence to a place outside the
            registrar's jurisdiction in which the registrant is
            registered.''.
        (c) Conforming Amendments.--
                (1) National voter registration act of 1993.--Section 8(a)
            of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)) is amended--
                        (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``provide'' and
                    inserting ``subject to section 8A, provide''; and
                        (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``conduct'' and
                    inserting ``subject to section 8A, conduct''.
                (2) Help america vote act of 2002.--Section 303(a)(4)(A) of
            the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(a)(4)(A)) is
            amended by striking ``registrants'' the second place it appears
            and inserting ``and subject to section 8A of such Act,
            registrants''.
        (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
    effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

                            Subtitle K--Severability

    SEC. 1921. SEVERABILITY.

        If any provision of this title or any amendment made by this title,
    or the application of any such provision or amendment to any person or
    circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this
    title, and the application of such provision or amendment to any other
    person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.

                         DIVISION B--ELECTION INTEGRITY

           TITLE II--PROHIBITING INTERFERENCE WITH VOTER REGISTRATION

    SEC. 2001. PROHIBITING HINDERING, INTERFERING WITH, OR PREVENTING VOTER
                  REGISTRATION.

        (a) In General.--Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is
    amended by adding at the end the following new section:
    ``Sec. 612. Hindering, interfering with, or preventing registering to
                  vote
        ``(a) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any person, whether
    acting under color of law or otherwise, to corruptly hinder, interfere
    with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or to
    corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from aiding
    another person in registering to vote.
        ``(b) Attempt.--Any person who attempts to commit any offense
    described in subsection (a) shall be subject to the same penalties as
    those prescribed for the offense that the person attempted to commit.
        ``(c) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be
    fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.''.
        (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 29 of
    title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
    following new item:

    ``612. Hindering, interfering with, or preventing registering to
                                vote.''.
        (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
    apply with respect to elections held on or after the date of the
    enactment of this Act, except that no person may be found to have
    violated section 612 of title 18, United States Code (as added by
    subsection (a)), on the basis of any act occurring prior to the date of
    the enactment of this Act.

    SEC. 2002. ESTABLISHMENT OF BEST PRACTICES.

        (a) Best Practices.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
    enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall develop and publish
    recommendations for best practices for States to use to deter and
    prevent violations of section 612 of title 18, United States Code (as
    added by section 2001), and section 12 of the National Voter
    Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20511) (relating to the unlawful
    interference with registering to vote, or voting, or attempting to
    register to vote or vote), including practices to provide for the
    posting of relevant information at polling places and voter
    registration agencies under such Act, the training of poll workers and
    election officials, and relevant educational materials. For purposes of
    this subsection, 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) Inclusion in Voter Information Requirements.--Section 302(b)(2)
    of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21082(b)(2)) is
    amended--
                (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (E);
                (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F)
            and inserting ``; and''; and
                (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                        ``(G) information relating to the prohibitions of
                    section 612 of title 18, United States Code, and
                    section 12 of the National Voter Registration Act of
                    1993 (52 U.S.C. 20511) (relating to the unlawful
                    interference with registering to vote, or voting, or
                    attempting to register to vote or vote), including
                    information on how individuals may report allegations
                    of violations of such prohibitions.''.

                   TITLE III--PREVENTING ELECTION SUBVERSION

         Subtitle A--Restrictions on Removal of Election Administrators

    SEC. 3001. RESTRICTIONS ON REMOVAL OF LOCAL ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS IN
                  ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS FOR FEDERAL OFFICE.

        (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
                (1) Congress has explicit and broad authority to regulate
            the time, place, and manner of Federal elections under the
            Elections Clause under article I, section 4, clause 1 of the
            Constitution, including by establishing standards for the fair,
            impartial, and uniform administration of Federal elections by
            State and local officials.
                (2) The Elections Clause was understood from the framing of
            the Constitution to contain ``words of great latitude'',
            granting Congress broad power over Federal elections and a
            plenary right to preempt State regulation in this area. As made
            clear at the Constitutional Convention and the State
            ratification debates that followed, this grant of congressional
            authority was meant to ``insure free and fair elections'',
            promote the uniform administration of Federal elections, and
            ``preserve and restore to the people their equal and sacred
            rights of election''.
                (3) In the founding debates on the Elections Clause, many
            delegates also argued that a broad grant of authority to
            Congress over Federal elections was necessary to check any
            ``abuses that might be made of the discretionary power'' to
            regulate the time, place, and manner of elections granted the
            States, including attempts at partisan entrenchment,
            malapportionment, and the exclusion of political minorities. As
            the Supreme Court has recognized, the Elections Clause empowers
            Congress to ``protect the elections on which its existence
            depends'', Ex parte Yarbrough, 110 U.S. 651, 658 (1884), and
            ``protect the citizen in the exercise of rights conferred by
            the Constitution of the United States essential to the healthy
            organization of the government itself'', id. at 666.
                (4) The Elections Clause grants Congress ``plenary and
            paramount jurisdiction over the whole subject'' of Federal
            elections, Ex parte Siebold, 100 U.S. 371, 388 (1879), allowing
            Congress to implement ``a complete code for congressional
            elections''. Smiley v. Holm, 285 U.S. 355, 366 (1932). The
            Elections Clause, unlike, for example, the Commerce Clause, has
            been found to grant Congress the authority to compel States to
            alter their regulations as to Federal elections, id. at 366-67,
            even if these alterations would impose additional costs on the
            States to execute or enforce. Association of Community
            Organizations for Reform Now v. Miller, 129 F.3d 833 (6th Cir.
            1997).
                (5) The phrase ``manner of holding elections'' in the
            Elections Clause has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to
            authorize Congress to regulate all aspects of the Federal
            election process, including ``notices, registration,
            supervision of voting, protection of voters, prevention of
            fraud and corrupt practices, counting of votes, duties of
            inspectors and canvassers, and the making and publication of
            election returns''. Smiley v. Holm, 285 U.S. 355, 366 (1932).
                (6) The Supreme Court has recognized the broad
            ``substantive scope'' of the Elections Clause and upheld
            Federal laws promulgated thereunder regulating redistricting,
            voter registration, campaign finance, primary elections,
            recounts, party affiliation rules, and balloting.
                (7) The authority of Congress under the Elections Clause
            also entails the power to ensure enforcement of its laws
            regulating Federal elections. ``[I]f Congress has the power to
            make regulations, it must have the power to enforce them.''. Ex
            parte Siebold, 100 U.S. 371, 387 (1879). The Supreme Court has
            noted that there can be no question that Congress may impose
            additional penalties for offenses committed by State officers
            in connection with Federal elections even if they differ from
            the penalties prescribed by State law for the same acts. Id. at
            387-88.
                (8) The fair and impartial administration of Federal
            elections by State and local officials is central to ``the
            successful working of this government'', Ex parte Yarbrough,
            110 U.S. 651, 666 (1884), and to ``protect the act of voting .
            . . and the election itself from corruption or fraud'', id. at
            661-62.
                (9) The Elections Clause thus grants Congress the authority
            to ensure that the administration of Federal elections is free
            of political bias or discrimination and that election officials
            are insulated from political influence or other forms of
            coercion in discharging their duties in connection with Federal
            elections.
                (10) In some States, oversight of local election
            administrators has been allocated to State Election Boards, or
            special commissions formed by those boards, that are appointed
            by the prevailing political party in a State, as opposed to
            nonpartisan or elected office holders.
                (11) In certain newly enacted State policies, these
            appointed statewide election administrators have been granted
            wide latitude to suspend or remove local election
            administrators in cases where the statewide election
            administrators identify whatever the State deems to be a
            violation. There is no requirement that there be a finding of
            intent by the local election administrator to commit the
            violation.
                (12) Local election administrators across the country can
            be suspended or removed according to different standards,
            potentially exposing them to different political pressures or
            biases that could result in uneven administration of Federal
            elections.
                (13) The Elections Clause grants Congress the ultimate
            authority to ensure that oversight of State and local election
            administrators is fair and impartial in order to ensure
            equitable and uniform administration of Federal elections.
        (b) Restriction.--
                (1) Standard for removal of a local election
            administrator.--A statewide election administrator may only
            suspend, remove, or relieve the duties of a local election
            administrator in the State with respect to the administration
            of an election for Federal office for inefficiency, neglect of
            duty, or malfeasance in office.
                (2) Private right of action.--
                        (A) In general.--Any local election administrator
                    suspended, removed, or otherwise relieved of duties in
                    violation of paragraph (1) with respect to the
                    administration of an election for Federal office or
                    against whom any proceeding for suspension, removal, or
                    relief from duty in violation of paragraph (1) with
                    respect to the administration of an election for
                    Federal office may be pending, may bring an action in
                    an appropriate district court of the United States for
                    declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the
                    violation. Any such action shall name as the defendant
                    the statewide election administrator responsible for
                    the adverse action. The district court shall, to the
                    extent practicable, expedite any such proceeding.
                        (B) Statute of limitations.--Any action brought
                    under this subsection must be commenced not later than
                    one year after the date of the suspension, removal,
                    relief from duties, or commencement of the proceeding
                    to remove, suspend, or relieve the duties of a local
                    election administrator with respect to the
                    administration of an election for Federal office.
                (3) Attorney's fees.--In any action or proceeding under
            this subsection, the court may allow a prevailing plaintiff,
            other than the United States, reasonable attorney's fees as
            part of the costs, and may include expert fees as part of the
            attorney's fee. The term ``prevailing plaintiff'' means a
            plaintiff that substantially prevails pursuant to a judicial or
            administrative judgment or order, or an enforceable written
            agreement.
                (4) Removal of state proceedings to federal court.--A local
            election administrator who is subject to an administrative or
            judicial proceeding for suspension, removal, or relief from
            duty by a statewide election administrator with respect to the
            administration of an election for Federal office may remove the
            proceeding to an appropriate district court of the United
            States. Any order remanding a case to the State court or agency
            from which it was removed under this subsection shall be
            reviewable by appeal or otherwise.
                (5) Right of united states to intervene.--
                        (A) Notice to attorney general.--Whenever any
                    administrative or judicial proceeding is brought to
                    suspend, remove, or relieve the duties of any local
                    election administrator by a statewide election
                    administrator with respect to the administration of an
                    election for Federal office, the statewide election
                    administrator who initiated such proceeding shall
                    deliver a copy of the pleadings instituting the
                    proceeding to the Assistant Attorney General for the
                    Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. The
                    local election administrator against whom such
                    proceeding is brought may also deliver such pleadings
                    to the Assistant Attorney General.
                        (B) Right to intervene.--The United States may
                    intervene in any administrative or judicial proceeding
                    brought to suspend, remove, or relieve the duties of
                    any local election administrator by a statewide
                    election administrator with respect to the
                    administration of an election for Federal office and in
                    any action initiated pursuant to paragraph (2) or in
                    any removal pursuant to paragraph (4).
                (6) Review.--In reviewing any action brought under this
            section, a court of the United States shall not afford any
            deference to any State official, administrator, or tribunal
            that initiated, approved, adjudicated, or reviewed any
            administrative or judicial proceeding to suspend, remove, or
            otherwise relieve the duties of a local election administrator.
        (c) Reports to the Department of Justice.--
                (1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the
            suspension, removal, or relief of the duties of a local
            election administrator by a statewide election administrator,
            the statewide election administrator shall submit to the
            Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Divisions of
            the Department of Justice a report that includes the following
            information:
                        (A) A statement that a local election administrator
                    was suspended, removed, or relieved of their duties.
                        (B) Information on whether the local election
                    administrator was determined to be inefficient or to
                    have engaged in neglect of duty or malfeasance in
                    office.
                        (C) A description of the effect that the
                    suspension, removal, or relief of the duties of the
                    local election administrator will have on--
                                (i) the administration of elections and
                            voters in the election jurisdictions for which
                            the local election official provided such
                            duties; and
                                (ii) the administration of elections and
                            voters in the State at large.
                        (D) Demographic information about the local
                    election official suspended, removed, or relieved and
                    the jurisdictions for which such election official was
                    providing the duties suspended, removed, or relieved.
                        (E) Such other information as requested by the
                    Assistant Attorney General for the purposes of
                    determining--
                                (i) whether such suspension, removal, or
                            relief of duties was based on unlawful
                            discrimination; and
                                (ii) whether such suspension, removal, or
                            relief of duties was due to inefficiency,
                            neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.
                (2) Expedited reporting for actions within 30 days of an
            election.--
                        (A) In general.--If a suspension, removal, or
                    relief of duties of a local administrator described in
                    paragraph (1) occurs during the period described in
                    subparagraph (B), the report required under paragraph
                    (1) shall be submitted not later than 48 hours after
                    such suspension, removal, or relief of duties.
                        (B) Period described.--The period described in this
                    subparagraph is any period which begins 60 days before
                    the date of an election for Federal office and which
                    ends 60 days after such election.
        (d) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply:
                (1) Election.--The term ``election'' has the meaning given
            the term in section 301(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
            of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(1)).
                (2) Federal office.--The term ``Federal office'' has the
            meaning given the term in section 301(3) of the Federal
            Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(3)).
                (3) Local election administrator.--The term ``local
            election administrator'' means, with respect to a local
            jurisdiction in a State, the individual or entity responsible
            for the administration of elections for Federal office in the
            local jurisdiction.
                (4) Statewide election administrator.--The term ``statewide
            election administrator'' means, with respect to a State--
                        (A) the individual or entity, including a State
                    elections board, responsible for the administration of
                    elections for Federal office in the State on a
                    statewide basis; or
                        (B) a statewide legislative or executive entity
                    with the authority to suspend, remove, or relieve a
                    local election administrator.
        (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
    construed to grant any additional authority to remove a local elections
    administrator beyond any authority provided under the law of the State.

             Subtitle B--Increased Protections for Election Workers

    SEC. 3101. HARASSMENT OF ELECTION WORKERS PROHIBITED.

        (a) In General.--Section 594 of title 18, United 6 States Code, is
    amended--
                (1) by striking ``Whoever intimidates'' and inserting the
            following:
        ``(a) In General.--Whoever intimidates''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
        ``(b) Intimidation of Election Workers.--
                ``(1) In general.--Whoever intimidates, threatens, coerces,
            or attempts to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, any election
            worker with intent to impede, intimidate, or interfere with
            such election worker while engaged in the performance of
            official duties, or with intent to retaliate against such
            election worker on account of the performance of official
            duties shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more
            than one year, or both.
                ``(2) Election worker.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the
            term `election worker' means any individual who is an election
            official, poll worker, or an election volunteer in connection
            with an election for a Federal office.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendments.--
                (1) The heading of section 594 of title 18, United States
            Code, is amended by inserting ``and election workers'' after
            ``voters''.
                (2) The item relating to section 594 in the table of
            sections for chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is
            amended by inserting ``and election workers'' after ``voters''.

    SEC. 3102. PROTECTION OF ELECTION WORKERS.

        (a) In General.--Section 594(b) of title 18, United States Code, as
    amended by section 3101, is amended--
                (1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
                (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
            paragraph:
                ``(2) Prohibition on publication of personal information.--
            Whoever knowingly makes restricted personal information about
            an election worker, or a member of the immediate family of that
            election worker, publicly available in connection with such
            election worker's official duties--
                        ``(A) with the intent to threaten, intimidate, or
                    incite the commission of a crime of violence against
                    that election worker, or a member of the immediate
                    family of that election worker; or
                        ``(B) with the intent and knowledge that the
                    restricted personal information will be used to
                    threaten, intimidate, or facilitate the commission of a
                    crime of violence against that election worker, or a
                    member of the immediate family of that election worker,
            shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1
            year, or both.''.
        (b) Definitions.--Paragraph (3) of section 594(b) of title 18,
    United States Code, as amended by section 3101 and redesignated by
    subsection (a), is amended--
                (1) by striking all that precedes ``term'' and inserting
            the following:
                ``(3) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
                        ``(A) Election worker.--The''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``(B) Other terms.--The terms `restricted personal
                    information', `crime of violence', and `immediate
                    family' have the respective meanings given such terms
                    under section 119.''.

       Subtitle C--Prohibiting Deceptive Practices and Preventing Voter
                                  Intimidation

    SEC. 3201. SHORT TITLE.

        This subtitle may be cited as the ``Deceptive Practices and Voter
    Intimidation Prevention Act of 2023''.

    SEC. 3202. PROHIBITION ON DECEPTIVE PRACTICES IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

        (a) Prohibition.--Subsection (b) of section 2004 of the Revised
    Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(b)) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``No person'' and inserting the following:
                ``(1) In general.--No person''; and
                (2) by inserting at the end the following new paragraphs:
                ``(2) False statements regarding federal elections.--
                        ``(A) Prohibition.--No person, whether acting under
                    color of law or otherwise, shall, within 60 days before
                    an election described in paragraph (5), by any means,
                    including by means of written, electronic, or
                    telephonic communications, communicate or cause to be
                    communicated information described in subparagraph (B),
                    or produce information described in subparagraph (B)
                    with the intent that such information be communicated,
                    if such person--
                                ``(i) knows such information to be
                            materially false; and
                                ``(ii) has the intent to impede or prevent
                            another person from exercising the right to
                            vote in an election described in paragraph (5).
                        ``(B) Information described.--Information is
                    described in this subparagraph if such information is
                    regarding--
                                ``(i) the time, place, or manner of holding
                            any election described in paragraph (5); or
                                ``(ii) the qualifications for or
                            restrictions on voter eligibility for any such
                            election, including--
                                        ``(I) any criminal, civil, or other
                                    legal penalties associated with voting
                                    in any such election; or
                                        ``(II) information regarding a
                                    voter's registration status or
                                    eligibility.
                ``(3) False statements regarding public endorsements.--
                        ``(A) Prohibition.--No person, whether acting under
                    color of law or otherwise, shall, within 60 days before
                    an election described in paragraph (5), by any means,
                    including by means of written, electronic, or
                    telephonic communications, communicate, or cause to be
                    communicated, a materially false statement about an
                    endorsement, if such person--
                                ``(i) knows such statement to be false; and
                                ``(ii) has the intent to impede or prevent
                            another person from exercising the right to
                            vote in an election described in paragraph (5).
                        ``(B) Definition of `materially false'.--For
                    purposes of subparagraph (A), a statement about an
                    endorsement is `materially false' if, with respect to
                    an upcoming election described in paragraph (5)--
                                ``(i) the statement states that a
                            specifically named person, political party, or
                            organization has endorsed the election of a
                            specific candidate for a Federal office
                            described in such paragraph; and
                                ``(ii) such person, political party, or
                            organization has not endorsed the election of
                            such candidate.
                ``(4) Hindering, interfering with, or preventing voting or
            registering to vote.--No person, whether acting under color of
            law or otherwise, shall intentionally hinder, interfere with,
            or prevent another person from voting, registering to vote, or
            aiding another person to vote or register to vote in an
            election described in paragraph (5), including by operating a
            polling place or ballot box that falsely purports to be an
            official location established for such an election by a unit of
            government.
                ``(5) Election described.--An election described in this
            paragraph is any general, primary, runoff, or special election
            held solely or in part for the purpose of nominating or
            electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice
            President, Presidential elector, Member of the Senate, Member
            of the House of Representatives, or Delegate or Commissioner
            from a Territory or possession.''.
        (b) Private Right of Action.--
                (1) In general.--Subsection (c) of section 2004 of the
            Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(c)) is amended--
                        (A) by striking ``Whenever any person'' and
                    inserting the following:
                ``(1) In general.--Whenever any person''; and
                        (B) by adding at the end the following new
                    paragraph:
                ``(2) Civil action.--Any person aggrieved by a violation of
            this section may institute a civil action for preventive
            relief, including an application in a United States district
            court for a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining
            order, or other order. In any such action, the court, in its
            discretion, may allow the prevailing party a reasonable
            attorney's fee as part of the costs.''.
                (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 2004 of the Revised
            Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101) is amended--
                        (A) in subsection (e), by striking ``subsection
                    (c)'' and inserting ``subsection (c)(1)''; and
                        (B) in subsection (g), by striking ``subsection
                    (c)'' and inserting ``subsection (c)(1)''.
        (c) Criminal Penalties.--
                (1) Deceptive acts.--Section 594 of title 18, United States
            Code, as amended by sections 3101 and 3102, is amended--
                        (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``at any
                    election'' and inserting ``at any general, primary,
                    runoff, or special election''; and
                        (B) by adding at the end the following new
                    subsections:
        ``(c) Deceptive Acts.--
                ``(1) False statements regarding federal elections.--
                        ``(A) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any
                    person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise,
                    within 60 days before an election described in
                    subsection (f), by any means, including by means of
                    written, electronic, or telephonic communications, to
                    communicate or cause to be communicated information
                    described in subparagraph (B), or produce information
                    described in subparagraph (B) with the intent that such
                    information be communicated, if such person--
                                ``(i) knows such information to be
                            materially false; and
                                ``(ii) has the intent to impede or prevent
                            another person from exercising the right to
                            vote in an election described in subsection
                            (f).
                        ``(B) Information described.--Information is
                    described in this subparagraph if such information is
                    regarding--
                                ``(i) the time or place of holding any
                            election described in subsection (e); or
                                ``(ii) the qualifications for or
                            restrictions on voter eligibility for any such
                            election, including--
                                        ``(I) any criminal, civil, or other
                                    legal penalties associated with voting
                                    in any such election; or
                                        ``(II) information regarding a
                                    voter's registration status or
                                    eligibility.
                ``(2) Penalty.--Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall
            be fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned for not more than 5
            years, or both.
        ``(d) Hindering, Interfering With, or Preventing Voting or
    Registering To Vote.--
                ``(1) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any person,
            whether acting under color of law or otherwise, to corruptly
            hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from voting,
            registering to vote, or aiding another person to vote or
            register to vote in an election described in subsection (f).
                ``(2) Penalty.--Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall
            be fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned for not more than 5
            years, or both.
        ``(e) Attempt.--Any person who attempts to commit any offense
    described in subsection (c)(1) or (d)(1) shall be subject to the same
    penalties as those prescribed for the offense that the person attempted
    to commit.
        ``(f) Election Described.--An election described in this subsection
    is any general, primary, runoff, or special election held solely or in
    part for the purpose of nominating or electing a candidate for the
    office of President, Vice President, Presidential elector, Senator,
    Member of the House of Representatives, or Delegate or Resident
    Commissioner to the Congress.''.
                (2) Modifications to penalty for voter and election worker
            intimidation.--Section 594(a) of title 18, United States Code,
            as amended by this Act, is amended by striking ``fined under
            this title or imprisoned not more than one year'' and inserting
            ``fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned for not more than 5
            years''.
                (3) Sentencing guidelines.--
                        (A) Review and amendment.--Not later than 180 days
                    after the date of enactment of this Act, the United
                    States Sentencing Commission, pursuant to its authority
                    under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, and
                    in accordance with this section, shall review and, if
                    appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines
                    and policy statements applicable to persons convicted
                    of any offense under section 594 of title 18, United
                    States Code, as amended by this section.
                        (B) Authorization.--The United States Sentencing
                    Commission may amend the Federal Sentencing Guidelines
                    in accordance with the procedures set forth in section
                    21(a) of the Sentencing Act of 1987 (28 U.S.C. 994
                    note) as though the authority under that section had
                    not expired.
                (4) Payments for refraining from voting.--Subsection (c) of
            section 11 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10307)
            is amended by striking ``either for registration to vote or for
            voting'' and inserting ``for registration to vote, for voting,
            or for not voting''.

    SEC. 3203. CORRECTIVE ACTION.

        (a) Corrective Action.--
                (1) In general.--If the Attorney General receives a
            credible report that materially false information has been or
            is being communicated in violation of paragraphs (2) and (3) of
            section 2004(b) of the Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(b)),
            as added by section 3202(a), and if the Attorney General
            determines that State and local election officials have not
            taken adequate steps to promptly communicate accurate
            information to correct the materially false information, the
            Attorney General shall, pursuant to the written procedures and
            standards under subsection (b), communicate to the public, by
            any means, including by means of written, electronic, or
            telephonic communications, accurate information designed to
            correct the materially false information.
                (2) Communication of corrective information.--Any
            information communicated by the Attorney General under
            paragraph (1)--
                        (A) shall--
                                (i) be accurate and objective;
                                (ii) consist of only the information
                            necessary to correct the materially false
                            information that has been or is being
                            communicated; and
                                (iii) to the extent practicable, be by a
                            means that the Attorney General determines will
                            reach the persons to whom the materially false
                            information has been or is being communicated;
                            and
                        (B) shall not be designed to favor or disfavor any
                    particular candidate, organization, or political party.
        (b) Written Procedures and Standards for Taking Corrective
    Action.--
                (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
            enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall publish
            written procedures and standards for determining when and how
            corrective action will be taken under this section.
                (2) Inclusion of appropriate deadlines.--The procedures and
            standards under paragraph (1) shall include appropriate
            deadlines, based in part on the number of days remaining before
            the upcoming election.
                (3) Consultation.--In developing the procedures and
            standards under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall
            consult with the Election Assistance Commission, State and
            local election officials, civil rights organizations, voting
            rights groups, voter protection groups, and other interested
            community organizations.
        (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
    appropriated to the Attorney General such sums as may be necessary to
    carry out this subtitle.

    SEC. 3204. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

        (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after each general
    election for Federal office, the Attorney General shall submit to
    Congress a report compiling all allegations received by the Attorney
    General of deceptive practices described in paragraphs (2), (3), and
    (4) of section 2004(b) of the Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(b)), as
    added by section 3202(a), relating to the general election for Federal
    office and any primary, runoff, or a special election for Federal
    office held in the 2 years preceding the general election.
        (b) Contents.--
                (1) In general.--Each report submitted under subsection (a)
            shall include--
                        (A) a description of each allegation of a deceptive
                    practice described in subsection (a), including the
                    geographic location, racial and ethnic composition, and
                    language minority-group membership of the persons
                    toward whom the alleged deceptive practice was
                    directed;
                        (B) the status of the investigation of each
                    allegation described in subparagraph (A);
                        (C) a description of each corrective action taken
                    by the Attorney General under section 3203(a) in
                    response to an allegation described in subparagraph
                    (A);
                        (D) a description of each referral of an allegation
                    described in subparagraph (A) to other Federal, State,
                    or local agencies;
                        (E) to the extent information is available, a
                    description of any civil action instituted under
                    section 2004(c)(2) of the Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C.
                    10101(c)(2)), as added by section 3202(b), in
                    connection with an allegation described in subparagraph
                    (A); and
                        (F) a description of any criminal prosecution
                    instituted under subsection (c) or (d) of section 594
                    of title 18, United States Code, as amended by section
                    3202(c), in connection with the receipt of an
                    allegation described in subparagraph (A) by the
                    Attorney General.
                (2) Exclusion of certain information.--
                        (A) In general.--The Attorney General shall not
                    include in a report submitted under subsection (a) any
                    information protected from disclosure by rule 6(e) of
                    the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure or any Federal
                    criminal statute.
                        (B) Exclusion of certain other information.--The
                    Attorney General may determine that the following
                    information shall not be included in a report submitted
                    under subsection (a):
                                (i) Any information that is privileged.
                                (ii) Any information concerning an ongoing
                            investigation.
                                (iii) Any information concerning a criminal
                            or civil proceeding conducted under seal.
                                (iv) Any other nonpublic information that
                            the Attorney General determines the disclosure
                            of which could reasonably be expected to
                            infringe on the rights of any individual or
                            adversely affect the integrity of a pending or
                            future criminal investigation.
        (c) Report Made Public.--On the date that the Attorney General
    submits the report under subsection (a), the Attorney General shall
    also make the report publicly available through the internet and other
    appropriate means.

    SEC. 3205. PRIVATE RIGHTS OF ACTION BY ELECTION OFFICIALS.

        Subsection (c)(2) of section 2004 of the Revised Statutes (52
    U.S.C. 10101(b)), as added by section 3202(b), is amended--
                (1) by striking ``Any person'' and inserting the following:
                        ``(A) In general.--Any person''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                        ``(B) Intimidation, etc.--
                                ``(i) In general.--A person aggrieved by a
                            violation of subsection (b)(1) shall include,
                            without limitation, an officer responsible for
                            maintaining order and preventing intimidation,
                            threats, or coercion in or around a location at
                            which voters may cast their votes.
                                ``(ii) Corrective action.--If the Attorney
                            General receives a credible report that conduct
                            that violates or would be reasonably likely to
                            violate subsection (b)(1) has occurred or is
                            likely to occur, and if the Attorney General
                            determines that State and local officials have
                            not taken adequate steps to promptly
                            communicate that such conduct would violate
                            subsection (b)(1) or applicable State or local
                            laws, the Attorney General shall communicate to
                            the public, by any means, including by means of
                            written, electronic, or telephonic
                            communications, accurate information designed
                            to convey the unlawfulness of proscribed
                            conduct under subsection (b)(1) and the
                            responsibilities of and resources available to
                            State and local officials to prevent or correct
                            such violations.''.

    SEC. 3206. MAKING INTIMIDATION OF TABULATION, CANVASS, AND
                  CERTIFICATION EFFORTS A CRIME.

        Section 12(1) of the National Voter Registration Act (52 U.S.C.
    20511) is amended--
                (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'' at the end; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                        ``(D) processing or scanning ballots, or
                    tabulating, canvassing, or certifying voting results;
                    or''.

     Subtitle D--Protection of Election Records and Election Infrastructure

    SEC. 3301. STRENGTHEN PROTECTIONS FOR FEDERAL ELECTION RECORDS.

        (a) Finding of Constitutional Authority.--Congress finds as
    follows:
                (1) Congress has explicit and broad authority to regulate
            the time, place, and manner of Federal elections under the
            Elections Clause under article I, section 4, clause 1 of the
            Constitution, including by establishing standards for the fair,
            impartial, and uniform administration of Federal elections by
            State and local officials.
                (2) The Elections Clause grants Congress ``plenary and
            paramount jurisdiction over the whole subject'' of Federal
            elections, Ex parte Siebold, 100 U.S. 371, 388 (1879), allowing
            Congress to implement ``a complete code for congressional
            elections''. Smiley v. Holm, 285 U.S. 355, 366 (1932).
                (3) The fair and impartial administration of Federal
            elections by State and local officials is central to ``the
            successful working of this government'', Ex parte Yarbrough,
            110 U.S. 651, 666 (1884), and to ``protect the act of voting .
            . . and the election itself from corruption or fraud'', id. at
            661-62.
                (4) The Elections Clause thus grants Congress the authority
            to strengthen the protections for Federal election records.
                (5) Congress has intervened in the electoral process to
            protect the health and legitimacy of federal elections,
            including for example, Congress' enactment of the Help America
            Vote Act of 2002 as a response to several issues that occurred
            during the 2000 Presidential election. See ``The Elections
            Clause: Constitutional Interpretation and Congressional
            Exercise'', Hearing Before Comm. on House Administration, 117th
            Cong. (2021), written testimony of Vice Dean Franita Tolson at
            3.
        (b) Strengthening of Protections.--Section 301 of the Civil Rights
    Act of 1960 (52 U.S.C. 20701) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``Every officer'' and inserting the
            following:
        ``(a) In General.--Every officer'';
                (2) by striking ``records and papers'' and inserting
            ``records (including electronic records), papers, and election
            equipment'' each place the term appears;
                (3) by striking ``record or paper'' and inserting ``record
            (including electronic record), paper, or election equipment'';
                (4) by inserting ``(but only under the direct
            administrative supervision of an election officer).
            Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the paper
            record of a voter's cast ballot shall remain the official
            record of the cast ballot for purposes of this title'' after
            ``upon such custodian'';
                (5) by inserting ``, or acts in reckless disregard of,''
            after ``fails to comply with''; and
                (6) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
        ``(b) Election Equipment.--The requirement in subsection (a) to
    preserve election equipment shall not be construed to prevent the reuse
    of such equipment in any election that takes place within twenty-two
    months of a Federal election described in subsection (a), provided that
    all electronic records, files, and data from such equipment related to
    such Federal election are retained and preserved.
        ``(c) Guidance.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
    of this subsection, the Director of the Cybersecurity and
    Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security,
    in consultation with the Election Assistance Commission and the
    Attorney General, shall issue guidance regarding compliance with
    subsections (a) and (b), including minimum standards and best practices
    for retaining and preserving records and papers in compliance with
    subsection (a). Such guidance shall also include protocols for enabling
    the observation of the preservation, security, and transfer of records
    and papers described in subsection (a) by the Attorney General and by a
    representative of each party, as defined by the Attorney General.''.
        (c) Protecting the Integrity of Paper Ballots in Federal
    Elections.--
                (1) Protocols and conditions for inspection of ballots.--
            Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this
            Act, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Director of
            the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the
            Department of Homeland Security and the Election Assistance
            Commission, shall promulgate regulations establishing the
            election security protocols and conditions, including
            appropriate chain of custody and proper preservation practices,
            which will apply to the inspection of the paper ballots which
            are required to be retained and preserved under section 301 of
            the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (52 U.S.C. 20701).
                (2) Cause of action for injunctive and declaratory
            relief.--The Attorney General may bring an action in an
            appropriate district court of the United States for such
            declaratory or injunctive relief as may be necessary to ensure
            compliance with the regulations promulgated under subsection
            (a).

    SEC. 3302. PENALTIES; INSPECTION; NONDISCLOSURE; JURISDICTION.

        (a) Expansion of Scope of Penalties for Interference.--Section 302
    of the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (52 U.S.C. 20702) is amended--
                (1) by inserting ``, or whose reckless disregard of section
            301 results in the theft, destruction, concealment, mutilation,
            or alteration of,'' after ``or alters''; and
                (2) by striking ``record or paper'' and inserting ``record
            (including electronic record), paper, or election equipment''.
        (b) Inspection, Reproduction, and Copying.--Section 303 of such Act
    (52 U.S.C. 20703) is amended by striking ``record or paper'' each place
    it appears and inserting ``record (including electronic record), paper,
    or election equipment''.
        (c) Nondisclosure.--Section 304 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20704) is
    amended by striking ``record or paper'' and inserting ``record
    (including electronic record), paper, or election equipment''.
        (d) Jurisdiction To Compel Production.--Section 305 of such Act (52
    U.S.C. 20705) is amended by striking ``record or paper'' each place it
    appears and inserting ``record (including electronic record), paper, or
    election equipment''.

    SEC. 3303. JUDICIAL REVIEW TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE.

        Title III of the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (52 U.S.C. 20701 et seq.)
    is amended by adding at the end the following:

    ``SEC. 307. JUDICIAL REVIEW TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE.

        ``(a) Cause of Action.--The Attorney General, a representative of
    the Attorney General, or a candidate in a Federal election described in
    section 301 may bring an action in the district court of the United
    States for the judicial district in which a record or paper is located,
    or in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, to
    compel compliance with the requirements of section 301.
        ``(b) Duty To Expedite.--It shall be the duty of the court to
    advance on the docket, and to expedite to the greatest possible extent
    the disposition of, the action and any appeal under this section.''.

     Subtitle E--Judicial Protection of the Right To Vote and Non-Partisan
                                Vote Tabulation

                           PART 1--RIGHT TO VOTE ACT

    SEC. 3401. SHORT TITLE.

        This part may be cited as the ``Right to Vote Act''.

    SEC. 3402. UNDUE BURDENS ON THE ABILITY TO VOTE IN ELECTIONS FOR
                  FEDERAL OFFICE PROHIBITED.

        (a) In General.--Every citizen of legal voting age shall have the
    right to vote and have one's vote counted in elections for Federal
    office free from any burden on the time, place, or manner of voting, as
    set forth in subsections (b) and (c).
        (b) Retrogression.--A government may not diminish the ability to
    vote or to have one's vote counted in an election for Federal office
    unless the law, rule, standard, practice, procedure, or other
    governmental action causing the diminishment is the least restrictive
    means of significantly furthering an important, particularized
    government interest.
        (c) Substantial Impairment.--
                (1) In general.--A government may not substantially impair
            the ability of an individual to vote or to have one's vote
            counted in an election for Federal office unless the law, rule,
            standard, practice, procedure, or other governmental action
            causing the impairment significantly furthers an important,
            particularized governmental interest.
                (2) Substantial impairment.--For purposes of this section,
            a substantial impairment is a non-trivial impairment that makes
            it more difficult to vote or to have one's vote counted than if
            the law, rule, standard, practice, procedure, or other
            governmental action had not been adopted or implemented. An
            impairment may be substantial even if the voter or other
            similarly situated voters are able to vote or to have one's
            vote counted notwithstanding the impairment.

    SEC. 3403. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

        (a) Civil Action.--An action challenging a violation of this part
    may be brought by any aggrieved person or the Attorney General in the
    district court for the District of Columbia, or the district court for
    the district in which the violation took place or where any defendant
    resides or does business, at the selection of the plaintiff, to obtain
    all appropriate relief, whether declaratory or injunctive, or facial or
    as-applied. Process may be served in any district where a defendant
    resides, does business, or may be found.
        (b) Standards To Be Applied.--A court adjudicating an action
    brought under this part shall apply the following standards:
                (1) Retrogression.--
                        (A) A plaintiff establishes a prima facie case of
                    retrogression by demonstrating by a preponderance of
                    the evidence that a rule, standard, practice,
                    procedure, or other governmental action diminishes the
                    ability, or otherwise makes it more difficult, to vote,
                    or have one's vote counted.
                        (B) If a plaintiff establishes a prima facie case
                    as described in subparagraph (A), the government shall
                    be provided an opportunity to demonstrate by clear and
                    convincing evidence that the diminishment is necessary
                    to significantly further an important, particularized
                    governmental interest.
                        (C) If the government meets its burden under
                    subparagraph (B), the challenged rule, standard,
                    practice, procedure, or other governmental action shall
                    nonetheless be deemed invalid if the plaintiff
                    demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that
                    the government could adopt or implement a less-
                    restrictive means of furthering the particularized
                    important governmental interest.
                (2) Substantial impairment.--
                        (A) A plaintiff establishes a prima facie case of
                    substantial impairment by demonstrating by a
                    preponderance of the evidence that a rule, standard,
                    practice, procedure, or other governmental action is a
                    non-trivial impairment of the ability to vote or to
                    have one's vote counted.
                        (B) If a plaintiff establishes a prima facie case
                    as described in subparagraph (A), the government shall
                    be provided an opportunity to demonstrate by clear and
                    convincing evidence that the impairment significantly
                    furthers an important, particularized governmental
                    interest.
        (c) Duty To Expedite.--It shall be the duty of the court to advance
    on the docket and to expedite to the greatest reasonable extent the
    disposition of the action and appeal under this section.
        (d) Attorney's Fees.--Section 722(b) of the Revised Statutes (42
    U.S.C. 1988(b)) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``or section 40302'' and inserting
            ``section 40302''; and
                (2) by striking ``, the court'' and inserting ``, or
            section 3402(a) of the Freedom to Vote Act, the court''.

    SEC. 3404. DEFINITIONS.

        In this part--
                (1) the term ``covered entity'' means 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;
                (2) the terms ``election'' and ``Federal office'' have the
            meanings given such terms in section 301 of the Federal
            Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101);
                (3) the term ``have one's vote counted'' means all actions
            necessary to have a vote included in the appropriate totals of
            votes cast with respect to candidates for public office for
            which votes are received in an election and reflected in the
            certified vote totals by any government responsible for
            tallying or certifying the results of elections for Federal
            office;
                (4) the term ``government'' includes a branch, department,
            agency, instrumentality, and official (or other person acting
            under color of law) of the United States, of any State, of any
            covered entity, or of any political subdivision of any State or
            covered entity; and
                (5) the term ``vote'' means all actions necessary to make a
            vote effective, including registration or other action required
            by law as a prerequisite to voting, casting a ballot.

    SEC. 3405. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

        (a) Burdens Not Authorized.--Nothing in this part may be construed
    to authorize a government to burden the right to vote in elections for
    Federal office.
        (b) Other Rights and Remedies.--Nothing in this part shall be
    construed to alter any rights existing under a State constitution or
    the Constitution of the United States, or to limit any remedies for any
    other violations of Federal, State, or local law.
        (c) Other Provisions of This Act.--Nothing in this subtitle shall
    be construed as affecting section 1703 of this Act (relating to rights
    of citizens).
        (d) Other Definitions.--The definitions set forth in section 3404
    shall apply only to this part and shall not be construed to amend or
    interpret any other provision of law.

    SEC. 3406. SEVERABILITY.

        If any provision of this part or the application of such provision
    to any citizen or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the
    remainder of this part and the application of the provisions of such to
    any citizen or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.

    SEC. 3407. EFFECTIVE DATE.

        (a) Actions Brought for Retrogression.--Subsection (b) of section
    3402 shall apply to any law, rule, standard, practice, procedure, or
    other governmental action that was not in effect during the November
    2022 general election for Federal office but that will be in effect
    with respect to elections for Federal office occurring on or after
    January 1, 2024, even if such law, rule, standard, practice, procedure,
    or other governmental action is already in effect as of the date of the
    enactment of this Act.
        (b) Actions Brought for Substantial Impairment.--Subsection (c) of
    section 3402 shall apply to any law, rule, standard, practice,
    procedure, or other governmental action in effect with respect to
    elections for Federal office occurring on or after January 1, 2024.

             PART 2--CLARIFYING JURISDICTION OVER ELECTION DISPUTES

    SEC. 3411. FINDINGS.

        In addition to providing for the statutory rights described in part
    1, including judicial review under section 3403, Congress makes the
    following findings regarding enforcement of constitutional provisions
    protecting the right to vote:
                (1) It is a priority of Congress to ensure that pending and
            future disputes arising under the Fifteenth Amendment or any
            other constitutional provisions protecting the right to vote
            may be heard in Federal court.
                (2) The Fifth Circuit has misconstrued section 1344 of
            title 28, United States Code, to deprive Federal courts of
            subject matter jurisdiction in certain classes of cases that
            implicate voters' constitutional rights, see, e.g., Keyes v.
            Gunn, 890 F.3d 232 (5th Cir. 2018), cert. denied, 139 S. Ct.
            434 (2018); Johnson v. Stevenson, 170 F.2d 108 (5th Cir. 1948).
                (3) Section 1344 of such title is also superfluous in light
            of other broad grants of Federal jurisdiction. See, e.g.,
            section 1331, section 1343(a)(3), and section 1343(a)(4) of
            title 28, United States Code.
                (4) Congress therefore finds that a repeal of section 1344
            is appropriate and that such repeal will ensure that Federal
            courts nationwide are empowered to enforce voters'
            constitutional rights in Federal elections and State
            legislative elections.

    SEC. 3412. CLARIFYING AUTHORITY OF UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTS TO
                  HEAR CASES.

        (a) In General.--Section 1344 of title 28, United States Code, is
    repealed.
        (b) Continuing Authority of Courts To Hear Cases Under Other
    Existing Authority.--Nothing in this part may be construed to affect
    the authority of district courts of the United States to exercise
    jurisdiction pursuant to existing provisions of law, including sections
    1331, 1343(a)(3), and 1343(a)(4) of title 28, United States Code, in
    any cases arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the
    United States concerning the administration, conduct, or results of an
    election for Federal office or state legislative office.
        (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 85 of
    title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating
    to section 1344.

    SEC. 3413. EFFECTIVE DATE.

        This part and the amendments made by this part shall apply to
    actions brought on or after the date of the enactment of this Act and
    to actions brought before the date of enactment of this Act which are
    pending as of such date.

                Subtitle F--Poll Worker Recruitment and Training

    SEC. 3501. GRANTS TO STATES FOR POLL WORKER RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING.

        (a) Grants by Election Assistance Commission.--
                (1) In general.--The Election Assistance Commission
            (hereafter referred to as the ``Commission'') shall, subject to
            the availability of appropriations provided to carry out this
            section, make a grant to each eligible State for recruiting and
            training individuals to serve as poll workers on dates of
            elections for public office.
                (2) Use of commission materials.--In carrying out
            activities with a grant provided under this section, the
            recipient of the grant shall use the manual prepared by the
            Commission on successful practices for poll worker recruiting,
            training, and retention as an interactive training tool, and
            shall develop training programs with the participation and
            input of experts in adult learning.
                (3) Access and cultural considerations.--The Commission
            shall ensure that the manual described in paragraph (2)
            provides training in methods that will enable poll workers to
            provide access and delivery of services in a culturally
            competent manner to all voters who use their services,
            including those with limited English proficiency, diverse
            cultural and ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, and regardless
            of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. These
            methods must ensure that each voter will have access to poll
            worker services that are delivered in a manner that meets the
            unique needs of the voter.
        (b) Requirements for Eligibility.--
                (1) Application.--Each State that desires to receive a
            payment under this section shall submit an application for the
            payment to the Commission at such time and in such manner and
            containing such information as the Commission shall require.
                (2) Contents of application.--Each application submitted
            under paragraph (1) shall--
                        (A) describe the activities for which assistance
                    under this section is sought;
                        (B) provide assurances that the funds provided
                    under this section will be used to supplement and not
                    supplant other funds used to carry out the activities;
                        (C) provide assurances that the State will furnish
                    the Commission with information on the number of
                    individuals who served as poll workers after
                    recruitment and training with the funds provided under
                    this section;
                        (D) provide assurances that the State will dedicate
                    poll worker recruitment efforts with respect to--
                                (i) youth and minors, including by
                            recruiting at institutions of higher education
                            and secondary education; and
                                (ii) diversity, including with respect to
                            race, ethnicity, and disability; and
                        (E) provide such additional information and
                    certifications as the Commission determines to be
                    essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of
                    this section.
        (c) Amount of Grant.--
                (1) In general.--The amount of a grant made to a State
            under this section shall be equal to the product of--
                        (A) the aggregate amount made available for grants
                    to States under this section; and
                        (B) the voting age population percentage for the
                    State.
                (2) Voting age population percentage defined.--In paragraph
            (1), the ``voting age population percentage'' for a State is
            the quotient of--
                        (A) the voting age population of the State (as
                    determined on the basis of the most recent information
                    available from the Bureau of the Census); and
                        (B) the total voting age population of all States
                    (as determined on the basis of the most recent
                    information available from the Bureau of the Census).
        (d) Reports to Congress.--
                (1) Reports by recipients of grants.--Not later than 6
            months after the date on which the final grant is made under
            this section, each recipient of a grant shall submit a report
            to the Commission on the activities conducted with the funds
            provided by the grant.
                (2) Reports by commission.--Not later than 1 year after the
            date on which the final grant is made under this section, the
            Commission shall submit a report to Congress on the grants made
            under this section and the activities carried out by recipients
            with the grants, and shall include in the report such
            recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate.
        (e) Funding.--
                (1) Continuing availability of amount appropriated.--Any
            amount appropriated to carry out this section shall remain
            available without fiscal year limitation until expended.
                (2) Administrative expenses.--Of the amount appropriated
            for any fiscal year to carry out this section, not more than 3
            percent shall be available for administrative expenses of the
            Commission.

    SEC. 3502. STATE DEFINED.

        In this subtitle, 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.

               Subtitle G--Preventing Poll Observer Interference

    SEC. 3601. PROTECTIONS FOR VOTERS ON ELECTION DAY.

        (a) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote
    Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended by inserting after
    section 303 the following new section:

    ``SEC. 303A. VOTER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS.

        ``(a) Requirements for Challenges by Persons Other Than Election
    Officials.--
                ``(1) Requirements for challenges.--No person, other than a
            State or local election official, shall submit a formal
            challenge to an individual's eligibility to register to vote in
            an election for Federal office or to vote in an election for
            Federal office unless that challenge is supported by personal
            knowledge with respect to each individual challenged regarding
            the grounds for ineligibility which is--
                        ``(A) documented in writing; and
                        ``(B) subject to an oath or attestation under
                    penalty of perjury that the challenger has a good faith
                    factual basis to believe that the individual who is the
                    subject of the challenge is ineligible to register to
                    vote or vote in that election, except a challenge which
                    is based on the race, ethnicity, or national origin of
                    the individual who is the subject of the challenge may
                    not be considered to have a good faith factual basis
                    for purposes of this paragraph.
                ``(2) Prohibition on challenges on or near date of
            election.--No person, other than a State or local election
            official, shall be permitted--
                        ``(A) to challenge an individual's eligibility to
                    vote in an election for Federal office on the date of
                    the election on grounds that could have been made in
                    advance of such date; or
                        ``(B) to challenge an individual's eligibility to
                    register to vote in an election for Federal office or
                    to vote in an election for Federal office less than 10
                    days before the election unless the individual
                    registered to vote less than 20 days before the
                    election.
        ``(b) Buffer Rule.--
                ``(1) In general.--A person who is serving as a poll
            observer with respect to an election for Federal office may not
            come within 8 feet of--
                        ``(A) a voter or ballot at a polling location
                    during any period of voting (including any period of
                    early voting) in such election; or
                        ``(B) a ballot at any time during which the
                    processing, scanning, tabulating, canvassing, or
                    certifying voting results is occurring.
                ``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in paragraph (1) may
            be construed to limit the ability of a State or local election
            official to require poll observers to maintain a distance
            greater than 8 feet.
        ``(c) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to
    elections for Federal office occurring on and after January 1, 2024.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Voluntary Guidance.--Section
    321(b)(4) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21101(b)), as added and redesignated
    by section 1101(b) and as amended by sections 1102, 1103, 1104, and
    1303, is amended by striking ``and 313'' and inserting ``313, and
    303A''.
        (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act is
    amended by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the
    following:

    ``Sec. 303A. Voter protection requirements.''.

           Subtitle H--Preventing Restrictions on Food and Beverages

    SEC. 3701. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS.

        (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the ``Voters'
    Access to Water Act''.
        (b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
                (1) States have a legitimate interest in prohibiting
            electioneering at or near polling places, and each State has
            some form of restriction on political activities near polling
            places when voting is taking place.
                (2) In recent elections, voters have waited in unacceptably
            long lines to cast their ballot. During the 2018 midterm
            election, more than 3,000,000 voters were made to wait longer
            than the acceptable threshold for wait times set by the
            Presidential Commission on Election Administration, including
            many well-documented cases where voters were made to wait for
            several hours. A disproportionate number of those who had to
            wait long periods were Black or Latino voters, who were more
            likely than White voters to wait in the longest lines on
            Election Day.
                (3) Allowing volunteers to donate food and water to all
            people waiting in line at a polling place, regardless of the
            voters' political preference and without engaging in
            electioneering activities or partisan advocacy, helps ensure
            Americans who face long lines at their polling place can still
            exercise their constitutional right to vote, without risk of
            dehydration, inadequate food, discomfort, and risks to health.

    SEC. 3702. PROHIBITING RESTRICTIONS ON DONATIONS OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES
                  AT POLLING STATIONS.

        (a) Requirement.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote
    Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 1031(a),
    section 1044(a), section 1101(a), section 1102(a), section 1103(a),
    section 1104(a), section 1201(a), section 1301(a), section 1302(a),
    section 1303(b), section 1305(a), section 1606(a)(1), section 1607(a),
    and section 1624(a) is amended--
                (1) by redesignating sections 318 and 319 as sections 319
            and 320, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after section 317 the following new
            section:

    ``SEC. 318. PROHIBITING STATES FROM RESTRICTING DONATIONS OF FOOD AND
                  BEVERAGES AT POLLING STATIONS.

        ``(a) Prohibition.--Subject to the exception in subsection (b), a
    State may not impose any restriction on the donation of food and
    nonalcoholic beverages to persons outside of the entrance to the
    building where a polling place for a Federal election is located,
    provided that such food and nonalcoholic beverages are distributed
    without regard to the electoral participation or political preferences
    of the recipients.
        ``(b) Exception.--A State may require persons distributing food and
    nonalcoholic beverages outside the entrance to the building where a
    polling place for a Federal election is located to refrain from
    political or electioneering activity.
        ``(c) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to
    elections for Federal office occurring on and after January 1, 2024.''.
        (b) Voluntary Guidance.--Section 321(b)(4) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    21101(b)), as added and redesignated by section 1101(b) and as amended
    by sections 1102, 1103, 1104, 1303, and 3601(b), is amended by striking
    ``and 303A'' and inserting ``303A, and 317''.
        (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as
    amended by section 1031(c), section 1044(b), section 1101(c), section
    1102(c), section 1103(a), section 1104(c), section 1201(c), section
    1301(a), section 1302(a), section 1303(b), section 1305(a), section
    1606(a)(3), section 1607(b), and section 1624(b) is amended--
                (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 318 and
            319 as relating to sections 319 and 320, respectively; and
                (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 317 the
            following new item:

    ``Sec. 318. Prohibiting States from restricting donations of food and
                                beverages at polling stations.''.

     Subtitle I--Establishing Duty To Report Foreign Election Interference

    SEC. 3801. FINDINGS RELATING TO ILLICIT MONEY UNDERMINING OUR
                  DEMOCRACY.

        Congress finds the following:
                (1) Criminals, terrorists, and corrupt government officials
            frequently abuse anonymously held Limited Liability Companies
            (LLCs), also known as ``shell companies'', to hide, move, and
            launder the dirty money derived from illicit activities such as
            trafficking, bribery, exploitation, and embezzlement. Ownership
            and control of the finances that run through shell companies
            are obscured to regulators and law enforcement because little
            information is required and collected when establishing these
            entities.
                (2) The public release of the ``Panama Papers'' in 2016 and
            the ``Paradise Papers'' in 2017 revealed that these shell
            companies often purchase and sell United States real estate.
            United States anti-money laundering laws do not apply to cash
            transactions involving real estate, effectively concealing the
            beneficiaries and transactions from regulators and law
            enforcement.
                (3) Since the Supreme Court's decisions in Citizens United
            v. Federal Election Commission, 558 U.S. 310 (2010), billions
            of dollars have flowed into super PACs through LLCs whose
            funders are anonymous or intentionally obscured. Criminal
            investigations have uncovered LLCs that were used to hide
            illegal campaign contributions from foreign criminal fugitives,
            to advance international influence-buying schemes, and to
            conceal contributions from donors who were already under
            investigation for bribery and racketeering. Voters have no way
            to know the true sources of the money being routed through
            these LLCs to influence elections, including whether any of the
            funds come from foreign or other illicit sources.
                (4) Congress should curb the use of anonymous shell
            companies for illicit purposes by requiring United States
            companies to disclose their beneficial owners, strengthening
            anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism finance laws.
                (5) Congress should examine the money laundering and
            terrorist financing risks in the real estate market, including
            the role of anonymous parties, and review legislation to
            address any vulnerabilities identified in this sector.
                (6) Congress should examine the methods by which corruption
            flourishes and the means to detect and deter the financial
            misconduct that fuels this driver of global instability.
            Congress should monitor government efforts to enforce United
            States anticorruption laws and regulations.

    SEC. 3802. FEDERAL CAMPAIGN REPORTING OF FOREIGN CONTACTS.

        (a) Initial Notice.--
                (1) In general.--Section 304 of the Federal Election
            Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104) is amended by adding at
            the end the following new subsection:
        ``(j) Disclosure of Reportable Foreign Contacts.--
                ``(1) Committee obligation to notify.--Not later than 1
            week after a reportable foreign contact, each political
            committee shall notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation and
            the Commission of the reportable foreign contact and provide a
            summary of the circumstances with respect to such reportable
            foreign contact. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, not later
            than 1 week after receiving a notification from a political
            committee under this paragraph, shall submit to the political
            committee, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of
            the House of Representatives, and the Select Committee on
            Intelligence of the Senate written or electronic confirmation
            of receipt of the notification.
                ``(2) Individual obligation to notify.--Not later than 3
            days after a reportable foreign contact--
                        ``(A) each candidate and each immediate family
                    member of a candidate shall notify the treasurer or
                    other designated official of the principal campaign
                    committee of such candidate of the reportable foreign
                    contact and provide a summary of the circumstances with
                    respect to such reportable foreign contact; and
                        ``(B) each official, employee, or agent of a
                    political committee shall notify the treasurer or other
                    designated official of the committee of the reportable
                    foreign contact and provide a summary of the
                    circumstances with respect to such reportable foreign
                    contact.
                ``(3) Reportable foreign contact.--In this subsection:
                        ``(A) In general.--The term `reportable foreign
                    contact' means any direct or indirect contact or
                    communication that--
                                ``(i) is between--
                                        ``(I) a candidate, an immediate
                                    family member of the candidate, a
                                    political committee, or any official,
                                    employee, or agent of such committee;
                                    and
                                        ``(II) an individual that the
                                    person described in subclause (I)
                                    knows, has reason to know, or
                                    reasonably believes is a covered
                                    foreign national; and
                                ``(ii) the person described in clause
                            (i)(I) knows, has reason to know, or reasonably
                            believes involves--
                                        ``(I) an offer or other proposal
                                    for a contribution, donation,
                                    expenditure, disbursement, or
                                    solicitation described in section 319;
                                    or
                                        ``(II) direct or indirect
                                    coordination or collaboration with, or
                                    a direct or indirect offer or provision
                                    of information or services to or from,
                                    a covered foreign national in
                                    connection with an election.
                        ``(B) Exceptions.--
                                ``(i) Contacts in official capacity as
                            elected official.--The term `reportable foreign
                            contact' shall not include any contact or
                            communication with a covered foreign national
                            by an elected official or an employee of an
                            elected official solely in an official capacity
                            as such an official or employee.
                                ``(ii) Contacts for purposes of enabling
                            observation of elections by international
                            observers.--The term `reportable foreign
                            contact' shall not include any contact or
                            communication with a covered foreign national
                            by any person which is made for purposes of
                            enabling the observation of elections in the
                            United States by a foreign national or the
                            observation of elections outside of the United
                            States by a candidate, political committee, or
                            any official, employee, or agent of such
                            committee.
                                ``(iii) Exceptions not applicable if
                            contacts or communications involve prohibited
                            disbursements.--A contact or communication by
                            an elected official or an employee of an
                            elected official shall not be considered to be
                            made solely in an official capacity for
                            purposes of clause (i), and a contact or
                            communication shall not be considered to be
                            made for purposes of enabling the observation
                            of elections for purposes of clause (ii), if
                            the contact or communication involves a
                            contribution, donation, expenditure,
                            disbursement, or solicitation described in
                            section 319.
                        ``(C) Covered foreign national defined.--
                                ``(i) In general.--In this paragraph, the
                            term `covered foreign national' means--
                                        ``(I) a foreign principal (as
                                    defined in section 1(b) of the Foreign
                                    Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22
                                    U.S.C. 611(b)) that is a government of
                                    a foreign country or a foreign
                                    political party;
                                        ``(II) any person who acts as an
                                    agent, representative, employee, or
                                    servant, or any person who acts in any
                                    other capacity at the order, request,
                                    or under the direction or control, of a
                                    foreign principal described in
                                    subclause (I) or of a person any of
                                    whose activities are directly or
                                    indirectly supervised, directed,
                                    controlled, financed, or subsidized in
                                    whole or in major part by a foreign
                                    principal described in subclause (I);
                                    or
                                        ``(III) any person included in the
                                    list of specially designated nationals
                                    and blocked persons maintained by the
                                    Office of Foreign Assets Control of the
                                    Department of the Treasury pursuant to
                                    authorities relating to the imposition
                                    of sanctions relating to the conduct of
                                    a foreign principal described in
                                    subclause (I).
                                ``(ii) Clarification regarding application
                            to citizens of the united states.--In the case
                            of a citizen of the United States, subclause
                            (II) of clause (i) applies only to the extent
                            that the person involved acts within the scope
                            of that person's status as the agent of a
                            foreign principal described in subclause (I) of
                            clause (i).
                ``(4) Immediate family member.--In this subsection, the
            term `immediate family member' means, with respect to a
            candidate, a parent, parent-in-law, spouse, adult child, or
            sibling.''.
                (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
            shall apply with respect to reportable foreign contacts which
            occur on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
        (b) Information Included on Report.--
                (1) In general.--Section 304(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
            30104(b)) is amended--
                        (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
                    (7);
                        (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph
                    (8) and inserting ``; and''; and
                        (C) by adding at the end the following new
                    paragraph:
                ``(9) for any reportable foreign contact (as defined in
            subsection (j)(3))--
                        ``(A) the date, time, and location of the contact;
                        ``(B) the date and time of when a designated
                    official of the committee was notified of the contact;
                        ``(C) the identity of individuals involved; and
                        ``(D) a description of the contact, including the
                    nature of any contribution, donation, expenditure,
                    disbursement, or solicitation involved and the nature
                    of any activity described in subsection
                    (j)(3)(A)(ii)(II) involved.''.
                (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1)
            shall apply with respect to reports filed on or after the
            expiration of the 60-day period which begins on the date of the
            enactment of this Act.

    SEC. 3803. FEDERAL CAMPAIGN FOREIGN CONTACT REPORTING COMPLIANCE
                  SYSTEM.

        (a) In General.--Section 302 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
    of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30102) is amended by adding at the end the following
    new subsection:
        ``(j) Reportable Foreign Contacts Compliance Policy.--
                ``(1) Reporting.--Each political committee shall establish
            a policy that requires all officials, employees, and agents of
            such committee (and, in the case of an authorized committee,
            the candidate and each immediate family member of the
            candidate) to notify the treasurer or other appropriate
            designated official of the committee of any reportable foreign
            contact (as defined in section 304(j)) not later than 3 days
            after such contact was made.
                ``(2) Retention and preservation of records.--Each
            political committee shall establish a policy that provides for
            the retention and preservation of records and information
            related to reportable foreign contacts (as so defined) for a
            period of not less than 3 years.
                ``(3) Certification.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Upon filing its statement of
                    organization under section 303(a), and with each report
                    filed under section 304(a), the treasurer of each
                    political committee (other than an authorized
                    committee) shall certify that--
                                ``(i) the committee has in place policies
                            that meet the requirements of paragraphs (1)
                            and (2);
                                ``(ii) the committee has designated an
                            official to monitor compliance with such
                            policies; and
                                ``(iii) not later than 1 week after the
                            beginning of any formal or informal affiliation
                            with the committee, all officials, employees,
                            and agents of such committee will--
                                        ``(I) receive notice of such
                                    policies;
                                        ``(II) be informed of the
                                    prohibitions under section 319; and
                                        ``(III) sign a certification
                                    affirming their understanding of such
                                    policies and prohibitions.
                        ``(B) Authorized committees.--With respect to an
                    authorized committee, the candidate shall make the
                    certification required under subparagraph (A).''.
        (b) Effective Date.--
                (1) In general.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
            apply with respect to political committees which file a
            statement of organization under section 303(a) of the Federal
            Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30103(a)) on or after
            the date of the enactment of this Act.
                (2) Transition rule for existing committees.--Not later
            than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each
            political committee under the Federal Election Campaign Act of
            1971 shall file a certification with the Federal Election
            Commission that the committee is in compliance with the
            requirements of section 302(j) of such Act (as added by
            subsection (a)).

    SEC. 3804. CRIMINAL PENALTIES.

        Section 309(d)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52
    U.S.C. 30109(d)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
    subparagraphs:
        ``(E) Any person who knowingly and willfully commits a violation of
    subsection (j) or (b)(9) of section 304 or section 302(j) shall be
    fined not more than $500,000, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or
    both.
        ``(F) Any person who knowingly and willfully conceals or destroys
    any materials relating to a reportable foreign contact (as defined in
    section 304(j)) shall be fined not more than $1,000,000, imprisoned not
    more than 5 years, or both.''.

    SEC. 3805. REPORT TO CONGRESSIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES.

        (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
    of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Director of the Federal
    Bureau of Investigation shall submit to the congressional intelligence
    committees a report relating to notifications received by the Federal
    Bureau of Investigation under section 304(j)(1) of the Federal Election
    Campaign Act of 1971 (as added by section 4902(a) of this Act).
        (b) Elements.--Each report under subsection (a) shall include, at a
    minimum, the following with respect to notifications described in
    subsection (a):
                (1) The number of such notifications received from
            political committees during the year covered by the report.
                (2) A description of protocols and procedures developed by
            the Federal Bureau of Investigation relating to receipt and
            maintenance of records relating to such notifications.
                (3) With respect to such notifications received during the
            year covered by the report, a description of any subsequent
            actions taken by the Director resulting from the receipt of
            such notifications.
        (c) Congressional Intelligence Committees Defined.--In this
    section, the term ``congressional intelligence committees'' has the
    meaning given that term in section 3 of the National Security Act of
    1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003).

    SEC. 3806. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

        Nothing in this subtitle or the amendments made by this subtitle
    shall be construed--
                (1) to impede legitimate journalistic activities; or
                (2) to impose any additional limitation on the right to
            express political views or to participate in public discourse
            of any individual who--
                        (A) resides in the United States;
                        (B) is not a citizen of the United States or a
                    national of the United States, as defined in section
                    101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
                    U.S.C. 1101(a)(22)); and
                        (C) is not lawfully admitted for permanent
                    residence, as defined by section 101(a)(20) of the
                    Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20)).

     Subtitle J--Promoting Accuracy, Integrity, and Security Through Voter-
                       Verifiable Permanent Paper Ballot

    SEC. 3901. SHORT TITLE.

        This subtitle may be cited as the ``Voter Confidence and Increased
    Accessibility Act of 2023''.

    SEC. 3902. PAPER BALLOT AND MANUAL COUNTING REQUIREMENTS.

        (a) In General.--Section 301(a)(2) of the Help America Vote Act of
    2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
                ``(2) Paper ballot requirement.--
                        ``(A) Voter-verifiable paper ballots.--
                                ``(i) The voting system shall require the
                            use of an individual, durable, voter-verifiable
                            paper ballot of the voter's vote selections
                            that shall be marked by the voter and presented
                            to the voter for verification before the
                            voter's ballot is preserved in accordance with
                            subparagraph (B), and which shall be counted by
                            hand or other counting device or read by a
                            ballot tabulation device. For purposes of this
                            subclause, the term `individual, durable,
                            voter-verifiable paper ballot' means a paper
                            ballot marked by the voter by hand or a paper
                            ballot marked through the use of a
                            nontabulating ballot marking device or system,
                            so long as the voter shall have the option at
                            every in-person voting location to mark by hand
                            a printed ballot that includes all relevant
                            contests and candidates.
                                ``(ii) The voting system shall provide the
                            voter with an opportunity to correct any error
                            on the paper ballot before the permanent voter-
                            verifiable paper ballot is preserved in
                            accordance with subparagraph (B).
                                ``(iii) The voting system shall not
                            preserve the voter-verifiable paper ballots in
                            any manner that makes it possible, at any time
                            after the ballot has been cast, to associate a
                            voter with the record of the voter's vote
                            selections.
                                ``(iv) The voting system shall prevent,
                            through mechanical means or through
                            independently verified protections, the
                            modification or addition of vote selections on
                            a printed or marked ballot at any time after
                            the voter has been provided an opportunity to
                            correct errors on the ballot pursuant to clause
                            (ii).
                        ``(B) Preservation as official record.--The
                    individual, durable, voter-verifiable paper ballot used
                    in accordance with subparagraph (A) shall constitute
                    the official ballot and shall be preserved and used as
                    the official ballot for purposes of any recount or
                    audit conducted with respect to any election for
                    Federal office in which the voting system is used.
                        ``(C) Manual counting requirements for recounts and
                    audits.--
                                ``(i) Each paper ballot used pursuant to
                            subparagraph (A) shall be suitable for a manual
                            audit, and such ballots, or at least those
                            ballots the machine could not count, shall be
                            counted by hand in any recount or audit
                            conducted with respect to any election for
                            Federal office.
                                ``(ii) In the event of any inconsistencies
                            or irregularities between any electronic vote
                            tallies and the vote tallies determined by
                            counting by hand the individual, durable,
                            voter-verifiable paper ballots used pursuant to
                            subparagraph (A), the individual, durable,
                            voter-verifiable paper ballots shall be the
                            true and correct record of the votes cast.
                        ``(D) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of
                    Congress that as innovation occurs in the election
                    infrastructure sector, Congress should ensure that this
                    Act and other Federal requirements for voting systems
                    are updated to keep pace with best practices and
                    recommendations for security and accessibility.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendment Clarifying Applicability of Alternative
    Language Accessibility.--Section 301(a)(4) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    21081(a)(4)) is amended by inserting ``(including the paper ballots
    required to be used under paragraph (2))'' after ``voting system''.
        (c) Other Conforming Amendments.--Section 301(a)(1) of such Act (52
    U.S.C. 21081(a)(1)) is amended--
                (1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``counted'' and
            inserting ``counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and
            (3)'';
                (2) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ``counted'' and
            inserting ``counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and
            (3)'';
                (3) in subparagraph (A)(iii), by striking ``counted'' each
            place it appears and inserting ``counted, in accordance with
            paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
                (4) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking ``counted'' and
            inserting ``counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and
            (3)''.

    SEC. 3903. ACCESSIBILITY AND BALLOT VERIFICATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
                  DISABILITIES.

        (a) In General.--Paragraph (3) of section 301(a) of the Help
    America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(3)) is amended to read as
    follows:
                ``(3) Accessibility for individuals with disabilities.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The voting system shall--
                                ``(i) be accessible for individuals with
                            disabilities, including nonvisual accessibility
                            for the blind and visually impaired, in a
                            manner that provides the same opportunity for
                            access and participation (including privacy and
                            independence) as for other voters;
                                ``(ii)(I) ensure that individuals with
                            disabilities and others are given an equivalent
                            opportunity to vote, including with privacy and
                            independence, in a manner that produces a
                            voter-verifiable paper ballot; and
                                ``(II) satisfy the requirement of clause
                            (i) through the use at in-person polling
                            locations of a sufficient number (not less than
                            one) of voting systems equipped to serve
                            individuals with and without disabilities,
                            including nonvisual and enhanced visual
                            accessibility for the blind and visually
                            impaired, and nonmanual and enhanced manual
                            accessibility for the mobility and dexterity
                            impaired; and
                                ``(iii) if purchased with funds made
                            available under title II on or after January 1,
                            2007, meet the voting system standards for
                            disability access (as outlined in this
                            paragraph).
                        ``(B) Means of meeting requirements.--A voting
                    system may meet the requirements of subparagraph (A)(i)
                    and paragraph (2) by--
                                ``(i) allowing the voter to privately and
                            independently verify the permanent paper ballot
                            through the presentation, in accessible form,
                            of the printed or marked vote selections from
                            the same printed or marked information that
                            would be used for any vote tabulation or
                            auditing;
                                ``(ii) allowing the voter to privately and
                            independently verify and cast the permanent
                            paper ballot without requiring the voter to
                            manually handle the paper ballot;
                                ``(iii) marking ballots that are identical
                            in size, ink, and paper stock to those ballots
                            that would either be marked by hand or be
                            marked by a ballot marking device made
                            generally available to voters; or
                                ``(iv) combining ballots produced by any
                            ballot marking devices reserved for individuals
                            with disabilities with ballots that have either
                            been marked by voters by hand or marked by
                            ballot marking devices made generally available
                            to voters, in a way that prevents
                            identification of the ballots that were cast
                            using any ballot marking device that was
                            reserved for individuals with disabilities.
                        ``(C) Sufficient number.--For purposes of
                    subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), the sufficient number of
                    voting systems for any in-person polling location shall
                    be determined based on guidance from the Attorney
                    General, in consultation with the Architectural and
                    Transportation Barriers Compliance Board established
                    under section 502(a)(1) of the Rehabilitation Act of
                    1973 (29 U.S.C. 792(a)(1)) (commonly referred to as the
                    United States Access Board) and the Commission.''.
        (b) Specific Requirement of Study, Testing, and Development of
    Accessible Voting Options.--
                (1) Study and reporting.--Subtitle C of title II of such
            Act (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended--
                        (A) by redesignating section 247 as section 248;
                    and
                        (B) by inserting after section 246 the following
                    new section:

    ``SEC. 247. STUDY AND REPORT ON ACCESSIBLE VOTING OPTIONS.

        ``(a) Grants To Study and Report.--The Commission, in coordination
    with the Access Board and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security
    Agency, shall make grants to not fewer than 2 eligible entities to
    study, test, and develop--
                ``(1) accessible and secure remote voting systems;
                ``(2) voting, verification, and casting devices to enhance
            the accessibility of voting and verification for individuals
            with disabilities; or
                ``(3) both of the matters described in paragraph (1) and
            (2).
        ``(b) Eligibility.--An entity is eligible to receive a grant under
    this part if it submits to the Commission (at such time and in such
    form as the Commission may require) an application containing--
                ``(1) a certification that the entity shall complete the
            activities carried out with the grant not later than January 1,
            2026; and
                ``(2) such other information and certifications as the
            Commission may require.
        ``(c) Availability of Technology.--Any technology developed with
    the grants made under this section shall be treated as non-proprietary
    and shall be made available to the public, including to manufacturers
    of voting systems.
        ``(d) Coordination With Grants for Technology Improvements.--The
    Commission shall carry out this section so that the activities carried
    out with the grants made under subsection (a) are coordinated with the
    research conducted under the grant program carried out by the
    Commission under section 271, to the extent that the Commission
    determine necessary to provide for the advancement of accessible voting
    technology.
        ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
    appropriated to carry out subsection (a) $10,000,000, to remain
    available until expended.''.
                (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents of such Act
            is amended--
                        (A) by redesignating the item relating to section
                    247 as relating to section 248; and
                        (B) by inserting after the item relating to section
                    246 the following new item:

    ``Sec. 247. Study and report on accessible voting options.''.
        (c) Clarification of Accessibility Standards Under Voluntary Voting
    System Guidance.--In adopting any voluntary guidance under subtitle B
    of title III of the Help America Vote Act with respect to the
    accessibility of the paper ballot verification requirements for
    individuals with disabilities, the Election Assistance Commission shall
    include and apply the same accessibility standards applicable under the
    voluntary guidance adopted for accessible voting systems under such
    subtitle.
        (d) Permitting Use of Funds for Protection and Advocacy Systems To
    Support Actions To Enforce Election-Related Disability Access.--Section
    292(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21062(a)) is
    amended by striking ``; except that'' and all that follows and
    inserting a period.

    SEC. 3904. DURABILITY AND READABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR BALLOTS.

        Section 301(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C.
    21081(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
                ``(7) Durability and readability requirements for
            ballots.--
                        ``(A) Durability requirements for paper ballots.--
                                ``(i) In general.--All voter-verifiable
                            paper ballots required to be used under this
                            Act shall be marked or printed on durable
                            paper.
                                ``(ii) Definition.--For purposes of this
                            Act, paper is `durable' if it is capable of
                            withstanding multiple counts and recounts by
                            hand without compromising the fundamental
                            integrity of the ballots, and capable of
                            retaining the information marked or printed on
                            them for the full duration of a retention and
                            preservation period of 22 months.
                        ``(B) Readability requirements for paper ballots
                    marked by ballot marking device.--All voter-verifiable
                    paper ballots completed by the voter through the use of
                    a ballot marking device shall be clearly readable by
                    the voter without assistance (other than eyeglasses or
                    other personal vision-enhancing devices) and by a
                    ballot tabulation device or other device equipped for
                    individuals with disabilities.''.

    SEC. 3905. STUDY AND REPORT ON OPTIMAL BALLOT DESIGN.

        (a) Study.--The Election Assistance Commission shall conduct a
    study of the best ways to design ballots used in elections for public
    office, including paper ballots and electronic or digital ballots, to
    minimize confusion and user errors.
        (b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
    enactment of this Act, the Election Assistance Commission shall submit
    to Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a).

    SEC. 3906. BALLOT MARKING DEVICE CYBERSECURITY REQUIREMENTS.

        Section 301(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C.
    21081(a)), as amended by section 3904, is further amended by adding at
    the end the following new paragraphs:
                ``(8) Prohibition of use of wireless communications devices
            in systems or devices.--No system or device upon which ballot
            marking devices or ballot tabulation devices are configured,
            upon which ballots are marked by voters at a polling place
            (except as necessary for individuals with disabilities to use
            ballot marking devices that meet the accessibility requirements
            of paragraph (3)), or upon which votes are cast, tabulated, or
            aggregated shall contain, use, or be accessible by any
            wireless, power-line, or concealed communication device.
                ``(9) Prohibiting connection of system to the internet.--No
            system or device upon which ballot marking devices or ballot
            tabulation devices are configured, upon which ballots are
            marked by voters at a voting place, or upon which votes are
            cast, tabulated, or aggregated shall be connected to the
            internet or any non-local computer system via telephone or
            other communication network at any time.''.

    SEC. 3907. EFFECTIVE DATE FOR NEW REQUIREMENTS.

        Section 301(d) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C.
    21081(d)) is amended to read as follows:
        ``(d) Effective Date.--
                ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
            each State and jurisdiction shall be required to comply with
            the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2006.
                ``(2) Special rule for certain requirements.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
                    subparagraphs (B) and (C), the requirements of this
                    section which are first imposed on a State or
                    jurisdiction pursuant to the amendments made by the
                    Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of
                    2023 shall apply with respect to voting systems used
                    for any election for Federal office held in 2024 or any
                    succeeding year.
                        ``(B) Special rule for jurisdictions using certain
                    paper record printers or certain systems using or
                    producing voter-verifiable paper records in 2022.--
                                ``(i) In general.--In the case of a
                            jurisdiction described in clause (ii), the
                            requirements of paragraphs (2)(A)(i) and (7) of
                            subsection (a) (as amended or added by the
                            Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility
                            Act of 2023) shall not apply before the date on
                            which the jurisdiction replaces the printers or
                            systems described in clause (ii)(I) for use in
                            the administration of elections for Federal
                            office.
                                ``(ii) Jurisdictions described.--A
                            jurisdiction described in this clause is a
                            jurisdiction--
                                        ``(I) which used voter-verifiable
                                    paper record printers attached to
                                    direct recording electronic voting
                                    machines, or which used other voting
                                    systems that used or produced paper
                                    records of the vote verifiable by
                                    voters but that are not in compliance
                                    with paragraphs (2)(A)(i) and (7) of
                                    subsection (a) (as amended or added by
                                    the Voter Confidence and Increased
                                    Accessibility Act of 2023), for the
                                    administration of the regularly
                                    scheduled general election for Federal
                                    office held in November 2022; and
                                        ``(II) which will continue to use
                                    such printers or systems for the
                                    administration of elections for Federal
                                    office held in years before the
                                    applicable year.
                                ``(iii) Mandatory availability of paper
                            ballots at polling places using grandfathered
                            printers and systems.--
                                        ``(I) Requiring ballots to be
                                    offered and provided.--The appropriate
                                    election official at each polling place
                                    that uses a printer or system described
                                    in clause (ii)(I) for the
                                    administration of elections for Federal
                                    office shall offer each individual who
                                    is eligible to cast a vote in the
                                    election at the polling place the
                                    opportunity to cast the vote using a
                                    blank printed paper ballot which the
                                    individual may mark by hand and which
                                    is not produced by the direct recording
                                    electronic voting machine or other such
                                    system. The official shall provide the
                                    individual with the ballot and the
                                    supplies necessary to mark the ballot,
                                    and shall ensure (to the greatest
                                    extent practicable) that the waiting
                                    period for the individual to cast a
                                    vote is the lesser of 30 minutes or the
                                    average waiting period for an
                                    individual who does not agree to cast
                                    the vote using such a paper ballot
                                    under this clause.
                                        ``(II) Treatment of ballot.--Any
                                    paper ballot which is cast by an
                                    individual under this clause shall be
                                    counted and otherwise treated as a
                                    regular ballot for all purposes
                                    (including by incorporating it into the
                                    final unofficial vote count (as defined
                                    by the State) for the precinct) and not
                                    as a provisional ballot, unless the
                                    individual casting the ballot would
                                    have otherwise been required to cast a
                                    provisional ballot.
                                        ``(III) Posting of notice.--The
                                    appropriate election official shall
                                    ensure there is prominently displayed
                                    at each polling place a notice that
                                    describes the obligation of the
                                    official to offer individuals the
                                    opportunity to cast votes using a
                                    printed blank paper ballot. The notice
                                    shall comply with the requirements of
                                    section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of
                                    1965 (52 U.S.C. 10503).
                                        ``(IV) Training of election
                                    officials.--The chief State election
                                    official shall ensure that election
                                    officials at polling places in the
                                    State are aware of the requirements of
                                    this clause, including the requirement
                                    to display a notice under subclause
                                    (III), and are aware that it is a
                                    violation of the requirements of this
                                    title for an election official to fail
                                    to offer an individual the opportunity
                                    to cast a vote using a blank printed
                                    paper ballot.
                                        ``(V) Period of applicability.--The
                                    requirements of this clause apply only
                                    during the period beginning on January
                                    1, 2024, and ending on the date on
                                    which the jurisdiction replaces the
                                    printers or systems described in clause
                                    (ii)(I) for use in the administration
                                    of elections for Federal office.
                        ``(C) Delay for certain jurisdictions using voting
                    systems with wireless communication devices or internet
                    connections.--
                                ``(i) Delay.--In the case of a jurisdiction
                            described in clause (ii), subparagraph (A)
                            shall apply to a voting system in the
                            jurisdiction as if the reference in such
                            subparagraph to `2024' were a reference to `the
                            applicable year', but only with respect to the
                            following requirements of this section:
                                        ``(I) Paragraph (8) of subsection
                                    (a) (relating to prohibition of
                                    wireless communication devices).
                                        ``(II) Paragraph (9) of subsection
                                    (a) (relating to prohibition of
                                    connecting systems to the internet).
                                ``(ii) Jurisdictions described.--A
                            jurisdiction described in this clause is a
                            jurisdiction--
                                        ``(I) which used a voting system
                                    which is not in compliance with
                                    paragraphs (8) or (9) of subsection (a)
                                    (as amended or added by the Voter
                                    Confidence and Increased Accessibility
                                    Act of 2023) for the administration of
                                    the regularly scheduled general
                                    election for Federal office held in
                                    November 2022;
                                        ``(II) which was not able, to all
                                    extent practicable, to comply with
                                    paragraph (8) and (9) of subsection (a)
                                    before January 1, 2024; and
                                        ``(III) which will continue to use
                                    such printers or systems for the
                                    administration of elections for Federal
                                    office held in years before the
                                    applicable year.
                                ``(iii) Applicable year.--
                                        ``(I) In general.--Except as
                                    provided in subclause (II), the term
                                    `applicable year' means 2028.
                                        ``(II) Extension.--If a State or
                                    jurisdiction certifies to the
                                    Commission not later than January 1,
                                    2028, that the State or jurisdiction
                                    will not meet the requirements
                                    described in subclauses (I) and (II) of
                                    clause (i) by such date because it
                                    would be impractical to do so and
                                    includes in the certification the
                                    reasons for the failure to meet the
                                    deadline, the term `applicable year'
                                    means 2032.''.

    SEC. 3908. GRANTS FOR OBTAINING COMPLIANT PAPER BALLOT VOTING SYSTEMS
                  AND CARRYING OUT VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS.

        (a) Availability of Grants.--
                (1) 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 1302(c), is amended by adding at the end the following
            new part:

     ``PART 8--GRANTS FOR OBTAINING COMPLIANT PAPER BALLOT VOTING SYSTEMS
              AND CARRYING OUT VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS

    ``SEC. 298. GRANTS FOR OBTAINING COMPLIANT PAPER BALLOT VOTING SYSTEMS
                  AND CARRYING OUT VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS.

        ``(a) Availability and Use of Grant.--
                ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall make a grant to
            each eligible State--
                        ``(A) to replace a voting system--
                                ``(i) which does not meet the requirements
                            which are first imposed on the State pursuant
                            to the amendments made by the Voter Confidence
                            and Increased Accessibility Act of 2023 with a
                            voting system which--
                                        ``(I) does meet such requirements;
                                    and
                                        ``(II) in the case of a
                                    grandfathered voting system (as defined
                                    in paragraph (2)), is in compliance
                                    with the most recent voluntary voting
                                    system guidelines; or
                                ``(ii) which does meet such requirements
                            but which is not in compliance with the most
                            recent voluntary voting system guidelines with
                            another system which does meet such
                            requirements and is in compliance with such
                            guidelines;
                        ``(B) to carry out voting system security
                    improvements described in section 298A with respect to
                    the regularly scheduled general election for Federal
                    office held in November 2024 and each succeeding
                    election for Federal office;
                        ``(C) to implement and model best practices for
                    ballot design, ballot instructions, and the testing of
                    ballots; and
                        ``(D) to purchase or acquire accessible voting
                    systems that meet the requirements of paragraph (2) and
                    paragraph (3)(A)(i) of section 301(a) by the means
                    described in paragraph (3)(B) of such section.
                ``(2) Definition of grandfathered voting system.--In this
            subsection, the term `grandfathered voting system' means a
            voting system that is used by a jurisdiction described in
            subparagraph (B)(ii) or (C)(ii) of section 301(d)(2).
        ``(b) Amount of Payment.--
                ``(1) In general.--The amount of payment made to an
            eligible State under this section shall be the minimum payment
            amount described in paragraph (2) plus the voting age
            population proportion amount described in paragraph (3).
                ``(2) Minimum payment amount.--The minimum payment amount
            described in this paragraph is--
                        ``(A) in the case of any of the several States or
                    the District of Columbia, one-half of 1 percent of the
                    aggregate amount made available for payments under this
                    section; and
                        ``(B) in the case of the Commonwealth of Puerto
                    Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin
                    Islands, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
                    Islands, one-tenth of 1 percent of such aggregate
                    amount.
                ``(3) Voting age population proportion amount.--The voting
            age population proportion amount described in this paragraph is
            the product of--
                        ``(A) the aggregate amount made available for
                    payments under this section minus the total of all of
                    the minimum payment amounts determined under paragraph
                    (2); and
                        ``(B) the voting age population proportion for the
                    State (as defined in paragraph (4)).
                ``(4) Voting age population proportion defined.--The term
            `voting age population proportion' means, with respect to a
            State, the amount equal to the quotient of--
                        ``(A) the voting age population of the State (as
                    reported in the most recent decennial census); and
                        ``(B) the total voting age population of all States
                    (as reported in the most recent decennial census).
                ``(5) Requirement relating to purchase of accessible voting
            systems.--An eligible State shall use not less than 10 percent
            of funds received by the State under this section to purchase
            accessible voting systems described in subsection (a)(1)(D).

    ``SEC. 298A. VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS DESCRIBED.

        ``(a) Permitted Uses.--A voting system security improvement
    described in this section is any of the following:
                ``(1) The acquisition of goods and services from qualified
            election infrastructure vendors by purchase, lease, or such
            other arrangements as may be appropriate.
                ``(2) Cyber and risk mitigation training.
                ``(3) A security risk and vulnerability assessment of the
            State's election infrastructure (as defined in section 3908(b)
            of the Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of
            2023) which is carried out by a provider of cybersecurity
            services under a contract entered into between the chief State
            election official and the provider.
                ``(4) The maintenance of infrastructure used for elections,
            including addressing risks and vulnerabilities which are
            identified under either of the security risk and vulnerability
            assessments described in paragraph (3), except that none of the
            funds provided under this part may be used to renovate or
            replace a building or facility which is not a primary provider
            of information technology services for the administration of
            elections, and which is used primarily for purposes other than
            the administration of elections for public office.
                ``(5) Providing increased technical support for any
            information technology infrastructure that the chief State
            election official deems to be part of the State's election
            infrastructure (as so defined) or designates as critical to the
            operation of the State's election infrastructure (as so
            defined).
                ``(6) Enhancing the cybersecurity and operations of the
            information technology infrastructure described in paragraph
            (4).
                ``(7) Enhancing the cybersecurity of voter registration
            systems.
        ``(b) Qualified Election Infrastructure Vendors Described.--For
    purposes of this part, a `qualified election infrastructure vendor' is
    any person who provides, supports, or maintains, or who seeks to
    provide, support, or maintain, election infrastructure (as defined in
    section 3908(b) of the Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act
    of 2023) on behalf of a State, unit of local government, or election
    agency (as defined in section 3908(b) of such Act) who meets the
    criteria described in section 3908(b) of such Act.

    ``SEC. 298B. ELIGIBILITY OF STATES.

        ``A State is eligible to receive a grant under this part if the
    State submits to the Commission, at such time and in such form as the
    Commission may require, an application containing--
                ``(1) a description of how the State will use the grant to
            carry out the activities authorized under this part;
                ``(2) a certification and assurance that, not later than 5
            years after receiving the grant, the State will carry out
            voting system security improvements, as described in section
            298A; and
                ``(3) such other information and assurances as the
            Commission may require.

    ``SEC. 298C. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

        ``Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, the
    Commission shall submit a report to the Committees on Homeland
    Security, House Administration, and the Judiciary of the House of
    Representatives and the Committees on Homeland Security and
    Governmental Affairs, the Judiciary, and Rules and Administration of
    the Senate, on the activities carried out with the funds provided under
    this part.

    ``SEC. 298D. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

        ``(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated for
    grants under this part--
                ``(1) $2,400,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
                ``(2) $175,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026, 2028,
            2030, and 2032.
        ``(b) Continuing Availability of Amounts.--Any amounts appropriated
    pursuant to the authorization of this section shall remain available
    until expended.''.
                (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents of such Act,
            as amended by section 1402(c), is amended by adding at the end
            of the items relating to subtitle D of title II the following:

     ``Part 8--Grants for Obtaining Compliant Paper Ballot Voting Systems
              and Carrying Out Voting System Security Improvements

            ``Sec. 298. Grants for obtaining compliant paper ballot voting
                                systems and carrying out voting system
                                security improvements.
            ``Sec. 298A. Voting system security improvements described.
            ``Sec. 298B. Eligibility of States.
            ``Sec. 298C. Reports to Congress.
            ``Sec. 298D. Authorization of appropriations.
        (b) Qualified Election Infrastructure Vendors.--
                (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
            Chair, shall establish and publish criteria for qualified
            election infrastructure vendors for purposes of section 298A of
            the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (as added by this Act).
                (2) Criteria.--The criteria established under paragraph (1)
            shall include each of the following requirements:
                        (A) The vendor shall--
                                (i) be owned and controlled by a citizen or
                            permanent resident of the United States or a
                            member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing
                            alliance; and
                                (ii) in the case of any election
                            infrastructure which is a voting machine,
                            ensure that such voting machine is assembled in
                            the United States.
                        (B) The vendor shall disclose to the Secretary and
                    the Chair, and to the chief State election official of
                    any State to which the vendor provides any goods and
                    services with funds provided under part 8 of subtitle D
                    of title II of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (as
                    added by this Act), of any sourcing outside the United
                    States for parts of the election infrastructure.
                        (C) The vendor shall disclose to the Secretary and
                    the Chair, and to the chief State election official of
                    any State to which the vendor provides any goods and
                    services with funds provided under such part 8, the
                    identification of any entity or individual with a more
                    than 5 percent ownership interest in the vendor.
                        (D) The vendor agrees to ensure that the election
                    infrastructure will be developed and maintained in a
                    manner that is consistent with the cybersecurity best
                    practices issued by the Cybersecurity and
                    Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of
                    Homeland Security.
                        (E) The vendor agrees to maintain its information
                    technology infrastructure in a manner that is
                    consistent with the cybersecurity best practices issued
                    by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
                    of the Department of Homeland Security.
                        (F) The vendor agrees to ensure that the election
                    infrastructure will be developed and maintained in a
                    manner that is consistent with the supply chain best
                    practices issued by the Cybersecurity and
                    Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of
                    Homeland Security.
                        (G) The vendor agrees to ensure that it has
                    personnel policies and practices in place that are
                    consistent with personnel best practices, including
                    cybersecurity training and background checks, issued by
                    the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of
                    the Department of Homeland Security.
                        (H) The vendor agrees to ensure that the election
                    infrastructure will be developed and maintained in a
                    manner that is consistent with data integrity best
                    practices, including requirements for encrypted
                    transfers and validation, testing and checking printed
                    materials for accuracy, and disclosure of quality
                    control incidents, issued by the Cybersecurity and
                    Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of
                    Homeland Security.
                        (I) The vendor agrees to meet the requirements of
                    paragraph (3) with respect to any known or suspected
                    cybersecurity incidents involving any of the goods and
                    services provided by the vendor pursuant to a grant
                    under part 8 of subtitle D of title II of the Help
                    America Vote Act of 2002 (as added by this Act).
                        (J) The vendor agrees to permit independent
                    security testing by the Election Assistance Commission
                    (in accordance with section 231(a) of the Help America
                    Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20971)) and by the
                    Secretary of the goods and services provided by the
                    vendor pursuant to a grant under part 8 of subtitle D
                    of title II of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (as
                    added by this Act).
                (3) Cybersecurity incident reporting requirements.--
                        (A) In general.--A vendor meets the requirements of
                    this paragraph if, upon becoming aware of the
                    possibility that an election cybersecurity incident has
                    occurred involving any of the goods and services
                    provided by the vendor pursuant to a grant under part 8
                    of subtitle D of title II of the Help America Vote Act
                    of 2002 (as added by this Act)--
                                (i) the vendor promptly assesses whether or
                            not such an incident occurred, and submits a
                            notification meeting the requirements of
                            subparagraph (B) to the Secretary and the Chair
                            of the assessment as soon as practicable (but
                            in no case later than 3 days after the vendor
                            first becomes aware of the possibility that the
                            incident occurred);
                                (ii) if the incident involves goods or
                            services provided to an election agency, the
                            vendor submits a notification meeting the
                            requirements of subparagraph (B) to the agency
                            as soon as practicable (but in no case later
                            than 3 days after the vendor first becomes
                            aware of the possibility that the incident
                            occurred), and cooperates with the agency in
                            providing any other necessary notifications
                            relating to the incident; and
                                (iii) the vendor provides all necessary
                            updates to any notification submitted under
                            clause (i) or clause (ii).
                        (B) Contents of notifications.--Each notification
                    submitted under clause (i) or clause (ii) of
                    subparagraph (A) shall contain the following
                    information with respect to any election cybersecurity
                    incident covered by the notification:
                                (i) The date, time, and time zone when the
                            election cybersecurity incident began, if
                            known.
                                (ii) The date, time, and time zone when the
                            election cybersecurity incident was detected.
                                (iii) The date, time, and duration of the
                            election cybersecurity incident.
                                (iv) The circumstances of the election
                            cybersecurity incident, including the specific
                            election infrastructure systems believed to
                            have been accessed and information acquired, if
                            any.
                                (v) Any planned and implemented technical
                            measures to respond to and recover from the
                            incident.
                                (vi) In the case of any notification which
                            is an update to a prior notification, any
                            additional material information relating to the
                            incident, including technical data, as it
                            becomes available.
                        (C) Development of criteria for reporting.--Not
                    later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
                    Act, the Director of the Cybersecurity and
                    Infrastructure Security Agency shall, in consultation
                    with the Election Infrastructure Sector Coordinating
                    Council, develop criteria for incidents which are
                    required to be reported in accordance with subparagraph
                    (A).
                (4) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                        (A) Chair.--The term ``Chair'' means the Chair of
                    the Election Assistance Commission.
                        (B) Chief state election official.--The term
                    ``chief State election official'' means, with respect
                    to a State, the individual designated by the State
                    under section 10 of the National Voter Registration Act
                    of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20509) to be responsible for
                    coordination of the State's responsibilities under such
                    Act.
                        (C) Election agency.--The term ``election agency''
                    means any component of a State, or any component of a
                    unit of local government in a State, which is
                    responsible for the administration of elections for
                    Federal office in the State.
                        (D) Election infrastructure.--The term ``election
                    infrastructure'' means storage facilities, polling
                    places, and centralized vote tabulation locations used
                    to support the administration of elections for public
                    office, as well as related information and
                    communications technology, including voter registration
                    databases, voting machines, electronic mail and other
                    communications systems (including electronic mail and
                    other systems of vendors who have entered into
                    contracts with election agencies to support the
                    administration of elections, manage the election
                    process, and report and display election results), and
                    other systems used to manage the election process and
                    to report and display election results on behalf of an
                    election agency.
                        (E) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
                    Secretary of Homeland Security.
                        (F) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning
                    given such term in section 901 of the Help America Vote
                    Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21141).

                        Subtitle K--Provisional Ballots

    SEC. 3911. REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTING PROVISIONAL BALLOTS; ESTABLISHMENT
                  OF UNIFORM AND NONDISCRIMINATORY STANDARDS.

        (a) In General.--Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002
    (52 U.S.C. 21082), as amended by section 1601(a), is amended--
                (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (h); and
                (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new
            subsections:
        ``(e) Counting of Provisional Ballots.--
                ``(1) In general.--
                        ``(A) For purposes of subsection (a)(4), if a
                    provisional ballot is cast within the same county in
                    which the voter is registered or otherwise eligible to
                    vote, then notwithstanding the precinct or polling
                    place at which a provisional ballot is cast within the
                    county, the appropriate election official of the
                    jurisdiction in which the individual is registered or
                    otherwise eligible to vote shall count each vote on
                    such ballot for each election in which the individual
                    who cast such ballot is eligible to vote.
                        ``(B) In addition to the requirements under
                    subsection (a), for each State or political subdivision
                    that provides voters provisional ballots, challenge
                    ballots, or affidavit ballots under the State's
                    applicable law governing the voting processes for those
                    voters whose eligibility to vote is determined to be
                    uncertain by election officials, election officials
                    shall--
                                ``(i) provide clear written instructions
                            indicating the reason the voter was given a
                            provisional ballot, the information or
                            documents the voter needs to prove eligibility,
                            the location at which the voter must appear to
                            submit these materials or alternative methods,
                            including email or facsimile, that the voter
                            may use to submit these materials, and the
                            deadline for submitting these materials;
                                ``(ii) provide a verbal translation of any
                            written instructions to the voter if necessary;
                                ``(iii) permit any voter who votes
                            provisionally at any polling place on Indian
                            lands to appear at any polling place or at a
                            central location for the election board to
                            submit the documentation or information to
                            prove eligibility; and
                                ``(iv) notify the voter as to whether the
                            voter's provisional ballot was counted or
                            rejected and provide the reason for rejection
                            if the voter's provisional ballot was rejected
                            after the voter provided the required
                            information or documentation on eligibility.
                ``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
            shall prohibit a State or jurisdiction from counting a
            provisional ballot which is cast in a different county within
            the State than the county in which the voter is registered or
            otherwise eligible to vote.
        ``(f) Due Process Requirements for States Requiring Signature
    Verification.--
                ``(1) Requirement.--
                        ``(A) In general.--A State may not impose a
                    signature verification requirement as a condition of
                    accepting and counting a provisional ballot submitted
                    by any individual with respect to an election for
                    Federal office unless the State meets the due process
                    requirements described in paragraph (2).
                        ``(B) Signature verification requirement
                    described.--In this subsection, a `signature
                    verification requirement' is a requirement that an
                    election official verify the identification of an
                    individual by comparing the individual's signature on
                    the provisional ballot with the individual's signature
                    on the official list of registered voters in the State
                    or another official record or other document used by
                    the State to verify the signatures of voters.
                ``(2) Due process requirements.--
                        ``(A) Notice and opportunity to cure discrepancy in
                    signatures.--If an individual submits a provisional
                    ballot and the appropriate State or local election
                    official determines that a discrepancy exists between
                    the signature on such ballot and the signature of such
                    individual on the official list of registered voters in
                    the State or other official record or 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--
                                ``(i) as soon as practical, but no later
                            than the next business day after such
                            determination is made, make a good faith effort
                            to notify the individual by mail, telephone,
                            and (if available) text message and electronic
                            mail that--
                                        ``(I) a discrepancy exists between
                                    the signature on such ballot and the
                                    signature of the individual on the
                                    official list of registered voters in
                                    the State or other official record or
                                    document used by the State to verify
                                    the signatures of voters; and
                                        ``(II) if such discrepancy is not
                                    cured prior to the expiration of the
                                    third day following the State's
                                    deadline for receiving mail-in ballots
                                    or absentee ballots, such ballot will
                                    not be counted; and
                                ``(ii) cure such discrepancy and count the
                            ballot if, prior to the expiration of the third
                            day following the State's deadline for
                            receiving mail-in ballots or absentee ballots,
                            the individual provides the official with
                            information to cure such discrepancy, either in
                            person, by telephone, or by electronic methods.
                        ``(B) Notice and opportunity to cure missing
                    signature or other defect.--If an individual submits a
                    provisional ballot without a signature or submits a
                    provisional ballot with another defect which, if left
                    uncured, would cause the ballot to not be counted, the
                    appropriate State or local election official, prior to
                    making a final determination as to the validity of the
                    ballot, shall--
                                ``(i) as soon as practical, but no later
                            than the next business day after such
                            determination is made, make a good faith effort
                            to notify the individual by mail, telephone,
                            and (if available) text message and electronic
                            mail that--
                                        ``(I) the ballot did not include a
                                    signature or has some other defect; and
                                        ``(II) if the individual does not
                                    provide the missing signature or cure
                                    the other defect prior to the
                                    expiration of the third day following
                                    the State's deadline for receiving
                                    mail-in ballots or absentee ballots,
                                    such ballot will not be counted; and
                                ``(ii) count the ballot if, prior to the
                            expiration of the third day following the
                            State's deadline for receiving mail-in ballots
                            or absentee ballots, the individual provides
                            the official with the missing signature on a
                            form proscribed by the State or cures the other
                            defect.
                        ``(C) Other requirements.--
                                ``(i) In general.--An election official may
                            not make a determination that a discrepancy
                            exists between the signature on a provisional
                            ballot and the signature of the 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 unless--
                                        ``(I) at least 2 election officials
                                    make the determination;
                                        ``(II) each official who makes the
                                    determination has received training in
                                    procedures used to verify signatures;
                                    and
                                        ``(III) of the officials who make
                                    the determination, at least one is
                                    affiliated with the political party
                                    whose candidate received the most votes
                                    in the most recent statewide election
                                    for Federal office held in the State
                                    and at least one is affiliated with the
                                    political party whose candidate
                                    received the second most votes in the
                                    most recent statewide election for
                                    Federal office held in the State.
                                ``(ii) Exception.--Clause (i)(III) shall
                            not apply to any State in which, under a law
                            that is in effect continuously on and after the
                            date of enactment of this section,
                            determinations regarding signature
                            discrepancies are made by election officials
                            who are not affiliated with a political party.
                ``(3) Report.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after
                    the end of a Federal election cycle, each chief State
                    election official shall submit to the Commission a
                    report containing the following information for the
                    applicable Federal election cycle in the State:
                                ``(i) The number of provisional ballots
                            invalidated due to a discrepancy under this
                            subsection.
                                ``(ii) Description of attempts to contact
                            voters to provide notice as required by this
                            subsection.
                                ``(iii) Description of the cure process
                            developed by such State pursuant to this
                            subsection, including the number of provisional
                            ballots determined valid as a result of such
                            process.
                        ``(B) Submission to congress.--Not later than 10
                    days after receiving a report under subparagraph (A),
                    the Commission shall transmit such report to Congress.
                        ``(C) Federal election cycle defined.--For purposes
                    of this subsection, the term `Federal election cycle'
                    means, with respect to any regularly scheduled election
                    for Federal office, the period beginning on the day
                    after the date of the preceding regularly scheduled
                    general election for Federal office and ending on the
                    date of such regularly scheduled general election.
                ``(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
            shall be construed--
                        ``(A) to prohibit a State from rejecting a ballot
                    attempted to be cast in an election for Federal office
                    by an individual who is not eligible to vote in the
                    election; or
                        ``(B) to prohibit a State from providing an
                    individual with more time and more methods for curing a
                    discrepancy in the individual's signature, providing a
                    missing signature, or curing any other defect than the
                    State is required to provide under this subsection.
                ``(5) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply with
            respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2024.
        ``(g) Uniform and Nondiscriminatory Standards.--
                ``(1) In general.--Consistent with the requirements of this
            section, each State shall establish uniform and
            nondiscriminatory standards for the issuance, handling, and
            counting of provisional ballots.
                ``(2) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply with
            respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2024.
        ``(h) Additional Conditions Prohibited.--If an individual in a
    State is eligible to cast a provisional ballot as provided under this
    section, the State may not impose any additional conditions or
    requirements (including conditions or requirements regarding the
    timeframe in which a provisional ballot may be cast) on the eligibility
    of the individual to cast such provisional ballot.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 302(h) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    21082(g)), as amended by section 1601(a) and redesignated by subsection
    (a), is amended by striking ``subsection (d)(4)'' and inserting
    ``subsections (d)(4), (e)(3), and (f)(2)''.

                        TITLE IV--VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY

    SEC. 4001. POST-ELECTION AUDIT REQUIREMENT.

        (a) In General.--Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52
    U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 3601, is amended by
    inserting after section 303A the following new section:

    ``SEC. 303B. POST-ELECTION AUDITS.

        ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
                ``(1) Post-election audit.--Except as provided in
            subsection (c)(1)(B), the term `post-election audit' means,
            with respect to any election contest, a post-election process
            that--
                        ``(A) has a probability of at least 95 percent of
                    correcting the reported outcome if the reported outcome
                    is not the correct outcome;
                        ``(B) will not change the outcome if the reported
                    outcome is the correct outcome; and
                        ``(C) involves a manual adjudication of voter
                    intent from some or all of the ballots validly cast in
                    the election contest.
                ``(2) Reported outcome; correct outcome; outcome.--
                        ``(A) Reported outcome.--The term `reported
                    outcome' means the outcome of an election contest which
                    is determined according to the canvass and which will
                    become the official, certified outcome unless it is
                    revised by an audit, recount, or other legal process.
                        ``(B) Correct outcome.--The term `correct outcome'
                    means the outcome that would be determined by a manual
                    adjudication of voter intent for all votes validly cast
                    in the election contest.
                        ``(C) Outcome.--The term `outcome' means the winner
                    or set of winners of an election contest.
                ``(3) Manual adjudication of voter intent.--The term
            `manual adjudication of voter intent' means direct inspection
            and determination by humans, without assistance from electronic
            or mechanical tabulation devices, of the ballot choices marked
            by voters on each voter-verifiable paper record.
                ``(4) Ballot manifest.--The term `ballot manifest' means a
            record maintained by each jurisdiction that--
                        ``(A) is created without reliance on any part of
                    the voting system used to tabulate votes;
                        ``(B) functions as a sampling frame for conducting
                    a post-election audit; and
                        ``(C) accounts for all ballots validly cast
                    regardless of how they were tabulated and includes a
                    precise description of the manner in which the ballots
                    are physically stored, including the total number of
                    physical groups of ballots, the numbering system for
                    each group, a unique label for each group, and the
                    number of ballots in each such group.
        ``(b) Requirements.--
                ``(1) In general.--
                        ``(A) Audits.--
                                ``(i) In general.--Each State and
                            jurisdiction shall administer post-election
                            audits of the results of all election contests
                            for Federal office held in the State in
                            accordance with the requirements of paragraph
                            (2).
                                ``(ii) Exception.--Clause (i) shall not
                            apply to any election contest for which the
                            State or jurisdiction conducts a full recount
                            through a manual adjudication of voter intent.
                        ``(B) Full manual tabulation.--If a post-election
                    audit conducted under subparagraph (A) corrects the
                    reported outcome of an election contest, the State or
                    jurisdiction shall use the results of the manual
                    adjudication of voter intent conducted as part of the
                    post-election audit as the official results of the
                    election contest.
                ``(2) Audit requirements.--
                        ``(A) Rules and procedures.--
                                ``(i) In general.--Not later than 6 years
                            after the date of the enactment of this
                            section, the chief State election official of
                            the State shall establish rules and procedures
                            for conducting post-election audits.
                                ``(ii) Matters included.--The rules and
                            procedures established under clause (i) shall
                            include the following:
                                        ``(I) Rules and procedures for
                                    ensuring the security of ballots and
                                    documenting that prescribed procedures
                                    were followed.
                                        ``(II) Rules and procedures for
                                    ensuring the accuracy of ballot
                                    manifests produced by jurisdictions.
                                        ``(III) Rules and procedures for
                                    governing the format of ballot
                                    manifests and other data involved in
                                    post-election audits.
                                        ``(IV) Methods to ensure that any
                                    cast vote records used in a post-
                                    election audit are those used by the
                                    voting system to tally the results of
                                    the election contest sent to the chief
                                    State election official of the State
                                    and made public.
                                        ``(V) Rules and procedures for the
                                    random selection of ballots to be
                                    inspected manually during each audit.
                                        ``(VI) Rules and procedures for the
                                    calculations and other methods to be
                                    used in the audit and to determine
                                    whether and when the audit of each
                                    election contest is complete.
                                        ``(VII) Rules and procedures for
                                    testing any software used to conduct
                                    post-election audits.
                        ``(B) Public report.--
                                ``(i) In general.--After the completion of
                            the post-election audit and at least 5 days
                            before the election contest is certified by the
                            State, the State shall make public and submit
                            to the Commission a report on the results of
                            the audit, together with such information as
                            necessary to confirm that the audit was
                            conducted properly.
                                ``(ii) Format of data.--All data published
                            with the report under clause (i) shall be
                            published in machine-readable, open data
                            formats.
                                ``(iii) Protection of anonymity of votes.--
                            Information and data published by the State
                            under this subparagraph shall not compromise
                            the anonymity of votes.
                                ``(iv) Report made available by
                            commission.--After receiving any report
                            submitted under clause (i), the Commission
                            shall make such report available on its
                            website.
                ``(3) Effective date; waiver.--
                        ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
                    subparagraphs (B) and (C), each State and jurisdiction
                    shall be required to comply with the requirements of
                    this subsection for the first regularly scheduled
                    election for Federal office occurring in 2034 and for
                    each subsequent election for Federal office.
                        ``(B) Waiver.--Except as provided in subparagraph
                    (C), if a State certifies to the Election Assistance
                    Commission not later than the first regularly scheduled
                    election for Federal office occurring in 2034, that the
                    State will not meet the deadline described in
                    subparagraph (A) because it would be impracticable to
                    do so and includes in the certification the reasons for
                    the failure to meet such deadline, subparagraph (A) and
                    subsection (c)(2) shall be applied to the State by
                    substituting `2036' for `2034'.
                        ``(C) Additional waiver period.--If a State
                    certifies to the Election Assistance Commission not
                    later than the first regularly scheduled election for
                    Federal office occurring in 2036, that the State will
                    not meet the deadline described in subparagraph (A)
                    (after application of subparagraph (B)) because it
                    would be impracticable to do so and includes in the
                    certification the reasons for the failure to meet such
                    deadline, subparagraph (A) and subsection (c)(2) shall
                    be applied to the State by substituting `2038' for
                    `2034'.
        ``(c) Phased Implementation.--
                ``(1) Post-election audits.--
                        ``(A) In general.--For the regularly scheduled
                    elections for Federal office occurring in 2026 and
                    2028, each State shall administer a post-election audit
                    of the result of at least one statewide election
                    contest for Federal office held in the State, or if no
                    such statewide contest is on the ballot, one election
                    contest for Federal office chosen at random.
                        ``(B) Post-election audit defined.--In this
                    subsection, the term `post-election audit' means a
                    post-election process that involves a manual
                    adjudication of voter intent from a sample of ballots
                    validly cast in the election contest.
                ``(2) Post-election audits for select contests.--Subject to
            subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (b)(3), for the
            regularly scheduled elections for Federal office occurring in
            2030 and for each subsequent election for Federal office that
            occurs prior to the first regularly scheduled election for
            Federal office occurring in 2034, each State shall administer a
            post-election audit of the result of at least one statewide
            election contest for Federal office held in the State, or if no
            such statewide contest is on the ballot, one election contest
            for Federal office chosen at random.
                ``(3) States that administer post-election audits for all
            contests.--A State shall be exempt from the requirements of
            this subsection for any regularly scheduled election for
            Federal office in which the State meets the requirements of
            subsection (b).''.
        (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for such Act, as
    amended by section 3601, is amended by inserting after the item
    relating to section 303A the following new item:

    ``Sec. 303B. Post-election audits.''.
        (c) Study on Post-Election Audit Best Practices.--
                (1) In general.--The Director of the National Institute of
            Standards and Technology shall establish an advisory committee
            to study post-election audits and establish best practices for
            post-election audit methodologies and procedures.
                (2) Advisory committee.--The Director of the National
            Institute of Standards and Technology shall appoint individuals
            to the advisory committee and secure the representation of--
                        (A) State and local election officials;
                        (B) individuals with experience and expertise in
                    election security;
                        (C) individuals with experience and expertise in
                    post-election audit procedures; and
                        (D) individuals with experience and expertise in
                    statistical methods.
                (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
            to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the
            purposes of this subsection.

    SEC. 4002. ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGNATION.

        Subparagraph (J) of section 2001(3) of the Homeland Security Act of
    2002 (6 U.S.C. 601(3)) is amended by inserting ``, including election
    infrastructure'' before the period at the end.

    SEC. 4003. GUIDELINES AND CERTIFICATION FOR ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS AND
                  REMOTE BALLOT MARKING SYSTEMS.

        (a) Inclusion Under Voluntary Voting System Guidelines.--Section
    222 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20962) is amended--
                (1) by redesignating subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), and
            (e) as subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f);
                (2) by inserting after the section heading the following:
        ``(a) Voluntary Voting System Guidelines.--The Commission shall
    adopt voluntary voting system guidelines that describe functionality,
    accessibility, and security principles for the design, development, and
    operation of voting systems, electronic poll books, and remote ballot
    marking systems.''; and
                (3) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
        ``(g) Initial Guidelines for Electronic Poll Books and Remote
    Ballot Marking Systems.--
                ``(1) Adoption date.--The Commission shall adopt initial
            voluntary voting system guidelines for electronic poll books
            and remote ballot marking systems not later than 1 year after
            the date of the enactment of the Freedom to Vote Act.
                ``(2) Special rule for initial guidelines.--The Commission
            may adopt initial voluntary voting system guidelines for
            electronic poll books and remote ballot marking systems without
            modifying the most recently adopted voluntary voting system
            guidelines for voting systems.
        ``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
                ``(1) Electronic poll book.--The term `electronic poll
            book' means the total combination of mechanical,
            electromechanical, or electronic equipment (including the
            software, firmware, and documentation required to program,
            control, and support the equipment) that is used--
                        ``(A) to retain the list of registered voters at a
                    polling location, or vote center, or other location at
                    which voters cast votes in an election for Federal
                    office; and
                        ``(B) to identify registered voters who are
                    eligible to vote in an election.
                ``(2) Remote ballot marking system.--The term `remote
            ballot marking system' means an election system that--
                        ``(A) is used by a voter to mark their ballots
                    outside of a voting center or polling place; and
                        ``(B) allows a voter to receive a blank ballot to
                    mark electronically, print, and then cast by returning
                    the printed ballot to the elections office or other
                    designated location.''.
        (b) Providing for Certification of Electronic Poll Books and Remote
    Ballot Marking System.--Section 231(a) of the Help America Vote Act of
    2002 (52 U.S.C. 20971(a)) is amended, in each of paragraphs (1) and
    (2), by inserting ``, electronic poll books, and remote ballot marking
    systems'' after ``software''.

    SEC. 4004. PRE-ELECTION REPORTS ON VOTING SYSTEM USAGE.

        (a) Requiring States To Submit Reports.--Title III of the Help
    America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended by
    inserting after section 301 the following new section:

    ``SEC. 301A. PRE-ELECTION REPORTS ON VOTING SYSTEM USAGE.

        ``(a) Requiring States To Submit Reports.--Not later than 120 days
    before the date of each regularly scheduled general election for
    Federal office, the chief State election official of a State shall
    submit a report to the Commission containing a detailed voting system
    usage plan for each jurisdiction in the State which will administer the
    election, including a detailed plan for the usage of electronic poll
    books and other equipment and components of such system. If a
    jurisdiction acquires and implements a new voting system within the 120
    days before the date of the election, it shall notify the chief State
    election official of the State, who shall submit to the Commission in a
    timely manner an updated report under the preceding sentence.
        ``(b) Effective Date.--Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to
    the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in
    November 2024 and each succeeding regularly scheduled general election
    for Federal office''.
        (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act is
    amended by inserting after the item relating to section 301 the
    following new item:

    ``Sec. 301A. Pre-election reports on voting system usage.''.

    SEC. 4005. USE OF VOTING MACHINES MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES.

        (a) Requirement.--Section 301(a) of the Help America Vote Act of
    2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)), as amended by section 3904 and section 3906,
    is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
                ``(10) Voting machine requirements.--
                        ``(A) Manufacturing requirements.--By not later
                    than the date of the regularly scheduled general
                    election for Federal office occurring in November 2026,
                    each State shall seek to ensure to the extent
                    practicable that any voting machine used in such
                    election and in any subsequent election for Federal
                    office is manufactured in the United States.
                        ``(B) Assembly requirements.--By not later than the
                    date of the regularly scheduled general election for
                    Federal office occurring in November 2026, each State
                    shall seek to ensure that any voting machine purchased
                    or acquired for such election and in any subsequent
                    election for Federal office is assembled in the United
                    States.
                        ``(C) Software and code requirements.--By not later
                    than the date of the regularly scheduled general
                    election for Federal office occurring in November 2026,
                    each State shall seek to ensure that any software or
                    code developed for any voting system purchased or
                    acquired for such election and in any subsequent
                    election for Federal office is developed and stored in
                    the United States.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Effective Date.--Section
    301(d)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21081(d)(1)), as amended by section
    3907, is amended by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and inserting
    ``subsection (a)(10) and paragraph (2)''.

    SEC. 4006. USE OF POLITICAL PARTY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING FUND FOR
                  TECHNOLOGY OR CYBERSECURITY-RELATED PURPOSES.

        (a) Permitting Use of Fund.--Section 315(a)(9)(B) of the Federal
    Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116(a)(9)(B)) is amended by
    striking the period at the end and inserting the following: ``, and to
    defray technology or cybersecurity-related expenses.''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
    apply with respect to calendar year 2024 and each succeeding calendar
    year.

    SEC. 4007. SEVERABILITY.

        If any provision of this title or any amendment made by this title,
    or the application of any such provision or amendment to any person or
    circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this
    title, and the application of such provision or amendment to any other
    person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.

                DIVISION C--CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT

                   TITLE V--NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING REFORM

    SEC. 5001. FINDING OF CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY.

        Congress finds that it has the authority to establish the terms and
    conditions States must follow in carrying out congressional
    redistricting after an apportionment of Members of the House of
    Representatives because--
                (1) the authority granted to Congress under article I,
            section 4 of the Constitution of the United States gives
            Congress the power to enact laws governing the time, place, and
            manner of elections for Members of the House of
            Representatives;
                (2) the authority granted to Congress under section 5 of
            the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution gives Congress the
            power to enact laws to enforce section 2 of such amendment,
            which requires Representatives to be apportioned among the
            several States according to their number;
                (3) the authority granted to Congress under section 5 of
            the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution gives Congress the
            power to enact laws to enforce section 1 of such amendment,
            including protections against excessive partisan gerrymandering
            that Federal courts have not enforced because they understand
            such enforcement to be committed to Congress by the
            Constitution;
                (4) of the authority granted to Congress to enforce article
            IV, section 4, of the Constitution, and the guarantee of a
            Republican Form of Government to every State, which Federal
            courts have not enforced because they understand such
            enforcement to be committed to Congress by the Constitution;
                (5) requiring States to use uniform redistricting criteria
            is an appropriate and important exercise of such authority; and
                (6) partisan gerrymandering dilutes citizens' votes because
            partisan gerrymandering injures voters and political parties by
            infringing on their First Amendment right to associate freely
            and their Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection of the
            laws.

    SEC. 5002. BAN ON MID-DECADE REDISTRICTING.

        A State that has been redistricted in accordance with this title
    may not be redistricted again until after the next apportionment of
    Representatives under section 22(a) of the Act entitled ``An Act to
    provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and to
    provide for an apportionment of Representatives in Congress'', approved
    June 18, 1929 (2 U.S.C. 2a), unless a court requires the State to
    conduct such subsequent redistricting to comply with the Constitution
    of the United States, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et
    seq.), the terms or conditions of this title, or applicable State law.

    SEC. 5003. CRITERIA FOR REDISTRICTING.

        (a) Requiring Plans To Meet Criteria.--A State may not use a
    congressional redistricting plan enacted following the notice of
    apportionment transmitted to the President on April 26, 2021, or any
    subsequent notice of apportionment, if such plan is not in compliance
    with this section, without regard to whether or not the plan was
    enacted by the State before, on, or after the effective date of this
    title.
        (b) Ranked Criteria.--Under the redistricting plan of a State,
    there shall be established single-member congressional districts using
    the following criteria as set forth in the following order of priority:
                (1) Districts shall comply with the United States
            Constitution, including the requirement that they substantially
            equalize total population, without regard to age, citizenship
            status, or immigration status.
                (2) Districts shall comply with the Voting Rights Act of
            1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.), including by creating any
            districts where, if based upon the totality of the
            circumstances, 2 or more politically cohesive groups protected
            by such Act are able to elect representatives of choice in
            coalition with one another, and all applicable Federal laws.
                (3)(A) Districts shall be drawn, to the extent that the
            totality of the circumstances warrant, to ensure the practical
            ability of a group protected under the Voting Rights Act of
            1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.) to participate in the political
            process and to nominate candidates and to elect representatives
            of choice is not diluted or diminished, regardless of whether
            or not such protected group constitutes a majority of a
            district's population, voting age population, or citizen voting
            age population.
                (B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the assessment of
            whether a protected group has the practical ability to nominate
            candidates and to elect representatives of choice shall require
            the consideration of the following factors:
                        (i) Whether the group is politically cohesive.
                        (ii) Whether there is racially polarized voting in
                    the relevant geographic region.
                        (iii) If there is racially polarized voting in the
                    relevant geographic region, whether the preferred
                    candidates of the group nevertheless receive a
                    sufficient amount of consistent crossover support from
                    other voters such that the group is a functional
                    majority with the ability to both nominate candidates
                    and elect representatives of choice.
                (4)(A) Districts shall be drawn to represent communities of
            interest and neighborhoods to the extent practicable after
            compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (1) through (3).
            A community of interest is defined as an area for which the
            record before the entity responsible for developing and
            adopting the redistricting plan demonstrates the existence of
            broadly shared interests and representational needs, including
            shared interests and representational needs rooted in common
            ethnic, racial, economic, Indian, social, cultural, geographic,
            or historic identities, or arising from similar socioeconomic
            conditions. The term communities of interest may, if the record
            warrants, include political subdivisions such as counties,
            municipalities, Indian lands, or school districts, but shall
            not include common relationships with political parties or
            political candidates.
                (B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), in considering the
            needs of multiple, overlapping communities of interest, the
            entity responsible for developing and adopting the
            redistricting plan shall give greater weight to those
            communities of interest whose representational needs would most
            benefit from the community's inclusion in a single
            congressional district.
        (c) No Favoring or Disfavoring of Political Parties.--
                (1) Prohibition.--A State may not use a redistricting plan
            to conduct an election if the plan's congressional districts,
            when considered cumulatively on a statewide basis, have been
            drawn with the intent or have the effect of materially favoring
            or disfavoring any political party.
                (2) Determination of effect.--The determination of whether
            a redistricting plan has the effect of materially favoring or
            disfavoring a political party shall be based on an evaluation
            of the totality of circumstances which, at a minimum, shall
            involve consideration of each of the following factors:
                        (A) Computer modeling based on relevant statewide
                    general elections for Federal office held over the 8
                    years preceding the adoption of the redistricting plan
                    setting forth the probable electoral outcomes for the
                    plan under a range of reasonably foreseeable
                    conditions.
                        (B) An analysis of whether the redistricting plan
                    is statistically likely to result in partisan advantage
                    or disadvantage on a statewide basis, the degree of any
                    such advantage or disadvantage, and whether such
                    advantage or disadvantage is likely to be present under
                    a range of reasonably foreseeable electoral conditions.
                        (C) A comparison of the modeled electoral outcomes
                    for the redistricting plan to the modeled electoral
                    outcomes for alternative plans that demonstrably comply
                    with the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3)
                    of subsection (b) in order to determine whether
                    reasonable alternatives exist that would result in
                    materially lower levels of partisan advantage or
                    disadvantage on a statewide basis. For purposes of this
                    subparagraph, alternative plans considered may include
                    both actual plans proposed during the redistricting
                    process and other plans prepared for purposes of
                    comparison.
                        (D) Any other relevant information, including how
                    broad support for the redistricting plan was among
                    members of the entity responsible for developing and
                    adopting the plan and whether the processes leading to
                    the development and adoption of the plan were
                    transparent and equally open to all members of the
                    entity and to the public.
                (3) Rebuttable presumption.--
                        (A) Trigger.--In any civil action brought under
                    section 5006 in which a party asserts a claim that a
                    State has enacted a redistricting plan which is in
                    violation of this subsection, a party may file a motion
                    not later than 30 days after the enactment of the plan
                    (or, in the case of a plan enacted before the effective
                    date of this Act, not later than 30 days after the
                    effective date of this Act) requesting that the court
                    determine whether a presumption of such a violation
                    exists. If such a motion is timely filed, the court
                    shall hold a hearing not later than 15 days after the
                    date the motion is filed to assess whether a
                    presumption of such a violation exists.
                        (B) Assessment.--To conduct the assessment required
                    under subparagraph (A), the court shall do the
                    following:
                                (i) Determine the number of congressional
                            districts under the plan that would have been
                            carried by each political party's candidates
                            for the office of President and the office of
                            Senator in the 2 most recent general elections
                            for the office of President and the 2 most
                            recent general elections for the office of
                            Senator (other than special general elections)
                            immediately preceding the enactment of the
                            plan, except that if a State conducts a primary
                            election for the office of Senator which is
                            open to candidates of all political parties,
                            the primary election shall be used instead of
                            the general election and the number of
                            districts carried by a party's candidates for
                            the office of Senator shall be determined on
                            the basis of the combined vote share of all
                            candidates in the election who are affiliated
                            with such party.
                                (ii) Determine, for each of the 4 elections
                            assessed under clause (i), whether the number
                            of districts that would have been carried by
                            any party's candidate as determined under
                            clause (i) results in partisan advantage or
                            disadvantage in excess of the applicable
                            threshold described in subparagraph (C). The
                            degree of partisan advantage or disadvantage
                            shall be determined by one or more standard
                            quantitative measures of partisan fairness
                            that--
                                        (I) use a party's share of the
                                    statewide vote to calculate a
                                    corresponding benchmark share of seats;
                                    and
                                        (II) measure the amount by which
                                    the share of seats the party's
                                    candidate would have won in the
                                    election involved exceeds the benchmark
                                    share of seats.
                        (C) Applicable threshold described.--The applicable
                    threshold described in this subparagraph is, with
                    respect to a State and a number of seats, the greater
                    of--
                                (i) an amount equal to 7 percent of the
                            number of congressional districts in the State;
                            or
                                (ii) one congressional district.
                        (D) Description of quantitative measures;
                    prohibiting rounding.--In carrying out this
                    subsection--
                                (i) the standard quantitative measures of
                            partisan fairness used by the court may include
                            the simplified efficiency gap but may not
                            include strict proportionality; and
                                (ii) the court may not round any number.
                        (E) Presumption of violation.--A plan is presumed
                    to violate paragraph (1) if, on the basis of at least
                    one standard quantitative measure of partisan fairness,
                    it exceeds the applicable threshold described in
                    subparagraph (C) with respect to 2 or more of the 4
                    elections assessed under subparagraph (B).
                        (F) Stay of use of plan.--Notwithstanding any other
                    provision of this title, in any action under this
                    paragraph, the following rules shall apply:
                                (i) Upon filing of a motion under
                            subparagraph (A), a State's use of the plan
                            which is the subject of the motion shall be
                            automatically stayed pending resolution of such
                            motion.
                                (ii) If after considering the motion, the
                            court rules that the plan is presumed under
                            subparagraph (E) to violate paragraph (1), a
                            State may not use such plan until and unless
                            the court which is carrying out the
                            determination of the effect of the plan under
                            paragraph (2) determines that, notwithstanding
                            the presumptive violation, the plan does not
                            violate paragraph (1).
                        (G) No effect on other assessments.--The absence of
                    a presumption of a violation with respect to a
                    redistricting plan as determined under this paragraph
                    shall not affect the determination of the effect or
                    intent of the plan under this section.
                (4) Determination of intent.--A court may rely on all
            available evidence when determining whether a redistricting
            plan was drawn with the intent to materially favor or disfavor
            a political party, including evidence of the partisan effects
            of a plan, the degree of support the plan received from members
            of the entity responsible for developing and adopting the plan,
            and whether the processes leading to development and adoption
            of the plan were transparent and equally open to all members of
            the entity and to the public.
                (5) No violation based on certain criteria.--No
            redistricting plan shall be found to be in violation of
            paragraph (1) because of the proper application of the criteria
            set forth in paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (b),
            unless one or more alternative plans could have complied with
            such paragraphs without having the effect of materially
            favoring or disfavoring a political party.
        (d) Factors Prohibited From Consideration.--In developing the
    redistricting plan for the State, the State may not take into
    consideration any of the following factors, except as necessary to
    comply with the criteria described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of
    subsection (b), to achieve partisan fairness and comply with subsection
    (b), and to enable the redistricting plan to be measured against the
    external metrics described in section 5004(c):
                (1) The residence of any Member of the House of
            Representatives or candidate.
                (2) The political party affiliation or voting history of
            the population of a district.
        (e) Additional Criteria.--A State may not rely upon criteria,
    districting principles, or other policies of the State which are not
    set forth in this section to justify non-compliance with the
    requirements of this section.
        (f) Applicability.--
                (1) In general.--This section applies to any authority,
            whether appointed, elected, judicial, or otherwise, responsible
            for enacting the congressional redistricting plan of a State.
                (2) Date of enactment.--This section applies to any
            congressional redistricting plan enacted following the notice
            of apportionment transmitted to the President on April 26,
            2021, regardless of the date of enactment by the State of the
            congressional redistricting plan.
        (g) Severability of Criteria.--If any provision of this section, or
    the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance, is
    held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this section, and the
    application of such provision to any other person or circumstance,
    shall not be affected by the holding.

    SEC. 5004. DEVELOPMENT OF PLAN.

        (a) Public Notice and Input.--
                (1) Use of open and transparent process.--The entity
            responsible for developing and adopting the congressional
            redistricting plan of a State shall solicit and take into
            consideration comments from the public throughout the process
            of developing the plan, and shall carry out its duties in an
            open and transparent manner which provides for the widest
            public dissemination reasonably possible of its proposed and
            final redistricting plans.
                (2) Website.--
                        (A) Features.--The entity shall maintain a public
                    internet site which is not affiliated with or
                    maintained by the office of any elected official and
                    which includes the following features:
                                (i) All proposed redistricting plans and
                            the final redistricting plan, including the
                            accompanying written evaluation under
                            subsection (c).
                                (ii) All comments received from the public
                            submitted under paragraph (1).
                                (iii) Access in an easily usable format to
                            the demographic and other data used by the
                            entity to develop and analyze the proposed
                            redistricting plans, together with any reports
                            analyzing and evaluating such plans and access
                            to software that members of the public may use
                            to draw maps of proposed districts.
                                (iv) A method by which members of the
                            public may submit comments directly to the
                            entity.
                        (B) Searchable format.--The entity shall ensure
                    that all information posted and maintained on the site
                    under this paragraph, including information and
                    proposed maps submitted by the public, shall be
                    maintained in an easily searchable format.
                (3) Multiple language requirements for all notices.--The
            entity responsible for developing and adopting the plan shall
            make each notice which is required to be posted and published
            under this section available in any language in which the State
            (or any jurisdiction in the State) is required to provide
            election materials under section 203 of the Voting Rights Act
            of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10503).
        (b) Development of Plan.--
                (1) Hearings.--The entity responsible for developing and
            adopting the congressional redistricting plan shall hold
            hearings both before and after releasing proposed plans in
            order to solicit public input on the content of such plans.
            These hearings shall--
                        (A) be held in different regions of the State and
                    streamed live on the public internet site maintained
                    under subsection (a)(2);
                        (B) be sufficient in number, scheduled at times and
                    places, and noticed and conducted in a manner to ensure
                    that all members of the public, including members of
                    racial, ethnic, and language minorities protected under
                    the Voting Rights Act of 1965, have a meaningful
                    opportunity to attend and provide input both before and
                    after the entity releases proposed plans.
                (2) Posting of maps.--The entity responsible for developing
            and adopting the congressional redistricting plan shall make
            proposed plans, amendments to proposed plans, and the data
            needed to analyze such plans for compliance with the criteria
            of this title available for public review, including on the
            public internet site required under subsection (a)(2), for a
            period of not less than 5 days before any vote or hearing is
            held on any such plan or any amendment to such a plan.
        (c) Release of Written Evaluation of Plan Against External Metrics
    Required Prior to Vote.--The entity responsible for developing and
    adopting the congressional redistricting plan for a State may not hold
    a vote on a proposed redistricting plan, including a vote in a
    committee, unless at least 48 hours prior to holding the vote the State
    has released a written evaluation that measures each such plan against
    external metrics which cover the criteria set forth in section 5003(b),
    including the impact of the plan on the ability of members of a class
    of citizens protected by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301
    et seq.) to elect candidates of choice, the degree to which the plan
    preserves or divides communities of interest, and any analysis used by
    the State to assess compliance with the requirements of section 5003(b)
    and (c).
        (d) Public Input and Comments.--The entity responsible for
    developing and adopting the congressional redistricting plan for a
    State shall make all public comments received about potential plans,
    including alternative plans, available to the public on the internet
    site required under subsection (a)(2), at no cost, not later than 24
    hours prior to holding a vote on final adoption of a plan.

    SEC. 5005. FAILURE BY STATE TO ENACT PLAN.

        (a) Deadline for Enactment of Plan.--
                (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), each
            State shall enact a final congressional redistricting plan
            following transmission of a notice of apportionment to the
            President by the earliest of--
                        (A) the deadline set forth in State law, including
                    any extension to the deadline provided in accordance
                    with State law;
                        (B) February 15 of the year in which regularly
                    scheduled general elections for Federal office are held
                    in the State; or
                        (C) 90 days before the date of the next regularly
                    scheduled primary election for Federal office held in
                    the State.
                (2) Special rule for plans enacted prior to effective date
            of title.--If a State enacted a final congressional
            redistricting plan prior to the effective date of this title
            and the plan is not in compliance with the requirements of this
            title, the State shall enact a final redistricting plan which
            is in compliance with the requirements of this title not later
            than 45 days after the effective date of this title.
        (b) Development of Plan by Court in Case of Missed Deadline.--If a
    State has not enacted a final congressional redistricting plan by the
    applicable deadline under subsection (a), or it appears reasonably
    likely that a State will fail to enact a final congressional
    redistricting plan by such deadline--
                (1) any citizen of the State may file an action in the
            United States district court for the applicable venue asking
            the district court to assume jurisdiction;
                (2) the United States district court for the applicable
            venue, acting through a 3-judge court convened pursuant to
            section 2284 of title 28, United States Code, shall have the
            exclusive authority to develop and publish the congressional
            redistricting plan for the State; and
                (3) the final congressional redistricting plan developed
            and published by the court under this section shall be deemed
            to be enacted on the date on which the court publishes the
            final congressional redistricting plan, as described in
            subsection (e).
        (c) Applicable Venue.--For purposes of this section, the
    ``applicable venue'' with respect to a State is the District of
    Columbia or the judicial district in which the capital of the State is
    located, as selected by the first party to file with the court
    sufficient evidence that a State has failed to, or is reasonably likely
    to fail to, enact a final redistricting plan for the State prior to the
    expiration of the applicable deadline set forth in subsection (a).
        (d) Procedures for Development of Plan.--
                (1) Criteria.--In developing a redistricting plan for a
            State under this section, the court shall adhere to the same
            terms and conditions that applied (or that would have applied,
            as the case may be) to the development of a plan by the State
            under section 5003.
                (2) Access to information and records.--The court shall
            have access to any information, data, software, or other
            records and material that was used (or that would have been
            used, as the case may be) by the State in carrying out its
            duties under this title.
                (3) Hearing; public participation.--In developing a
            redistricting plan for a State, the court shall--
                        (A) hold one or more evidentiary hearings at which
                    interested members of the public may appear and be
                    heard and present testimony, including expert
                    testimony, in accordance with the rules of the court;
                    and
                        (B) consider other submissions and comments by the
                    public, including proposals for redistricting plans to
                    cover the entire State or any portion of the State.
                (4) Use of special master.--To assist in the development
            and publication of a redistricting plan for a State under this
            section, the court may appoint a special master to make
            recommendations to the court on possible plans for the State.
        (e) Publication of Plan.--
                (1) Public availability of initial plan.--Upon completing
            the development of one or more initial redistricting plans, the
            court shall make the plans available to the public at no cost,
            and shall also make available the underlying data used to
            develop the plans and a written evaluation of the plans against
            external metrics (as described in section 5004(c)).
                (2) Publication of final plan.--At any time after the
            expiration of the 14-day period which begins on the date the
            court makes the plans available to the public under paragraph
            (1), and taking into consideration any submissions and comments
            by the public which are received during such period, the court
            shall develop and publish the final redistricting plan for the
            State.
        (f) Use of Interim Plan.--In the event that the court is not able
    to develop and publish a final redistricting plan for the State with
    sufficient time for an upcoming election to proceed, the court may
    develop and publish an interim redistricting plan which shall serve as
    the redistricting plan for the State until the court develops and
    publishes a final plan in accordance with this section. Nothing in this
    subsection may be construed to limit or otherwise affect the authority
    or discretion of the court to develop and publish the final
    redistricting plan, including the discretion to make any changes the
    court deems necessary to an interim redistricting plan.
        (g) Appeals.--Review on appeal of any final or interim plan adopted
    by the court in accordance with this section shall be governed by the
    appellate process in section 5006.
        (h) Stay of State Proceedings.--The filing of an action under this
    section shall act as a stay of any proceedings in State court with
    respect to the State's congressional redistricting plan unless
    otherwise ordered by the court.

    SEC. 5006. CIVIL ENFORCEMENT.

        (a) Civil Enforcement.--
                (1) Actions by attorney general.--The Attorney General may
            bring a civil action for such relief as may be appropriate to
            carry out this title.
                (2) Availability of private right of action.--
                        (A) In general.--Any person residing or domiciled
                    in a State who is aggrieved by the failure of the State
                    to meet the requirements of the Constitution or Federal
                    law, including this title, with respect to the State's
                    congressional redistricting, may bring a civil action
                    in the United States district court for the applicable
                    venue for such relief as may be appropriate to remedy
                    the failure.
                        (B) Special rule for claims relating to partisan
                    advantage.--For purposes of subparagraph (A), a person
                    who is aggrieved by the failure of a State to meet the
                    requirements of section 5003(c) may include--
                                (i) any political party or committee in the
                            State; and
                                (ii) any registered voter in the State who
                            resides in a congressional district that the
                            voter alleges was drawn in a manner that
                            contributes to a violation of such section.
                        (C) No awarding of damages to prevailing party.--
                    Except for an award of attorney's fees under subsection
                    (d), a court in a civil action under this section shall
                    not award the prevailing party any monetary damages,
                    compensatory, punitive, or otherwise.
                (3) Delivery of complaint to house and senate.--In any
            action brought under this section, a copy of the complaint
            shall be delivered promptly to the Clerk of the House of
            Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate.
                (4) Exclusive jurisdiction and applicable venue.--The
            district courts of the United States shall have exclusive
            jurisdiction to hear and determine claims asserting that a
            congressional redistricting plan violates the requirements of
            the Constitution or Federal law, including this title. The
            applicable venue for such an action shall be the United States
            District Court for the District of Columbia or for the judicial
            district in which the capital of the State is located, as
            selected by the person bringing the action. In a civil action
            that includes a claim that a redistricting plan is in violation
            of subsection (b) or (c) of section 5003, the United States
            District Court for the District of Columbia shall have
            jurisdiction over any defendant who has been served in any
            United States judicial district in which the defendant resides,
            is found, or has an agent, or in the United States judicial
            district in which the capital of the State is located. Process
            may be served in any United States judicial district where a
            defendant resides, is found, or has an agent, or in the United
            States judicial district in which the capital of the State is
            located.
                (5) Use of 3-judge court.--If an action under this section
            raises statewide claims under the Constitution or this title,
            the action shall be heard by a 3-judge court convened pursuant
            to section 2284 of title 28, United States Code.
                (6) Review of final decision.--A final decision in an
            action brought under this section shall be reviewable on appeal
            by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of
            Columbia Circuit, which shall hear the matter sitting en banc.
            There shall be no right of appeal in such proceedings to any
            other court of appeals. Such appeal shall be taken by the
            filing of a notice of appeal within 10 days of the entry of the
            final decision. A final decision by the Court of Appeals may be
            reviewed by the Supreme Court of the United States by writ of
            certiorari.
        (b) Expedited Consideration.--In any action brought under this
    section, it shall be the duty of the district court, the United States
    Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and the Supreme
    Court of the United States (if it chooses to hear the action) to
    advance on the docket and to expedite to the greatest possible extent
    the disposition of the action and appeal.
        (c) Remedies.--
                (1) Adoption of replacement plan.--
                        (A) In general.--If the district court in an action
                    under this section finds that the congressional
                    redistricting plan of a State violates, in whole or in
                    part, the requirements of this title--
                                (i) the court shall adopt a replacement
                            congressional redistricting plan for the State
                            in accordance with the process set forth in
                            section 5005; or
                                (ii) if circumstances warrant and no delay
                            to an upcoming regularly scheduled election for
                            the House of Representatives in the State would
                            result, the district court, in its discretion,
                            may allow a State to develop and propose a
                            remedial congressional redistricting plan for
                            review by the court to determine whether the
                            plan is in compliance with this title, except
                            that--
                                        (I) the State may not develop and
                                    propose a remedial plan under this
                                    clause if the court determines that the
                                    congressional redistricting plan of the
                                    State was enacted with discriminatory
                                    intent in violation of the Constitution
                                    or section 5003(b); and
                                        (II) nothing in this clause may be
                                    construed to permit a State to use such
                                    a remedial plan which has not been
                                    approved by the court.
                        (B) Prohibiting use of plans in violation of
                    requirements.--No court shall order a State to use a
                    congressional redistricting plan which violates, in
                    whole or in part, the requirements of this title, or to
                    conduct an election under terms and conditions which
                    violate, in whole or in part, the requirements of this
                    title.
                        (C) Special rule in case final adjudication not
                    expected within 3 months of election.--
                                (i) Duty of court.--If final adjudication
                            of an action under this section is not
                            reasonably expected to be completed at least 3
                            months prior to the next regularly scheduled
                            primary election for the House of
                            Representatives in the State, the district
                            court shall--
                                        (I) develop, adopt, and order the
                                    use of an interim congressional
                                    redistricting plan in accordance with
                                    section 5005(f) to address any claims
                                    under this title for which a party
                                    seeking relief has demonstrated a
                                    substantial likelihood of success; or
                                        (II) order adjustments to the
                                    timing of primary elections for the
                                    House of Representatives and other
                                    related deadlines, as needed, to allow
                                    sufficient opportunity for adjudication
                                    of the matter and adoption of a
                                    remedial or replacement plan for use in
                                    the next regularly scheduled general
                                    elections for the House of
                                    Representatives.
                                (ii) Prohibiting failure to act on grounds
                            of pendency of election.--The court may not
                            refuse to take any action described in clause
                            (i) on the grounds of the pendency of the next
                            election held in the State or the potential for
                            disruption, confusion, or additional burdens
                            with respect to the administration of the
                            election in the State.
                (2) No stay pending appeal.--Notwithstanding the appeal of
            an order finding that a congressional redistricting plan of a
            State violates, in whole or in part, the requirements of this
            title, no stay shall issue which shall bar the development or
            adoption of a replacement or remedial plan under this
            subsection, as may be directed by the district court, pending
            such appeal. If such a replacement or remedial plan has been
            adopted, no appellate court may stay or otherwise enjoin the
            use of such plan during the pendency of an appeal, except upon
            an order holding, based on the record, that adoption of such
            plan was an abuse of discretion.
                (3) Special authority of court of appeals.--
                        (A) Ordering of new remedial plan.--If, upon
                    consideration of an appeal under this title, the Court
                    of Appeals determines that a plan does not comply with
                    the requirements of this title, it shall direct that
                    the District Court promptly develop a new remedial plan
                    with assistance of a special master for consideration
                    by the Court of Appeals.
                        (B) Failure of district court to take timely
                    action.--If, at any point during the pendency of an
                    action under this section, the District Court fails to
                    take action necessary to permit resolution of the case
                    prior to the next regularly scheduled election for the
                    House of Representatives in the State or fails to grant
                    the relief described in paragraph (1)(C), any party may
                    seek a writ of mandamus from the Court of Appeals for
                    the District of Columbia Circuit. The Court of Appeals
                    shall have jurisdiction over the motion for a writ of
                    mandamus and shall establish an expedited briefing and
                    hearing schedule for resolution of the motion. If the
                    Court of Appeals determines that a writ should be
                    granted, the Court of Appeals shall take any action
                    necessary, including developing a congressional
                    redistricting plan with assistance of a special master
                    to ensure that a remedial plan is adopted in time for
                    use in the next regularly scheduled election for the
                    House of Representatives in the State.
                (4) Effect of enactment of replacement plan.--A State's
            enactment of a redistricting plan which replaces a plan which
            is the subject of an action under this section shall not be
            construed to limit or otherwise affect the authority of the
            court to adjudicate or grant relief with respect to any claims
            or issues not addressed by the replacement plan, including
            claims that the plan which is the subject of the action was
            enacted, in whole or in part, with discriminatory intent, or
            claims to consider whether relief should be granted under
            section 3(c) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C.
            10302(c)) based on the plan which is the subject of the action.
        (d) Attorney's Fees.--In a civil action under this section, the
    court may allow the prevailing party (other than the United States)
    reasonable attorney fees, including litigation expenses, and costs.
        (e) Relation to Other Laws.--
                (1) Rights and remedies additional to other rights and
            remedies.--The rights and remedies established by this section
            are in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by
            law, and neither the rights and remedies established by this
            section nor any other provision of this title shall supersede,
            restrict, or limit the application of the Voting Rights Act of
            1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.).
                (2) Voting rights act of 1965.--Nothing in this title
            authorizes or requires conduct that is prohibited by the Voting
            Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.).
        (f) Legislative Privilege.--No person, legislature, or State may
    claim legislative privilege under either State or Federal law in a
    civil action brought under this section or in any other legal
    challenge, under either State or Federal law, to a redistricting plan
    enacted under this title.
        (g) Removal.--
                (1) In general.--At any time, a civil action brought in a
            State court which asserts a claim for which the district courts
            of the United States have exclusive jurisdiction under this
            title may be removed by any party in the case, including an
            intervenor, by filing, in the district court for an applicable
            venue under this section, a notice of removal signed pursuant
            to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure containing a
            short and plain statement of the grounds for removal. Consent
            of parties shall not be required for removal.
                (2) Claims not within the original or supplemental
            jurisdiction.--If a civil action removed in accordance with
            paragraph (1) contains claims not within the original or
            supplemental jurisdiction of the district court, the district
            court shall sever all such claims and remand them to the State
            court from which the action was removed.

    SEC. 5007. NO EFFECT ON ELECTIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL OFFICE.

        Nothing in this title or in any amendment made by this title may be
    construed to affect the manner in which a State carries out elections
    for State or local office, including the process by which a State
    establishes the districts used in such elections.

    SEC. 5008. EFFECTIVE DATE.

        (a) In General.--This title and the amendments made by this title
    shall apply on the date of enactment of this title.
        (b) Application to Congressional Redistricting Plans Resulting From
    2020 Decennial Census.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), this title and
    the amendments made by this title, other than section 5004, shall apply
    with respect to each congressional redistricting plan enacted pursuant
    to the notice of apportionment transmitted to the President on April
    26, 2021, without regard to whether or not a State enacted such a plan
    prior to the date of the enactment of this Act.

                    TITLE VI--CAMPAIGN FINANCE TRANSPARENCY

                            Subtitle A--DISCLOSE Act

    SEC. 6001. SHORT TITLE.

        This subtitle may be cited as the ``Democracy Is Strengthened by
    Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2023'' or the ``DISCLOSE
    Act of 2023''.

    SEC. 6002. FINDINGS.

        Congress finds the following:
                (1) Campaign finance disclosure is a narrowly tailored and
            minimally restrictive means to advance substantial government
            interests, including fostering an informed electorate capable
            of engaging in self-government and holding their elected
            officials accountable, detecting and deterring quid pro quo
            corruption, and identifying information necessary to enforce
            other campaign finance laws, including campaign contribution
            limits and the prohibition on foreign money in U.S. campaigns.
            To further these substantial interests, campaign finance
            disclosure must be timely and complete, and must disclose the
            true and original source of money given, transferred, and spent
            to influence Federal elections. Current law does not meet this
            objective because corporations and other entities that the
            Supreme Court has permitted to spend money to influence Federal
            elections are subject to few if any transparency requirements.
                (2) As the Supreme Court recognized in its per curiam
            opinion in Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U.S. 1, (1976), ``disclosure
            requirements certainly in most applications appear to be the
            least restrictive means of curbing the evils of campaign
            ignorance and corruption that Congress found to exist''.
            Buckley, 424 U.S. at 68. In Citizens United v. FEC, the Court
            reiterated that ``disclosure is a less restrictive alternative
            to more comprehensive regulations of speech''. 558 U.S. 310,
            369 (2010).
                (3) No subsequent decision has called these holdings into
            question, including the Court's decision in Americans for
            Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta, 141 S. Ct. 2373 (2021). That
            case did not involve campaign finance disclosure, and the Court
            did not overturn its longstanding recognition of the
            substantial interests furthered by such disclosure.
                (4) Campaign finance disclosure is also essential to
            enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act's prohibition on
            contributions by and solicitations of foreign nationals. See
            section 319 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52
            U.S.C. 30121).
                (5) Congress should close loopholes allowing spending by
            foreign nationals in domestic elections. For example, in 2021,
            the Federal Election Commission, the independent Federal agency
            charged with protecting the integrity of the Federal campaign
            finance process, found reason to believe and conciliated a
            matter where an experienced political consultant knowingly and
            willfully violated Federal law by soliciting a contribution
            from a foreign national by offering to transmit a $2,000,000
            contribution to a super PAC through his company and two
            501(c)(4) organizations, to conceal the origin of the funds.
            This scheme was only unveiled after appearing in a The
            Telegraph UK article and video capturing the solicitation. See
            Conciliation Agreement, MURs 7165 & 7196 (Great America PAC, et
            al.), date June 28, 2021; Factual and Legal Analysis, MURs 7165
            & 7196 (Jesse Benton), dated Mar. 2, 2021.

      PART 1--CLOSING LOOPHOLES ALLOWING SPENDING BY FOREIGN NATIONALS IN
                                   ELECTIONS

    SEC. 6003. CLARIFICATION OF APPLICATION OF FOREIGN MONEY BAN TO CERTAIN
                  DISBURSEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES.

        Section 319(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52
    U.S.C. 30121(b)) is amended--
                (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
            subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and by moving such
            subparagraphs 2 ems to the right;
                (2) by striking ``As used in this section, the term'' and
            inserting the following: ``Definitions.--For purposes of this
            section--
                ``(1) Foreign national.--The term'';
                (3) by moving paragraphs (1) and (2) two ems to the right
            and redesignating them as subparagraphs (A) and (B),
            respectively; and
                (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
                ``(2) Contribution and donation.--For purposes of
            paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a), the term
            `contribution or donation' includes any disbursement to a
            political committee which accepts donations or contributions
            that do not comply with any of the limitations, prohibitions,
            and reporting requirements of this Act (or any disbursement to
            or on behalf of any account of a political committee which is
            established for the purpose of accepting such donations or
            contributions), or to any other person for the purpose of
            funding an expenditure, independent expenditure, or
            electioneering communication (as defined in section
            304(f)(3)).''.

    SEC. 6004. STUDY AND REPORT ON ILLICIT FOREIGN MONEY IN FEDERAL
                  ELECTIONS.

        (a) Study.--For each 4-year election cycle (beginning with the 4-
    year election cycle ending in 2020), the Comptroller General shall
    conduct a study on the incidence of illicit foreign money in all
    elections for Federal office held during the preceding 4-year election
    cycle, including what information is known about the presence of such
    money in elections for Federal office.
        (b) Report.--
                (1) In general.--Not later than the applicable date with
            respect to any 4-year election cycle, the Comptroller General
            shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
            report on the study conducted under subsection (a).
                (2) Matters included.--The report submitted under paragraph
            (1) shall include a description of the extent to which illicit
            foreign money was used to target particular groups, including
            rural communities, African-American and other minority
            communities, and military and veteran communities, based on
            such targeting information as is available and accessible to
            the Comptroller General.
                (3) Applicable date.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the
            term ``applicable date'' means--
                        (A) in the case of the 4-year election cycle ending
                    in 2020, the date that is 1 year after the date of the
                    enactment of this Act; and
                        (B) in the case of any other 4-year election cycle,
                    the date that is 1 year after the date on which such 4-
                    year election cycle ends.
        (c) Definitions.--As used in this section:
                (1) 4-year election cycle.--The term ``4-year election
            cycle'' means the 4-year period ending on the date of the
            general election for the offices of President and Vice
            President.
                (2) Illicit foreign money.--The term ``illicit foreign
            money'' means any contribution, donation, expenditure, or
            disbursement by a foreign national (as defined in section
            319(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C.
            30121(b))) prohibited under such section.
                (3) Election; federal office.--The terms ``election'' and
            ``Federal office'' have the meanings given such terms under
            section 301 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52
            U.S.C. 30101).
                (4) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
            ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                        (A) the Committee on House Administration of the
                    House of Representatives;
                        (B) the Committee on Rules and Administration of
                    the Senate;
                        (C) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
                    Representatives; and
                        (D) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.
        (d) Sunset.--This section shall not apply to any 4-year election
    cycle beginning after the election for the offices of President and
    Vice President in 2032.

    SEC. 6005. PROHIBITION ON CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONS BY FOREIGN
                  NATIONALS IN CONNECTION WITH BALLOT INITIATIVES AND
                  REFERENDA.

        (a) In General.--Section 319(b) of the Federal Election Campaign
    Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30121(b)), as amended by section 6003, is
    amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
                ``(3) Federal, state, or local election.--The term
            `Federal, State, or local election' includes a State or local
            ballot initiative or referendum, but only in the case of--
                        ``(A) a covered foreign national described in
                    section 304(j)(3)(C); or
                        ``(B) a foreign principal described in section
                    1(b)(2) or 1(b)(3) of the Foreign Agent Registration
                    Act of 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C. 611(b)(2) or (b)(3))
                    or an agent of such a foreign principal under such
                    Act.''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply
    with respect to elections held in 2024 or any succeeding year.

    SEC. 6006. DISBURSEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES SUBJECT TO FOREIGN MONEY BAN.

        (a) Disbursements Described.--Section 319(a)(1) of the Federal
    Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30121(a)(1)) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (B); and
                (2) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the
            following:
                        ``(C) an expenditure;
                        ``(D) an independent expenditure;
                        ``(E) a disbursement for an electioneering
                    communication (within the meaning of section
                    304(f)(3));
                        ``(F) a disbursement for a communication which is
                    placed or promoted for a fee on a website, web
                    application, or digital application that refers to a
                    clearly identified candidate for election for Federal
                    office and is disseminated within 60 days before a
                    general, special or runoff election for the office
                    sought by the candidate or 30 days before a primary or
                    preference election, or a convention or caucus of a
                    political party that has authority to nominate a
                    candidate for the office sought by the candidate;
                        ``(G) a disbursement by a covered foreign national
                    described in section 304(j)(3)(C) for a broadcast,
                    cable or satellite communication, or for a
                    communication which is placed or promoted for a fee on
                    a website, web application, or digital application,
                    that promotes, supports, attacks or opposes the
                    election of a clearly identified candidate for Federal,
                    State, or local office (regardless of whether the
                    communication contains express advocacy or the
                    functional equivalent of express advocacy);
                        ``(H) a disbursement for a broadcast, cable, or
                    satellite communication, or for any communication which
                    is placed or promoted for a fee on an online platform
                    (as defined in section 304(k)(3)), that discusses a
                    national legislative issue of public importance in a
                    year in which a regularly scheduled general election
                    for Federal office is held, but only if the
                    disbursement is made by a covered foreign national
                    described in section 304(j)(3)(C);
                        ``(I) a disbursement by a covered foreign national
                    described in section 304(j)(3)(C) to compensate any
                    person for internet activity that promotes, supports,
                    attacks or opposes the election of a clearly identified
                    candidate for Federal, State, or local office
                    (regardless of whether the activity contains express
                    advocacy or the functional equivalent of express
                    advocacy); or
                        ``(J) a disbursement by a covered foreign national
                    described in section 304(j)(3)(C) for a Federal
                    judicial nomination communication (as defined in
                    section 324(g)(2));''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
    apply with respect to disbursements made on or after the date of the
    enactment of this Act.

    SEC. 6007. PROHIBITING ESTABLISHMENT OF CORPORATION TO CONCEAL ELECTION
                  CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONS BY FOREIGN NATIONALS.

        (a) Prohibition.--Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, as
    amended by section 2001(a), is amended by adding at the end the
    following:
    ``Sec. 613. Establishment of corporation to conceal election
                  contributions and donations by foreign nationals
        ``(a) Offense.--It shall be unlawful for an owner, officer,
    attorney, or incorporation agent of a corporation, company, or other
    entity to establish or use the corporation, company, or other entity
    with the intent to conceal an activity of a foreign national (as
    defined in section 319 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52
    U.S.C. 30121)) prohibited under such section 319.
        ``(b) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be
    imprisoned for not more than 5 years, fined under this title, or
    both.''.
        (b) Table of Sections.--The table of sections for chapter 29 of
    title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 2001(b), is amended
    by inserting after the item relating to section 612 the following:

    ``613. Establishment of corporation to conceal election contributions
                                and donations by foreign nationals.''.

              PART 2--REPORTING OF CAMPAIGN-RELATED DISBURSEMENTS

    SEC. 6011. REPORTING OF CAMPAIGN-RELATED DISBURSEMENTS.

        (a) In General.--Section 324 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
    of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30126) is amended to read as follows:

    ``SEC. 324. DISCLOSURE OF CAMPAIGN-RELATED DISBURSEMENTS BY COVERED
                  ORGANIZATIONS.

        ``(a) Disclosure Statement.--
                ``(1) In general.--Any covered organization that makes
            campaign-related disbursements aggregating more than $10,000 in
            an election reporting cycle shall, not later than 24 hours
            after each disclosure date, file a statement with the
            Commission made under penalty of perjury that contains the
            information described in paragraph (2)--
                        ``(A) in the case of the first statement filed
                    under this subsection, for the period beginning on the
                    first day of the election reporting cycle (or, if
                    earlier, the period beginning one year before the first
                    such disclosure date) and ending on the first such
                    disclosure date; and
                        ``(B) in the case of any subsequent statement filed
                    under this subsection, for the period beginning on the
                    previous disclosure date and ending on such disclosure
                    date.
                ``(2) Information described.--The information described in
            this paragraph is as follows:
                        ``(A) The name of the covered organization and the
                    principal place of business of such organization and,
                    in the case of a covered organization that is a
                    corporation (other than a business concern that is an
                    issuer of a class of securities registered under
                    section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
                    U.S.C. 78l) or that is required to file reports under
                    section 15(d) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 78o(d))) or an
                    entity described in subsection (e)(2), a list of the
                    beneficial owners (as defined in paragraph (4)(A)) of
                    the entity that--
                                ``(i) identifies each beneficial owner by
                            name and current residential or business street
                            address; and
                                ``(ii) if any beneficial owner exercises
                            control over the entity through another legal
                            entity, such as a corporation, partnership,
                            limited liability company, or trust, identifies
                            each such other legal entity and each such
                            beneficial owner who will use that other entity
                            to exercise control over the entity.
                        ``(B) The amount of each campaign-related
                    disbursement made by such organization during the
                    period covered by the statement of more than $1,000,
                    and the name and address of the person to whom the
                    disbursement was made.
                        ``(C) In the case of a campaign-related
                    disbursement that is not a covered transfer, the
                    election to which the campaign-related disbursement
                    pertains and if the disbursement is made for a public
                    communication, the name of any candidate identified in
                    such communication and if such communication is in
                    support of or in opposition to the identified
                    candidate.
                        ``(D) A certification by the chief executive
                    officer or person who is the head of the covered
                    organization that the campaign-related disbursement is
                    not made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with
                    or at the request or suggestion of a candidate,
                    authorized committee, or agent of a candidate,
                    political party, or agent of a political party.
                        ``(E)(i) If the covered organization makes
                    campaign-related disbursements using exclusively funds
                    in a campaign-related disbursement segregated fund, for
                    each payment made to the account by a person other than
                    the covered organization--
                                ``(I) the name and address of each person
                            who made such payment to the account during the
                            period covered by the statement;
                                ``(II) the date and amount of such payment;
                            and
                                ``(III) the aggregate amount of all such
                            payments made by the person during the period
                            beginning on the first day of the election
                            reporting cycle (or, if earlier, the period
                            beginning one year before the disclosure date)
                            and ending on the disclosure date,
                    but only if such payment was made by a person who made
                    payments to the account in an aggregate amount of
                    $10,000 or more during the period beginning on the
                    first day of the election reporting cycle (or, if
                    earlier, the period beginning one year before the
                    disclosure date) and ending on the disclosure date.
                        ``(ii) In any calendar year after 2024, section
                    315(c)(1)(B) shall apply to the amount described in
                    clause (i) in the same manner as such section applies
                    to the limitations established under subsections
                    (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (h) of such section,
                    except that for purposes of applying such section to
                    the amounts described in subsection (b), the `base
                    period' shall be calendar year 2024.
                        ``(F)(i) If the covered organization makes
                    campaign-related disbursements using funds other than
                    funds in a campaign-related disbursement segregated
                    fund, for each payment to the covered organization--
                                ``(I) the name and address of each person
                            who made such payment during the period covered
                            by the statement;
                                ``(II) the date and amount of such payment;
                            and
                                ``(III) the aggregate amount of all such
                            payments made by the person during the period
                            beginning on the first day of the election
                            reporting cycle (or, if earlier, the period
                            beginning one year before the disclosure date)
                            and ending on the disclosure date,
                    but only if such payment was made by a person who made
                    payments to the covered organization in an aggregate
                    amount of $10,000 or more during the period beginning
                    on the first day of the election reporting cycle (or,
                    if earlier, the period beginning one year before the
                    disclosure date) and ending on the disclosure date.
                        ``(ii) In any calendar year after 2024, section
                    315(c)(1)(B) shall apply to the amount described in
                    clause (i) in the same manner as such section applies
                    to the limitations established under subsections
                    (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (h) of such section,
                    except that for purposes of applying such section to
                    the amounts described in subsection (b), the `base
                    period' shall be calendar year 2024.
                        ``(G) Such other information as required in rules
                    established by the Commission to promote the purposes
                    of this section.
                ``(3) Exceptions.--
                        ``(A) Amounts received in ordinary course of
                    business.--The requirement to include in a statement
                    filed under paragraph (1) the information described in
                    paragraph (2) shall not apply to amounts received by
                    the covered organization in commercial transactions in
                    the ordinary course of any trade or business conducted
                    by the covered organization or in the form of
                    investments (other than investments by the principal
                    shareholder in a limited liability corporation) in the
                    covered organization. For purposes of this
                    subparagraph, amounts received by a covered
                    organization as remittances from an employee to the
                    employee's collective bargaining representative shall
                    be treated as amounts received in commercial
                    transactions in the ordinary course of the business
                    conducted by the covered organization.
                        ``(B) Donor restriction on use of funds.--The
                    requirement to include in a statement submitted under
                    paragraph (1) the information described in subparagraph
                    (F) of paragraph (2) shall not apply if--
                                ``(i) the person described in such
                            subparagraph prohibited, in writing, the use of
                            the payment made by such person for campaign-
                            related disbursements; and
                                ``(ii) the covered organization agreed to
                            follow the prohibition and deposited the
                            payment in an account which is segregated from
                            a campaign-related disbursement segregated fund
                            and any other account used to make campaign-
                            related disbursements.
                        ``(C) Threat of harassment or reprisal.--The
                    requirement to include any information relating to the
                    name or address of any person (other than a candidate)
                    in a statement submitted under paragraph (1) shall not
                    apply if the inclusion of the information would subject
                    the person to serious threats, harassment, or
                    reprisals.
                ``(4) Other definitions.--For purposes of this section:
                        ``(A) Beneficial owner defined.--
                                ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in
                            clause (ii), the term `beneficial owner' means,
                            with respect to any entity, a natural person
                            who, directly or indirectly--
                                        ``(I) exercises substantial control
                                    over an entity through ownership,
                                    voting rights, agreement, or otherwise;
                                    or
                                        ``(II) has a substantial interest
                                    in or receives substantial economic
                                    benefits from the assets of an entity.
                                ``(ii) Exceptions.--The term `beneficial
                            owner' shall not include--
                                        ``(I) a minor child;
                                        ``(II) a person acting as a
                                    nominee, intermediary, custodian, or
                                    agent on behalf of another person;
                                        ``(III) a person acting solely as
                                    an employee of an entity and whose
                                    control over or economic benefits from
                                    the entity derives solely from the
                                    employment status of the person;
                                        ``(IV) a person whose only interest
                                    in an entity is through a right of
                                    inheritance, unless the person also
                                    meets the requirements of clause (i);
                                    or
                                        ``(V) a creditor of an entity,
                                    unless the creditor also meets the
                                    requirements of clause (i).
                                ``(iii) Anti-abuse rule.--The exceptions
                            under clause (ii) shall not apply if used for
                            the purpose of evading, circumventing, or
                            abusing the provisions of clause (i) or
                            paragraph (2)(A).
                        ``(B) Campaign-related disbursement segregated
                    fund.--The term `campaign-related disbursement
                    segregated fund' means a segregated bank account
                    consisting of funds that were paid directly to such
                    account by persons other than the covered organization
                    that controls the account.
                        ``(C) Disclosure date.--The term `disclosure date'
                    means--
                                ``(i) the first date during any election
                            reporting cycle by which a person has made
                            campaign-related disbursements aggregating more
                            than $10,000; and
                                ``(ii) any other date during such election
                            reporting cycle by which a person has made
                            campaign-related disbursements aggregating more
                            than $10,000 since the most recent disclosure
                            date for such election reporting cycle.
                        ``(D) Election reporting cycle.--The term `election
                    reporting cycle' means the 2-year period beginning on
                    the date of the most recent general election for
                    Federal office.
                        ``(E) Payment.--The term `payment' includes any
                    contribution, donation, transfer, payment of dues, or
                    other payment.
        ``(b) Coordination With Other Provisions.--Information included in
    a statement filed under this section may be excluded from statements
    and reports filed under section 304.
        ``(c) Filing.--Statements required to be filed under subsection (a)
    shall be subject to the requirements of section 304(d) to the same
    extent and in the same manner as if such reports had been required
    under subsection (c) or (g) of section 304.
        ``(d) Campaign-Related Disbursement Defined.--
                ``(1) In general.--In this section, the term `campaign-
            related disbursement' means a disbursement by a covered
            organization for any of the following:
                        ``(A) An independent expenditure which expressly
                    advocates the election or defeat of a clearly
                    identified candidate for election for Federal office,
                    or is the functional equivalent of express advocacy
                    because, when taken as a whole, it can be interpreted
                    by a reasonable person only as advocating the election
                    or defeat of a candidate for election for Federal
                    office.
                        ``(B) An applicable public communication.
                        ``(C) An electioneering communication, as defined
                    in section 304(f)(3).
                        ``(D) A covered transfer.
                ``(2) Applicable public communications.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The term `applicable public
                    communication' means any public communication that
                    refers to a clearly identified candidate for election
                    for Federal office and which promotes or supports the
                    election of a candidate for that office, or attacks or
                    opposes the election of a candidate for that office,
                    without regard to whether the communication expressly
                    advocates a vote for or against a candidate for that
                    office.
                        ``(B) Exception.--Such term shall not include any
                    news story, commentary, or editorial distributed
                    through the facilities of any broadcasting station or
                    any print, online, or digital newspaper, magazine,
                    publication, or periodical, unless such facilities are
                    owned or controlled by any political party, political
                    committee, or candidate.
        ``(e) Covered Organization Defined.--In this section, the term
    `covered organization' means any of the following:
                ``(1) A corporation (other than an organization described
            in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).
                ``(2) A limited liability corporation that is not otherwise
            treated as a corporation for purposes of this Act (other than
            an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
            Revenue Code of 1986).
                ``(3) An organization described in section 501(c) of such
            Code and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code
            (other than an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of
            such Code).
                ``(4) A labor organization (as defined in section 316(b)).
                ``(5) Any political organization under section 527 of the
            Internal Revenue Code of 1986, other than a political committee
            under this Act (except as provided in paragraph (6)).
                ``(6) A political committee with an account that accepts
            donations or contributions that do not comply with the
            contribution limits or source prohibitions under this Act, but
            only with respect to such accounts.
        ``(f) Covered Transfer Defined.--
                ``(1) In general.--In this section, the term `covered
            transfer' means any transfer or payment of funds by a covered
            organization to another person if the covered organization--
                        ``(A) designates, requests, or suggests that the
                    amounts be used for--
                                ``(i) campaign-related disbursements (other
                            than covered transfers); or
                                ``(ii) making a transfer to another person
                            for the purpose of making or paying for such
                            campaign-related disbursements;
                        ``(B) made such transfer or payment in response to
                    a solicitation or other request for a donation or
                    payment for--
                                ``(i) the making of or paying for campaign-
                            related disbursements (other than covered
                            transfers); or
                                ``(ii) making a transfer to another person
                            for the purpose of making or paying for such
                            campaign-related disbursements;
                        ``(C) engaged in discussions with the recipient of
                    the transfer or payment regarding--
                                ``(i) the making of or paying for campaign-
                            related disbursements (other than covered
                            transfers); or
                                ``(ii) donating or transferring any amount
                            of such transfer or payment to another person
                            for the purpose of making or paying for such
                            campaign-related disbursements; or
                        ``(D) knew or had reason to know that the person
                    receiving the transfer or payment would make campaign-
                    related disbursements in an aggregate amount of $50,000
                    or more during the 2-year period beginning on the date
                    of the transfer or payment.
                ``(2) Exclusions.--The term `covered transfer' does not
            include any of the following:
                        ``(A) A disbursement made by a covered organization
                    in a commercial transaction in the ordinary course of
                    any trade or business conducted by the covered
                    organization or in the form of investments made by the
                    covered organization.
                        ``(B) A disbursement made by a covered organization
                    if--
                                ``(i) the covered organization prohibited,
                            in writing, the use of such disbursement for
                            campaign-related disbursements; and
                                ``(ii) the recipient of the disbursement
                            agreed to follow the prohibition and deposited
                            the disbursement in an account which is
                            segregated from a campaign-related disbursement
                            segregated fund and any other account used to
                            make campaign-related disbursements.
                ``(3) Special rule regarding transfers among affiliates.--
                        ``(A) Special rule.--A transfer of an amount by one
                    covered organization to another covered organization
                    which is treated as a transfer between affiliates under
                    subparagraph (C) shall be considered a covered transfer
                    by the covered organization which transfers the amount
                    only if the aggregate amount transferred during the
                    year by such covered organization to that same covered
                    organization is equal to or greater than $50,000.
                        ``(B) Determination of amount of certain payments
                    among affiliates.--In determining the amount of a
                    transfer between affiliates for purposes of
                    subparagraph (A), to the extent that the transfer
                    consists of funds attributable to dues, fees, or
                    assessments which are paid by individuals on a regular,
                    periodic basis in accordance with a per-individual
                    calculation which is made on a regular basis, the
                    transfer shall be attributed to the individuals paying
                    the dues, fees, or assessments and shall not be
                    attributed to the covered organization.
                        ``(C) Description of transfers between
                    affiliates.--A transfer of amounts from one covered
                    organization to another covered organization shall be
                    treated as a transfer between affiliates if--
                                ``(i) one of the organizations is an
                            affiliate of the other organization; or
                                ``(ii) each of the organizations is an
                            affiliate of the same organization,
                    except that the transfer shall not be treated as a
                    transfer between affiliates if one of the organizations
                    is established for the purpose of making campaign-
                    related disbursements.
                        ``(D) Determination of affiliate status.--For
                    purposes of subparagraph (C), a covered organization is
                    an affiliate of another covered organization if--
                                ``(i) the governing instrument of the
                            organization requires it to be bound by
                            decisions of the other organization;
                                ``(ii) the governing board of the
                            organization includes persons who are
                            specifically designated representatives of the
                            other organization or are members of the
                            governing board, officers, or paid executive
                            staff members of the other organization, or
                            whose service on the governing board is
                            contingent upon the approval of the other
                            organization; or
                                ``(iii) the organization is chartered by
                            the other organization.
                        ``(E) Coverage of transfers to affiliated section
                    501(c)(3) organizations.--This paragraph shall apply
                    with respect to an amount transferred by a covered
                    organization to an organization described in paragraph
                    (3) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of
                    1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such
                    Code in the same manner as this paragraph applies to an
                    amount transferred by a covered organization to another
                    covered organization.
        ``(g) No Effect on Other Reporting Requirements.--Except as
    provided in subsection (b)(1), nothing in this section shall be
    construed to waive or otherwise affect any other requirement of this
    Act which relates to the reporting of campaign-related
    disbursements.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 304(f)(6) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    30104) is amended by striking ``Any requirement'' and inserting
    ``Except as provided in section 324(b), any requirement''.
        (c) Regulations.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the
    enactment of this Act, the Federal Election Commission shall promulgate
    regulations relating the application of the exemption under section
    324(a)(3)(C) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (as added by
    subsection (a)). Such regulations--
                (1) shall require that the legal burden of establishing
            eligibility for such exemption is upon the organization
            required to make the report required under section 324(a)(1) of
            such Act (as added by subsection (a)), and
                (2) shall be consistent with the principles applied in
            Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, 558 U.S. 310
            (2010).

    SEC. 6012. REPORTING OF FEDERAL JUDICIAL NOMINATION DISBURSEMENTS.

        (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
                (1) A fair and impartial judiciary is critical for our
            democracy and crucial to maintain the faith of the people of
            the United States in the justice system. As the Supreme Court
            held in Caperton v. Massey, ``there is a serious risk of actual
            bias--based on objective and reasonable perceptions--when a
            person with a personal stake in a particular case had a
            significant and disproportionate influence in placing the judge
            on the case''. (Caperton v. A. T. Massey Coal Co., 556 U.S.
            868, 884 (2009)).
                (2) Public trust in government is at a historic low.
            According to polling, most Americans believe that corporations
            have too much power and influence in politics and the courts.
                (3) The prevalence and pervasiveness of dark money drives
            public concern about corruption in politics and the courts.
            Dark money is funding for organizations and political
            activities that cannot be traced to actual donors. It is made
            possible by loopholes in our tax laws and regulations, weak
            oversight by the Internal Revenue Service, and donor-friendly
            court decisions.
                (4) Under current law, ``social welfare'' organizations and
            business leagues can use funds to influence elections so long
            as political activity is not their ``primary'' activity. Super
            PACs can accept and spend unlimited contributions from any non-
            foreign source. These groups can spend tens of millions of
            dollars on political activities. Such dark money groups spent
            an estimated $1,050,000,000 in the 2020 election cycle.
                (5) Dark money is used to shape judicial decision making.
            This can take many forms, akin to agency capture: influencing
            judicial selection by controlling who gets nominated and
            funding candidate advertisements; creating public relations
            campaigns aimed at mobilizing the judiciary around particular
            issues; and drafting law review articles, amicus briefs, and
            other products which tell judges how to decide a given case and
            provide ready-made arguments for willing judges to adopt.
                (6) Over the past decade, nonprofit organizations that do
            not disclose their donors have spent hundreds of millions of
            dollars to influence the nomination and confirmation process
            for Federal judges. One organization alone has spent nearly
            $40,000,000 on advertisements supporting or opposing Supreme
            Court nominees since 2016.
                (7) Anonymous money spent on judicial nominations is not
            subject to any disclosure requirements. Federal election laws
            only regulate contributions and expenditures relating to
            electoral politics; thus, expenditures, contributions, and
            advocacy efforts for Federal judgeships are not covered under
            the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Without more
            disclosure, the public has no way of knowing whether the people
            spending money supporting or opposing judicial nominations have
            business before the courts.
                (8) Congress and the American people have a compelling
            interest in knowing who is funding these campaigns to select
            and confirm judges to lifetime appointments on the Federal
            bench.
        (b) Reporting.--Section 324 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
    1971 (52 U.S.C. 30126), as amended by section 6011, is amended by
    redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h) and by inserting after
    subsection (f) the following new subsection:
        ``(g) Application to Federal Judicial Nominations.--
                ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section--
                        ``(A) a disbursement by a covered organization for
                    a Federal judicial nomination communication shall be
                    treated as a campaign-related disbursement; and
                        ``(B) in the case of campaign-related disbursements
                    which are for Federal judicial nomination
                    communications--
                                ``(i) the dollar amounts in paragraphs (1)
                            and (2) of subsection (a) shall be applied
                            separately with respect to such disbursements
                            and other campaign-related disbursements;
                                ``(ii) the election reporting cycle shall
                            be the calendar year in which the disbursement
                            for the Federal judicial nomination
                            communication is made;
                                ``(iii) references to a candidate in
                            subsections (a)(2)(C), (a)(2)(D), and (a)(3)(C)
                            shall be treated as references to a nominee for
                            a Federal judge or justice; and
                                ``(iv) the reference to an election in
                            subsection (a)(2)(C) shall be treated as a
                            reference to the nomination of such nominee.
                ``(2) Federal judicial nomination communication.--
                        ``(A) In general.--The term `Federal judicial
                    nomination communication' means any communication--
                                ``(i) that is by means of any broadcast,
                            cable, or satellite, paid internet, or paid
                            digital communication, paid promotion,
                            newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising
                            facility, mass mailing, telephone bank,
                            telephone messaging effort of more than 500
                            substantially similar calls or electronic
                            messages within a 30-day period, or any other
                            form of general public political advertising;
                            and
                                ``(ii) which promotes, supports, attacks,
                            or opposes the nomination or Senate
                            confirmation of an individual as a Federal
                            judge or justice.
                        ``(B) Exception.--Such term shall not include any
                    news story, commentary, or editorial distributed
                    through the facilities of any broadcasting station or
                    any print, online, or digital newspaper, magazine,
                    publication, or periodical, unless such facilities are
                    owned or controlled by any political party, political
                    committee, or candidate.
                        ``(C) Intent not required.--A disbursement for an
                    item described in subparagraph (A) shall be treated as
                    a disbursement for a Federal judicial nomination
                    communication regardless of the intent of the person
                    making the disbursement.''.

    SEC. 6013. COORDINATION WITH FINCEN.

        (a) In General.--The Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement
    Network of the Department of the Treasury shall provide the Federal
    Election Commission with such information as necessary to assist in
    administering and enforcing section 324 of the Federal Election
    Campaign Act of 1971, as amended by this part.
        (b) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the
    enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the Federal Election Commission,
    in consultation with the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement
    Network of the Department of the Treasury, shall submit to Congress a
    report with recommendations for providing further legislative authority
    to assist in the administration and enforcement of such section 324.

    SEC. 6014. APPLICATION OF FOREIGN MONEY BAN TO DISBURSEMENTS FOR
                  CAMPAIGN-RELATED DISBURSEMENTS CONSISTING OF COVERED
                  TRANSFERS.

        Section 319(b)(2) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52
    U.S.C. 30121(a)(1)(A)), as amended by section 6003, is amended--
                (1) by striking ``includes any disbursement'' and inserting
            ``includes--
                        ``(A) any disbursement'';
                (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``;
            and'', and
                (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                        ``(B) any disbursement, other than a disbursement
                    described in section 324(a)(3)(A), to another person
                    who made a campaign-related disbursement consisting of
                    a covered transfer (as described in section 324) during
                    the 2-year period ending on the date of the
                    disbursement.''.

    SEC. 6015. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION.

        It is the sense of Congress that the Federal Election Commission
    should simplify the process for filing any disclosure required under
    the provisions of, and amendments made by, this part in order to ensure
    that such process is as easy and accessible as possible.

    SEC. 6016. EFFECTIVE DATE.

        The amendments made by this part shall apply with respect to
    disbursements made on or after January 1, 2024, and shall take effect
    without regard to whether or not the Federal Election Commission has
    promulgated regulations to carry out such amendments.

                      PART 3--OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS

    SEC. 6021. PETITION FOR CERTIORARI.

        Section 307(a)(6) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52
    U.S.C. 30107(a)(6)) is amended by inserting ``(including a proceeding
    before the Supreme Court on certiorari)'' after ``appeal''.

    SEC. 6022. JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ACTIONS RELATED TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS.

        (a) In General.--Title IV of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
    1971 (52 U.S.C. 30141 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section
    406 the following new section:

    ``SEC. 407. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

        ``(a) In General.--If any action is brought for declaratory or
    injunctive relief to challenge, whether facially or as-applied, the
    constitutionality or lawfulness of any provision of this Act, including
    title V, or of chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
    or is brought to with respect to any action of the Commission under
    chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the following
    rules shall apply:
                ``(1) The action shall be filed in the United States
            District Court for the District of Columbia and an appeal from
            the decision of the district court may be taken to the Court of
            Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
                ``(2) In the case of an action relating to declaratory or
            injunctive relief to challenge the constitutionality of a
            provision, the party filing the action shall concurrently
            deliver a copy of the complaint to the Clerk of the House of
            Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate.
                ``(3) It shall be the duty of the United States District
            Court for the District of Columbia and the Court of Appeals for
            the District of Columbia Circuit to advance on the docket and
            to expedite to the greatest possible extent the disposition of
            the action and appeal.
        ``(b) Clarifying Scope of Jurisdiction.--If an action at the time
    of its commencement is not subject to subsection (a), but an amendment,
    counterclaim, cross-claim, affirmative defense, or any other pleading
    or motion is filed challenging, whether facially or as-applied, the
    constitutionality or lawfulness of this Act or of chapter 95 or 96 of
    the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or is brought to with respect to any
    action of the Commission under chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal Revenue
    Code of 1986, the district court shall transfer the action to the
    District Court for the District of Columbia, and the action shall
    thereafter be conducted pursuant to subsection (a).
        ``(c) Intervention by Members of Congress.--In any action described
    in subsection (a) relating to declaratory or injunctive relief to
    challenge the constitutionality of a provision, any Member of the House
    of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to
    the Congress) or Senate shall have the right to intervene either in
    support of or opposition to the position of a party to the case
    regarding the constitutionality of the provision. To avoid duplication
    of efforts and reduce the burdens placed on the parties to the action,
    the court in any such action may make such orders as it considers
    necessary, including orders to require interveners taking similar
    positions to file joint papers or to be represented by a single
    attorney at oral argument.
        ``(d) Challenge by Members of Congress.--Any Member of Congress may
    bring an action, subject to the special rules described in subsection
    (a), for declaratory or injunctive relief to challenge, whether
    facially or as-applied, the constitutionality of any provision of this
    Act or chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.''.
        (b) Conforming Amendments.--
                (1) Section 9011 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
            amended to read as follows:

    ``SEC. 9011. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

        ``For provisions relating to judicial review of certifications,
    determinations, and actions by the Commission under this chapter, see
    section 407 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.''.
                (2) Section 9041 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
            amended to read as follows:

    ``SEC. 9041. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

        ``For provisions relating to judicial review of actions by the
    Commission under this chapter, see section 407 of the Federal Election
    Campaign Act of 1971.''.
                (3) Section 310 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
            1971 (52 U.S.C. 30110) is repealed.
                (4) Section 403 of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of
            2002 (52 U.S.C. 30110 note) is repealed.

    SEC. 6023. EFFECTIVE DATE.

        The amendments made by this subtitle shall take effect and apply on
    the date of the enactment of this Act, without regard to whether or not
    the Federal Election Commission has promulgated regulations to carry
    out this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle.

                             Subtitle B--Honest Ads

    SEC. 6101. SHORT TITLE.

        This subtitle may be cited as the ``Honest Ads Act''.

    SEC. 6102. PURPOSE.

        The purpose of this subtitle is to enhance the integrity of
    American democracy and national security by improving disclosure
    requirements for online political advertisements in order to uphold the
    Supreme Court's well-established standard that the electorate bears the
    right to be fully informed.

    SEC. 6103. FINDINGS.

        Congress makes the following findings:
                (1) In 2002, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002
            (Public Law 107-155) became law, establishing disclosure
            requirements for political advertisements distributed from a
            television or radio broadcast station or provider of cable or
            satellite television. In 2003, the Supreme Court upheld
            regulations on electioneering communications established under
            the Act, noting that such requirements ``provide the electorate
            with information and insure that the voters are fully informed
            about the person or group who is speaking''. The Court
            reaffirmed this conclusion in 2010 by an 8-1 vote.
                (2) In its 2006 rulemaking, the Federal Election
            Commission, the independent Federal agency charged with
            protecting the integrity of the Federal campaign finance
            process, noted that 18 percent of all Americans cited the
            internet as their leading source of news about the 2004
            Presidential election. By contrast, Gallup and the Knight
            Foundation found in 2020 that the majority of Americans, 58
            percent, got most of their news about elections online.
                (3) According to studies from AdImpact and Borrell
            Associates, in 2020, an estimated $1,700,000,000 was spent on
            online political advertising, more than 10 times the amount
            spent in 2012.
                (4) In order to enhance transparency of all political
            advertisement funding, it is prudent to extend to online
            internet platforms the same types of political advertisement
            disclosure requirements applicable to broadcast television and
            radio stations, and providers of cable and satellite
            television.
                (5) Effective and complete transparency for voters must
            include information about the true and original source of money
            given, transferred, and spent on political advertisements made
            online.
                (6) Requiring the disclosure of this information is a
            necessary and narrowly tailored means to inform the voting
            public of who is behind digital advertising disseminated to
            influence their votes and to enable the Federal Election
            Commission and the Department of Justice to detect and
            prosecute illegal foreign spending on local, State, and Federal
            elections and other campaign finance violations.
                (7) Paid advertising on large online platforms is different
            from advertising placed on other common media in terms of the
            comparatively low cost of reaching large numbers of people, the
            availability of sophisticated microtargeting, and the ease with
            which online advertisers, particularly those located outside
            the United States, can evade disclosure requirements. Requiring
            large online platforms to maintain public files of information
            about the online political ads they disseminate is the best and
            least restrictive means to ensure the voting public has
            complete information about who is trying to influence their
            votes and to aid enforcement of other laws, including the
            prohibition on foreign money in domestic campaigns.
                (8) The reach of a few large internet platforms--larger
            than any broadcast, satellite, or cable provider--has greatly
            facilitated the scope and effectiveness of disinformation
            campaigns. For instance, the largest platform has over
            247,000,000 American users--over 153,000,000 of them on a daily
            basis. By contrast, the largest cable television provider has
            16,142,000 subscribers, while the largest satellite television
            provider has 13,300,000 subscribers. And the most-watched
            television broadcast in United States history had 118,000,000
            viewers.
                (9) The public nature of broadcast television, radio, and
            satellite ensures a level of publicity for any political
            advertisement. These communications are accessible to the
            press, fact-checkers, and political opponents. This creates
            strong disincentives for a candidate to disseminate materially
            false, inflammatory, or contradictory messages to the public.
            Social media platforms, in contrast, can target portions of the
            electorate with direct, ephemeral advertisements often on the
            basis of private information the platform has on individuals,
            enabling political advertisements that are contradictory,
            racially or socially inflammatory, or materially false.
                (10) Large social media platforms are the only entities in
            possession of certain key data related to paid online ads,
            including the exact audience targeted by those ads and their
            number of impressions. Such information, which cannot be
            reliably disclosed by the purchasers of ads, is extremely
            useful for informing the electorate, guarding against
            corruption, and aiding in the enforcement of existing campaign
            finance regulations.
                (11) Paid advertisements on social media platforms have
            served as critical tools for foreign online influence
            campaigns--even those that rely on large amounts of unpaid
            content--because such ads allow foreign actors to test the
            effectiveness of different messages, expose their messages to
            audiences who have not sought out such content, and recruit
            audiences for future campaigns and posts.
                (12) In a 2019 Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
            report on Russian Active Measures Campaigns and Interference in
            the 2016 U.S. Election, Volume II: Russia's Use of Social Media
            with Additional Views, the Committee recommended ``that
            Congress examine legislative approaches to ensuring Americans
            know the sources of online political advertisements. The
            Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 requires political
            advertisements on television, radio and satellite to disclose
            the sponsor of the advertisement. The same requirements should
            apply online. This will also help to ensure that the IRA or any
            similarly situated actors cannot use paid advertisements for
            purposes of foreign interference.''.
                (13) On March 16, 2021, the Office of the Director of
            National Intelligence released the declassified Intelligence
            Community assessment of foreign threats to the 2020 U.S.
            Federal elections. The declassified report found: ``Throughout
            the election cycle, Russia's online influence actors sought to
            affect US public perceptions of the candidates, as well as
            advance Moscow's longstanding goals of undermining confidence
            in US election processes and increasing sociopolitical
            divisions among the American people.''. The report also
            determined that Iran sought to influence the election by
            ``creating and amplifying social media content that criticized
            [candidates]''.
                (14) According to a Wall Street Journal report in April
            2021, voluntary ad libraries operated by major platforms rely
            on foreign governments to self-report political ad purchases.
            These ad buys, including those diminishing major human rights
            violations like the Uighur genocide, are under-reported by
            foreign government purchasers, with no substantial oversight or
            repercussions from the platforms.
                (15) Multiple reports have indicated that online ads have
            become a key vector for strategic influence by the People's
            Republic of China. An April 2021 Wall Street Journal report
            noted that the Chinese government and Chinese State-owned
            enterprises are major purchasers of ads on the U.S.'s largest
            social media platform, including to advance Chinese propaganda.
                (16) Large online platforms have made changes to their
            policies intended to make it harder for foreign actors to
            purchase political ads. However, these private actions have not
            been taken by all platforms, have not been reliably enforced,
            and are subject to immediate change at the discretion of the
            platforms.
                (17) The Federal Election Commission's current regulations
            on political advertisements do not provide sufficient
            transparency to uphold the public's right to be fully informed
            about political advertisements made online.

    SEC. 6104. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

        It is the sense of Congress that--
                (1) the dramatic increase in digital political
            advertisements, and the growing centrality of online platforms
            in the lives of Americans, requires the Congress and the
            Federal Election Commission to take meaningful action to ensure
            that laws and regulations provide the accountability and
            transparency that is fundamental to our democracy;
                (2) free and fair elections require both transparency and
            accountability which give the public a right to know the true
            sources of funding for political advertisements, be they
            foreign or domestic, in order to make informed political
            choices and hold elected officials accountable; and
                (3) transparency of funding for political advertisements is
            essential to enforce other campaign finance laws, including the
            prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals.

    SEC. 6105. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.

        (a) In General.--Paragraph (22) of section 301 of the Federal
    Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(22)) is amended by
    striking ``or satellite communication'' and inserting ``satellite, paid
    internet, or paid digital communication''.
        (b) Treatment of Contributions and Expenditures.--Section 301 of
    such Act (52 U.S.C. 30101) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (8)(B)(v), by striking ``on broadcasting
            stations, or in newspapers, magazines, or similar types of
            general public political advertising'' and inserting ``in any
            public communication''; and
                (2) in paragraph (9)(B)--
                        (A) by amending clause (i) to read as follows:
                                ``(i) any news story, commentary, or
                            editorial distributed through the facilities of
                            any broadcasting station or any print, online,
                            or digital newspaper, magazine, publication,
                            periodical, blog, or platform, unless such
                            broadcasting, print, online, or digital
                            facilities are owned or controlled by any
                            political party, political committee, or
                            candidate;''; and
                        (B) in clause (iv), by striking ``on broadcasting
                    stations, or in newspapers, magazines, or similar types
                    of general public political advertising'' and inserting
                    ``in any public communication''.
        (c) Disclosure and Disclaimer Statements.--Subsection (a) of
    section 318 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30120) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``financing any communication through any
            broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising
            facility, mailing, or any other type of general public
            political advertising'' and inserting ``financing any public
            communication''; and
                (2) by striking ``solicits any contribution through any
            broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising
            facility, mailing, or any other type of general public
            political advertising'' and inserting ``solicits any
            contribution through any public communication''.
        (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
    effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall take effect
    without regard to whether or not the Federal Election Commission has
    promulgated the final regulations necessary to carry out this part and
    the amendments made by this part by the deadline set forth in
    subsection (e).
        (e) Regulation.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
    enactment of this Act, the Federal Election Commission shall promulgate
    regulations on what constitutes a paid internet or paid digital
    communication for purposes of paragraph (22) of section 301 of the
    Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(22)), as amended
    by subsection (a), except that such regulation shall not define a paid
    internet or paid digital communication to include communications for
    which the only payment consists of internal resources, such as employee
    compensation, of the entity paying for the communication.

    SEC. 6106. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATION.

        (a) Expansion to Online Communications.--
                (1) Application to qualified internet and digital
            communications.--
                        (A) In general.--Subparagraph (A) of section
                    304(f)(3) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
                    (52 U.S.C. 30104(f)(3)(A)) is amended by striking ``or
                    satellite communication'' each place it appears in
                    clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting ``satellite, or
                    qualified internet or digital communication''.
                        (B) Qualified internet or digital communication.--
                    Paragraph (3) of section 304(f) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
                    30104(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following
                    new subparagraph:
                        ``(D) Qualified internet or digital
                    communication.--The term `qualified internet or digital
                    communication' means any communication which is placed
                    or promoted for a fee on an online platform (as defined
                    in subsection (k)(3)).''.
                (2) Nonapplication of relevant electorate to online
            communications.--Section 304(f)(3)(A)(i)(III) of such Act (52
            U.S.C. 30104(f)(3)(A)(i)(III)) is amended by inserting ``any
            broadcast, cable, or satellite'' before ``communication''.
                (3) News exemption.--Section 304(f)(3)(B)(i) of such Act
            (52 U.S.C. 30104(f)(3)(B)(i)) is amended to read as follows:
                                ``(i) a communication appearing in a news
                            story, commentary, or editorial distributed
                            through the facilities of any broadcasting
                            station or any online or digital newspaper,
                            magazine, publication, periodical, blog, or
                            platform, unless such broadcasting, online, or
                            digital facilities are owned or controlled by
                            any political party, political committee, or
                            candidate;''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
    apply with respect to communications made on or after January 1, 2024,
    and shall take effect without regard to whether or not the Federal
    Election Commission has promulgated regulations to carry out such
    amendments.

    SEC. 6107. APPLICATION OF DISCLAIMER STATEMENTS TO ONLINE
                  COMMUNICATIONS.

        (a) Clear and Conspicuous Manner Requirement.--Subsection (a) of
    section 318 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C.
    30120(a)) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``shall clearly state'' each place it
            appears in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) and inserting ``shall
            state in a clear and conspicuous manner''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following flush sentence:
            ``For purposes of this section, a communication does not make a
            statement in a clear and conspicuous manner if it is difficult
            to read or hear or if the placement is easily overlooked.''.
        (b) Special Rules for Qualified Internet or Digital
    Communications.--
                (1) In general.--Section 318 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30120)
            is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
        ``(e) Special Rules for Qualified Internet or Digital
    Communications.--
                ``(1) Special rules with respect to statements.--In the
            case of any qualified internet or digital communication (as
            defined in section 304(f)(3)(D)) which is disseminated through
            a medium in which the provision of all of the information
            specified in this section is not possible, the communication
            shall, in a clear and conspicuous manner--
                        ``(A) state the name of the person who paid for the
                    communication; and
                        ``(B) provide a means for the recipient of the
                    communication to obtain the remainder of the
                    information required under this section with minimal
                    effort and without receiving or viewing any additional
                    material other than such required information.
                ``(2) Safe harbor for determining clear and conspicuous
            manner.--A statement in qualified internet or digital
            communication (as defined in section 304(f)(3)(D)) shall be
            considered to be made in a clear and conspicuous manner as
            provided in subsection (a) if the communication meets the
            following requirements:
                        ``(A) Text or graphic communications.--In the case
                    of a text or graphic communication, the statement--
                                ``(i) appears in letters at least as large
                            as the majority of the text in the
                            communication; and
                                ``(ii) meets the requirements of paragraphs
                            (2) and (3) of subsection (c).
                        ``(B) Audio communications.--In the case of an
                    audio communication, the statement is spoken in a
                    clearly audible and intelligible manner at the
                    beginning or end of the communication and lasts at
                    least 3 seconds.
                        ``(C) Video communications.--In the case of a video
                    communication which also includes audio, the
                    statement--
                                ``(i) is included at either the beginning
                            or the end of the communication; and
                                ``(ii) is made both in--
                                        ``(I) a written format that meets
                                    the requirements of subparagraph (A)
                                    and appears for at least 4 seconds; and
                                        ``(II) an audible format that meets
                                    the requirements of subparagraph (B).
                        ``(D) Other communications.--In the case of any
                    other type of communication, the statement is at least
                    as clear and conspicuous as the statement specified in
                    subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).''.
                (2) Nonapplication of certain exceptions.--The exceptions
            provided in section 110.11(f)(1)(i) and (ii) of title 11, Code
            of Federal Regulations, or any successor to such rules, shall
            have no application to qualified internet or digital
            communications (as defined in section 304(f)(3)(D) of the
            Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971).
        (c) Modification of Additional Requirements for Certain
    Communications.--Section 318(d) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30120(d)) is
    amended--
                (1) in paragraph (1)(A)--
                        (A) by striking ``which is transmitted through
                    radio'' and inserting ``which is in an audio format'';
                    and
                        (B) by striking ``By radio'' in the heading and
                    inserting ``Audio format'';
                (2) in paragraph (1)(B)--
                        (A) by striking ``which is transmitted through
                    television'' and inserting ``which is in video
                    format''; and
                        (B) by striking ``By television'' in the heading
                    and inserting ``Video format''; and
                (3) in paragraph (2)--
                        (A) by striking ``transmitted through radio or
                    television'' and inserting ``made in audio or video
                    format''; and
                        (B) by striking ``through television'' in the
                    second sentence and inserting ``in video format''.
        (d) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
    take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall take
    effect without regard to whether or not the Federal Election Commission
    has promulgated regulations to carry out such amendments.

    SEC. 6108. POLITICAL RECORD REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE PLATFORMS.

        (a) In General.--Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
    of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104), as amended by section 3802, is amended by
    adding at the end the following new subsection:
        ``(k) Disclosure of Certain Online Advertisements.--
                ``(1) In general.--
                        ``(A) Requirements for online platforms.--
                                ``(i) In general.--An online platform shall
                            maintain, and make available for online public
                            inspection in machine-readable format, a
                            complete record of any qualified political
                            advertisement which is purchased by a person
                            whose aggregate purchases of qualified
                            political advertisements on such online
                            platform during the calendar year exceeds $500.
                                ``(ii) Requirement relating to political
                            ads sold by third-party advertising vendors.--
                            An online platform that displays a qualified
                            political advertisement sold by a third-party
                            advertising vendor shall include on its own
                            platform--
                                        ``(I) an easily accessible and
                                    identifiable link to the records
                                    maintained by the third-party
                                    advertising vendor under clause (i)
                                    regarding such qualified political
                                    advertisement; or
                                        ``(II) in any case in which the
                                    third-party advertising vendor does not
                                    make such records available, a
                                    statement that no records from the
                                    third-party advertising vendor's
                                    records are available.
                        ``(B) Requirements for advertisers.--Any person who
                    requests to purchase a qualified political
                    advertisement on an online platform shall provide the
                    online platform with such information as is necessary
                    for the online platform to comply with the requirements
                    of subparagraph (A).
                ``(2) Contents of record.--A record maintained under
            paragraph (1)(A) shall contain--
                        ``(A) a digital copy of the qualified political
                    advertisement;
                        ``(B) a description of the audience that received
                    the advertisement, the number of views generated from
                    the advertisement, and the date and time that the
                    advertisement is first displayed and last displayed;
                    and
                        ``(C) information regarding--
                                ``(i) the total cost of the advertisement
                            (which may be rounded to the nearest $100);
                                ``(ii) the name of the candidate to which
                            the advertisement refers and the office to
                            which the candidate is seeking election, the
                            election to which the advertisement refers, or
                            the national legislative issue to which the
                            advertisement refers (as applicable);
                                ``(iii) in the case of a request made by,
                            or on behalf of, a candidate, the name of the
                            candidate, the authorized committee of the
                            candidate, and the treasurer of such committee;
                            and
                                ``(iv) in the case of any request not
                            described in clause (iii), the name of the
                            person purchasing the advertisement, the name
                            and address of a contact person for such
                            person, and a list of the chief executive
                            officers or members of the executive committee
                            or of the board of directors of such person.
                ``(3) Online platform.--
                        ``(A) In general.--For purposes of this subsection,
                    subject to subparagraph (B), the term `online platform'
                    means any public-facing website, web application, or
                    digital application (including a social network, ad
                    network, or search engine) which--
                                ``(i)(I) sells qualified political
                            advertisements; and
                                ``(II) has 50,000,000 or more unique
                            monthly United States visitors or users for a
                            majority of months during the preceding 12
                            months; or
                                ``(ii) is a third-party advertising vendor
                            that has 50,000,000 or more unique monthly
                            United States visitors in the aggregate on any
                            advertisement space that it has sold or bought
                            for a majority of months during the preceding
                            12 months, as measured by an independent
                            digital ratings service accredited by the Media
                            Ratings Council (or its successor).
                        ``(B) Exemption.--Such term shall not include any
                    online platform that is a distribution facility of any
                    broadcasting station or newspaper, magazine, blog,
                    publication, or periodical.
                        ``(C) Third-party advertising vendor defined.--For
                    purposes of this subsection, the term `third-party
                    advertising vendor' includes any third-party
                    advertising vendor network, advertising agency,
                    advertiser, or third-party advertisement serving
                    company that buys and sells advertisement space on
                    behalf of unaffiliated third-party websites, search
                    engines, digital applications, or social media sites.
                ``(4) Qualified political advertisement.--For purposes of
            this subsection, the term `qualified political advertisement'
            means any advertisement (including search engine marketing,
            display advertisements, video advertisements, native
            advertisements, and sponsorships) that--
                        ``(A) is made by or on behalf of a candidate; or
                        ``(B) communicates a message relating to any
                    political matter of national importance, including--
                                ``(i) a candidate;
                                ``(ii) any election to Federal office; or
                                ``(iii) a national legislative issue of
                            public importance.
                ``(5) Time to maintain file.--The information required
            under this subsection shall be made available as soon as
            possible and shall be retained by the online platform for a
            period of not less than 4 years.
                ``(6) Special rule.--For purposes of this subsection,
            multiple versions of an advertisement that contain no material
            differences (such as versions that differ only because they
            contain a recipient's name, or differ only in size, color,
            font, or layout) may be treated as a single qualified political
            advertisement.
                ``(7) Penalties.--For penalties for failure by online
            platforms, and persons requesting to purchase a qualified
            political advertisement on online platforms, to comply with the
            requirements of this subsection, see section 309.''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
    effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall take effect
    without regard to whether or not the Federal Election Commission has
    promulgated the final regulations necessary to carry out this part and
    the amendments made by this part by the deadline set forth in
    subsection (c).
        (c) Rulemaking.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
    enactment of this Act, the Federal Election Commission shall establish
    rules--
                (1) for determining whether an advertisement communicates a
            national legislative issue for purposes of section 304(k) of
            the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (as added by
            subsection (a));
                (2) requiring common data formats for the record required
            to be maintained under such section 304(k) so that all online
            platforms submit and maintain data online in a common, machine-
            readable and publicly accessible format; and
                (3) establishing search interface requirements relating to
            such record, including searches by candidate name, issue,
            purchaser, and date.
        (d) Reporting.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the
    enactment of this Act, and biannually thereafter, the Chairman of the
    Federal Election Commission shall submit a report to Congress on--
                (1) matters relating to compliance with and the enforcement
            of the requirements of section 304(k) of the Federal Election
            Campaign Act of 1971, as added by subsection (a);
                (2) recommendations for any modifications to such section
            to assist in carrying out its purposes; and
                (3) identifying ways to bring transparency and
            accountability to political advertisements distributed online
            for free.

    SEC. 6109. PREVENTING CONTRIBUTIONS, EXPENDITURES, INDEPENDENT
                  EXPENDITURES, AND DISBURSEMENTS FOR ELECTIONEERING
                  COMMUNICATIONS BY FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE FORM OF ONLINE
                  ADVERTISING.

        Section 319 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C.
    30121) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
        ``(c) Responsibilities of Broadcast Stations, Providers of Cable
    and Satellite Television, and Online Platforms.--
                ``(1) In general.--Each television or radio broadcast
            station, provider of cable or satellite television, or online
            platform (as defined in section 304(k)(3)) shall make
            reasonable efforts to ensure that communications described in
            section 318(a) and made available by such station, provider, or
            platform are not purchased by a foreign national, directly or
            indirectly.
                ``(2) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
            the enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall
            promulgate regulations on what constitutes reasonable efforts
            under paragraph (1).''.

    SEC. 6110. REQUIRING ONLINE PLATFORMS TO DISPLAY NOTICES IDENTIFYING
                  SPONSORS OF POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENTS AND TO ENSURE
                  NOTICES CONTINUE TO BE PRESENT WHEN ADVERTISEMENTS ARE
                  SHARED.

        (a) In General.--Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
    of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104), as amended by section 3802 and section
    6108(a), is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
        ``(l) Ensuring Display and Sharing of Sponsor Identification in
    Online Political Advertisements.--
                ``(1) Requirement.--Any online platform that displays a
            qualified political advertisement (regardless of whether such
            qualified political advertisement was purchased directly from
            the online platform) shall--
                        ``(A) display with the advertisement a visible
                    notice identifying the sponsor of the advertisement
                    (or, if it is not practical for the platform to display
                    such a notice, a notice that the advertisement is
                    sponsored by a person other than the platform); and
                        ``(B) ensure that the notice will continue to be
                    displayed if a viewer of the advertisement shares the
                    advertisement with others on that platform.
                ``(2) Safe harbor.--An online platform shall not be treated
            as having failed to comply with the requirements of paragraph
            (1)(A) for the misidentification of a person as the sponsor of
            an advertisement if--
                        ``(A) the person placing the online advertisement
                    designated the person displayed in the advertisement as
                    the sponsor; and
                        ``(B) the online platform relied on such
                    designation in good faith.
                ``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection--
                        ``(A) the term `online platform' has the meaning
                    given such term in subsection (k)(3);
                        ``(B) the term ``qualified political advertisement'
                    has the meaning given such term in subsection (k)(4);
                    and
                        ``(C) the term `sponsor' means the person
                    purchasing the advertisement.''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
    apply with respect to advertisements displayed on or after the 120-day
    period which begins on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall
    take effect without regard to whether or not the Federal Election
    Commission has promulgated regulations to carry out such amendments.

                           Subtitle C--Spotlight Act

    SEC. 6201. SHORT TITLE.

        This subtitle may be cited as the ``Spotlight Act''.

    SEC. 6202. INCLUSION OF CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION ON ANNUAL RETURNS OF
                  CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS.

        (a) Repeal of Regulations.--The final regulations of the Department
    of the Treasury relating to guidance under section 6033 regarding the
    reporting requirements of exempt organizations (published at 85 Fed.
    Reg. 31959 (May 28, 2020)) shall have no force and effect.
        (b) Inclusion of Contributor Information.--
                (1) Social welfare organizations.--Section 6033(f)(1) of
            the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting
            ``(5),'' after ``paragraphs''.
                (2) Labor organizations and business leagues.--Section 6033
            of such Code is amended by redesignating subsection (o) as
            subsection (p) and by inserting after subsection (n) the
            following new subsection:
        ``(o) Additional Requirements for Organizations Described in
    Subsections (c)(5) and (c)(6) of Section 501.--Every organization which
    is described in paragraph (5) or (6) of section 501(c) and which is
    subject to the requirements of subsection (a) shall include on the
    return required under subsection (a) the information referred to in
    subsection (b)(5).''.
                (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
            shall apply to returns required to be filed for taxable years
            ending after the date of the enactment of this Act.
        (c) Modification to Discretionary Exceptions.--Section
    6033(a)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read
    as follows:
                        ``(B) Discretionary exceptions.--
                                ``(i) In general.--Paragraph (1) shall not
                            apply to any organization if the Secretary made
                            a determination under this subparagraph before
                            July 16, 2018, that such filing is not
                            necessary to the efficient administration of
                            the internal revenue laws.
                                ``(ii) Recommendations for other
                            exceptions.--The Secretary may recommend to
                            Congress that Congress relieve any organization
                            required under paragraph (1) to file an
                            information return from filing such a return if
                            the Secretary determines that such filing does
                            not advance a national security, law
                            enforcement, or tax administration purpose.''.

                     TITLE VII--CAMPAIGN FINANCE OVERSIGHT

             Subtitle A--Stopping Super PAC-Candidate Coordination

    SEC. 7001. SHORT TITLE.

        This subtitle may be cited as the ``Stop Super PAC-Candidate
    Coordination Act''.

    SEC. 7002. CLARIFICATION OF TREATMENT OF COORDINATED EXPENDITURES AS
                  CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANDIDATES.

        (a) Treatment as Contribution to Candidate.--Section 301(8)(A) of
    the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(8)(A)) is
    amended--
                (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of clause (i);
                (2) by striking the period at the end of clause (ii) and
            inserting ``; or''; and
                (3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
                        ``(iii) any payment made by any person (other than
                    a candidate, an authorized committee of a candidate, or
                    a political committee of a political party) for a
                    coordinated expenditure (as such term is defined in
                    section 325) which is not otherwise treated as a
                    contribution under clause (i) or clause (ii).''.
        (b) Definitions.--Title III of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.)
    is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

    ``SEC. 325. PAYMENTS FOR COORDINATED EXPENDITURES.

        ``(a) Coordinated Expenditures.--
                ``(1) In general.--For purposes of section 301(8)(A)(iii),
            the term `coordinated expenditure' means--
                        ``(A) any expenditure, or any payment for a covered
                    communication described in subsection (e), which is
                    made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or
                    at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, an
                    authorized committee of a candidate, a political
                    committee of a political party, or agents of the
                    candidate or committee, as defined in subsection (b);
                    or
                        ``(B) any payment for any communication which
                    republishes, disseminates, or distributes, in whole or
                    in part, any video or broadcast or any written,
                    graphic, or other form of campaign material prepared by
                    the candidate or committee or by agents of the
                    candidate or committee (including any excerpt or use of
                    any video from any such broadcast or written, graphic,
                    or other form of campaign material).
                ``(2) Exception for payments for certain communications.--A
            payment for a communication (including a covered communication
            described in subsection (e)) shall not be treated as a
            coordinated expenditure under this subsection if--
                        ``(A) the communication appears in a news story,
                    commentary, or editorial distributed through the
                    facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper,
                    magazine, or other periodical publication, unless such
                    facilities are owned or controlled by any political
                    party, political committee, or candidate; or
                        ``(B) the communication constitutes a candidate
                    debate or forum conducted pursuant to regulations
                    adopted by the Commission pursuant to section
                    304(f)(3)(B)(iii), or which solely promotes such a
                    debate or forum and is made by or on behalf of the
                    person sponsoring the debate or forum.
        ``(b) Coordination Described.--
                ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, a payment
            is made `in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at
            the request or suggestion of,' a candidate, an authorized
            committee of a candidate, a political committee of a political
            party, or agents of the candidate or committee, if the payment,
            or any communication for which the payment is made, is not made
            entirely independently of the candidate, committee, or agents.
            For purposes of the previous sentence, a payment or
            communication not made entirely independently of the candidate
            or committee includes any payment or communication made
            pursuant to any general or particular understanding with, or
            pursuant to any communication with, the candidate, committee,
            or agents about the payment or communication.
                ``(2) No finding of coordination based solely on sharing of
            information regarding legislative or policy position.--For
            purposes of this section, a payment shall not be considered to
            be made by a person in cooperation, consultation, or concert
            with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate or
            committee, solely on the grounds that the person or the
            person's agent engaged in discussions with the candidate or
            committee, or with any agent of the candidate or committee,
            regarding that person's position on a legislative or policy
            matter (including urging the candidate or committee to adopt
            that person's position), so long as there is no communication
            between the person and the candidate or committee, or any agent
            of the candidate or committee, regarding the candidate's or
            committee's campaign advertising, message, strategy, policy,
            polling, allocation of resources, fundraising, or other
            campaign activities.
                ``(3) No effect on party coordination standard.--Nothing in
            this section shall be construed to affect the determination of
            coordination between a candidate and a political committee of a
            political party for purposes of section 315(d).
        ``(c) Payments by Coordinated Spenders for Covered
    Communications.--
                ``(1) Payments made in cooperation, consultation, or
            concert with candidates.--For purposes of subsection (a)(1)(A),
            if the person who makes a payment for a covered communication,
            as defined in subsection (e), is a coordinated spender under
            paragraph (2) with respect to the candidate as described in
            paragraph (2), the payment for the covered communication is
            made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with the
            candidate.
                ``(2) Coordinated spender defined.--For purposes of this
            subsection, the term `coordinated spender' means, with respect
            to a candidate or an authorized committee of a candidate, a
            person (other than a political committee of a political party)
            for which any of the following applies:
                        ``(A) During the 4-year period ending on the date
                    on which the person makes the payment, the person was
                    directly or indirectly formed or established by or at
                    the request or suggestion of, or with the encouragement
                    of, the candidate (including an individual who later
                    becomes a candidate) or committee or agents of the
                    candidate or committee, including with the approval of
                    the candidate or committee or agents of the candidate
                    or committee.
                        ``(B) The candidate or committee or any agent of
                    the candidate or committee solicits funds, appears at a
                    fundraising event, or engages in other fundraising
                    activity on the person's behalf during the election
                    cycle involved, including by providing the person with
                    names of potential donors or other lists to be used by
                    the person in engaging in fundraising activity,
                    regardless of whether the person pays fair market value
                    for the names or lists provided. For purposes of this
                    subparagraph, the term `election cycle' means, with
                    respect to an election for Federal office, the period
                    beginning on the day after the date of the most recent
                    general election for that office (or, if the general
                    election resulted in a runoff election, the date of the
                    runoff election) and ending on the date of the next
                    general election for that office (or, if the general
                    election resulted in a runoff election, the date of the
                    runoff election).
                        ``(C) The person is established, directed, or
                    managed by the candidate or committee or by any person
                    who, during the 4-year period ending on the date on
                    which the person makes the payment, has been employed
                    or retained as a political, campaign media, or
                    fundraising adviser or consultant for the candidate or
                    committee or for any other entity directly or
                    indirectly controlled by the candidate or committee, or
                    has held a formal position with the candidate or
                    committee (including a position as an employee of the
                    office of the candidate at any time the candidate held
                    any Federal, State, or local public office during the
                    4-year period).
                        ``(D) The person has retained the professional
                    services of any person who, during the 2-year period
                    ending on the date on which the person makes the
                    payment, has provided or is providing professional
                    services relating to the campaign to the candidate or
                    committee, unless the person providing the professional
                    services used a firewall or similar procedure in
                    accordance with subsection (d). For purposes of this
                    subparagraph, the term `professional services' includes
                    any services in support of the candidate's or
                    committee's campaign activities, including advertising,
                    message, strategy, policy, polling, allocation of
                    resources, fundraising, and campaign operations, but
                    does not include accounting or legal services.
                        ``(E) The person is established, directed, or
                    managed by a member of the immediate family of the
                    candidate, or the person or any officer or agent of the
                    person has had more than incidental discussions about
                    the candidate's campaign with a member of the immediate
                    family of the candidate. For purposes of this
                    subparagraph, the term `immediate family' has the
                    meaning given such term in section 9004(e) of the
                    Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
        ``(d) Use of Firewall as Safe Harbor.--
                ``(1) No coordination if firewall applies.--A person shall
            not be determined to have made a payment in cooperation,
            consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion
            of, a candidate or committee in accordance with this section if
            the person established and used a firewall or similar procedure
            to restrict the sharing of information between individuals who
            are employed by or who are serving as agents for the person
            making the payment, but only if the firewall or similar
            procedures meet the requirements of paragraph (2).
                ``(2) Requirements described.--The requirements described
            in this paragraph with respect to a firewall or similar
            procedure are as follows:
                        ``(A) The firewall or procedure is designed and
                    implemented to prohibit the flow of information between
                    employees and consultants providing services for the
                    person paying for the communication and those employees
                    or consultants providing, or who previously provided,
                    services to a candidate who is clearly identified in
                    the communication or an authorized committee of the
                    candidate, the candidate's opponent or an authorized
                    committee of the candidate's opponent, or a committee
                    of a political party.
                        ``(B) The firewall or procedure must be described
                    in a written policy that is distributed, signed, and
                    dated by all relevant employees, consultants, and
                    clients subject to the policy.
                        ``(C) The policy must be preserved and retained by
                    the person for at least 5 years following any
                    termination or cessation of representation by
                    employees, consultants, and clients who are subject to
                    the policy.
                        ``(D) The policy must prohibit any employees,
                    consultants, and clients who are subject to the policy
                    from attending meetings, trainings, or other
                    discussions where nonpublic plans, projects,
                    activities, or needs of candidates for election for
                    Federal office or political committees are discussed.
                        ``(E) The policy must prohibit each owner of an
                    organization, and each executive, manager, and
                    supervisor within an organization, from simultaneously
                    overseeing the work of employees and consultants who
                    are subject to the firewall or procedure.
                        ``(F) The policy must place restrictions on
                    internal and external communications, including by
                    establishing separate emailing lists, for employees,
                    consultants, and clients who are subject to the
                    firewall or procedure and those who are not subject to
                    the firewall or procedure.
                        ``(G) The policy must require the person to
                    establish separate files, including electronic file
                    folders--
                                ``(i) for employees, consultants, and
                            clients who are subject to the firewall or
                            procedure and to prohibit access to such files
                            by employees, consultants, and clients who are
                            not subject to the firewall or procedure; and
                                ``(ii) for employees, consultants, and
                            clients who are not subject to the firewall or
                            procedure and to prohibit access to such files
                            by employees, consultants, and clients who are
                            subject to the firewall or procedure.
                        ``(H) The person must conduct a training on the
                    applicable requirements and obligations of this Act and
                    the policy for all employees, consultants, and clients.
                ``(3) Exception if information is shared regardless of
            firewall.--A person who established and used a firewall or
            similar procedure which meets the requirements of paragraph (2)
            shall be determined to have made a payment in cooperation,
            consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion
            of, a candidate or committee in accordance with this section if
            specific information indicates that, notwithstanding the
            establishment and use of the firewall or similar procedure,
            information about the candidate's or committee's campaign
            plans, projects, activities, or needs that is material to the
            creation, production, or distribution of the covered
            communication was used or conveyed to the person paying for the
            communication.
                ``(4) Use as defense to enforcement action.--If, in a
            procedure or action brought by the Commission under section
            309, a person who is alleged to have committed a violation of
            this Act which involves the making of a contribution which
            consists of a payment for a coordinated expenditure raises the
            use of a firewall or similar procedure as a defense, the person
            shall provide the Commission with--
                        ``(A) a copy of the signed and dated firewall or
                    procedure policy which applied to the person's
                    employees, consultants, or clients whose conduct is at
                    issue in the procedure or action; and
                        ``(B) a sworn, written affidavit of the employees,
                    consultants, or clients who were subject to the policy
                    that the terms, conditions, and requirements of the
                    policy were met.
        ``(e) Covered Communication Defined.--
                ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term
            `covered communication' means, with respect to a candidate or
            an authorized committee of a candidate, a public communication
            (as defined in section 301(22)) which--
                        ``(A) expressly advocates the election of the
                    candidate or the defeat of an opponent of the candidate
                    (or contains the functional equivalent of express
                    advocacy);
                        ``(B) promotes or supports the election of the
                    candidate, or attacks or opposes the election of an
                    opponent of the candidate (regardless of whether the
                    communication expressly advocates the election or
                    defeat of a candidate or contains the functional
                    equivalent of express advocacy); or
                        ``(C) refers to the candidate or an opponent of the
                    candidate but is not described in subparagraph (A) or
                    subparagraph (B), but only if the communication is
                    disseminated during the applicable election period.
                ``(2) Applicable election period.--In paragraph (1)(C), the
            `applicable election period' with respect to a communication
            means--
                        ``(A) in the case of a communication which refers
                    to a candidate in a general, special, or runoff
                    election, the 120-day period which ends on the date of
                    the election; or
                        ``(B) in the case of a communication which refers
                    to a candidate in a primary or preference election, or
                    convention or caucus of a political party that has
                    authority to nominate a candidate, the 60-day period
                    which ends on the date of the election or convention or
                    caucus.
                ``(3) Special rules for communications involving
            congressional candidates.--For purposes of this subsection, a
            public communication shall not be considered to be a covered
            communication with respect to a candidate for election for an
            office other than the office of President or Vice President
            unless it is publicly disseminated or distributed in the
            jurisdiction of the office the candidate is seeking.
        ``(f) Penalty.--
                ``(1) Determination of amount.--Any person who knowingly
            and willfully commits a violation of this Act which involves
            the making of a contribution which consists of a payment for a
            coordinated expenditure shall be fined an amount equal to the
            greater of--
                        ``(A) in the case of a person who makes a
                    contribution which consists of a payment for a
                    coordinated expenditure in an amount exceeding the
                    applicable contribution limit under this Act, 300
                    percent of the amount by which the amount of the
                    payment made by the person exceeds such applicable
                    contribution limit; or
                        ``(B) in the case of a person who is prohibited
                    under this Act from making a contribution in any
                    amount, 300 percent of the amount of the payment made
                    by the person for the coordinated expenditure.
                ``(2) Joint and several liability.--Any director, manager,
            or officer of a person who is subject to a penalty under
            paragraph (1) shall be jointly and severally liable for any
            amount of such penalty that is not paid by the person prior to
            the expiration of the 1-year period which begins on the date
            the Commission imposes the penalty or the 1-year period which
            begins on the date of the final judgment following any judicial
            review of the Commission's action, whichever is later.''.
        (c) Effective Date.--
                (1) Repeal of existing regulations on coordination.--
            Effective upon the expiration of the 90-day period which begins
            on the date of the enactment of this Act--
                        (A) the regulations on coordinated communications
                    adopted by the Federal Election Commission which are in
                    effect on the date of the enactment of this Act (as set
                    forth under the heading ``Coordination'' in subpart C
                    of part 109 of title 11, Code of Federal Regulations)
                    are repealed; and
                        (B) the Federal Election Commission shall
                    promulgate new regulations on coordinated
                    communications which reflect the amendments made by
                    this Act.
                (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section
            shall apply with respect to payments made on or after the
            expiration of the 120-day period which begins on the date of
            the enactment of this Act, without regard to whether or not the
            Federal Election Commission has promulgated regulations in
            accordance with paragraph (1)(B) as of the expiration of such
            period.

             Subtitle B--Restoring Integrity to America's Elections

    SEC. 7101. SHORT TITLE.

        This subtitle may be cited as the ``Restoring Integrity to
    America's Elections Act''.

    SEC. 7102. REVISION TO ENFORCEMENT PROCESS.

        (a) Standard for Initiating Investigations and Determining Whether
    Violations Have Occurred.--
                (1) Revision of standards.--Section 309(a) of the Federal
            Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)) is amended
            by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the following:
        ``(2)(A) The general counsel, upon receiving a complaint filed with
    the Commission under paragraph (1) or upon the basis of information
    ascertained by the Commission in the normal course of carrying out its
    supervisory responsibilities, shall make a determination as to whether
    or not there is reason to believe that a person has committed, or is
    about to commit, a violation of this Act or chapter 95 or chapter 96 of
    the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and as to whether or not the
    Commission should either initiate an investigation of the matter or
    that the complaint should be dismissed. The general counsel shall
    promptly provide notification to the Commission of such determination
    and the reasons therefore, together with any written response submitted
    under paragraph (1) by the person alleged to have committed the
    violation. Upon the expiration of the 30-day period which begins on the
    date the general counsel provides such notification, the general
    counsel's determination shall take effect, unless during such 30-day
    period the Commission, by vote of a majority of the members of the
    Commission who are serving at the time, overrules the general counsel's
    determination. If the determination by the general counsel that the
    Commission should investigate the matter takes effect, or if the
    determination by the general counsel that the complaint should be
    dismissed is overruled as provided under the previous sentence, the
    general counsel shall initiate an investigation of the matter on behalf
    of the Commission.
        ``(B) If the Commission initiates an investigation pursuant to
    subparagraph (A), the Commission, through the Chair, shall notify the
    subject of the investigation of the alleged violation. Such
    notification shall set forth the factual basis for such alleged
    violation. The Commission shall make an investigation of such alleged
    violation, which may include a field investigation or audit, in
    accordance with the provisions of this section. The general counsel
    shall provide notification to the Commission of any intent to issue a
    subpoena or conduct any other form of discovery pursuant to the
    investigation. Upon the expiration of the 15-day period which begins on
    the date the general counsel provides such notification, the general
    counsel may issue the subpoena or conduct the discovery, unless during
    such 15-day period the Commission, by vote of a majority of the members
    of the Commission who are serving at the time, prohibits the general
    counsel from issuing the subpoena or conducting the discovery.
        ``(3)(A) Upon completion of an investigation under paragraph (2),
    the general counsel shall make a determination as to whether or not
    there is probable cause to believe that a person has committed, or is
    about to commit, a violation of this Act or chapter 95 or chapter 96 of
    the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and shall promptly submit such
    determination to the Commission, and shall include with the
    determination a brief stating the position of the general counsel on
    the legal and factual issues of the case.
        ``(B) At the time the general counsel submits to the Commission the
    determination under subparagraph (A), the general counsel shall
    simultaneously notify the respondent of such determination and the
    reasons therefore, shall provide the respondent with an opportunity to
    submit a brief within 30 days stating the position of the respondent on
    the legal and factual issues of the case and replying to the brief of
    the general counsel. The general counsel shall promptly submit such
    brief to the Commission upon receipt.
        ``(C) Upon the expiration of the 30-day period which begins on the
    date the general counsel submits the determination to the Commission
    under subparagraph (A) (or, if the respondent submits a brief under
    subparagraph (B), upon the expiration of the 30-day period which begins
    on the date the general counsel submits the respondent's brief to the
    Commission under such subparagraph), the general counsel's
    determination shall take effect, unless during such 30-day period the
    Commission, by vote of a majority of the members of the Commission who
    are serving at the time, overrules the general counsel's determination.
    If the determination by the general counsel that there is probable
    cause to believe that a person has committed, or is about to commit, a
    violation of this Act or chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal
    Revenue Code of 1986, or if the determination by the general counsel
    that there is not probable cause that a person has committed or is
    about to commit such a violation is overruled as provided under the
    previous sentence, for purposes of this subsection, the Commission
    shall be deemed to have determined that there is probable cause that
    the person has committed or is about to commit such a violation.''.
                (2) Conforming amendment relating to initial response to
            filing of complaint.--Section 309(a)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
            30109(a)(1)) is amended--
                        (A) in the third sentence, by striking ``the
                    Commission'' and inserting ``the general counsel''; and
                        (B) by amending the fourth sentence to read as
                    follows: ``Not later than 15 days after receiving
                    notice from the general counsel under the previous
                    sentence, the person may provide the general counsel
                    with a written response that no action should be taken
                    against such person on the basis of the complaint.''.
        (b) Revision of Standard for Review of Dismissal of Complaints.--
                (1) In general.--Section 309(a)(8) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
            30109(a)(8)) is amended to read as follows:
        ``(8)(A)(i) Any party aggrieved by an order of the Commission
    dismissing a complaint filed by such party may file a petition with the
    United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Any petition
    under this subparagraph shall be filed within 60 days after the date on
    which the party received notice of the dismissal of the complaint.
        ``(ii) In any proceeding under this subparagraph, the court shall
    determine by de novo review whether the agency's dismissal of the
    complaint is contrary to law. In any matter in which the penalty for
    the alleged violation is greater than $50,000, the court should
    disregard any claim or defense by the Commission of prosecutorial
    discretion as a basis for dismissing the complaint.
        ``(B)(i) Any party who has filed a complaint with the Commission
    and who is aggrieved by a failure of the Commission, within one year
    after the filing of the complaint, to act on such complaint, may file a
    petition with the United States District Court for the District of
    Columbia.
        ``(ii) In any proceeding under this subparagraph, the court shall
    determine by de novo review whether the agency's failure to act on the
    complaint is contrary to law.
        ``(C) In any proceeding under this paragraph the court may declare
    that the dismissal of the complaint or the failure to act is contrary
    to law, and may direct the Commission to conform with such declaration
    within 30 days, failing which the complainant may bring, in the name of
    such complainant, a civil action to remedy the violation involved in
    the original complaint.''.
                (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1)
            shall apply--
                        (A) in the case of complaints which are dismissed
                    by the Federal Election Commission, with respect to
                    complaints which are dismissed on or after the date of
                    the enactment of this Act; and
                        (B) in the case of complaints upon which the
                    Federal Election Commission failed to act, with respect
                    to complaints which were filed on or after the date of
                    the enactment of this Act.
        (c) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
    enactment of this Act, the Federal Election Commission shall promulgate
    new regulations on the enforcement process under section 309 of the
    Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109) to take into
    account the amendments made by this section.

    SEC. 7103. OFFICIAL EXERCISING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GENERAL
                  COUNSEL.

        Section 306(f)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52
    U.S.C. 30106(f)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
    sentence: ``In the event of a vacancy in the position of the General
    Counsel, the most senior attorney employed within the Office of the
    General Counsel at the time the vacancy arises shall exercise all the
    responsibilities of the General Counsel until the vacancy is filled.''.

    SEC. 7104. PERMITTING APPEARANCE AT HEARINGS ON REQUESTS FOR ADVISORY
                  OPINIONS BY PERSONS OPPOSING THE REQUESTS.

        (a) In General.--Section 308 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30108) is
    amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
        ``(e) To the extent that the Commission provides an opportunity for
    a person requesting an advisory opinion under this section (or counsel
    for such person) to appear before the Commission to present testimony
    in support of the request, and the person (or counsel) accepts such
    opportunity, the Commission shall provide a reasonable opportunity for
    an interested party who submitted written comments under subsection (d)
    in response to the request (or counsel for such interested party) to
    appear before the Commission to present testimony in response to the
    request.''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
    apply with respect to requests for advisory opinions under section 308
    of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 which are made on or after
    the date of the enactment of this Act.

    SEC. 7105. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY AUTHORITY.

        Section 309(a)(4)(C)(v) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
    1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(4)(C)(v)) is amended by striking ``, and that
    end on or before December 31, 2023''.

    SEC. 7106. RESTRICTIONS ON EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS.

        Section 306(e) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52
    U.S.C. 30106(e)) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``(e) The Commission'' and inserting
            ``(e)(1) The Commission''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
        ``(2) Members and employees of the Commission shall be subject to
    limitations on ex parte communications, as provided in the regulations
    promulgated by the Commission regarding such communications which are
    in effect on the date of the enactment of this paragraph.''.

    SEC. 7107. CLARIFYING AUTHORITY OF FEC ATTORNEYS TO REPRESENT FEC IN
                  SUPREME COURT.

        (a) Clarifying Authority.--Section 306(f)(4) of the Federal
    Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30106(f)(4)) is amended by
    striking ``any action instituted under this Act, either (A) by
    attorneys'' and inserting ``any action instituted under this Act,
    including an action before the Supreme Court of the United States,
    either (A) by the General Counsel of the Commission and other
    attorneys''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
    apply with respect to actions instituted before, on, or after the date
    of the enactment of this Act.

    SEC. 7108. REQUIRING FORMS TO PERMIT USE OF ACCENT MARKS.

        (a) Requirement.--Section 311(a)(1) of the Federal Election
    Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30111(a)(1)) is amended by striking the
    semicolon at the end and inserting the following: ``, and shall ensure
    that all such forms (including forms in an electronic format) permit
    the person using the form to include an accent mark as part of the
    person's identification;''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
    take effect upon the expiration of the 90-day period which begins on
    the date of the enactment of this Act.

    SEC. 7109. EXTENSION OF THE STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS FOR OFFENSES UNDER
                  THE FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT OF 1971.

        (a) Civil Offenses.--Section 309(a) of the Federal Election
    Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)) is amended by inserting after
    paragraph (9) the following new paragraph:
        ``(10) No person shall be subject to a civil penalty under this
    subsection with respect to a violation of this Act unless a complaint
    is filed with the Commission with respect to the violation under
    paragraph (1), or the Commission responds to information with respect
    to the violation which is ascertained in the normal course of carrying
    out its supervisory responsibilities under paragraph (2), not later
    than 10 years after the date on which the violation occurred.''.
        (b) Criminal Offenses.--Section 406(a) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    30145(a)) is amended by striking ``5 years'' and inserting ``10
    years''.
        (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
    apply with respect to violations occurring on or after the date of
    enactment of this Act.

    SEC. 7110. EFFECTIVE DATE; TRANSITION.

        (a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided, this subtitle and
    the amendments made by this subtitle shall take effect and apply on the
    date of the enactment of this Act, without regard to whether or not the
    Federal Election Commission has promulgated regulations to carry out
    this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle.
        (b) Transition.--
                (1) No effect on existing cases or proceedings.--Nothing in
            this subtitle or in any amendment made by this subtitle shall
            affect any of the powers exercised by the Federal Election
            Commission prior to the date of the enactment of this Act,
            including any investigation initiated by the Commission prior
            to such date or any proceeding (including any enforcement
            action) pending as of such date.
                (2) Treatment of certain complaints.--If, as of the date of
            the enactment of this Act, the General Counsel of the Federal
            Election Commission has not made any recommendation to the
            Commission under section 309(a) of the Federal Election
            Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109) with respect to a
            complaint filed prior to the date of the enactment of this Act,
            this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall
            apply with respect to the complaint in the same manner as this
            subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle apply with
            respect to a complaint filed on or after the date of the
            enactment of this Act.

            Subtitle C--Imposition of Fee for Reports Filed by Paper

    SEC. 7201. IMPOSITION OF FEE FOR REPORTS FILED BY PAPER.

        Section 304(a)(11)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
    (52 U.S.C. 30104(a)(11)(A)) is amended--
                (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (i);
                (2) by striking the period at the end of clause (ii) and
            inserting ``; and''; and
                (3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
                ``(iii) shall be assessed a $20.00 filing fee for any
            designation, statement, or report under this Act filed by
            paper, with the fees received by the Commission under this
            clause deposited into the general fund of the Treasury for the
            purposes of deficit reduction.''.

                        TITLE VIII--CITIZEN EMPOWERMENT

                    Subtitle A--Funding To Promote Democracy

                   PART 1--PAYMENTS AND ALLOCATIONS TO STATES

    SEC. 8001. DEMOCRACY ADVANCEMENT AND INNOVATION PROGRAM.

        (a) Establishment.--There is established a program to be known as
    the ``Democracy Advancement and Innovation Program'' under which the
    Director of the Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation shall
    make allocations to each State for each fiscal year to carry out
    democracy promotion activities described in subsection (b).
        (b) Democracy Promotion Activities Described.--The democracy
    promotion activities described in this subsection are as follows:
                (1) Activities to promote innovation to improve efficiency
            and smooth functioning in the administration of elections for
            Federal office and to secure the infrastructure used in the
            administration of such elections, including making upgrades to
            voting equipment and voter registration systems, securing
            voting locations, expanding polling places and the availability
            of early and mail voting, recruiting and training nonpartisan
            election officials, and promoting cybersecurity.
                (2) Activities to ensure equitable access to democracy,
            including the following:
                        (A) Enabling candidates who seek office in the
                    State to receive payments as participating candidates
                    under title V of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
                    1971 (as added by subtitle B), but only if the State
                    will enable candidates to receive such payments during
                    an entire election cycle.
                        (B) Operating a Democracy Credit Program under part
                    1 of subtitle B, but only if the State will operate the
                    program during an entire election cycle.
                        (C) Other activities to ensure equitable access to
                    democracy, including administering a ranked-choice
                    voting system and carrying out Congressional
                    redistricting through independent commissions.
                (3) Activities to increase access to voting in elections
            for Federal office by underserved communities, individuals with
            disabilities, racial and language minority groups, individuals
            entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Uniformed and
            Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, and voters residing in
            Indian lands.
        (c) Permitting States To Retain and Reserve Allocations for Future
    Use.--A State may retain and reserve an allocation received for a
    fiscal year to carry out democracy promotion activities in any
    subsequent fiscal year.
        (d) Requiring Submission and Approval of State Plan.--
                (1) In general.--A State shall receive an allocation under
            the Program for a fiscal year if--
                        (A) not later than 90 days before the first day of
                    the fiscal year, the chief State election official of
                    the State submits to the Director the State plan
                    described in section 8002; and
                        (B) not later than 45 days before the first day of
                    the fiscal year, the Director, in consultation with the
                    Election Assistance Commission and the Federal Election
                    Commission as described in paragraph (3), determines
                    that the State plan will enable the State to carry out
                    democracy promotion activities and approves the plan.
                (2) Submission and approval of revised plan.--If the
            Director does not approve the State plan as submitted by the
            State under paragraph (1) with respect to a fiscal year, the
            State shall receive a payment under the Program for the fiscal
            year if, at any time prior to the end of the fiscal year--
                        (A) the chief State election official of the State
                    submits a revised version of the State plan; and
                        (B) the Director, in consultation with the Election
                    Assistance Commission and the Federal Election
                    Commission as described in paragraph (3), determines
                    that the revised version of the State plan will enable
                    the State to carry out democracy promotion activities
                    and approves the plan.
                (3) Election assistance commission and federal election
            commission consultation.--With respect to a State plan
            submitted under paragraph (1) or a revised plan submitted under
            paragraph (2)--
                        (A) the Director shall, prior to making a
                    determination on approval of the plan, consult with the
                    Election Assistance Commission with respect to the
                    proposed State activities described in subsection
                    (b)(1) and with the Federal Election Commission with
                    respect to the proposed State activities described in
                    subsection (b)(2)(A) and (b)(2)(B); and
                        (B) the Election Assistance Commission and the
                    Federal Election Commission shall submit to the
                    Director a written assessment with respect to whether
                    the proposed activities of the plan satisfy the
                    requirements of this Act.
                (4) Consultation with legislature.--The chief State
            election official of the State shall develop the State plan
            submitted under paragraph (1) and the revised plan submitted
            under paragraph (2) in consultation with the majority party and
            minority party leaders of each house of the State legislature.
        (e) State Report on Use of Allocations.--Not later than 90 days
    after the last day of a fiscal year for which an allocation was made to
    the State under the Program, the chief State election official of the
    State shall submit a report to the Director describing how the State
    used the allocation, including a description of the democracy promotion
    activities the State carried out with the allocation.
        (f) Public Availability of Information.--
                (1) Publicly available website.--The Director shall make
            available on a publicly accessible website the following:
                        (A) State plans submitted under paragraph (1) of
                    subsection (d) and revised plans submitted under
                    paragraph (2) of subsection (d).
                        (B) The Director's notifications of determinations
                    with respect to such plans under subsection (d).
                        (C) Reports submitted by States under subsection
                    (e).
                (2) Redaction.--The Director may redact information
            required to be made available under paragraph (1) if the
            information would be properly withheld from disclosure under
            section 552 of title 5, United States Code, or if the public
            disclosure of the information is otherwise prohibited by law.
        (g) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to
    fiscal year 2025 and each succeeding fiscal year.

    SEC. 8002. STATE PLAN.

        (a) Contents.--A State plan under this section with respect to a
    State is a plan containing each of the following:
                (1) A description of the democracy promotion activities the
            State will carry out with the payment made under the Program.
                (2) A statement of whether or not the State intends to
            retain and reserve the payment for future democracy promotion
            activities.
                (3) A description of how the State intends to allocate
            funds to carry out the proposed activities, which shall include
            the amount the State intends to allocate to each such activity,
            including (if applicable) a specific allocation for--
                        (A) activities described in subsection 8001(b)(1)
                    (relating to election administration);
                        (B) activities described in section 8001(b)(2)(A)
                    (relating to payments to participating candidates in
                    the State under title V of the Federal Election
                    Campaign Act of 1971), together with the information
                    required under subsection (c);
                        (C) activities described in section 8001(b)(2)(B)
                    (relating to the operation of a Democracy Credit
                    Program under part 1 of subtitle B);
                        (D) activities described in section 8001(b)(2)(C)
                    (relating to other activities to ensure equitable
                    access to democracy); and
                        (E) activities described in section 8001(b)(3)
                    (relating to activities to increase access to voting in
                    elections for Federal office by certain communities).
                (4) A description of how the State will establish the fund
            described in subsection (b) for purposes of administering the
            democracy promotion activities which the State will carry out
            with the payment, including information on fund management.
                (5) A description of the State-based administrative
            complaint procedures established for purposes of section
            8003(b).
                (6) A statement regarding whether the proposed activities
            to be funded are permitted under State law, or whether the
            official intends to seek legal authorization for such
            activities.
        (b) Requirements for Fund.--
                (1) Fund described.--For purposes of subsection (a)(4), a
            fund described in this subsection with respect to a State is a
            fund which is established in the treasury of the State
            government, which is used in accordance with paragraph (2), and
            which consists of the following amounts:
                        (A) Amounts appropriated or otherwise made
                    available by the State for carrying out the democracy
                    promotion activities for which the payment is made to
                    the State under the Program.
                        (B) The payment made to the State under the
                    Program.
                        (C) Such other amounts as may be appropriated under
                    law.
                        (D) Interest earned on deposits of the fund.
                (2) Use of fund.--Amounts in the fund shall be used by the
            State exclusively to carry out democracy promotion activities
            for which the payment is made to the State under the Program.
                (3) Treatment of states that require changes to state
            law.--In the case of a State that requires State legislation to
            establish the fund described in this subsection, the Director
            shall defer disbursement of the payment to such State under the
            Program until such time as legislation establishing the fund is
            enacted.
        (c) Specific Information on Use of Funds To Enable Candidates To
    Participate in Matching Funds Program.--If the State plan under this
    section includes an allocation for activities described in section
    8001(b)(2)(A) (relating to payments to participating candidates in the
    State under title V of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971), the
    State shall include in the plan specific information on how the amount
    of the allocation will enable the State to provide for the viable
    participation of candidates in the State under such title, including
    the assumptions made by the State in determining the amount of the
    allocation.

    SEC. 8003. PROHIBITING REDUCTION IN ACCESS TO PARTICIPATION IN
                  ELECTIONS.

        (a) Prohibiting Use of Payments.--A State may not use a payment
    made under the Program to carry out any activity which has the purpose
    or effect of diminishing the ability of any citizen of the United
    States to participate in the electoral process.
        (b) State-Based Administrative Complaint Procedures.--
                (1) Establishment.--A State receiving a payment under the
            Program shall establish uniform and nondiscriminatory State-
            based administrative complaint procedures under which any
            person who believes that a violation of subsection (a) has
            occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur may file a
            complaint.
                (2) Notification to director.--The State shall transmit to
            the Director a description of each complaint filed under the
            procedures, together with--
                        (A) if the State provides a remedy with respect to
                    the complaint, a description of the remedy; or
                        (B) if the State dismisses the complaint, a
                    statement of the reasons for the dismissal.
                (3) Review by director.--
                        (A) Request for review.--Any person who is
                    dissatisfied with the final decision under a State-
                    based administrative complaint procedure under this
                    subsection may, not later than 60 days after the
                    decision is made, file a request with the Director to
                    review the decision.
                        (B) Action by director.--Upon receiving a request
                    under subparagraph (A), the Director shall review the
                    decision and, in accordance with such procedures as the
                    Director may establish, including procedures to provide
                    notice and an opportunity for a hearing, may uphold the
                    decision or reverse the decision and provide an
                    appropriate remedy.
                        (C) Public availability of material.--The Director
                    shall make available on a publicly accessible website
                    all material relating to a request for review and
                    determination by the Director under this paragraph,
                    except that the Director may redact material required
                    to be made available under this subparagraph if the
                    material would be properly withheld from disclosure
                    under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, or if
                    the public disclosure of the material is otherwise
                    prohibited by law.
                (4) Right to petition for review.--
                        (A) In general.--Any person aggrieved by an action
                    of the Director under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3)
                    may file a petition with the United States District
                    Court for the District of Columbia.
                        (B) Deadline to file petition.--Any petition under
                    this subparagraph shall be filed not later than 60 days
                    after the date of the action taken by the Director
                    under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3).
                        (C) Standard of review.--In any proceeding under
                    this paragraph, the court shall determine whether the
                    action of the Director was arbitrary, capricious, an
                    abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance
                    with law under section 706 of title 5, United States
                    Code, and may direct the Office to conform with any
                    such determination within 30 days.
        (c) Action by Attorney General for Declaratory and Injunctive
    Relief.--The Attorney General may bring a civil action against any
    State 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 enforce subsection (a).

    SEC. 8004. AMOUNT OF STATE ALLOCATION.

        (a) State-Specific Amount.--The amount of the allocation made to a
    State under the Program for a fiscal year shall be equal to the product
    of--
                (1) the Congressional district allocation amount
            (determined under subsection (b)); and
                (2) the number of Congressional districts in the State for
            the next regularly scheduled general election for Federal
            office held in the State.
        (b) Congressional District Allocation Amount.--For purposes of
    subsection (a), the ``Congressional district allocation amount'' with
    respect to a fiscal year is equal to the quotient of--
                (1) the aggregate amount available for allocations to
            States under the Program for the fiscal year, as determined by
            the Director under subsection (c); divided by
                (2) the total number of Congressional districts in all
            States.
        (c) Determination of Aggregate Amount Available for Allocations;
    Notification to States.--Not later than 120 days before the first day
    of each fiscal year, the Director--
                (1) shall, in accordance with section 8012, determine and
            establish the aggregate amount available for allocations to
            States under the Program for the fiscal year; and
                (2) shall notify each State of the amount of the State's
            allocation under the Program for the fiscal year.
        (d) Source of Payments.--The amounts used to make allocations and
    payments under the Program shall be derived solely from the Trust Fund.

    SEC. 8005. PROCEDURES FOR DISBURSEMENTS OF PAYMENTS AND ALLOCATIONS.

        (a) Direct Payments to States for Certain Activities Under State
    Plan.--
                (1) Direct payment.--If the approved State plan of a State
            includes activities for which allocations are not made under
            subsections (b), (c), or (d), upon approving the State plan
            under section 8002, the Director shall direct the Secretary of
            the Treasury to disburse amounts from the Trust Fund for
            payment to the State in the aggregate amount provided under the
            plan for such activities.
                (2) Timing.--As soon as practicable after the Director
            directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disburse amounts for
            payment to a State under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the
            Treasury shall make the payment to the State under such
            paragraph.
                (3) Continuing availability of funds after appropriation.--
            A payment made to a State under this subsection shall be
            available without fiscal year limitation.
        (b) Allocation to Election Assistance Commission for Payments to
    States for Certain Election Administration Activities.--
                (1) Allocation.--If the approved State plan of a State
            includes activities described in section 8001(b)(1), upon
            approving the State plan under section 8002, the Director shall
            direct the Secretary of the Treasury to allocate to the
            Election Assistance Commission the amount provided for such
            activities under the plan.
                (2) Payment to state.--As soon as practicable after
            receiving an allocation under paragraph (1) with respect to a
            State, the Election Assistance Commission shall make a payment
            to the State in the amount of the State's allocation.
                (3) Continuing availability of funds after appropriation.--
            A payment made to a State by the Election Assistance Commission
            under this subsection shall be available without fiscal year
            limitation.
        (c) Allocation to Federal Election Commission for Payments to
    Participating Candidates From State.--If the approved State plan of a
    State includes activities described in section 8001(b)(2)(A), relating
    to payments to participating candidates in the State under title V of
    the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, upon approving the State
    plan under section 8002, the Director shall direct the Secretary of the
    Treasury to allocate to the Federal Election Commission the amount
    provided for such activities under the plan.
        (d) Allocation to Federal Election Commission for Payments for
    Democracy Credit Program.--If the approved State plan of a State
    includes activities described in section 8001(b)(2)(B), relating to
    payments to the State for the operation of a Democracy Credit Program
    under part 1 of subtitle B, upon approving the State plan under section
    8002, the Director shall direct the Secretary of the Treasury to
    allocate to the Federal Election Commission the amount provided for
    such activities under the plan.
        (e) Certain Payments Made Directly to Local Election
    Administrators.--Under rules established by the Director not later than
    270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, portions of
    amounts disbursed to States by the Secretary of the Treasury under
    subsection (a) and payments made to States by the Election Assistance
    Commission under subsection (b) may be provided directly to local
    election administrators carrying out activities in the State plan which
    may be carried out with such amounts and payments.

    SEC. 8006. OFFICE OF DEMOCRACY ADVANCEMENT AND INNOVATION.

        (a) Establishment.--There is established as an independent
    establishment in the executive branch the Office of Democracy
    Advancement and Innovation.
        (b) Director.--
                (1) In general.--The Office shall be headed by a Director,
            who shall be appointed by the President with the advice and
            consent of the Senate.
                (2) Term of service.--The Director shall serve for a term
            of 6 years and may be reappointed to an additional term, and
            may continue serving as Director until a replacement is
            appointed. A vacancy in the position of Director shall be
            filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
                (3) Compensation.--The Director shall be paid at an annual
            rate of pay equal to the annual rate in effect for level II of
            the Executive Schedule.
                (4) Removal.--The Director may be removed from office by
            the President. If the President removes the Director, the
            President shall communicate in writing the reasons for the
            removal to both Houses of Congress not later than 30 days
            beforehand. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to
            prohibit a personnel action otherwise authorized by law.
        (c) General Counsel and Other Staff.--
                (1) General counsel.--The Director shall appoint a general
            counsel who shall be paid at an annual rate of pay equal to the
            annual rate in effect for level III of the Executive Schedule.
            In the event of a vacancy in the position of the Director, the
            General Counsel shall exercise all the responsibilities of the
            Director until such vacancy is filled.
                (2) Senior staff.--The Director may appoint and fix the pay
            of staff designated as Senior staff, such as a Deputy Director,
            who may be paid at an annual rate of pay equal to the annual
            rate in effect for level IV of the Executive Schedule.
                (3) Other staff.--In addition to the General Counsel and
            Senior staff, the Director may appoint and fix the pay of such
            other staff as the Director considers necessary to carry out
            the duties of the Office, except that no such staff may be
            compensated at an annual rate exceeding the daily equivalent of
            the annual rate of basic pay in effect for grade GS-15 of the
            General Schedule.
        (d) Duties.--The duties of the Office are as follows:
                (1) Administration of program.--The Director shall
            administer the Program, in consultation with the Election
            Assistance Commission and the Federal Election Commission,
            including by holding quarterly meetings of representatives from
            such Commissions.
                (2) Oversight of trust fund.--The Director shall oversee
            the operation of the Trust Fund and monitor its balances, in
            consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury. The Director
            may hold funds in reserve to cover the expenses of the Office
            and to preserve the solvency of the Trust Fund.
                (3) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
            regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in
            2026 and each succeeding regularly scheduled general election
            for Federal office thereafter, the Director shall submit to the
            Committee on House Administration of the House of
            Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration
            of the Senate a report on the activities carried out under the
            Program and the amounts deposited into and paid from the Trust
            Fund during the two most recent fiscal years.
        (e) Coverage Under Inspector General Act of 1978 for Conducting
    Audits and Investigations.--
                (1) In general.--Section 415(a)(1)(A) of title 5, United
            States Code, is amended by inserting ``the Office of Democracy
            Advancement and Innovation,'' after ``Election Assistance
            Commission,''.
                (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
            shall take effect 180 days after the appointment of the
            Director.
        (f) Coverage Under Hatch Act.--Clause (i) of section 7323(b)(2)(B)
    of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
                (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subclause (XIII); and
                (2) by adding at the end the following new subclause:
                        ``(XV) the Office of Democracy Advancement and
                    Innovation; or''.
        (g) Regulations.--
                (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), not
            later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
            the Director shall promulgate such rules and regulations as the
            Director considers necessary and appropriate to carry out the
            duties of the Office under this Act and the amendments made by
            this Act.
                (2) State plan submission and approval and distribution of
            funds.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment
            of this Act, the Director shall promulgate such rules and
            regulations as the Director considers necessary and appropriate
            to carry out the requirements of this part and the amendments
            made by this part.
                (3) Comments by the election assistance commission and the
            federal election commission.--The Election Assistance
            Commission and the Federal Election Assistance shall timely
            submit comments with respect to any proposed regulations
            promulgated by the Director under this subsection.
        (h) Interim Authority Pending Appointment and Confirmation of
    Director.--
                (1) Authority of director of office of management and
            budget.--Notwithstanding subsection (b), during the transition
            period, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget is
            authorized to perform the functions of the Office under this
            title, and shall act for all purposes as, and with the full
            powers of, the Director.
                (2) Interim administrative services.--
                        (A) Authority of office of management and budget.--
                    During the transition period, the Director of the
                    Office of Management and Budget may provide
                    administrative services necessary to support the
                    Office.
                        (B) Termination of authority; permitting
                    extension.--The Director of the Office of Management
                    and Budget shall cease providing interim administrative
                    services under this paragraph upon the expiration of
                    the transition period, except that the Director of the
                    Office of Management and Budget may continue to provide
                    such services after the expiration of the transition
                    period if the Director and the Director of the Office
                    of Management and Budget jointly transmit to the
                    Committee on House Administration of the House of
                    Representatives and the Committee on Rules and
                    Administration of the Senate--
                                (i) a written determination that an orderly
                            implementation of this title is not feasible by
                            the expiration of the transition period;
                                (ii) an explanation of why an extension is
                            necessary for the orderly implementation of
                            this title;
                                (iii) a description of the period during
                            which the Director of the Office of Management
                            and Budget shall continue providing services
                            under the authority of this subparagraph; and
                                (iv) a description of the steps that will
                            be taken to ensure an orderly and timely
                            implementation of this title during the period
                            described in clause (iii).
                (3) Transition period defined.--In this subsection, the
            ``transition period'' is the period which begins on the date of
            the enactment of this Act and ends on the date on which the
            Director is appointed and confirmed.
                (4) Limit on length of period of interim authorities.--
            Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the
            Director of the Office of Management and Budget may not
            exercise any authority under this subsection after the
            expiration of the 24-month period which begins on the date of
            the enactment of this Act.
        (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
    appropriated from the Trust Fund such sums as may be necessary to carry
    out the activities of the Office for fiscal year 2025 and each
    succeeding fiscal year.

          PART 2--STATE ELECTION ASSISTANCE AND INNOVATION TRUST FUND

    SEC. 8011. STATE ELECTION ASSISTANCE AND INNOVATION TRUST FUND.

        (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury a fund to
    be known as the ``State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust
    Fund''.
        (b) Contents.--The Trust Fund shall consist solely of--
                (1) amounts transferred under section 3015 of title 18,
            United States Code, section 9706 of title 31, United States
            Code, and section 6761 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as
            added by section 8013); and
                (2) gifts or bequests deposited pursuant to subsection (d).
        (c) Use of Funds.--Amounts in the Trust Fund shall be used to make
    payments and allocations under the Program (as described in section
    8012(a)) and to carry out the activities of the Office.
        (d) Acceptance of Gifts.--The Office may accept gifts or bequests
    for deposit into the Trust Fund.
        (e) No Taxpayer Funds Permitted.--No taxpayer funds may be
    deposited into the Trust Fund. For purposes of this subsection, the
    term ``taxpayer funds'' means revenues received by the Internal Revenue
    Service from tax liabilities.
        (f) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date of
    the enactment of this subtitle.

    SEC. 8012. USES OF FUND.

        (a) Payments and Allocations Described.--For each fiscal year,
    amounts in the Fund shall be used as follows:
                (1) Payments to States under the Program, as described in
            section 8005(a).
                (2) Allocations to the Election Assistance Commission, to
            be used for payments for certain election administration
            activities, as described in section 8005(b).
                (3) Allocations to the Federal Election Commission, to be
            used for payments to participating candidates under title V of
            the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as described in
            section 8005(c).
                (4) Allocations to the Federal Election Commission, to be
            used for payments to States operating a Democracy Credit
            Program under part 1 of subtitle B, as described in section
            8005(d).
        (b) Determination of Aggregate Amount of State Allocations.--The
    Director shall determine and establish the aggregate amount of State
    allocations for each fiscal year, taking into account the anticipated
    balances of the Trust Fund. In carrying out this subsection, the
    Director shall consult with the Federal Election Commission and the
    Election Assistance Commission, but shall be solely responsible for
    making the final determinations under this subsection.

    SEC. 8013. ASSESSMENTS AGAINST FINES AND PENALTIES.

        (a) Assessments Relating to Criminal Offenses.--
                (1) In general.--Chapter 201 of title 18, United States
            Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
            section:
    ``Sec. 3015. Special assessments for State Election Assistance and
                  Innovation Trust Fund
        ``(a) Assessments.--
                ``(1) Convictions of crimes.--In addition to any assessment
            imposed under this chapter, the court shall assess on any
            organizational defendant or any defendant who is a corporate
            officer or person with equivalent authority in any other
            organization who is convicted of a criminal offense under
            Federal law an amount equal to 4.75 percent of any fine imposed
            on that defendant in the sentence imposed for that conviction.
                ``(2) Settlements.--The court shall assess on any
            organizational defendant or defendant who is a corporate
            officer or person with equivalent authority in any other
            organization who has entered into a settlement agreement or
            consent decree with the United States in satisfaction of any
            allegation that the defendant committed a criminal offense
            under Federal law an amount equal to 4.75 percent of the amount
            of the settlement.
        ``(b) Manner of Collection.--An amount assessed under subsection
    (a) shall be collected in the manner in which fines are collected in
    criminal cases.
        ``(c) Transfers.--In a manner consistent with section 3302(b) of
    title 31, there shall be transferred from the General Fund of the
    Treasury to the State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust Fund
    under section 8011 of the Freedom to Vote Act an amount equal to the
    amount of the assessments collected under this section.''.
                (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections of chapter
            201 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at
            the end the following:

    ``3015. Special assessments for State Election Assistance and
                                Innovation Trust Fund.''.
        (b) Assessments Relating to Civil Penalties.--
                (1) In general.--Chapter 97 of title 31, United States
            Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
            section:
    ``Sec. 9706. Special assessments for State Election Assistance and
                  Innovation Trust Fund
        ``(a) Assessments.--
                ``(1) Civil penalties.--Any entity of the Federal
            Government which is authorized under any law, rule, or
            regulation to impose a civil penalty shall assess on each
            person, other than a natural person who is not a corporate
            officer or person with equivalent authority in any other
            organization, on whom such a penalty is imposed an amount equal
            to 4.75 percent of the amount of the penalty.
                ``(2) Administrative penalties.--Any entity of the Federal
            Government which is authorized under any law, rule, or
            regulation to impose an administrative penalty shall assess on
            each person, other than a natural person who is not a corporate
            officer or person with equivalent authority in any other
            organization, on whom such a penalty is imposed an amount equal
            to 4.75 percent of the amount of the penalty.
                ``(3) Settlements.--Any entity of the Federal Government
            which is authorized under any law, rule, or regulation to enter
            into a settlement agreement or consent decree with any person,
            other than a natural person who is not a corporate officer or
            person with equivalent authority in any other organization, in
            satisfaction of any allegation of an action or omission by the
            person which would be subject to a civil penalty or
            administrative penalty shall assess on such person an amount
            equal to 4.75 percent of the amount of the settlement.
        ``(b) Manner of Collection.--An amount assessed under subsection
    (a) shall be collected--
                ``(1) in the case of an amount assessed under paragraph (1)
            of such subsection, in the manner in which civil penalties are
            collected by the entity of the Federal Government involved;
                ``(2) in the case of an amount assessed under paragraph (2)
            of such subsection, in the manner in which administrative
            penalties are collected by the entity of the Federal Government
            involved; and
                ``(3) in the case of an amount assessed under paragraph (3)
            of such subsection, in the manner in which amounts are
            collected pursuant to settlement agreements or consent decrees
            entered into by the entity of the Federal Government involved.
        ``(c) Transfers.--In a manner consistent with section 3302(b) of
    this title, there shall be transferred from the General Fund of the
    Treasury to the State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust Fund
    under section 8011 of the Freedom to Vote Act an amount equal to the
    amount of the assessments collected under this section.
        ``(d) Exception for Penalties and Settlements Under Authority of
    the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.--
                ``(1) In general.--No assessment shall be made under
            subsection (a) with respect to any civil or administrative
            penalty imposed, or any settlement agreement or consent decree
            entered into, under the authority of the Internal Revenue Code
            of 1986.
                ``(2) Cross reference.--For application of special
            assessments for the State Election Assistance and Innovation
            Trust Fund with respect to certain penalties under the Internal
            Revenue Code of 1986, see section 6761 of the Internal Revenue
            Code of 1986.''.
                (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections of chapter
            97 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
            end the following:

    ``9706. Special assessments for State Election Assistance and
                                Innovation Trust Fund.''.
        (c) Assessments Relating to Certain Penalties Under the Internal
    Revenue Code of 1986.--
                (1) In general.--Chapter 68 of the Internal Revenue Code of
            1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new
            subchapter:

     ``Subchapter D--Special Assessments for State Election Assistance and
                             Innovation Trust Fund

    ``SEC. 6761. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR STATE ELECTION ASSISTANCE AND
                  INNOVATION TRUST FUND.

        ``(a) In General.--Each person required to pay a covered penalty
    shall pay an additional amount equal to 4.75 percent of the amount of
    such penalty.
        ``(b) Covered Penalty.--For purposes of this section, the term
    `covered penalty' means any addition to tax, additional amount,
    penalty, or other liability provided under subchapter A or B.
        ``(c) Exception for Certain Individuals.--
                ``(1) In general.--In the case of a taxpayer who is an
            individual, subsection (a) shall not apply to any covered
            penalty if such taxpayer is an exempt taxpayer for the taxable
            year for which such covered penalty is assessed.
                ``(2) Exempt taxpayer.--For purposes of this subsection, a
            taxpayer is an exempt taxpayer for any taxable year if the
            taxable income of such taxpayer for such taxable year does not
            exceed the dollar amount at which begins the highest rate
            bracket in effect under section 1 with respect to such taxpayer
            for such taxable year.
        ``(d) Application of Certain Rules.--Except as provided in
    subsection (e), the additional amount determined under subsection (a)
    shall be treated for purposes of this title in the same manner as the
    covered penalty to which such additional amount relates.
        ``(e) Transfer to State Election Administration and Innovation
    Trust Fund.--The Secretary shall deposit any additional amount under
    subsection (a) in the General Fund of the Treasury and shall transfer
    from such General Fund to the State Election Assistance and Innovation
    Trust Fund under section 8011 of the Freedom to Vote Act an amount
    equal to the amounts so deposited (and, notwithstanding subsection (d),
    such additional amount shall not be the basis for any deposit,
    transfer, credit, appropriation, or any other payment, to any other
    trust fund or account). Rules similar to the rules of section 9601
    shall apply for purposes of this subsection.''.
                (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of subchapters for
            chapter 68 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the
            following new item:

     ``subchapter d--special assessments for state election assistance and
                            innovation trust fund''.

        (d) Effective Dates.--
                (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
            amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to
            convictions, agreements, and penalties which occur on or after
            the date of the enactment of this Act.
                (2) Assessments relating to certain penalties under the
            internal revenue code of 1986.--The amendments made by
            subsection (c) shall apply to covered penalties assessed after
            the date of the enactment of this Act.

                           PART 3--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    SEC. 8021. DEFINITIONS.

        In this subtitle, the following definitions apply:
                (1) The term ``chief State election official'' has the
            meaning given such term in section 253(e) of the Help America
            Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21003(e)).
                (2) The term ``Director'' means the Director of the Office.
                (3) The term ``election cycle'' means the period beginning
            on the day after the date of the most recent regularly
            scheduled general election for Federal office and ending on the
            date of the next regularly scheduled general election for
            Federal office.
                (4) The term ``Indian lands'' includes--
                        (A) Indian country, as defined under section 1151
                    of title 18, United States Code;
                        (B) 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));
                        (C) any land on which the seat of the Tribal
                    government is located; and
                        (D) 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.
                (5) The term ``Office'' means the Office of Democracy
            Advancement and Innovation established under section 8005.
                (6) The term ``Program'' means the Democracy Advancement
            and Innovation Program established under section 8001.
                (7) The term ``State'' means each of the several States,
            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.
                (8) The term ``Trust Fund'' means the State Election
            Assistance and Innovation Trust Fund established under section
            8011.

    SEC. 8022. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION REGARDING CALCULATION OF DEADLINES.

        (a) In General.--With respect to the calculation of any period of
    time for the purposes of a deadline in this subtitle, the last day of
    the period shall be included in such calculation, unless such day is a
    Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal public holiday, in which case the period
    of such deadline shall be extended until the end of the next day which
    is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal public holiday.
        (b) Legal Public Holiday Defined.--For the purposes of this
    section, the term ``legal public holiday'' means a day described in
    section 6103(a) of title 5, United States Code.

               Subtitle B--Elections for House of Representatives

    SEC. 8101. SHORT TITLE.

        This subtitle may be cited as the ``Government By the People Act of
    2023''.

                   PART 1--OPTIONAL DEMOCRACY CREDIT PROGRAM

    SEC. 8102. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.

        (a) Establishment.--The Federal Election Commission (hereafter in
    this part referred to as the ``Commission'') shall establish a program
    under which the Commission shall make payments to States to operate a
    credit program which is described in section 8103 during an election
    cycle.
        (b) Requirements for Program.--A State is eligible to operate a
    credit program under this part with respect to an election cycle if,
    not later than 120 days before the cycle begins, the State submits to
    the Commission a statement containing--
                (1) information and assurances that the State will operate
            a credit program which contains the elements described in
            section 8103(a);
                (2) information and assurances that the State will
            establish fraud prevention mechanisms described in section
            8103(b);
                (3) information and assurances that the State will
            establish a commission to oversee and implement the program as
            described in section 8103(c);
                (4) information and assurances that the State will carry
            out a public information campaign as described in section
            8103(d);
                (5) information and assurances that the State will submit
            reports as required under section 8104;
                (6) information and assurances that, not later than 60 days
            before the beginning of the cycle, the State will complete any
            actions necessary to operate the program during the cycle; and
                (7) such other information and assurances as the Commission
            may require.
        (c) Reimbursement of Costs.--
                (1) Reimbursement.--Upon receiving the report submitted by
            a State under section 8104(a) with respect to an election
            cycle, the Commission shall transmit a payment to the State in
            an amount equal to the reasonable costs incurred by the State
            in operating the credit program under this part during the
            cycle.
                (2) Source of funds.--Payments to a State under the program
            shall be made using amounts allocated to the Commission for
            purposes of making payments under this part with respect to the
            State from the State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust
            Fund (hereafter referred to as the ``Fund'') under section
            8012, in the amount allocated with respect to the State under
            section 8005(d).
                (3) Cap on amount of payment.--The aggregate amount of
            payments made to any State with respect to two consecutive
            election cycles may not exceed $10,000,000. If the State
            determines that the maximum payment amount under this paragraph
            with respect to such cycles is not, or may not be, sufficient
            to cover the reasonable costs incurred by the State in
            operating the program under this part for such cycles, the
            State shall reduce the amount of the credit provided to each
            qualified individual by such pro rata amount as may be
            necessary to ensure that the reasonable costs incurred by the
            State in operating the program will not exceed the amount paid
            to the State with respect to such cycles.
        (d) Continuing Availability of Funds After Appropriation.--A
    payment made to a State under this part shall be available without
    fiscal year limitation.

    SEC. 8103. CREDIT PROGRAM DESCRIBED.

        (a) General Elements of Program.--
                (1) Elements described.--The elements of a credit program
            operated by a State under this part are as follows:
                        (A) The State shall provide each qualified
                    individual upon the individual's request with a credit
                    worth $25 to be known as a ``Democracy Credit'' during
                    the election cycle which will be assigned a routing
                    number and which at the option of the individual will
                    be provided in either paper or electronic form.
                        (B) Using the routing number assigned to the
                    Democracy Credit, the individual may submit the
                    Democracy Credit in either electronic or paper form to
                    qualified candidates for election for the office of
                    Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner
                    to, the Congress and allocate such portion of the value
                    of the Democracy Credit in increments of $5 as the
                    individual may select to any such candidate.
                        (C) If the candidate transmits the Democracy Credit
                    to the Commission, the Commission shall pay the
                    candidate the portion of the value of the Democracy
                    Credit that the individual allocated to the candidate,
                    which shall be considered a contribution by the
                    individual to the candidate for purposes of the Federal
                    Election Campaign Act of 1971.
                (2) Designation of qualified individuals.--For purposes of
            paragraph (1)(A), a ``qualified individual'' with respect to a
            State means an individual--
                        (A) who is a resident of the State;
                        (B) who will be of voting age as of the date of the
                    election for the candidate to whom the individual
                    submits a Democracy Credit; and
                        (C) who is not prohibited under Federal law from
                    making contributions to candidates for election for
                    Federal office.
                (3) Treatment as contribution to candidate.--For purposes
            of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, the submission of
            a Democracy Credit to a candidate by an individual shall be
            treated as a contribution to the candidate by the individual in
            the amount of the portion of the value of the Credit that the
            individual allocated to the candidate.
        (b) Fraud Prevention Mechanism.--In addition to the elements
    described in subsection (a), a State operating a credit program under
    this part shall permit an individual to revoke a Democracy Credit not
    later than 2 days after submitting the Democracy Credit to a candidate.
        (c) Oversight Commission.--In addition to the elements described in
    subsection (a), a State operating a credit program under this part
    shall establish a commission or designate an existing entity to oversee
    and implement the program in the State, except that no such commission
    or entity may be comprised of elected officials.
        (d) Public Information Campaign.--In addition to the elements
    described in subsection (a), a State operating a credit program under
    this part shall carry out a public information campaign to disseminate
    awareness of the program among qualified individuals.
        (e) No Taxpayer Funds Permitted To Carry Out Program.--No taxpayer
    funds shall be used to carry out the credit program under this part.
    For purposes of this subsection, the term ``taxpayer funds'' means
    revenues received by the Internal Revenue Service from tax liabilities.

    SEC. 8104. REPORTS.

        (a) State Reports.--Not later than 6 months after each first
    election cycle during which the State operates a program under this
    part, the State shall submit to the Commission and the Office of
    Democracy Advancement and Innovation a report analyzing the operation
    and effectiveness of the program during the cycle and including such
    other information as the Commission may require.
        (b) Study and Report on Impact and Effectiveness of Credit
    Programs.--
                (1) Study.--The Commission shall conduct a study on the
            efficacy of political credit programs, including the program
            under this part and other similar programs, in expanding and
            diversifying the pool of individuals who participate in the
            electoral process, including those who participate as donors
            and those who participate as candidates.
                (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the first election
            cycle for which States operate the program under this part, the
            Commission shall publish and submit to Congress a report on the
            study conducted under paragraph (1).

    SEC. 8105. ELECTION CYCLE DEFINED.

        In this part, the term ``election cycle'' means the period
    beginning on the day after the date of the most recent regularly
    scheduled general election for Federal office and ending on the date of
    the next regularly scheduled general election for Federal office.

       PART 2--OPTIONAL SMALL DOLLAR FINANCING OF ELECTIONS FOR HOUSE OF
                                REPRESENTATIVES

    SEC. 8111. BENEFITS AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES.

        The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.)
    is amended by adding at the end the following:

          ``TITLE V--SMALL DOLLAR FINANCING OF ELECTIONS FOR HOUSE OF
                                REPRESENTATIVES

                             ``Subtitle A--Benefits

    ``SEC. 501. BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPATING CANDIDATES.

        ``(a) In General.--If a candidate for election to the office of
    Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the
    Congress is certified as a participating candidate under this title
    with respect to an election for such office, the candidate shall be
    entitled to payments as provided under this title.
        ``(b) Amount of Payment.--The amount of a payment made under this
    title shall be equal to 600 percent of the amount of qualified small
    dollar contributions received by the candidate since the most recent
    payment made to the candidate under this title during the election
    cycle, without regard to whether or not the candidate received any of
    the contributions before, during, or after the Small Dollar Democracy
    qualifying period applicable to the candidate under section 511(c).
        ``(c) Limit on Aggregate Amount of Payments.--The aggregate amount
    of payments made to a participating candidate with respect to an
    election cycle under this title may not exceed 50 percent of the
    average of the 20 greatest amounts of disbursements made by the
    authorized committees of any winning candidate for the office of
    Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the
    Congress during the most recent election cycle, rounded to the nearest
    $100,000.
        ``(d) No Taxpayer Funds Permitted.--No taxpayer funds shall be used
    to make payments under this title. For purposes of this subsection, the
    term `taxpayer funds' means revenues received by the Internal Revenue
    Service from tax liabilities.

    ``SEC. 502. PROCEDURES FOR MAKING PAYMENTS.

        ``(a) In General.--The Division Director shall make a payment under
    section 501 to a candidate who is certified as a participating
    candidate upon receipt from the candidate of a request for a payment
    which includes--
                ``(1) a statement of the number and amount of qualified
            small dollar contributions received by the candidate since the
            most recent payment made to the candidate under this title
            during the election cycle;
                ``(2) a statement of the amount of the payment the
            candidate anticipates receiving with respect to the request;
                ``(3) a statement of the total amount of payments the
            candidate has received under this title as of the date of the
            statement; and
                ``(4) such other information and assurances as the Division
            Director may require.
        ``(b) Restrictions on Submission of Requests.--A candidate may not
    submit a request under subsection (a) unless each of the following
    applies:
                ``(1) The amount of the qualified small dollar
            contributions in the statement referred to in subsection (a)(1)
            is equal to or greater than $5,000, unless the request is
            submitted during the 30-day period which ends on the date of a
            general election.
                ``(2) The candidate did not receive a payment under this
            title during the 7-day period which ends on the date the
            candidate submits the request.
        ``(c) Time of Payment.--The Division Director shall, in
    coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, take such steps as may
    be necessary to ensure that the Secretary is able to make payments
    under this section from the Treasury not later than 2 business days
    after the receipt of a request submitted under subsection (a).

    ``SEC. 503. USE OF FUNDS.

        ``(a) Use of Funds for Authorized Campaign Expenditures.--A
    candidate shall use payments made under this title, including payments
    provided with respect to a previous election cycle which are withheld
    from remittance to the Commission in accordance with section 524(a)(2),
    only for making direct payments for the receipt of goods and services
    which constitute authorized expenditures (as determined in accordance
    with title III) in connection with the election cycle involved.
        ``(b) Prohibiting Use of Funds for Legal Expenses, Fines, or
    Penalties.--Notwithstanding title III, a candidate may not use payments
    made under this title for the payment of expenses incurred in
    connection with any action, claim, or other matter before the
    Commission or before any court, hearing officer, arbitrator, or other
    dispute resolution entity, or for the payment of any fine or civil
    monetary penalty.

    ``SEC. 504. QUALIFIED SMALL DOLLAR CONTRIBUTIONS DESCRIBED.

        ``(a) In General.--In this title, the term `qualified small dollar
    contribution' means, with respect to a candidate and the authorized
    committees of a candidate, a contribution that meets the following
    requirements:
                ``(1) The contribution is in an amount that is--
                        ``(A) not less than $1; and
                        ``(B) not more than $200.
                ``(2)(A) The contribution is made directly by an individual
            to the candidate or an authorized committee of the candidate
            and is not--
                        ``(i) forwarded from the individual making the
                    contribution to the candidate or committee by another
                    person; or
                        ``(ii) received by the candidate or committee with
                    the knowledge that the contribution was made at the
                    request, suggestion, or recommendation of another
                    person.
                ``(B) In this paragraph--
                        ``(i) the term `person' does not include an
                    individual (other than an individual described in
                    section 304(i)(7) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
                    of 1971), a political committee of a political party,
                    or any political committee which is not a separate
                    segregated fund described in section 316(b) of the
                    Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and which does
                    not make contributions or independent expenditures,
                    does not engage in lobbying activity under the Lobbying
                    Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and is
                    not established by, controlled by, or affiliated with a
                    registered lobbyist under such Act, an agent of a
                    registered lobbyist under such Act, or an organization
                    which retains or employs a registered lobbyist under
                    such Act; and
                        ``(ii) a contribution is not `made at the request,
                    suggestion, or recommendation of another person' solely
                    on the grounds that the contribution is made in
                    response to information provided to the individual
                    making the contribution by any person, so long as the
                    candidate or authorized committee does not know the
                    identity of the person who provided the information to
                    such individual.
                ``(3) The individual who makes the contribution does not
            make contributions to the candidate or the authorized
            committees of the candidate with respect to the election
            involved in an aggregate amount that exceeds the amount
            described in paragraph (1)(B), or any contribution to the
            candidate or the authorized committees of the candidate with
            respect to the election involved that otherwise is not a
            qualified small dollar contribution.
        ``(b) Treatment of Democracy Credits.--Any payment received by a
    candidate and the authorized committees of a candidate which consists
    of a Democracy Credit under the Freedom to Vote Act shall be considered
    a qualified small dollar contribution for purposes of this title, so
    long as the individual making the payment meets the requirements of
    paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a).
        ``(c) Restriction on Subsequent Contributions.--
                ``(1) Prohibiting donor from making subsequent nonqualified
            contributions during election cycle.--
                        ``(A) In general.--An individual who makes a
                    qualified small dollar contribution to a candidate or
                    the authorized committees of a candidate with respect
                    to an election may not make any subsequent contribution
                    to such candidate or the authorized committees of such
                    candidate with respect to the election cycle which is
                    not a qualified small dollar contribution.
                        ``(B) Exception for contributions to candidates who
                    voluntarily withdraw from participation during
                    qualifying period.--Subparagraph (A) does not apply
                    with respect to a contribution made to a candidate who,
                    during the Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period
                    described in section 511(c), submits a statement to the
                    Commission under section 513(c) to voluntarily withdraw
                    from participating in the program under this title.
                ``(2) Treatment of subsequent nonqualified contributions.--
            If, notwithstanding the prohibition described in paragraph (1),
            an individual who makes a qualified small dollar contribution
            to a candidate or the authorized committees of a candidate with
            respect to an election makes a subsequent contribution to such
            candidate or the authorized committees of such candidate with
            respect to the election which is prohibited under paragraph (1)
            because it is not a qualified small dollar contribution, the
            candidate may take one of the following actions:
                        ``(A) Not later than 2 weeks after receiving the
                    contribution, the candidate may return the subsequent
                    contribution to the individual. In the case of a
                    subsequent contribution which is not a qualified small
                    dollar contribution because the contribution fails to
                    meet the requirements of paragraph (3) of subsection
                    (a) (relating to the aggregate amount of contributions
                    made to the candidate or the authorized committees of
                    the candidate by the individual making the
                    contribution), the candidate may return an amount equal
                    to the difference between the amount of the subsequent
                    contribution and the amount described in paragraph
                    (1)(B) of subsection (a).
                        ``(B) The candidate may retain the subsequent
                    contribution, so long as not later than 2 weeks after
                    receiving the subsequent contribution, the candidate
                    remits to the Commission an amount equal to any
                    payments received by the candidate under this title
                    which are attributable to the qualified small dollar
                    contribution made by the individual involved. Such
                    amount shall be used to supplement the allocation made
                    to the Commission with respect to candidates from the
                    State in which the candidate seeks office, as described
                    in section 541(a).
                ``(3) No effect on ability to make multiple
            contributions.--Nothing in this section may be construed to
            prohibit an individual from making multiple qualified small
            dollar contributions to any candidate or any number of
            candidates, so long as each contribution meets each of the
            requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a).
        ``(d) Notification Requirements for Candidates.--
                ``(1) Notification.--Each authorized committee of a
            candidate who seeks to be a participating candidate under this
            title shall provide the following information in any materials
            for the solicitation of contributions, including any internet
            site through which individuals may make contributions to the
            committee:
                        ``(A) A statement that if the candidate is
                    certified as a participating candidate under this
                    title, the candidate will receive matching payments in
                    an amount which is based on the total amount of
                    qualified small dollar contributions received.
                        ``(B) A statement that a contribution which meets
                    the requirements set forth in subsection (a) shall be
                    treated as a qualified small dollar contribution under
                    this title.
                        ``(C) A statement that if a contribution is treated
                    as a qualified small dollar contribution under this
                    title, the individual who makes the contribution may
                    not make any contribution to the candidate or the
                    authorized committees of the candidate during the
                    election cycle which is not a qualified small dollar
                    contribution.
                ``(2) Alternative methods of meeting requirements.--An
            authorized committee may meet the requirements of paragraph
            (1)--
                        ``(A) by including the information described in
                    paragraph (1) in the receipt provided under section
                    512(b)(3) to a person making a qualified small dollar
                    contribution; or
                        ``(B) by modifying the information it provides to
                    persons making contributions which is otherwise
                    required under title III (including information it
                    provides through the internet).

                  ``Subtitle B--Eligibility and Certification

    ``SEC. 511. ELIGIBILITY.

        ``(a) In General.--A candidate for the office of Representative in,
    or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress is eligible to be
    certified as a participating candidate under this title with respect to
    an election if the candidate meets the following requirements:
                ``(1) The candidate files with the Commission a statement
            of intent to seek certification as a participating candidate.
                ``(2) The candidate meets the qualifying requirements of
            section 512.
                ``(3) The candidate files with the Commission a statement
            certifying that the authorized committees of the candidate meet
            the requirements of section 504(d).
                ``(4) Not later than the last day of the Small Dollar
            Democracy qualifying period, the candidate files with the
            Commission an affidavit signed by the candidate and the
            treasurer of the candidate's principal campaign committee
            declaring that the candidate--
                        ``(A) has complied and, if certified, will comply
                    with the contribution and expenditure requirements of
                    section 521;
                        ``(B) if certified, will run only as a
                    participating candidate for all elections for the
                    office that such candidate is seeking during that
                    election cycle; and
                        ``(C) has either qualified or will take steps to
                    qualify under State law to be on the ballot.
                ``(5) The candidate files with the Commission a
            certification that the candidate will not use any allocation
            from the Fund to directly or indirectly pay salaries, fees,
            consulting expenses, or any other compensation for services
            rendered to themselves, family members (including spouses as
            well as children, parents, siblings, or any of their spouses),
            or any entity or organization in which they have an ownership
            interest.
        ``(b) General Election.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), a
    candidate shall not be eligible to be certified as a participating
    candidate under this title for a general election or a general runoff
    election unless the candidate's party nominated the candidate to be
    placed on the ballot for the general election or the candidate is
    otherwise qualified to be on the ballot under State law.
        ``(c) Small Dollar Democracy Qualifying Period Defined.--The term
    `Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period' means, with respect to any
    candidate for an office, the 180-day period (during the election cycle
    for such office) which begins on the date on which the candidate files
    a statement of intent under section 511(a)(1), except that such period
    may not continue after the date that is 30 days before the date of the
    general election for the office.

    ``SEC. 512. QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS.

        ``(a) Receipt of Qualified Small Dollar Contributions.--A candidate
    for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
    Commissioner to, the Congress meets the requirement of this section if,
    during the Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period described in
    section 511(c), each of the following occurs:
                ``(1) Not fewer than 1,000 individuals make a qualified
            small dollar contribution to the candidate.
                ``(2) The candidate obtains a total dollar amount of
            qualified small dollar contributions which is equal to or
            greater than $50,000.
        ``(b) Requirements Relating to Receipt of Qualified Small Dollar
    Contribution.--Each qualified small dollar contribution--
                ``(1) may be made by means of a personal check, money
            order, debit card, credit card, electronic payment account, or
            any other method deemed appropriate by the Division Director;
                ``(2) shall be accompanied by a signed statement (or, in
            the case of a contribution made online or through other
            electronic means, an electronic equivalent) containing the
            contributor's name and address; and
                ``(3) shall be acknowledged by a receipt that is sent to
            the contributor with a copy (in paper or electronic form) kept
            by the candidate for the Commission.
        ``(c) Verification of Contributions.--
                ``(1) Procedures.--The Division Director shall establish
            procedures for the auditing and verification of the
            contributions received and expenditures made by participating
            candidates under this title, including procedures for random
            audits, to ensure that such contributions and expenditures meet
            the requirements of this title.
                ``(2) Authority of commission to revise procedures.--The
            Commission, by a vote of not fewer than four of its members,
            may revise the procedures established by the Division Director
            under this subsection.

    ``SEC. 513. CERTIFICATION.

        ``(a) Deadline and Notification.--
                ``(1) In general.--Not later than 5 business days after a
            candidate files an affidavit under section 511(a)(4), the
            Division Director shall--
                        ``(A) determine whether or not the candidate meets
                    the requirements for certification as a participating
                    candidate;
                        ``(B) if the Division Director determines that the
                    candidate meets such requirements, certify the
                    candidate as a participating candidate; and
                        ``(C) notify the candidate of the Division
                    Director's determination.
                ``(2) Deemed certification for all elections in election
            cycle.--If the Division Director certifies a candidate as a
            participating candidate with respect to the first election of
            the election cycle involved, the Division Director shall be
            deemed to have certified the candidate as a participating
            candidate with respect to all subsequent elections of the
            election cycle.
                ``(3) Authority of commission to reverse determination by
            division director.--During the 10-day period which begins on
            the date the Division Director makes a determination under this
            subsection, the Commission, by a vote of not fewer than four of
            its members, may review and reverse the determination. If the
            Commission reverses the determination, the Commission shall
            promptly notify the candidate involved.
        ``(b) Revocation of Certification.--
                ``(1) In general.--The Division Director shall revoke a
            certification under subsection (a) if--
                        ``(A) a candidate fails to qualify to appear on the
                    ballot at any time after the date of certification
                    (other than a candidate certified as a participating
                    candidate with respect to a primary election who fails
                    to qualify to appear on the ballot for a subsequent
                    election in that election cycle);
                        ``(B) a candidate ceases to be a candidate for the
                    office involved, as determined on the basis of an
                    official announcement by an authorized committee of the
                    candidate or on the basis of a reasonable determination
                    by the Commission; or
                        ``(C) a candidate otherwise fails to comply with
                    the requirements of this title, including any
                    regulatory requirements prescribed by the Commission.
                ``(2) Existence of criminal sanction.--The Division
            Director shall revoke a certification under subsection (a) if a
            penalty is assessed against the candidate under section 309(d)
            with respect to the election.
                ``(3) Effect of revocation.--If a candidate's certification
            is revoked under this subsection--
                        ``(A) the candidate may not receive payments under
                    this title during the remainder of the election cycle
                    involved; and
                        ``(B) in the case of a candidate whose
                    certification is revoked pursuant to subparagraph (A)
                    or subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1)--
                                ``(i) the candidate shall repay to the
                            Commission an amount equal to the payments
                            received under this title with respect to the
                            election cycle involved plus interest (at a
                            rate determined by the Commission on the basis
                            of an appropriate annual percentage rate for
                            the month involved) on any such amount
                            received, which shall be used by the Commission
                            to supplement the allocation made to the
                            Commission with respect to the State in which
                            the candidate seeks office, as described in
                            section 541(a); and
                                ``(ii) the candidate may not be certified
                            as a participating candidate under this title
                            with respect to the next election cycle.
                ``(4) Prohibiting participation in future elections for
            candidates with multiple revocations.--If the Division Director
            revokes the certification of an individual as a participating
            candidate under this title pursuant to subparagraph (A) or
            subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) a total of 3 times, the
            individual may not be certified as a participating candidate
            under this title with respect to any subsequent election.
                ``(5) Authority of commission to reverse revocation by
            division director.--During the 10-day period which begins on
            the date the Division Director makes a determination under this
            subsection, the Commission, by a vote of not fewer than four of
            its members, may review and reverse the determination. If the
            Commission reverses the determination, the Commission shall
            promptly notify the candidate involved.
        ``(c) Voluntary Withdrawal From Participating During Qualifying
    Period.--At any time during the Small Dollar Democracy qualifying
    period described in section 511(c), a candidate may withdraw from
    participation in the program under this title by submitting to the
    Commission a statement of withdrawal (without regard to whether or not
    the Commission has certified the candidate as a participating candidate
    under this title as of the time the candidate submits such statement),
    so long as the candidate has not submitted a request for payment under
    section 502.
        ``(d) Participating Candidate Defined.--In this title, a
    `participating candidate' means a candidate for the office of
    Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the
    Congress who is certified under this section as eligible to receive
    benefits under this title.

     ``Subtitle C--Requirements for Candidates Certified as Participating
                                   Candidates

    ``SEC. 521. CONTRIBUTION AND EXPENDITURE REQUIREMENTS.

        ``(a) Permitted Sources of Contributions and Expenditures.--Except
    as provided in subsection (c), a participating candidate with respect
    to an election shall, with respect to all elections occurring during
    the election cycle for the office involved, accept no contributions
    from any source and make no expenditures from any amounts, other than
    the following:
                ``(1) Qualified small dollar contributions.
                ``(2) Payments under this title.
                ``(3) Contributions from political committees established
            and maintained by a national or State political party, subject
            to the applicable limitations of section 315.
                ``(4) Subject to subsection (b), personal funds of the
            candidate or of any immediate family member of the candidate
            (other than funds received through qualified small dollar
            contributions).
                ``(5) Contributions from individuals who are otherwise
            permitted to make contributions under this Act, subject to the
            applicable limitations of section 315, except that the
            aggregate amount of contributions a participating candidate may
            accept from any individual with respect to any election during
            the election cycle may not exceed $1,000.
                ``(6) Contributions from multicandidate political
            committees, subject to the applicable limitations of section
            315.
        ``(b) Special Rules for Personal Funds.--
                ``(1) Limit on amount.--A candidate who is certified as a
            participating candidate may use personal funds (including
            personal funds of any immediate family member of the candidate)
            so long as--
                        ``(A) the aggregate amount used with respect to the
                    election cycle (including any period of the cycle
                    occurring prior to the candidate's certification as a
                    participating candidate) does not exceed $50,000; and
                        ``(B) the funds are used only for making direct
                    payments for the receipt of goods and services which
                    constitute authorized expenditures in connection with
                    the election cycle involved.
                ``(2) Immediate family member defined.--In this subsection,
            the term `immediate family member' means, with respect to a
            candidate--
                        ``(A) the candidate's spouse;
                        ``(B) a child, stepchild, parent, grandparent,
                    brother, half-brother, sister, or half-sister of the
                    candidate or the candidate's spouse; and
                        ``(C) the spouse of any person described in
                    subparagraph (B).
        ``(c) Exceptions.--
                ``(1) Exception for contributions received prior to filing
            of statement of intent.--A candidate who has accepted
            contributions that are not described in subsection (a) is not
            in violation of subsection (a), but only if all such
            contributions are--
                        ``(A) returned to the contributor;
                        ``(B) submitted to the Commission, to be used to
                    supplement the allocation made to the Commission with
                    respect to the State in which the candidate seeks
                    office, as described in section 541(a); or
                        ``(C) spent in accordance with paragraph (2).
                ``(2) Exception for expenditures made prior to filing of
            statement of intent.--If a candidate has made expenditures
            prior to the date the candidate files a statement of intent
            under section 511(a)(1) that the candidate is prohibited from
            making under subsection (a) or subsection (b), the candidate is
            not in violation of such subsection if the aggregate amount of
            the prohibited expenditures is less than the amount referred to
            in section 512(a)(2) (relating to the total dollar amount of
            qualified small dollar contributions which the candidate is
            required to obtain) which is applicable to the candidate.
                ``(3) Exception for campaign surpluses from a previous
            election.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), unexpended
            contributions received by the candidate or an authorized
            committee of the candidate with respect to a previous election
            may be retained, but only if the candidate places the funds in
            escrow and refrains from raising additional funds for or
            spending funds from that account during the election cycle in
            which a candidate is a participating candidate.
                ``(4) Exception for contributions received before the
            effective date of this title.--Contributions received and
            expenditures made by the candidate or an authorized committee
            of the candidate prior to the effective date of this title
            shall not constitute a violation of subsection (a) or (b).
            Unexpended contributions shall be treated the same as campaign
            surpluses under paragraph (3), and expenditures made shall
            count against the limit in paragraph (2).
        ``(d) Special Rule for Coordinated Party Expenditures.--For
    purposes of this section, a payment made by a political party in
    coordination with a participating candidate shall not be treated as a
    contribution to or as an expenditure made by the participating
    candidate.
        ``(e) Prohibition on Joint Fundraising Committees.--
                ``(1) Prohibition.--An authorized committee of a candidate
            who is certified as a participating candidate under this title
            with respect to an election may not establish a joint
            fundraising committee with a political committee other than
            another authorized committee of the candidate.
                ``(2) Status of existing committees for prior elections.--
            If a candidate established a joint fundraising committee
            described in paragraph (1) with respect to a prior election for
            which the candidate was not certified as a participating
            candidate under this title and the candidate does not terminate
            the committee, the candidate shall not be considered to be in
            violation of paragraph (1) so long as that joint fundraising
            committee does not receive any contributions or make any
            disbursements during the election cycle for which the candidate
            is certified as a participating candidate under this title.
        ``(f) Prohibition on Leadership PACs.--
                ``(1) Prohibition.--A candidate who is certified as a
            participating candidate under this title with respect to an
            election may not associate with, establish, finance, maintain,
            or control a leadership PAC.
                ``(2) Status of existing leadership pacs.--If a candidate
            established, financed, maintained, or controlled a leadership
            PAC prior to being certified as a participating candidate under
            this title and the candidate does not terminate the leadership
            PAC, the candidate shall not be considered to be in violation
            of paragraph (1) so long as the leadership PAC does not receive
            any contributions or make any disbursements during the election
            cycle for which the candidate is certified as a participating
            candidate under this title.
                ``(3) Leadership pac defined.--In this subsection, the term
            `leadership PAC' has the meaning given such term in section
            304(i)(8)(B).

    ``SEC. 522. ADMINISTRATION OF CAMPAIGN.

        ``(a) Separate Accounting for Various Permitted Contributions.--
    Each authorized committee of a candidate certified as a participating
    candidate under this title--
                ``(1) shall provide for separate accounting of each type of
            contribution described in section 521(a) which is received by
            the committee; and
                ``(2) shall provide for separate accounting for the
            payments received under this title.
        ``(b) Enhanced Disclosure of Information on Donors.--
                ``(1) Mandatory identification of individuals making
            qualified small dollar contributions.--Each authorized
            committee of a participating candidate under this title shall,
            in accordance with section 304(b)(3)(A), include in the reports
            the committee submits under section 304 the identification of
            each person who makes a qualified small dollar contribution to
            the committee.
                ``(2) Mandatory disclosure through internet.--Each
            authorized committee of a participating candidate under this
            title shall ensure that all information reported to the
            Commission under this Act with respect to contributions and
            expenditures of the committee is available to the public on the
            internet (whether through a site established for purposes of
            this subsection, a hyperlink on another public site of the
            committee, or a hyperlink on a report filed electronically with
            the Commission) in a searchable, sortable, and downloadable
            manner.

    ``SEC. 523. PREVENTING UNNECESSARY SPENDING OF MATCHING FUNDS.

        ``(a) Mandatory Spending of Available Private Funds.--An authorized
    committee of a candidate certified as a participating candidate under
    this title may not make any expenditure of any payments received under
    this title in any amount unless the committee has made an expenditure
    in an equivalent amount of funds received by the committee which are
    described in paragraphs (1), (3), (4), (5), and (6) of section 521(a).
        ``(b) Limitation.--Subsection (a) applies to an authorized
    committee only to the extent that the funds referred to in such
    subsection are available to the committee at the time the committee
    makes an expenditure of a payment received under this title.

    ``SEC. 524. REMITTING UNSPENT FUNDS AFTER ELECTION.

        ``(a) Remittance Required.--Not later than the date that is 180
    days after the last election for which a candidate certified as a
    participating candidate qualifies to be on the ballot during the
    election cycle involved, such participating candidate shall remit to
    the Commission an amount equal to the balance of the payments received
    under this title by the authorized committees of the candidate which
    remain unexpended as of such date, which shall be used to supplement
    the allocation made to the Commission with respect to the State in
    which the candidate seeks office, as described in section 541(a).
        ``(b) Permitting Candidates Participating in Next Election Cycle To
    Retain Portion of Unspent Funds.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), a
    participating candidate may withhold not more than $100,000 from the
    amount required to be remitted under subsection (a) if the candidate
    files a signed affidavit with the Commission that the candidate will
    seek certification as a participating candidate with respect to the
    next election cycle, except that the candidate may not use any portion
    of the amount withheld until the candidate is certified as a
    participating candidate with respect to that next election cycle. If
    the candidate fails to seek certification as a participating candidate
    prior to the last day of the Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period
    for the next election cycle (as described in section 511), or if the
    Commission notifies the candidate of the Commission's determination
    does not meet the requirements for certification as a participating
    candidate with respect to such cycle, the candidate shall immediately
    remit to the Commission the amount withheld.

                      ``Subtitle D--Enhanced Match Support

    ``SEC. 531. ENHANCED SUPPORT FOR GENERAL ELECTION.

        ``(a) Availability of Enhanced Support.--In addition to the
    payments made under subtitle A, the Division Director shall make an
    additional payment to an eligible candidate under this subtitle.
        ``(b) Use of Funds.--A candidate shall use the additional payment
    under this subtitle only for authorized expenditures in connection with
    the election involved.

    ``SEC. 532. ELIGIBILITY.

        ``(a) In General.--A candidate is eligible to receive an additional
    payment under this subtitle if the candidate meets each of the
    following requirements:
                ``(1) The candidate is on the ballot for the general
            election for the office the candidate seeks.
                ``(2) The candidate is certified as a participating
            candidate under this title with respect to the election.
                ``(3) During the enhanced support qualifying period, the
            candidate receives qualified small dollar contributions in a
            total amount of not less than $50,000.
                ``(4) During the enhanced support qualifying period, the
            candidate submits to the Division Director a request for the
            payment which includes--
                        ``(A) a statement of the number and amount of
                    qualified small dollar contributions received by the
                    candidate during the enhanced support qualifying
                    period;
                        ``(B) a statement of the amount of the payment the
                    candidate anticipates receiving with respect to the
                    request; and
                        ``(C) such other information and assurances as the
                    Division Director may require.
                ``(5) After submitting a request for the additional payment
            under paragraph (4), the candidate does not submit any other
            application for an additional payment under this subtitle.
        ``(b) Enhanced Support Qualifying Period Described.--In this
    subtitle, the term `enhanced support qualifying period' means, with
    respect to a general election, the period which begins 60 days before
    the date of the election and ends 14 days before the date of the
    election.

    ``SEC. 533. AMOUNT.

        ``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the amount of the
    additional payment made to an eligible candidate under this subtitle
    shall be an amount equal to 50 percent of--
                ``(1) the amount of the payment made to the candidate under
            section 501(b) with respect to the qualified small dollar
            contributions which are received by the candidate during the
            enhanced support qualifying period (as included in the request
            submitted by the candidate under section 532(a)(4)); or
                ``(2) in the case of a candidate who is not eligible to
            receive a payment under section 501(b) with respect to such
            qualified small dollar contributions because the candidate has
            reached the limit on the aggregate amount of payments under
            subtitle A for the election cycle under section 501(c), the
            amount of the payment which would have been made to the
            candidate under section 501(b) with respect to such qualified
            small dollar contributions if the candidate had not reached
            such limit.
        ``(b) Limit.--The amount of the additional payment determined under
    subsection (a) with respect to a candidate may not exceed $500,000.
        ``(c) No Effect on Aggregate Limit.--The amount of the additional
    payment made to a candidate under this subtitle shall not be included
    in determining the aggregate amount of payments made to a participating
    candidate with respect to an election cycle under section 501(c).

    ``SEC. 534. WAIVER OF AUTHORITY TO RETAIN PORTION OF UNSPENT FUNDS
                  AFTER ELECTION.

        ``Notwithstanding section 524(a)(2), a candidate who receives an
    additional payment under this subtitle with respect to an election is
    not permitted to withhold any portion from the amount of unspent funds
    the candidate is required to remit to the Commission under section
    524(a)(1).

                    ``Subtitle E--Administrative Provisions

    ``SEC. 541. SOURCE OF PAYMENTS.

        ``(a) Allocations From State Election Assistance and Innovation
    Trust Fund.--The amounts used to make payments to participating
    candidates under this title who seek office in a State shall be derived
    from the allocations made to the Commission with respect to the State
    from the State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust Fund (hereafter
    referred to as the `Fund') under section 8012 of the Freedom to Vote
    Act, as provided under section 8005(c) of such Act.
        ``(b) Use of Allocations To Make Payments to Participating
    Candidates.--
                ``(1) Payments to participating candidates.--The
            allocations made to the Commission as described in subsection
            (a) shall be available without further appropriation or fiscal
            year limitation to make payments to participating candidates as
            provided in this title.
                ``(2) Ongoing review to determine sufficiency of state
            allocations.--
                        ``(A) Ongoing review.--Not later than 90 days
                    before the first day of each election cycle (beginning
                    with the first election cycle that begins after the
                    date of the enactment of this title), and on an ongoing
                    basis until the end of the election cycle, the Division
                    Director, in consultation with the Director of the
                    Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation, shall
                    determine whether the amount of the allocation made to
                    the Commission with respect to candidates who seek
                    office in a State as described in subsection (a) will
                    be sufficient to make payments to participating
                    candidates in the State in the amounts provided in this
                    title during such election cycle.
                        ``(B) Opportunity for state to increase
                    allocation.--If, at any time the Division Director
                    determines under subparagraph (A) that the amount
                    anticipated to be available in the Fund for payments to
                    participating candidates in a State with respect to the
                    election cycle involved is not, or may not be,
                    sufficient to satisfy the full entitlements of
                    participating candidates in the State to payments under
                    this title for such election cycle--
                                ``(i) the Division Director shall notify
                            the State and Congress; and
                                ``(ii) the State may direct the Director of
                            the Office of Democracy Advancement and
                            Innovation to direct the Secretary of the
                            Treasury to use the funds described in
                            subparagraph (C), in such amounts as the State
                            may direct, as an additional allocation to the
                            Commission with respect to the State for
                            purposes of subsection (a), in accordance with
                            section 8012 of the Freedom to Vote Act.
                        ``(C) Funds described.--The funds described in this
                    subparagraph are funds which were allocated to the
                    State under the Democracy Advancement and Innovation
                    Program under subtitle A of title VIII of the Freedom
                    to Vote Act which, under the State plan under section
                    8002 of such Act, were to be used for democracy
                    promotion activities described in paragraph (1),
                    (2)(B), (2)(C), or (3) of section 8001(b) of such Act
                    but which remain unobligated.
                ``(3) Elimination of limit of amount of qualified small
            donor contributions.--
                        ``(A) Elimination of limit.--If, after notifying
                    the State under paragraph (2)(B)(i) and (if the State
                    so elects) the State directs under paragraph (2)(B)(ii)
                    an additional allocation to the Commission as provided
                    under such subparagraph, the Division Director
                    determines under paragraph (2)(A) that the amount
                    anticipated to be available in the Fund (after such
                    additional allocation) for payments to participating
                    candidates in the State with respect to the election
                    cycle involved is still not, or may still not be,
                    sufficient to satisfy the full entitlements of
                    participating candidates in the State to payments under
                    this title for such election cycle, the limit on the
                    amount of a qualified small donor contribution under
                    section 504(a)(1)(B) shall not apply with respect to a
                    participating candidate in the State under this title.
                    Nothing in this subparagraph may be construed to waive
                    the limit on the aggregate amount of contributions a
                    participating candidate may accept from any individual
                    under section 521(a)(5).
                        ``(B) Determination of amount of payment to
                    candidate.--In determining under section 501(b) the
                    amount of the payment made to a participating candidate
                    for whom the limit on the amount of a qualified small
                    donor contribution does not apply pursuant to
                    subparagraph (A), there shall be excluded any qualified
                    small donor contribution to the extent that the amount
                    contributed by the individual involved exceeds the
                    limit on the amount of such a contribution under
                    section 504(a)(1)(B).
                        ``(C) No use of amounts from other sources.--In any
                    case in which the Division Director determines that the
                    allocation made to the Commission with respect to
                    candidates in a State as described in subsection (a) is
                    insufficient to make payments to participating
                    candidates in the State under this title (taking into
                    account any increase in the allocation under paragraph
                    (2)), moneys shall not be made available from any other
                    source for the purpose of making such payments.
        ``(c) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date
    of the enactment of this title, without regard to whether or not
    regulations have been promulgated to carry out this section.

    ``SEC. 542. ADMINISTRATION THROUGH DEDICATED DIVISION WITHIN
                  COMMISSION.

        ``(a) Administration Through Dedicated Division.--
                ``(1) Establishment.--The Commission shall establish a
            separate division within the Commission which is dedicated to
            issuing regulations to carry out this title and to otherwise
            carrying out the operation of this title.
                ``(2) Appointment of director and staff.--
                        ``(A) Appointment.--Not later than June 1, 2024,
                    the Commission shall appoint a director to head the
                    division established under this section (to be known as
                    the `Division Director') and such other staff as the
                    Commission considers appropriate to enable the division
                    to carry out its duties.
                        ``(B) Role of general counsel.--If, at any time
                    after the date referred to in subparagraph (A), there
                    is a vacancy in the position of the Division Director,
                    the General Counsel of the Commission shall serve as
                    the acting Division Director until the Commission
                    appoints a Division Director under this paragraph.
                ``(3) Private right of action.--Any person aggrieved by the
            failure of the Commission to meet the requirements of this
            subsection may file an action in an appropriate district court
            of the United States for such relief, including declaratory and
            injunctive relief, as may be appropriate.
        ``(b) Regulations.--Not later than the deadline set forth in
    section 8114 of the Freedom to Vote Act, the Commission, acting through
    the dedicated division established under this section, shall prescribe
    regulations to carry out the purposes of this title, including
    regulations--
                ``(1) to establish procedures for verifying the amount of
            qualified small dollar contributions with respect to a
            candidate;
                ``(2) to establish procedures for effectively and
            efficiently monitoring and enforcing the limits on the raising
            of qualified small dollar contributions;
                ``(3) to establish procedures for effectively and
            efficiently monitoring and enforcing the limits on the use of
            personal funds by participating candidates;
                ``(4) to establish procedures for monitoring the use of
            payments made from the allocation made to the Commission as
            described in section 541(a) and matching contributions under
            this title through audits of not fewer than \1/10\ (or, in the
            case of the first 3 election cycles during which the program
            under this title is in effect, not fewer than \1/3\) of all
            participating candidates or other mechanisms;
                ``(5) to establish procedures for carrying out audits under
            section 541(b) and permitting States to make additional
            allocations as provided under section 541(b)(2)(B); and
                ``(6) to establish rules for preventing fraud in the
            operation of this title which supplement similar rules which
            apply under this Act.

    ``SEC. 543. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES.

        ``(a) Civil Penalty for Violation of Contribution and Expenditure
    Requirements.--If a candidate who has been certified as a participating
    candidate accepts a contribution or makes an expenditure that is
    prohibited under section 521, the Commission may assess a civil penalty
    against the candidate in an amount that is not more than 3 times the
    amount of the contribution or expenditure. Any amounts collected under
    this subsection shall be used to supplement the allocation made to the
    Commission with respect to the State in which the candidate seeks
    office, as described in section 541(a).
        ``(b) Repayment for Improper Use of Payments.--
                ``(1) In general.--If the Commission determines that any
            payment made to a participating candidate was not used as
            provided for in this title or that a participating candidate
            has violated any of the dates for remission of funds contained
            in this title, the Commission shall so notify the candidate and
            the candidate shall pay to the Commission an amount which shall
            be used to supplement the allocation made to the Commission
            with respect to the State in which the candidate seeks office,
            as described in section 541(a) and which shall be equal to--
                        ``(A) the amount of payments so used or not
                    remitted, as appropriate; and
                        ``(B) interest on any such amounts (at a rate
                    determined by the Commission).
                ``(2) Other action not precluded.--Any action by the
            Commission in accordance with this subsection shall not
            preclude enforcement proceedings by the Commission in
            accordance with section 309(a), including a referral by the
            Commission to the Attorney General in the case of an apparent
            knowing and willful violation of this title.
        ``(c) Prohibiting Certain Candidates From Qualifying as
    Participating Candidates.--
                ``(1) Candidates with multiple civil penalties.--If the
            Commission assesses 3 or more civil penalties under subsection
            (a) against a candidate (with respect to either a single
            election or multiple elections), the Commission may refuse to
            certify the candidate as a participating candidate under this
            title with respect to any subsequent election, except that if
            each of the penalties were assessed as the result of a knowing
            and willful violation of any provision of this Act, the
            candidate is not eligible to be certified as a participating
            candidate under this title with respect to any subsequent
            election.
                ``(2) Candidates subject to criminal penalty.--A candidate
            is not eligible to be certified as a participating candidate
            under this title with respect to an election if a penalty has
            been assessed against the candidate under section 309(d) with
            respect to any previous election.
        ``(d) Imposition of Criminal Penalties.--For criminal penalties for
    the failure of a participating candidate to comply with the
    requirements of this title, see section 309(d).

    ``SEC. 544. INDEXING OF AMOUNTS.

        ``(a) Indexing.--In any calendar year after 2028, section
    315(c)(1)(B) shall apply to each amount described in subsection (b) in
    the same manner as such section applies to the limitations established
    under subsections (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (h) of such
    section, except that for purposes of applying such section to the
    amounts described in subsection (b), the `base period' shall be 2028.
        ``(b) Amounts Described.--The amounts described in this subsection
    are as follows:
                ``(1) The amount referred to in section 502(b)(1) (relating
            to the minimum amount of qualified small dollar contributions
            included in a request for payment).
                ``(2) The amounts referred to in section 504(a)(1)
            (relating to the amount of a qualified small dollar
            contribution).
                ``(3) The amount referred to in section 512(a)(2) (relating
            to the total dollar amount of qualified small dollar
            contributions).
                ``(4) The amount referred to in section 521(a)(5) (relating
            to the aggregate amount of contributions a participating
            candidate may accept from any individual with respect to an
            election).
                ``(5) The amount referred to in section 521(b)(1)(A)
            (relating to the amount of personal funds that may be used by a
            candidate who is certified as a participating candidate).
                ``(6) The amounts referred to in section 524(a)(2)
            (relating to the amount of unspent funds a candidate may retain
            for use in the next election cycle).
                ``(7) The amount referred to in section 532(a)(3) (relating
            to the total dollar amount of qualified small dollar
            contributions for a candidate seeking an additional payment
            under subtitle D).
                ``(8) The amount referred to in section 533(b) (relating to
            the limit on the amount of an additional payment made to a
            candidate under subtitle D).

    ``SEC. 545. ELECTION CYCLE DEFINED.

        ``In this title, the term `election cycle' means, with respect to
    an election for an office, the period beginning on the day after the
    date of the most recent general election for that office (or, if the
    general election resulted in a runoff election, the date of the runoff
    election) and ending on the date of the next general election for that
    office (or, if the general election resulted in a runoff election, the
    date of the runoff election).

    ``SEC. 546. DIVISION DIRECTOR DEFINED.

        ``In this title, the term `Division Director' means the individual
    serving as the director of the division established under section
    542.''.

    SEC. 8112. CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES BY MULTICANDIDATE AND
                  POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES ON BEHALF OF PARTICIPATING
                  CANDIDATES.

        (a) Authorizing Contributions Only From Separate Accounts
    Consisting of Qualified Small Dollar Contributions.--Section 315(a) of
    the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116(a)) is
    amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
        ``(10) In the case of a multicandidate political committee or any
    political committee of a political party, the committee may make a
    contribution to a candidate who is a participating candidate under
    title V with respect to an election only if the contribution is paid
    from a separate, segregated account of the committee which consists
    solely of contributions which meet the following requirements:
                ``(A) Each such contribution is in an amount which meets
            the requirements for the amount of a qualified small dollar
            contribution under section 504(a)(1) with respect to the
            election involved.
                ``(B) Each such contribution is made by an individual who
            is not otherwise prohibited from making a contribution under
            this Act.
                ``(C) The individual who makes the contribution does not
            make contributions to the committee during the year in an
            aggregate amount that exceeds the limit described in section
            504(a)(1).''.
        (b) Permitting Unlimited Coordinated Expenditures From Small Dollar
    Sources by Political Parties.--Section 315(d) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    30116(d)) is amended--
                (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``The national
            committee'' and inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph
            (6), the national committee''; and
                (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
        ``(6) The limits described in paragraph (3) do not apply in the
    case of expenditures in connection with the general election campaign
    of a candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or
    Resident Commissioner to, the Congress who is a participating candidate
    under title V with respect to the election, but only if--
                ``(A) the expenditures are paid from a separate, segregated
            account of the committee which is described in subsection
            (a)(10); and
                ``(B) the expenditures are the sole source of funding
            provided by the committee to the candidate.''.

    SEC. 8113. PROHIBITING USE OF CONTRIBUTIONS BY PARTICIPATING CANDIDATES
                  FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN CAMPAIGN FOR ELECTION.

        Section 313 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C.
    30114) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
        ``(d) Restrictions on Permitted Uses of Funds by Candidates
    Receiving Small Dollar Financing.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2), (3),
    or (4) of subsection (a), if a candidate for election for the office of
    Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the
    Congress is certified as a participating candidate under title V with
    respect to the election, any contribution which the candidate is
    permitted to accept under such title may be used only for authorized
    expenditures in connection with the candidate's campaign for such
    office, subject to section 503(b).''.

    SEC. 8114. DEADLINE FOR REGULATIONS; EFFECTIVE DATE.

        (a) In General.--Not later than October 1, 2024, the Federal
    Election Commission shall promulgate such regulations as may be
    necessary to carry out this part and the amendments made by this part.
        (b) Effective Date.--This part and the amendments made by this part
    shall take effect on October 1, 2024, without regard to whether the
    Commission has promulgated the regulations required under subsection
    (a) by such date.

     Subtitle C--Personal Use Services as Authorized Campaign Expenditures

    SEC. 8201. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

        (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the ``Help America
    Run Act''.
        (b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
                (1) Everyday Americans experience barriers to entry before
            they can consider running for office to serve their
            communities.
                (2) Current law states that campaign funds cannot be spent
            on everyday expenses that would exist whether or not a
            candidate were running for office, like childcare and food.
            While the law seems neutral, its actual effect is to privilege
            the independently wealthy who want to run, because given the
            demands of running for office, candidates who must work to pay
            for childcare or to afford health insurance are effectively
            being left out of the process, even if they have sufficient
            support to mount a viable campaign.
                (3) Thus current practice favors those prospective
            candidates who do not need to rely on a regular paycheck to
            make ends meet. The consequence is that everyday Americans who
            have firsthand knowledge of the importance of stable childcare,
            a safety net, or great public schools are less likely to get a
            seat at the table. This governance by the few is antithetical
            to the democratic experiment, but most importantly, when
            lawmakers do not share the concerns of everyday Americans,
            their policies reflect that.
                (4) These circumstances have contributed to a Congress that
            does not always reflect everyday Americans. The New York Times
            reported in 2019 that fewer than 5 percent of representatives
            cite blue-collar or service jobs in their biographies. A 2020
            analysis by OpenSecrets of lawmakers' personal financial
            disclosure statements showed that the median net worth of
            lawmakers was just over $1,000,000, or nearly 9 times the
            median net worth of American families.
                (5) These circumstances have also contributed to a
            governing body that does not reflect the nation it serves. For
            instance, women are 51 percent of the American population. Yet
            even with a record number of women serving in the One Hundred
            Eighteenth Congress, the Pew Research Center notes that nearly
            three out of four Members of this Congress are male. The Center
            for American Women and Politics found that one third of women
            legislators surveyed had been actively discouraged from running
            for office, often by political professionals. This type of
            discouragement, combined with the prohibitions on using
            campaign funds for domestic needs like childcare, burdens that
            still fall disproportionately on American women, particularly
            disadvantages working mothers. These barriers may explain why
            only 10 women in history have given birth while serving in
            Congress, in spite of the prevalence of working parents in
            other professions. Yet working mothers and fathers are best
            positioned to create policy that reflects the lived experience
            of most Americans.
                (6) Working mothers, those caring for their elderly
            parents, and young professionals who rely on their jobs for
            health insurance should have the freedom to run to serve the
            people of the United States. Their networks and net worth are
            simply not the best indicators of their strength as prospective
            public servants. In fact, helping ordinary Americans to run may
            create better policy for all Americans.
        (c) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this subtitle to ensure that all
    Americans who are otherwise qualified to serve this Nation are able to
    run for office, regardless of their economic status. By expanding
    permissible uses of campaign funds and providing modest assurance that
    testing a run for office will not cost one's livelihood, the Help
    America Run Act will facilitate the candidacy of representatives who
    more accurately reflect the experiences, challenges, and ideals of
    everyday Americans.

    SEC. 8202. TREATMENT OF PAYMENTS FOR CHILDCARE AND OTHER PERSONAL USE
                  SERVICES AS AUTHORIZED CAMPAIGN EXPENDITURE.

        (a) Personal Use Services as Authorized Campaign Expenditure.--
    Section 313 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C.
    30114), as amended by section 8113, is amended by adding at the end the
    following new subsection:
        ``(e) Treatment of Payments for Childcare and Other Personal Use
    Services as Authorized Campaign Expenditure.--
                ``(1) Authorized expenditures.--For purposes of subsection
            (a), the payment by an authorized committee of a candidate for
            any of the personal use services described in paragraph (3)
            shall be treated as an authorized expenditure if the services
            are necessary to enable the participation of the candidate in
            campaign-connected activities.
                ``(2) Limitations.--
                        ``(A) Limit on total amount of payments.--The total
                    amount of payments made by an authorized committee of a
                    candidate for personal use services described in
                    paragraph (3) may not exceed the limit which is
                    applicable under any law, rule, or regulation on the
                    amount of payments which may be made by the committee
                    for the salary of the candidate (without regard to
                    whether or not the committee makes payments to the
                    candidate for that purpose).
                        ``(B) Corresponding reduction in amount of salary
                    paid to candidate.--To the extent that an authorized
                    committee of a candidate makes payments for the salary
                    of the candidate, any limit on the amount of such
                    payments which is applicable under any law, rule, or
                    regulation shall be reduced by the amount of any
                    payments made to or on behalf of the candidate for
                    personal use services described in paragraph (3), other
                    than personal use services described in subparagraph
                    (D) of such paragraph.
                        ``(C) Exclusion of candidates who are
                    officeholders.--Paragraph (1) does not apply with
                    respect to an authorized committee of a candidate who
                    is a holder of Federal office.
                ``(3) Personal use services described.--The personal use
            services described in this paragraph are as follows:
                        ``(A) Childcare services.
                        ``(B) Elder care services.
                        ``(C) Services similar to the services described in
                    subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B) which are provided
                    on behalf of any dependent who is a qualifying relative
                    under section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
                        ``(D) Health insurance premiums.''.
        (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
    effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall take effect
    without regard to whether or not the Federal Election Commission has
    promulgated regulations to carry out such amendments.

                 Subtitle D--Empowering Small Dollar Donations

    SEC. 8301. PERMITTING POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES TO PROVIDE ENHANCED
                  SUPPORT FOR HOUSE CANDIDATES THROUGH USE OF SEPARATE
                  SMALL DOLLAR ACCOUNTS.

        (a) Increase in Limit on Contributions to Candidates.--Section
    315(a)(2)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C.
    30116(a)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ``exceed $5,000'' and inserting
    ``exceed $5,000 or, in the case of a contribution made by a national
    committee of a political party from an account described in paragraph
    (11), exceed $10,000''.
        (b) Elimination of Limit on Coordinated Expenditures.--Section
    315(d)(5) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30116(d)(5)) is amended by striking
    ``subsection (a)(9)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)(9) or subsection
    (a)(11)''.
        (c) Accounts Described.--Section 315(a) of such Act (52 U.S.C.
    30116(a)), as amended by section 8112(a), is amended by adding at the
    end the following new paragraph:
        ``(11) An account described in this paragraph is a separate,
    segregated account of a national congressional campaign committee of a
    political party which--
                ``(A) supports only candidates for election for the office
            of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to,
            the Congress; and
                ``(B) consists exclusively of contributions made during a
            calendar year by individuals whose aggregate contributions to
            the committee during the year do not exceed $200.''.
        (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
    apply with respect to elections held on or after the date of the
    enactment of this Act and shall take effect without regard to whether
    or not the Federal Election Commission has promulgated regulations to
    carry out such amendments.

                            Subtitle E--Severability

    SEC. 8401. SEVERABILITY.

        If any provision of this title or amendment made by this title, or
    the application of a provision or amendment to any person or
    circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this
    title and amendments made by this title, and the application of the
    provisions and amendment to any person or circumstance, shall not be
    affected by the holding.
                                     <all>