,,ii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #abc ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,january #bc 7legislative day1 ,january #c71 #bjac ,mrs4 ,gillibrand 7for herself1 ,mrs4 ,boxer1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 ,mr4 ,schatz1 ,mr4 ,begich1 and ,mr4 ,coons7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration ,a ,,bill ,to modernize voter registration1 promote access to voting for individuals with disabilities1 protect the ability of individuals to exercise the right to vote in elections for ,federal office1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,voter ,empowerment ,act of #bjac4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,title ,i--,voter ,registration ,modernization ,sec4 #ajj4 ,short title4 ,subtitle ,a--,promoting ,internet ,registration ,sec4 #aja4 ,requiring availability of ,internet for voter registration4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,use of ,internet to update registration information4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,provision of election information by electronic mail to individuals registered to vote4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,clarification of requirement regarding necessary information to show eligibility to vote4 ,sec4 #aje4 ,effective date4 ,subtitle ,b--,automated ,registration of ,certain ,individuals ,sec4 #aaa4 ,automated voter registration4 ,sec4 #aab4 ,list maintenance1 privacy1 and security4 ,sec4 #aac4 ,promoting accuracy of ,statewide voter registration lists4 ,sec4 #aad4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #aae4 ,effective date4 ,subtitle ,c--,other initiatives ,to promote voter registration ,sec4 #aba4 ,same day registration4 ,sec4 #abb4 ,acceptance of voter registration applications from individuals under #ah years of age4 ,sec4 #abc4 ,annual reports on voter registration statistics4 ,subtitle ,d--,availability of ,,hava ,requirements ,payments ,sec4 #aca4 ,availability of requirements payments under ,,hava to cover costs of compliance with new requirements4 ,subtitle ,e--,prohibiting ,interference ,with ,voter ,registration ,sec4 #ada4 ,prohibiting hindering1 interfering with1 or preventing voter registration4 ,sec4 #adb4 ,establishment of best practices4 ,title ,,ii--,access to ,voting for ,individuals ,with ,disabilities ,sec4 #bja4 ,requirements for ,states to promote access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,pilot programs for enabling individuals with disabilities to register to vote and vote privately and independently at residences4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure voting access for individuals with disabilities4 ,title ,,iii--,prohibiting ,voter ,caging ,sec4 #cja4 ,voter caging and other questionable challenges prohibited4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,development and adoption of best practices for preventing voter caging4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,severability4 ,title ,,iv--,prohibiting ,deceptive ,practices ,sec4 #dja4 ,prohibition on deceptive practices in ,federal elections4 ,sec4 #djb4 ,modification of penalty for voter intimidation4 ,sec4 #djc4 ,sentencing guidelines4 ,sec4 #djd4 ,reporting violations2 corrective action4 ,title ,v--,democracy ,restoration ,sec4 #eja4 ,rights of citizens4 ,sec4 #ejb4 ,enforcement4 ,sec4 #ejc4 ,notification of restoration of voting rights4 ,sec4 #ejd4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #eje4 ,relation to other laws4 ,sec4 #ejf4 ,federal prison funds4 ,sec4 #ejg4 ,effective date4 ,title ,,vi--,accuracy1 ,integrity1 and ,security of ,elections ,sec4 #fjj4 ,short title4 ,subtitle ,a--,promoting accuracy1 integrity1 and security through voter-,verified permanent paper ballot ,sec4 #fja4 ,paper ballot and manual counting requirements4 ,sec4 #fjb4 ,accessibility and ballot verification for individuals with disabilities4 ,sec4 #fjc4 ,additional voting system requirements4 ,sec4 #fjd4 ,availability of additional funding to enable ,states to meet costs of revised requirements4 ,sec4 #fje4 ,effective date for new requirements4 ,subtitle ,b--,requirement for mandatory manual audits by hand count ,sec4 #faa4 ,mandatory manual audits4 ,sec4 #fab4 ,availability of enforcement under ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb4 ,sec4 #fac4 ,guidance on best practices for alternative audit mechanisms4 ,sec4 #fad4 ,clerical amendment4 ,title ,,vii--,provisional ,ballots ,sec4 #gja4 ,requirements for counting provisional ballots2 establishment of uniform and nondiscriminatory standards4 ,title ,,viii--,early ,voting and ,voting by ,mail ,sec4 #hja4 ,early voting and voting by mail4 ,title ,,ix--,absent ,uniformed ,services ,voters and ,overseas ,voters ,sec4 #ija4 ,extending guarantee of residency for voting purposes to family members of absent military personnel4 ,sec4 #ijb4 ,pre-election reports on availability and transmission of absentee ballots4 ,sec4 #ijc4 ,enforcement4 ,sec4 #ijd4 ,revisions to #de-;day absentee ballot transmission rule4 ,sec4 #ije4 ,use of single absentee ballot application for subsequent elections4 ,sec4 #ijf4 ,effective date4 ,title ,x--,poll ,worker ,recruitment and ,training ,sec4 #ajja4 ,leave to serve as a poll worker for ,federal employees4 ,sec4 #ajjb4 ,grants to ,states for poll worker recruitment and training4 ,sec4 #ajjc4 ,model poll worker training program4 ,sec4 #ajjd4 ,state defined4 ,title ,,xi--,enhancement of ,enforcement ,sec4 #aaja4 ,enhancement of enforcement of ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb4 ,title ,,xii--,federal ,election ,integrity ,sec4 #abja4 ,prohibition on campaign activities by chief ,state election administration officials4 ,title ,,xiii--,other ,election ,administration ,improvements ,sec4 #acja4 ,treatment of universities as voter registration agencies4 ,sec4 #acjb4 ,minimum notification requirements for voters affected by polling place changes4 ,sec4 #acjc4 ,voter information response systems and hotline4 ,sec4 #acjd4 ,reauthorization of election assistance commission4 ,sec4 #acje4 ,application of laws to ,commonwealth of ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 ,sec4 #acjf4 ,repeal of exemption of ,election ,assistance ,commission from certain government contracting requirements4 ,sec4 #acjg4 ,no effect on other laws4 ,i ,voter ,registration ,modernization #ajj4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,voter ,registration ,modernization ,act of #bjac4 ,a ,promoting ,internet ,registration #aja4 ,requiring availability of ,internet for voter registration 7a7 ,requiring ,availability of ,internet for ,registration ,the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #f the following new section3 #f;,a4 ,internet ,registration 7a7 ,requiring ,availability of ,internet for ,online ,registration 7#a7 ,availability of online registration ,each ,state1 acting through the chief ,state election official1 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 ,state1 in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as the services provided by voter registration agencies under section #g7;a73 7,a7 ,online application for voter registration4 7,b7 ,online assistance to applicants in applying to register to vote4 7,c7 ,online completion and submission by applicants of the mail voter registration application form prescribed by the ,election ,assistance ,commission pursuant to section #i7;a77#b71 including assistance with providing a signature in electronic form as required under subsection 7c74 7,d7 ,online receipt of completed voter registration applications4 7b7 ,acceptance of completed applications ,a ,state shall accept an online voter registration application provided by an individual under this section1 and ensure that the individual is registered to vote in the ,state1 if-- 7#a7 the individual meets the same voter registration requirements applicable to individuals who register to vote by mail in accordance with section #f7;a77#a7 using the mail voter registration application form prescribed by the ,election ,assistance ,commission pursuant to section #i7;a77#b72 and 7#b7 the individual provides a signature in electronic form in accordance with subsection 7c7 7but only in the case of applications submitted during or after the second year in which this section is in effect in the ,state74 7c7 ,signatures in electronic form ,for purposes of this section1 an individual provides a signature in electronic form by-- 7#a7 executing a computerized mark in the signature field on an online voter registration application2 or 7#b7 submitting with the application an electronic copy of the individual's handwritten signature through electronic means4 7d7 ,confirmation and disposition 7#a7 ,confirmation of receipt ,upon the online submission of a completed voter registration application by an individual under this section1 the appropriate ,state or local election official shall send 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 application4 7#b7 ,notice of disposition ,as soon as the appropriate ,state or local election official has approved or rejected an application submitted by an individual under this section1 the official shall send the individual a notice of the disposition of the application4 7#c7 ,method of notification ,the appropriate ,state or local election official shall send the notices required under this subsection by regular mail1 and1 in the case of an individual who has requested that the ,state provide voter registration and voting information through electronic mail1 by both electronic mail and regular mail4 7e7 ,provision of ,services in ,nonpartisan ,manner ,the services made available under subsection 7a7 shall be provided in a manner that ensures that1 consistent with section #g7;a77#e7-- 7#a7 the online application does not seek to influence an applicant's political preference or party registration2 and 7#b7 there is no display on the website promoting any political preference or party allegiance1 except that nothing in this paragraph may be construed to prohibit an applicant from registering to vote as a member of a political party4 7f7 ,protection of ,security of ,information ,in meeting the requirements of this section1 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 7a74 7g7 ,use of ,additional ,telephone-,based ,system ,a ,state shall make the services made available online under subsection 7a7 available through the use of an automated telephone-based system1 subject to the same terms and conditions applicable under this section to the services made available online1 in addition to making the services available online in accordance with the requirements of this section4 7h7 ,nondiscrimination among registered voters using mail and online registration ,in carrying out this ,act1 the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb1 or any other ,federal1 ,state1 or local law governing the treatment of registered voters in the ,state or the administration of elections for public office in the ,state1 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 mail4 4 7b7 ,special requirements for individuals using online registration 7#a7 ,treatment as individuals registering to vote by mail for purposes of first-time voter identification requirements ,section #cjc7;b77#a77;,a7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhc7;b77#a77;,a77 is amended by striking by mail and inserting by mail or online under section #f;,a of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic4 7#b7 ,requiring signature for first-time voters in jurisdiction ,section #cjc7;b7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhc7;b77 is amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating paragraph 7#e7 as paragraph 7#f72 and 7,b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#d7 the following new paragraph3 7#e7 ,signature requirements for first-time voters using online registration 7,a7 ,in general ,a ,state shall1 in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner1 require an individual to meet the requirements of subparagraph 7,b7 if-- 7i7 the individual registered to vote in the ,state online under section #f;,a of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic2 and 7ii7 the individual has not previously voted in an election for ,federal office in the ,state4 7,b7 ,requirements ,an individual meets the requirements of this subparagraph if-- 7i7 in the case of an individual who votes in person1 the individual provides the appropriate ,state or local election official with a handwritten signature2 or 7ii7 in the case of an individual who votes by mail1 the individual submits with the ballot a handwritten signature4 7,c7 ,inapplicability ,subparagraph 7,a7 does not apply in the case of an individual who is-- 7i7 entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;ff-#a et seq472 7ii7 provided the right to vote otherwise than in person under section #c7;b77#b77;,b77ii7 of the ,voting ,accessibility for the ,elderly and ,handicapped ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;ee-#a7;b77#b77;,b77ii772 or 7iii7 entitled to vote otherwise than in person under any other ,federal law4 4 7#c7 ,conforming amendment relating to effective date ,section #cjc7;d77#b77;,a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhc7;d77#b77;,a77 is amended by striking ,each ,state and inserting ,except as provided in subsection 7b77#e71 each ,state4 7c7 ,conforming ,amendments 7#a7 ,timing of registration ,section #h7;a77#a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#f7;a77#a77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,c72 7,b7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,d7 as subparagraph 7,e72 and 7,c7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,c7 the following new subparagraph3 7,d7 in the case of online registration through the official public website of an election official under section #f;,a1 if the valid voter registration application is submitted online not later than the lesser of #cj days1 or the period provided by ,state law1 before the date of the election 7as determined by treating the date on which the application is sent electronically as the date on which it is submitted72 and 4 7#b7 ,informing applicants of eligibility requirements and penalties ,section #h7;a77#e7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#f7;a77#e77 is amended by striking and #g and inserting #f;,a1 and #g4 #ajb4 ,use of ,internet to update registration information 7a7 ,in ,general 7#a7 ,updates to information contained on computerized statewide voter registration list ,section #cjc7;a7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhc7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#f7 ,use of ,internet by registered voters to update information 7,a7 ,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 information1 including the voter's address and electronic mail address1 online through the official public website of the election official responsible for the maintenance of the list1 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 #f;,a7c7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic4 7,b7 ,processing of updated information by election officials ,if a registered voter updates registration information under subparagraph 7,a71 the appropriate ,state or local election official shall-- 7i7 revise any information on the computerized list to reflect the update made by the voter2 and 7ii7 if the updated registration information affects the voter's eligibility to vote in an election for ,federal office1 ensure that the information is processed with respect to the election if the voter updates the information not later than the lesser of #g days1 or the period provided by ,state law1 before the date of the election4 7,c7 ,confirmation and disposition 7i7 ,confirmation of receipt ,upon the online submission of updated registration information by an individual under this paragraph1 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 update4 7ii7 ,notice of disposition ,as soon as the appropriate ,state or local election official has accepted or rejected updated information submitted by an individual under this paragraph1 the official shall send the individual a notice of the disposition of the update4 7iii7 ,method of notification ,the appropriate ,state or local election official shall send the notices required under this subparagraph by regular mail1 and1 in the case of an individual who has requested that the ,state provide voter registration and voting information through electronic mail1 by both electronic mail and regular mail4 4 7#b7 ,conforming amendment relating to effective date ,section #cjc7;d77#a77;,a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhc7;d77#a77;,a77 is amended by striking subparagraph 7,b7 and inserting subparagraph 7,b7 and subsection 7a77#f74 7b7 ,ability of registrant ,to use online update ,to provide information on residence ,section #h7;d77#b77;,a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#f7;d77#b77;,a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the first sentence1 by inserting after return the card the following3 or update the registrant's information on the computerized ,statewide voter registration list using the online method provided under section #cjc7;a77#f7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb2 and 7#b7 in the second sentence1 by striking returned1 and inserting the following3 returned or if the registrant does not update the registrant's information on the computerized ,statewide voter registration list using such online method14 #ajc4 ,provision of election information by electronic mail to individuals registered to vote 7a7 ,including ,option on ,voter ,registration ,application ,to ,provide ,e-,mail ,address and ,receive ,information 7#a7 ,in general ,section #i7;b7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#g7;b77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking and at the end of paragraph 7#c72 7,b7 by striking the period at the end of paragraph 7#d7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#e7 shall include a space for the applicant to provide 7at the applicant's option7 an electronic mail address1 together with a statement that1 if the applicant so requests1 instead of using regular mail the appropriate ,state and local election officials shall provide to the applicant1 through electronic mail sent to that address1 the same voting information 7as defined in section #cjb7;b77#b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb7 which the officials would provide to the applicant through regular mail4 4 7#b7 ,prohibiting use for purposes unrelated to official duties of election officials ,section #i of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#g7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,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 7b77#e7 is used only for purposes of carrying out official duties of election officials and is not transmitted by any ,state or local election official 7or any agent of such an official1 including a contractor7 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 official4 4 7b7 ,requiring ,provision of ,information by ,election ,officials ,section #cjb7;b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhb7;b77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 ,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 7as described in section #i7;b77#e7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic71 the appropriate ,state or local election official1 through electronic mail transmitted not later than #g days before the date of the election involved1 shall provide the individual with information on how to obtain the following information by electronic means3 7,a7 ,the name and address of the polling place at which the individual is assigned to vote in the election4 7,b7 ,the hours of operation for the polling place4 7,c7 ,a description of any identification or other information the individual may be required to present at the polling place4 4 #ajd4 ,clarification of requirement regarding necessary information to show eligibility to vote ,section #h of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#f7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7j7 as subsection 7k72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7i7 the following new subsection3 7j7 ,requirement for ,state ,to ,register ,applicants ,providing ,necessary ,information ,to ,show ,eligibility ,to ,vote ,for purposes meeting the requirement of subsection 7a77#a7 that an eligible applicant is registered to vote in an election for ,federal office within the deadlines required under such subsection1 the ,state shall consider an applicant to have provided a valid voter registration form if-- 7#a7 the applicant has accurately completed the application form and attested to the statement required by section #i7;b77#b72 and 7#b7 in the case of an applicant who registers to vote online in accordance with section #f;,a1 the applicant provides a signature in accordance with subsection 7c7 of such section4 4 #aje4 ,effective date 7a7 ,in ,general ,except as provided in subsection 7b71 the amendments made by this subtitle 7other than the amendments made by section #ajd7 shall take effect ,january #a1 #bjad4 7b7 ,waiver ,subject to the approval of the ,election ,assistance ,commission1 if a ,state certifies to the ,election ,assistance ,commission that the ,state will not meet the deadline referred to in subsection 7a7 because of extraordinary circumstances and includes in the certification the reasons for the failure to meet the deadline1 subsection 7a7 shall apply to the ,state as if the reference in such subsection to ,january #a1 #bjad were a reference to ,january #a1 #bjaf4 ,b ,automated ,registration of ,certain ,individuals #aaa4 ,automated voter registration 7a7 ,collection of information by source agencies 7#a7 ,duties of source agencies ,each source agency in a ,state 7as defined in subsection 7e77 shall1 with each application for services or assistance by an individual1 and with each recertification1 renewal1 or change of address relating to such services or assistance-- 7,a7 notify each such individual of the substantive qualifications of an elector in the ,state1 using language approved by the ,state's chief election official2 7,b7 notify each such individual that there is an opportunity to be registered to vote or update voter registration1 but that voter registration is voluntary1 and that neither registering nor declining to register to vote will in any way affect the availability of services or benefits1 nor be used for other purposes2 7,c7 require that each such individual indicate1 after considering the substantive qualification of an elector in the ,state1 whether or not the person wishes to be registered2 7,d7 ensure that each such individual's transaction with the agency cannot be completed until the individual has indicated whether he or she wishes to register to vote2 and 7,e7 for each such individual who consents to using the individual's records with the source agency to enable the individual to register to vote under this section1 collect a signed affirmation of eligibility to register to vote in the ,state4 7#b7 ,no effect on right to decline voter registration ,nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to interfere with the right of any person to decline to be registered to vote for any reason4 7b7 ,transfer of information on individuals consenting to voter registration 7#a7 ,transfer ,for each individual who notifies the source agency that the individual consents to voter registration under this section1 the source agency shall transfer to the chief ,state election official of the ,state the following data1 to the extent the data is available to the source agency3 7,a7 ,the given name or names and surname or surnames4 7,b7 ,date of birth4 7,c7 ,residential address4 7,d7 ,mailing address4 7,e7 ,signature1 in electronic form4 7,f7 ,date of the last change to the information4 7,g7 ,the motor vehicle driver's license number4 7,h7 ,the last four digits of the ,social ,security number4 7#b7 ,timing of transfer ,the source agency shall transfer the data described in paragraph 7#a7 to the chief ,state election official on a daily basis4 7#c7 ,format ,the data transferred under paragraph 7#a7 shall be transferred in a format compatible with the ,statewide computerized voter registration list under section #cjc of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb4 7#d7 ,prohibiting storage of information ,any information collected by the source agency under this section with respect to an individual who consents to register to vote under this section may not be stored by the source agency in any form after the information is transferred to the chief ,state election official under paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,registration of ,individuals by ,chief ,state ,election ,official 7#a7 ,comparison with ,statewide voter registration list ,upon receiving information from a source agency with respect to an individual under subsection 7b71 the chief ,state election official shall determine whether the individual is included in the computerized ,statewide voter registration list established and maintained under section #cjc of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhc74 7#b7 ,registration of individuals not on ,statewide list ,if an individual for whom information is received from a source agency under subsection 7b7 is eligible to vote in elections for ,federal office in the ,state and is not on the computerized ,statewide voter registration list1 the chief ,state election official shall-- 7,a7 ensure that the individual is registered to vote in such elections not later than #e days after receiving the information1 without regard to whether or not the information provided by the source agency includes the individual's signature2 7,b7 update the ,statewide computerized voter registration list to include the individual2 and 7,c7 notify the individual that the individual is registered to vote in elections for ,federal office in the ,state4 7#c7 ,treatment of information incorrectly provided ,if a source agency provides the chief ,state election official with information with respect to an individual who did not consent to be registered to vote under this section1 the chief ,state election official shall not take any action to register the individual to vote1 except that no such individual who is already included on the computerized ,statewide voter registration list shall be removed from the list solely because the information was incorrectly provided under subsection 7b74 7#d7 ,no effect on other means of registration ,nothing in this section affects a ,state's obligation to register voters upon receipt of a valid voter registration application through means provided by ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg et seq471 the ,internet registration procedure described in subtitle ,a1 or other valid means4 7#e7 ,individuals in existing records ,no later than ,january #bjae1 each individual who is listed in a source agency's records and for whom there exists reason to believe the individual is a citizen and not otherwise ineligible to vote shall be mailed a postage pre-paid return postcard including a box for the individual to check1 together with the statement 7in close proximity to the box and in prominent type71 ,by checking this box1 ,i affirm that ,i am a citizen of the ,united ,states1 am eligible to vote in this ,state1 and will be at least eighteen years old by the next general election4 ,i understand that by checking this box1 ,i will be registered to vote if ,i am eligible to vote in the ,state41 along with a clear description of the voting eligibility requirements in the ,state4 ,the postcard shall also include1 where required for voter registration1 a place for the individual's signature and designation of party affiliation4 ,an individual who checks the box and returns the completed postcard postmarked not later than the lesser of the fifteenth day before an election for ,federal office1 or the period provided by ,state law1 shall be registered to vote in that election4 7d7 ,options for ,state ,to require special treatment of individuals registered automatically 7#a7 ,treatment as individuals registering to vote by mail for purposes of first-time voter identification requirements ,section #cjc7;b77#a77;,a7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhc7;b77#a77;,a771 as amended by section #aja7;b77#a71 is amended by striking of #aiic and inserting of #aiic or 7at the option of the ,state7 was registered automatically under section #aaa of the ,voter ,registration ,modernization ,act of #bjac4 7#b7 ,requiring signature ,section #cjc7;b7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhc7;b771 as amended by section #aja7;b77#b71 is amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating paragraph 7#f7 as paragraph 7#g72 and 7,b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#e7 the following new paragraph3 7#e7 ,option for ,state to require signature requirements for first-time voters registered automatically 7,a7 ,in general ,a ,state may1 in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner1 require an individual to meet the requirements of subparagraph 7,b7 if-- 7i7 the individual was registered to vote in the ,state automatically under section #aaa of the ,voter ,registration ,modernization ,act of #bjac2 and 7ii7 the individual has not previously voted in an election for ,federal office in the ,state4 7,b7 ,requirements ,an individual meets the requirements of this subparagraph if-- 7i7 in the case of an individual who votes in person1 the individual provides the appropriate ,state or local election official with a handwritten signature2 or 7ii7 in the case of an individual who votes by mail1 the individual submits with the ballot a handwritten signature4 7,c7 ,inapplicability ,subparagraph 7,a7 does not apply in the case of an individual who is-- 7i7 entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;ff-#a et seq472 7ii7 provided the right to vote otherwise than in person under section #c7;b77#b77;,b77ii7 of the ,voting ,accessibility for the ,elderly and ,handicapped ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;ee-#a7;b77#b77;,b77ii772 or 7iii7 entitled to vote otherwise than in person under any other ,federal law4 4 7#c7 ,conforming amendment relating to effective date ,section #cjc7;d77#b77;,a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhc7;d77#b77;,a771 as amended by section #aja7;b77#c71 is amended by striking subsection 7b77#e7 and inserting subsections 7b77#e7 and 7b77#f74 7e7 ,source agencies described 7#a7 ,in general ,with respect to any ,state1 a source agency is-- 7,a7 each ,state office which is described in paragraph 7#b72 and 7,b7 each ,federal office which is described in paragraph 7#c7 which is located in the ,state1 except that such office shall be a source agency only with respect to individuals who are residents of the ,state in which the office is located4 7#b7 ,state offices described 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,state offices described in this paragraph are as follows3 7i7 ,the ,state motor vehicle authority4 7ii7 ,each office in the ,state which is designated as a voter registration agency in a ,state pursuant to section #g7;a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#e7;a774 7iii7 ,each ,state agency that administers a program providing assistance pursuant to pursuant to title ,,iii of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eja et seq474 7iv7 ,each ,state agency primarily responsible for maintaining identifying information for students enrolled at public secondary schools in the ,state1 including1 where applicable1 the ,state agency responsible for maintaining the education data system described in section #fdja7;e77#b7 of the ,america ,,competes ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ihga7;e77#b774 7v7 ,in the case of a ,state in which an individual disenfranchised by a criminal conviction may become eligible to vote upon completion of criminal sentence or any part thereof1 or upon formal restoration of rights1 the ,state agency responsible for administering that sentence1 or part thereof1 or that restoration of rights4 7vi7 ,in the case of a ,state in which an individual disenfranchised by adjudication of mental incompetence or similar condition becomes eligible to register to vote upon the restoration of competence or similar condition1 each ,state agency responsible for determining when competence or a similar condition is met4 7vii7 ,such other office which may be designated as a source agency by the chief ,state election official of the ,state4 7,b7 ,criteria for designation of additional source agencies ,in designating offices of the ,state as source agencies for purposes of subparagraph 7,a77vii71 the chief ,state election official shall give priority on the basis of the following criteria3 7i7 ,the extent to which individuals receiving services or assistance from the office are likely to be individuals who are eligible to register to vote in elections for ,federal office in the ,state but who are not registered to vote in such elections4 7ii7 ,the accuracy of the office's records with respect to identifying information 7including age1 citizenship status1 and residency7 for individuals receiving services or assistance from the office4 7iii7 ,the cost-effectiveness of obtaining such identifying information and transmitting the information to the chief ,state election official4 7iv7 ,the extent to which the designation of the office as a voter registration agency will promote the registration of eligible individuals to vote in elections for ,federal office in the ,state and the accuracy of the ,state's ,statewide computerized voter registration list under the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb4 7#c7 ,federal offices described ,the ,federal offices described in this paragraph are as follows3 7,a7 ,armed ,forces recruitment offices4 7,b7 ,the ,united ,states ,immigration and ,customs ,enforcement ,bureau1 but only with respect to individuals who complete the naturalization process4 7,c7 ,the ,social ,security ,administration4 7,d7 ,the ,administrative ,office of the ,united ,states ,courts1 the ,federal ,bureau of ,prisons1 and the ,united ,states ,probation ,service1 but only with respect to individuals completing terms of prison1 sentences1 probation1 or parole4 7,e7 ,the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 but only with respect to individuals applying for or using health care services or services for homeless individuals4 7,f7 ,the ,defense ,manpower ,data ,center of the ,department of ,defense4 7,g7 ,the ,indian ,health ,services of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services4 7,h7 ,the ,center for ,medicare and ,medicaid ,services of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services4 7,i7 ,any other ,federal office which designated by a ,state 7with the consent of the ,president7 as a source agency with respect to the ,state4 #aab4 ,list maintenance1 privacy1 and security 7a7 ,database management standards 7#a7 ,database matching standards ,the chief ,state election official of each ,state shall establish standards governing the comparison of data on the ,statewide computerized voter registration list under section #cjc of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb1 the data provided by various source agencies under section #aaa1 and relevant data from other sources1 including the specific data elements and data matching rules to be used for purposes of determining-- 7,a7 whether a data record from any source agency represents the same individual as a record in another source agency or on the ,statewide list2 7,b7 whether a data record from any source agency represents an individual already registered to vote in the ,state2 7,c7 whether two data records in the ,statewide computerized voter registration list represent duplicate records for the same individual2 7,d7 whether a data record supplied by any list maintenance source represents an individual already registered to vote in the ,state2 and 7,e7 which information will be treated as more current and reliable when data records from multiple sources present information for the same individual4 7#b7 ,standards for determining ineligibility ,the chief ,state election official of a ,state shall establish uniform and non-discriminatory standards describing the specific conditions under which an individual will be determined for list maintenance purposes to be ineligible to vote in an election for ,federal office in the ,state4 7b7 ,privacy and security standards 7#a7 ,privacy and security policy ,the chief ,state election official of a ,state shall publish and enforce a privacy and security policy specifying each class of users who shall have authorized access to the computerized ,statewide voter registration list1 specifying for each such class the permission and levels of access to be granted1 and setting forth other safeguards to protect the privacy and security of the information on the list4 ,such policy shall include security safeguards to protect personal information in the data transfer process under section #aaa1 the online or telephone interface1 the maintenance of the voter registration database1 and audit procedure to track individual access to the system4 7#b7 ,no unauthorized access ,the chief election official of a ,state shall establish policies and enforcement procedures to prevent unauthorized access to or use of the computerized ,statewide voter registration list1 any list or other information provided by a source agency under section #aaa1 or any maintenance source for the list4 ,nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit access to information required for official purposes for purposes of voter registration1 election administration1 and the enforcement of election laws4 7#c7 ,inter-agency transfers 7,a7 ,in general ,the chief election official of a ,state shall establish policies and enforcement procedures to maintain security during inter-agency transfers of information required or permitted under this subtitle4 ,each ,state agency and third party participating in such inter-agency transfers of information shall facilitate and comply with such policies4 ,nothing in this subparagraph shall prevent a source agency under section #aaa from establishing and enforcing additional security measures to protect the confidentiality and integrity of inter-agency data transfers4 ,no ,state or local election official shall transfer or facilitate the transfer of information from the computerized ,statewide voter registration list to any source agency under section #aaa4 7,b7 ,transmission through secure third parties permitted ,nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a source agency under section #aaa from contracting with a third party to assist in the transmission of data to a chief ,state election official1 so long as the data transmission complies with the applicable requirements of this subtitle1 including the privacy and security provisions of this section4 7#d7 ,records retention ,the chief ,state election official of a ,state shall establish standards and procedures to maintain all election records required for purposes of this subtitle1 including for the purpose of determining the eligibility of persons casting provisional ballots under section #cjb of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb4 ,records for individuals who have been retained on the computerized ,statewide voter registration list under section #cja of such ,act but identified as ineligible to vote in an election for ,federal office within the ,state1 or removed from the list due to ineligibility1 shall be maintained and kept available until at least the date of the second general election for ,federal office that occurs after the date that the individual was identified as ineligible4 7c7 ,publication of standards ,the chief ,state election official of a ,state shall publish on the official's website the standards established under this section1 and shall make those standards available in written form upon public request4 7d7 ,protection of source information ,the identity of the specific source agency through which an individual consented to register to vote under section #aaa shall not be disclosed to the public and shall not be retained after the individual is added to the computerized ,statewide voter registration list4 7e7 ,confidentiality of information ,the chief ,state election official of a ,state shall establish policies and enforcement procedures to ensure that personal information provided by source agencies or otherwise transmitted under this section is kept confidential and is available only to authorized users4 ,for purposes of these policies and procedures1 the term personal information means any of the following3 7#a7 ,any portion of an individual's ,social ,security number4 7#b7 ,any portion of an individual's motor vehicle driver's license number or ,state identification card number4 7#c7 ,an individual's signature4 7#d7 ,an individual's personal residence and contact information 7in the case of individuals with respect to whom such information is required to be maintained as confidential under ,state law74 7#e7 ,sensitive information relating to persons in categories designated confidential by ,federal or ,state law1 including victims of domestic violence or stalking1 prosecutors and law enforcement personnel1 and participants in a witness protection program4 7#f7 ,an individual's phone number4 7#g7 ,an individual's email address4 7#h7 ,any indication of an individual's status as a citizen or noncitizen of the ,united ,states4 7#i7 ,such other information as the chief ,state election official may designate as confidential to the extent reasonably necessary to prevent identity theft or impersonation1 except that the chief ,state election official may not designate as confidential under this subparagraph the name1 address1 or date of registration of an individual1 or1 where applicable1 the self-identified racial or ethnic category of the individual as applicable under ,revisions to ,,omb ,directive ,number #ae or successor directives4 7f7 ,protections against liability of individuals on basis of information transferred 7#a7 ,no individual liability for registration of ineligible individual ,if an individual who is not eligible to register to vote in elections for ,federal office is registered to vote in such elections by a chief ,state election official under section #aaa1 the individual shall not be subject to any penalty1 including the imposition of a fine or term of imprisonment1 adverse treatment in any immigration or naturalization proceeding1 or the denial of any status under immigration laws1 under any law prohibiting an individual who is not eligible to register to vote in elections for ,federal office from registering to vote in such elections4 ,nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to waive the liability of any individual who knowingly provides false information to any person regarding the individual's eligibility to register to vote or vote in elections for ,federal office4 7#b7 ,prohibiting use of information by officials ,no person acting under color of law may use the information received by the chief ,state election official under section #aaa to attempt to determine the citizenship status of any individual for immigration enforcement1 criminal law enforcement 7other than enforcement of election laws71 or any purpose other than voter registration1 election administration1 or the enforcement of election laws4 7g7 ,prohibition on transfer of information irrelevant to administration of elections ,no source agency shall transmit any information under section #aaa which is irrelevant to the administration of elections4 ,to the extent that an election official receives any information which is accidentally or inadvertently transferred by a source agency under such section1 the official shall immediately delete the information from the official's records4 7h7 ,restriction on use of information ,no information relating to an individual's absence from the ,statewide voter registration list under section #cjc of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb or an individual's declination to supply information for voter registration purposes to a source agency under section #aaa may be disclosed to the public for immigration enforcement1 criminal law enforcement other than enforcement of laws against election crimes1 or used for any purpose other than voter registration1 election administration1 or the enforcement of election laws4 7i7 ,nondiscrimination ,no person acting under color of law may discriminate against any individual on the basis of the individual's absence from the ,statewide voter registration list1 the information supplied by the individual for voter registration purpose to a source agency under section #aaa1 or the individual's declination to supply such information1 except as required for purposes of voter registration1 election administration1 and the enforcement of election laws4 7j7 ,prohibition on the use of voter registration information for commercial or non-,governmental purposes ,voter registration information collected under this subtitle shall not be used for commercial purposes including for comparison with any existing commercial list or database4 7k7 ,penalty ,whoever knowingly uses information or permits information to be used in violation of this section shall be imprisoned for not more than #a year1 fined under title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 or both4 7l7 ,exclusion from lists of individuals declining registration ,the chief ,state election official of a ,state shall ensure that1 with respect to any individual who declines the opportunity to register to vote under section #aaa1 the individual's information is not included on the computerized ,statewide voter registration list under section #cjc of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb and is not provided to any third party 7except to the extent required under other law74 ,nothing in this subsection shall be construed to preclude an individual who has previously declined the opportunity to register to vote from subsequently registering to vote4 #aac4 ,promoting accuracy of ,statewide voter registration lists 7a7 ,deadlines for transmittal of change of address or other identifying information 7#a7 ,information received by ,state motor vehicle authority ,section #e7;d7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#c7;d77 is amended to read as follows3 7d7 ,automatic transmittal of change of address or other identifying information ,not later than #bd hours after receiving a change of address form or any other information indicating that identifying information with respect to an individual which is included in the records of the ,state motor vehicle authority has been changed1 the ,state motor vehicle authority shall transmit such form or other information to the chief ,state election official1 unless-- 7#a7 the records of the authority include information indicating that the individual is not eligible to register to vote in the ,state2 or 7#b7 the individual states on the form or otherwise indicates that the change of address or other information is not for voter registration purposes4 4 7#b7 ,information received by other voter registration agencies ,section #g of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#e7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7e7 ,automatic transmittal of change of address or other identifying information ,not later than #bd hours after receiving a change of address form or any other information indicating that identifying information with respect to an individual which is included in the records of a voter registration agency designated under this section has been changed1 the appropriate official of such agency shall transmit such form or other information to the chief ,state election official1 unless-- 7#a7 the records of the agency include information indicating that the individual is not eligible to register to vote in the ,state2 or 7#b7 the individual states on the form or otherwise indicates that the change of address or other information is not for voter registration purposes4 4 7#c7 ,information received from source agencies ,not later than #bd hours after receiving a change of address form or any other information indicating that identifying information with respect to an individual which is included in the records of a source agency designated under section #aaa has been changed1 the appropriate official of such agency shall transmit such form or other information to the chief ,state election official1 unless-- 7,a7 the records of the agency include information indicating that the individual is not eligible to register to vote in the ,state2 or 7,b7 the individual states on the form or otherwise indicates that the change of address or other information is not for voter registration purposes4 7b7 ,revision of ,statewide computerized list ,to reflect revised information ,section #cjc7;a7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhc7;a771 as amended by section #ajb7;a71 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#g7 ,revision of list to reflect information received from other ,state offices 7,a7 ,in general ,if a ,state motor vehicle authority 7pursuant to section #e7;d7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic7 a voter registration agency 7designated under section #g of such ,act71 or a source agency 7designated under section #aaa of the ,voter ,registration ,modernization ,act of #bjac7 transmits to the chief ,state election official a change of address form or any other information indicating that identifying information with respect to an individual has been changed1 the appropriate ,state or local election official shall-- 7i7 determine whether the individual appears on the computerized list established under this section2 and 7ii7 if the individual appears on the list1 revise the information relating to the individual on the list to reflect the individual's new address or other changed identifying information4 7,b7 ,notification to voters ,if an election official revises any voter registration information on the computerized list with respect to any voter 7including removing the voter from the list71 immediately after revising the information1 the official shall send the individual a written notice of the revision which includes the following information3 7i7 ,the voter's name1 date of birth1 and address1 as reflected in the revised information on the computerized list4 7ii7 ,a statement that the voter's voter registration information has been updated4 7iii7 ,information on how to correct information on the computerized list4 7iv7 ,a statement of the eligibility requirements for registered voters in the ,state4 7v7 ,a statement 7in larger font size than the other statements on the notice7 that it is illegal for an individual who does not meet the eligibility requirements for registered voters in the ,state to vote in an election in the ,state4 7vi7 ,a statement that the voter may terminate the voter's status as a registered voter in the ,state1 or request a change in the voter's voter registration information1 at any time by contacting the appropriate ,state or local election official1 together with contact information for such official 7including any website through which the voter may contact the official or obtain information on voter registration in the ,state74 7,c7 ,use of electronic mail ,if an election official has an electronic mail address for any voter to whom the official is required to send a written notice under this paragraph1 the official may meet the requirements of this paragraph by sending the notice to the voter in electronic form at that address1 but only if prior to sending the notice1 the official sends a test electronic mail to the voter at that address and receives confirmation that the address is current and valid4 4 7c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections occurring during #bjad or any succeeding year4 #aad4 ,definitions 7a7 ,chief ,state election official ,in this subtitle1 the chief ,state election official means1 with respect to a ,state1 the individual designated by the ,state under section #aj of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#h7 to be responsible for coordination of the ,state's responsibilities under such ,act4 7b7 ,state ,in this subtitle1 a ,state includes the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 but does not include any ,state in which1 under a ,state law in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 there is no voter registration requirement for individuals in the ,state with respect to elections for ,federal office4 #aae4 ,effective date ,this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjad and each succeeding election for ,federal office4 ,c ,other initiatives ,to promote voter registration #aba4 ,same day registration 7a7 ,in general ,title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedha et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating sections #cjd and #cje as sections #cje and #cjf2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #cjc the following new section3 #cjd4 ,same day registration 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,registration ,notwithstanding section #h7;a77#a77;,d7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#f71 each ,state shall permit any eligible individual on the day of a ,federal election and on any day when voting1 including early voting1 is permitted for a ,federal election-- 7,a7 to register to vote in such election at the polling place using a form that meets the requirements under section #i7;b7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7or1 if the individual is already registered to vote1 to revise any of the individual's voter registration information72 and 7,b7 to cast a vote in such election4 7#b7 ,exception ,the requirements under paragraph 7#a7 shall not apply to a ,state in which1 under a ,state law in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this section1 there is no voter registration requirement for individuals in the ,state with respect to elections for ,federal office4 7b7 ,eligible individual ,for purposes of this section1 the term eligible individual means1 with respect to any election for ,federal office1 an individual who is otherwise qualified to vote in that election4 7c7 ,effective date ,each ,state shall be required to comply with the requirements of subsection 7a7 for the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office occurring in ,november #bjad and for any subsequent election for ,federal office4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment relating to enforcement ,section #dja of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aeeaa7 is amended by striking sections #cja1 #cjb1 and #cjc and inserting subtitle ,a of title ,,iii4 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating the items relating to sections #cjd and #cje as relating to sections #cje and #cjf2 and 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #cjc the following new item3 ,sec4 #cjd4 ,same day registration4 4 #abb4 ,acceptance of voter registration applications from individuals under #ah years of age 7a7 ,acceptance of applications ,section #h of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#f71 as amended by section #ajd1 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7k7 as subsection 7l72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7j7 the following new subsection3 7k7 ,acceptance of applications from individuals under #ah years of age 7#a7 ,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 #ah years of age at the time the individual submits the application1 so long as the individual is at least #af years of age at such time4 7#b7 ,no effect on ,state voting age requirements ,nothing in paragraph 7#a7 may be construed to require a ,state to permit an individual who is under #ah years of age at the time of an election for ,federal office to vote in the election4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to elections occurring on or after ,january #a1 #bjad4 #abc4 ,annual reports on voter registration statistics 7a7 ,annual report ,not later than #ij days after the end of each year1 each ,state shall submit to the ,election ,assistance ,commission and ,congress a report containing the following information for the year3 7#a7 ,the number of individuals who were registered under section #aaa4 7#b7 ,the number of voter registration application forms completed by individuals that were transmitted by motor vehicle authorities in the ,state 7pursuant to section #e7;d7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic7 and voter registration agencies in the ,state 7as designated under section #g of such ,act7 to the chief ,state election official of the ,state1 broken down by each such authority and agency4 7#c7 ,the number of such individuals whose voter registration application forms were accepted and who were registered to vote in the ,state and the number of such individuals whose forms were rejected and who were not registered to vote in the ,state1 broken down by each such authority and agency4 7#d7 ,the number of change of address forms and other forms of information indicating that an individual's identifying information has been changed that were transmitted by such motor vehicle authorities and voter registration agencies to the chief ,state election official of the ,state1 broken down by each such authority and agency and the type of form transmitted4 7#e7 ,the number of individuals on the ,statewide computerized voter registration list 7as established and maintained under section #cjc of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb7 whose voter registration information was revised by the chief ,state election official as a result of the forms transmitted to the official by such motor vehicle authorities and voter registration agencies 7as described in paragraph 7#c771 broken down by each such authority and agency and the type of form transmitted4 7#f7 ,the number of individuals who requested the chief ,state election official to revise voter registration information on such list1 and the number of individuals whose information was revised as a result of such a request4 7b7 ,confidentiality of information ,in preparing and submitting a report under this section1 the chief ,state election official shall ensure that no information regarding the identification of any individual is revealed4 7c7 ,state defined ,in this section1 a ,state includes the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 but does not include any ,state in which1 under a ,state law in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 there is no voter registration requirement for individuals in the ,state with respect to elections for ,federal office4 ,d ,availability of ,,hava ,requirements ,payments #aca4 ,availability of requirements payments under ,,hava to cover costs of compliance with new requirements 7a7 ,in ,general ,section #bea7;b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedja7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking 7#b7 and 7#c7 and inserting 7#b71 7#c71 and 7#d72 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#d7 ,certain voter registration activities ,a ,state may use a requirements payment to carry out any of the requirements of the ,voter ,registration ,modernization ,act of #bjac1 including the requirements of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic which are imposed pursuant to the amendments made to such ,act by the ,voter ,registration ,modernization ,act of #bjac4 4 7b7 ,conforming ,amendment ,section #bed7;a77#a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedjd7;a77#a77 is amended by striking section #bea7;a77#b7 and inserting section #bea7;b77#b74 7c7 ,effective ,date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to fiscal year #bjad and each succeeding fiscal year4 ,e ,prohibiting ,interference ,with ,voter ,registration #ada4 ,prohibiting hindering1 interfering with1 or preventing voter registration 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #bi of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #fab4 ,hindering1 interfering with1 or preventing registering to vote 7a7 ,prohibition ,it shall be unlawful for any person1 whether acting under color of law or otherwise1 to corruptly hinder1 interfere with1 or prevent another person from registering to vote or aiding another person in registering to vote in any election for ,federal office4 7b7 ,attempt ,any person who attempts to commit any offense described in subsection 7a7 shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense that the person attempted to commit4 7c7 ,penalty ,any person who violates subsection 7a7 shall be fined under this title1 imprisoned not more than #e years1 or both4 7d7 ,election for ,federal ,office ,defined ,for purposes of this section1 the term election for ,federal office means a general1 special1 primary1 or runoff election held to nominate or elect a candidate for the office of ,president or ,vice ,president1 presidential elector1 or of ,senator or ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #bi of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code is amended by adding at the end the following new item3 #fab4 ,hindering1 interfering with1 or preventing registering to vote4 4 7c7 ,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 ,act1 except that no person may be found to have violated section #fab of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code 7as added by subsection 7a77 on the basis of any act occurring prior to the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #adb4 ,establishment of best practices 7a7 ,best practices ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,election ,assistance ,commission shall develop and publish recommendations for best practices for ,states to use to deter and prevent violations of section #fab of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code 7as added by section #ada7 and section #ab of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#aj7 7relating to the unlawful interference with registering to vote1 or voting1 or attempting to register to vote or vote71 including practices to provide for the posting of relevant information at polling places and voter registration agencies under such ,act1 the training of poll workers and election officials1 and relevant educational materials4 ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term ,state includes the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 7b7 ,inclusion in voter information requirements ,section #cjb7;b77#b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhb7;b77#b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,e72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,f7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,g7 information relating to the prohibitions of section #fab of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 and section #ab of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#aj7 7relating to the unlawful interference with registering to vote1 or voting1 or attempting to register to vote or vote71 including information on how individuals may report allegations of violations of such prohibitions4 4 ,,ii ,access to ,voting for ,individuals ,with ,disabilities #bja4 ,requirements for ,states to promote access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities 7a7 ,requirements ,subtitle ,a of title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedha et seq471 as amended by section #aad1 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating sections #cje and #cjf as sections #cjf and #cjg2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #cjd the following new section3 #cje4 ,access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities 7a7 ,treatment of applications and ballots ,each ,state shall-- 7#a7 permit individuals with disabilities to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in elections for ,federal office2 7#b7 accept and process1 with respect to any election for ,federal office1 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 not less than #cj days before the election2 7#c7 in addition to any other method of registering to vote or applying for an absentee ballot in the ,state1 establish procedures-- 7,a7 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 7c72 7,b7 for ,states to send by mail and electronically 7in accordance with the preferred method of transmission designated by the individual under subparagraph 7,c77 voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications requested under subparagraph 7,a7 in accordance with subsection 7c72 and 7,c7 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 electronically2 7#d7 in addition to any other method of transmitting blank absentee ballots in the ,state1 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 7d72 7#e7 transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an individual with a disability-- 7,a7 except as provided in subsection 7e71 in the case in which the request is received at least #de days before an election for ,federal office1 not later than #de days before the election2 and 7,b7 in the case in which the request is received less than #de days before an election for ,federal office-- 7i7 in accordance with ,state law2 and 7ii7 if practicable and as determined appropriate by the ,state1 in a manner that expedites the transmission of such absentee ballot2 and 7#f7 if the ,state declares or otherwise holds a runoff election for ,federal office1 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 election4 7b7 ,designation of single ,state office ,to ,provide ,information on ,registration and ,absentee ,ballot ,procedures for ,all ,disabled ,voters in ,state ,each ,state shall designate a single office which shall be responsible for providing information regarding voter registration procedures and absentee ballot 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 ,state4 7c7 ,designation of ,means of ,electronic ,communication for ,individuals with ,disabilities ,to ,request and for ,states ,to ,send ,voter ,registration ,applications and ,absentee ,ballot ,applications1 and for ,other ,purposes ,related to ,voting ,information 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,state shall1 in addition to the designation of a single ,state office under subsection 7b71 designate not less than one means of electronic communication-- 7,a7 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 7a77#c72 7,b7 for use by ,states to send voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications requested under such subsection2 and 7,c7 for the purpose of providing related voting1 balloting1 and election information to individuals with disabilities4 7#b7 ,clarification regarding provision of multiple means of electronic communication ,a ,state may1 in addition to the means of electronic communication so designated1 provide multiple means of electronic communication to individuals with disabilities1 including a means of electronic communication for the appropriate jurisdiction of the ,state4 7#c7 ,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 disabilities4 7#d7 ,transmission if no preference indicated ,in the case where an individual with a disability does not designate a preference under subsection 7a77#c77;,c71 the ,state shall transmit the voter registration application or absentee ballot application by any delivery method allowable in accordance with applicable ,state law1 or if there is no applicable ,state law1 by mail4 7d7 ,transmission of blank absentee ballots by mail and electronically 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,state shall establish procedures-- 7,a7 to transmit blank absentee ballots by mail and electronically 7in accordance with the preferred method of transmission designated by the individual with a disability under subparagraph 7,b77 to individuals with disabilities for an election for ,federal office2 and 7,b7 by which the individual with a disability can designate whether the individual prefers that such blank absentee ballot be transmitted by mail or electronically4 7#b7 ,transmission if no preference indicated ,in the case where an individual with a disability does not designate a preference under paragraph 7#a77;,b71 the ,state shall transmit the ballot by any delivery method allowable in accordance with applicable ,state law1 or if there is no applicable ,state law1 by mail4 7e7 ,hardship ,exemption 7#a7 ,in general ,if the chief ,state election official determines that the ,state is unable to meet the requirement under subsection 7a77#e77;,a7 with respect to an election for ,federal office due to an undue hardship described in paragraph 7#b77;,b71 the chief ,state election official shall request that the ,attorney ,general grant a waiver to the ,state of the application of such subsection4 ,such request shall include-- 7,a7 a recognition that the purpose of such subsection is to individuals with disabilities enough time to vote in an election for ,federal office2 7,b7 an explanation of the hardship that indicates why the ,state is unable to transmit such individuals an absentee ballot in accordance with such subsection2 7,c7 the number of days prior to the election for ,federal office that the ,state requires absentee ballots be transmitted to such individuals2 and 7,d7 a comprehensive plan to ensure that such individuals are able to receive absentee ballots which they have requested and submit marked absentee ballots to the appropriate ,state election official in time to have that ballot counted in the election for ,federal office1 which includes-- 7i7 the steps the ,state will undertake to ensure that such individuals have time to receive1 mark1 and submit their ballots in time to have those ballots counted in the election2 7ii7 why the plan provides such individuals sufficient time to vote as a substitute for the requirements under such subsection2 and 7iii7 the underlying factual information which explains how the plan provides such sufficient time to vote as a substitute for such requirements4 7#b7 ,approval of waiver request ,the ,attorney ,general shall approve a waiver request under paragraph 7#a7 if the ,attorney ,general determines each of the following requirements are met3 7,a7 ,the comprehensive plan under subparagraph 7,d7 of such paragraph provides individuals with disabilities sufficient time to receive absentee ballots they have requested and submit marked absentee ballots to the appropriate ,state election official in time to have that ballot counted in the election for ,federal office4 7,b7 ,one or more of the following issues creates an undue hardship for the ,state3 7i7 ,the ,state's primary election date prohibits the ,state from complying with subsection 7a77#e77;,a74 7ii7 ,the ,state has suffered a delay in generating ballots due to a legal contest4 7iii7 ,the ,state ,constitution prohibits the ,state from complying with such subsection4 7#c7 ,timing of waiver 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided under subparagraph 7,b71 a ,state that requests a waiver under paragraph 7#a7 shall submit to the ,attorney ,general the written waiver request not later than #ij days before the election for ,federal office with respect to which the request is submitted4 ,the ,attorney ,general shall approve or deny the waiver request not later than #fe days before such election4 7,b7 ,exception ,if a ,state requests a waiver under paragraph 7#a7 as the result of an undue hardship described in paragraph 7#b77;,b77ii71 the ,state shall submit to the ,attorney ,general the written waiver request as soon as practicable4 ,the ,attorney ,general shall approve or deny the waiver request not later than #e business days after the date on which the request is received4 7#d7 ,application of waiver ,a waiver approved under paragraph 7#b7 shall only apply with respect to the election for ,federal office for which the request was submitted4 ,for each subsequent election for ,federal office1 the ,attorney ,general shall only approve a waiver if the ,state has submitted a request under paragraph 7#a7 with respect to such election4 7f7 ,individual with a disability defined ,in this section1 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 office4 7g7 ,effective date ,this section shall apply with respect to elections for ,federal office held on or after ,january #a1 #bjad4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment relating to issuance of voluntary guidance by election assistance commission ,section #caa7;b7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aeeja7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of paragraph 7#b72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of paragraph 7#c7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#d7 in the case of the recommendations with respect to section #cje1 ,january #a1 #bjad4 4 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act1 as amended by section #aad7;c71 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating the items relating to sections #cje and #cjf as relating to sections #cjf and #cjg2 and 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #cjd the following new item3 ,sec4 #cje4 ,access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities4 4 #bjb4 ,pilot programs for enabling individuals with disabilities to register to vote and vote privately and independently at residences 7a7 ,establishment of pilot programs ,the ,election ,assistance ,commission 7hereafter referred to as the ,commission7 shall make grants to eligible ,states to conduct pilot programs under which-- 7#a7 individuals with disabilities may use electronic means 7including the ,internet and telephones utilizing assistive devices7 to register to vote and to request and receive absentee ballots1 in a manner which permits such individuals to do so privately and independently at their own residences2 and 7#b7 individuals with disabilities may use the telephone to cast ballots electronically from their own residences1 but only if the telephone used is not connected to the ,internet4 7b7 ,reports 7#a7 ,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 year4 7#b7 ,deadline ,a ,state shall submit a report under paragraph 7#a7 not later than #ij days after the last election for public office held in the ,state during the year4 7c7 ,eligibility ,a ,state is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the ,state submits to the ,commission1 at such time and in such form as the ,commission may require1 an application containing such information and assurances as the ,commission may require4 7d7 ,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 #bjad1 or1 at the option of a ,state1 with respect to other elections for public office held in the ,state in #bjad4 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated for grants for pilot programs under this section #cj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjad and each succeeding fiscal year4 7f7 ,state defined ,in this section1 the term ,state includes the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 #bjc4 ,expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure voting access for individuals with disabilities 7a7 ,purposes of payments ,section #bfa7;b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedba7;b77 is amended by striking paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 and inserting the following3 7#a7 making absentee voting and voting at home accessible to individuals with the full range of disabilities 7including impairments involving vision1 hearing1 mobility1 or dexterity7 through the implementation of accessible absentee voting systems that work in conjunction with assistive technologies for which individuals have access at their homes1 independent living centers1 or other facilities2 7#b7 making polling places1 including the path of travel1 entrances1 exits1 and voting areas of each polling facility1 accessible to individuals with disabilities1 including the blind and visually impaired1 in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation 7including privacy and independence7 as for other voters2 and 7#c7 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 disabilities4 4 7b7 ,reauthorization ,section #bfd7;a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedbd7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#d7 ,for fiscal year #bjad and each succeeding fiscal year1 such sums as may be necessary to carry out this part4 4 7c7 ,period of availability of funds ,section #bfd of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedbd7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b71 by striking ,any amounts and inserting ,except as provided in subsection 7b71 any amounts2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,return and transfer of certain funds 7#a7 ,deadline for obligation and expenditure ,in the case of any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of subsection 7a7 for a payment to a ,state or unit of local government for fiscal year #bjad or any succeeding fiscal year1 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 #d-year period which begins on the date the ,state or unit of local government first received the amounts shall be transferred to the ,commission4 7#b7 ,reallocation of transferred amounts 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall use the amounts transferred under paragraph 7#a7 to make payments on a pro rata basis to each covered payment recipient described in subparagraph 7,b71 which may obligate and expend such payment for the purposes described in section #bfa7;b7 during the #a-year period which begins on the date of receipt4 7,b7 ,covered payment recipients described ,in subparagraph 7,a71 a covered payment recipient is a ,state or unit of local government with respect to which-- 7i7 amounts were appropriated pursuant to the authority of subsection 7a72 and 7ii7 no amounts were transferred to the ,commission under paragraph 7#a74 4 ,,iii ,prohibiting ,voter ,caging #cja4 ,voter caging and other questionable challenges prohibited 7a7 ,in ,general ,chapter #bi of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #ada7;a71 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #fac4 ,voter caging and other questionable challenges 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the term voter caging document means-- 7,a7 a nonforwardable document 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 applicant2 or 7,b7 any document with instructions to an addressee that the document be returned to the sender or a third party but is not so returned1 despite an attempt to deliver such document to the address of a registered voter or applicant1 unless at least two ,federal election cycles have passed since the date of the attempted delivery2 7#b7 the term voter caging list means a list of individuals compiled from voter caging documents2 and 7#c7 the term unverified match list means a 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 jurisdiction1 by virtue of death1 conviction1 change of address1 or otherwise2 unless one of the pieces of information matched includes a signature1 photograph1 or unique identifying number ensuring that the information from each source refers to the same individual4 7b7 ,prohibition ,against ,voter ,caging ,no ,state or local election official shall prevent an individual from registering or voting in any election for ,federal office1 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 vote1 if the basis for such decision is evidence consisting of-- 7#a7 a voter caging document or voter caging list2 7#b7 an unverified match list2 7#c7 an error or omission on any record or paper relating to any application1 registration1 or other act requisite to voting1 if such error or omission is not material to an individual's eligibility to vote under section #bjjd of the ,revised ,statutes1 as amended 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aiga7;a77#b77;,b772 or 7#d7 any other evidence so designated for purposes of this section by the ,election ,assistance ,commission1 except that the election official may use such evidence if it is corroborated by independent evidence of the individual's ineligibility to register or vote4 7c7 ,requirements for ,challenges by ,persons ,other ,than ,election ,officials ,no person1 other than a ,state or local election official1 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 regarding the grounds for ineligibility which is-- 7#a7 documented in writing2 and 7#b7 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 election4 7d7 ,penalties for ,knowing ,misconduct ,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 disqualified1 shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than #a year1 or both1 for each such violation4 ,each violation shall be a separate offense4 7e7 ,no ,effect on ,related ,laws ,nothing in this section is intended to override the protections of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg et seq47 or to affect the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc et seq474 4 7b7 ,clerical ,amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #bi of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #ada7;b71 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #fac4 ,voter caging and other questionable challenges4 4 #cjb4 ,development and adoption of best practices for preventing voter caging 7a7 ,best practices ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,election ,assistance ,commission shall develop and publish for the use of ,states recommendations for best practices to deter and prevent violations of section #fac of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #cja7;a71 including practices to provide for the posting of relevant information at polling places and voter registration agencies1 the training of poll workers and election officials1 and relevant educational measures4 ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term ,state includes the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 7b7 ,inclusion in voting information requirements ,section #cjb7;b77#b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhb7;b77#b771 as amended by section #ada7;b71 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,f72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,g7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,h7 information relating to the prohibition against voter caging and other questionable challenges 7as set forth in section #fac of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code71 including information on how individuals may report allegations of violations of such prohibition4 4 #cjc4 ,severability ,if any provision of this title or any amendment made by this title1 or the application of a provision to any person or circumstance1 is held to be unconstitutional1 the remainder of this title and the amendments made by this title1 and the application of the provisions to any person or circumstance1 shall not be affected by the holding4 ,,iv ,prohibiting ,deceptive ,practices #dja4 ,prohibition on deceptive practices in ,federal elections 7a7 ,in ,general ,chapter #bi of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #ada7;a7 and section #cja7;a71 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #fad4 ,false election-related information in ,federal elections 7a7 ,a person1 including an election official1 who in any election for ,federal office knowingly and willfully deprives1 defrauds1 or attempts to deprive or defraud the residents of a ,state of their free and fair exercise of the right to vote by the communication of election-related information that is known by the person to be materially false1 fictitious1 or fraudulent shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than #a year1 or both4 7b7 ,as used in this section-- 7#a7 the term election for ,federal office means any general1 primary1 runoff1 or special election for the office of ,president1 ,vice ,president1 presidential elector1 ,member of the ,senate1 ,member of the ,house of ,representatives1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to the ,congress2 and 7#b7 the term election-related information means any oral or written communication regarding-- 7,a7 the time or place of an election for ,federal office2 7,b7 criminal penalties associated with voting in such an election2 7,c7 an individual's voter registration status or eligibility to vote in such an election2 or 7,d7 the explicit endorsement by any person or organization of a candidate in such an election4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #bi of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #ada7;b7 and section #cja7;b71 is amended by adding at the end the following new item3 #fad4 ,false election-related information in ,federal elections4 4 #djb4 ,modification of penalty for voter intimidation ,section #eid of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking one year and inserting #e years4 #djc4 ,sentencing guidelines 7a7 ,review and amendment ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,united ,states ,sentencing ,commission1 pursuant to its authority under section #iid of title #bh1 ,united ,states ,code1 and in accordance with this section1 shall review and1 if appropriate1 amend the ,federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of any offense under any sections of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 that are added or modified by this ,act4 7b7 ,authorization ,the ,united ,states ,sentencing ,commission may1 for the purposes of the amendments made pursuant to this title1 amend the ,federal sentencing guidelines in accordance with the procedures set forth in section #ba7;a7 of the ,sentencing ,act of #aihg 7#bh ,u4,s4,c4 #iid note7 as though the authority under that section had not expired4 #djd4 ,reporting violations2 corrective action 7a7 ,reporting ,any person may submit a report to the ,attorney ,general regarding any violation or possible violation of section #eid or section #fad of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code 7as added by section #dja7;a774 7b7 ,corrective action 7#a7 ,in general ,immediately after receiving a report under subsection 7a71 the ,attorney ,general shall consider and review the report1 and if the ,attorney ,general determines that there is a reasonable basis to find that a violation included in the report has occurred1 the ,attorney ,general shall-- 7,a7 undertake all effective measures necessary to provide correct information to voters affected by the false information2 and 7,b7 refer the matter to the appropriate ,federal and ,state authorities for criminal prosecution or civil action after the election involved4 7#b7 ,regulations ,the ,attorney ,general shall promulgate regulations regarding the methods and means of corrective actions to be taken under paragraph 7#a74 ,such regulations shall be developed in consultation with the ,election ,assistance ,commission1 civil rights organizations1 voting rights groups1 ,state and local election officials1 voter protection groups1 and other interested community organizations4 7#c7 ,study and report on methods of disseminating corrective information 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,attorney ,general1 in consultation with the ,federal ,communications ,commission and the ,election ,assistance ,commission1 shall conduct a study on the feasibility of providing the corrective information under paragraph 7#a7 through public service announcements1 the emergency alert system1 or other forms of public broadcast4 7,b7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,attorney ,general shall submit to ,congress a report detailing the results of the study conducted under subparagraph 7,a74 7#d7 ,publicizing availability of remedies ,the ,attorney ,general shall make public through the ,internet1 radio1 television1 and newspaper advertisements information on the responsibilities1 contact information1 and complaint procedures applicable under this section4 7c7 ,reports to ,congress 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after any election with respect to which a report has been submitted under subsection 7a71 the ,attorney ,general shall submit to ,congress a report compiling all such reports submitted under subsection 7a7 with respect to that election4 7#b7 ,contents 7,a7 ,in general ,each report submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7i7 detailed information on specific allegations2 7ii7 statistical compilations of how many allegations were made and of what type2 7iii7 the geographic locations of and the populations affected by the alleged violations2 7iv7 the status of the investigations of such allegations2 7v7 any corrective actions taken in response to such allegations2 7vi7 the rationale used for any corrective actions or for any refusal to pursue an allegation2 7vii7 the effectiveness of any such corrective actions2 7viii7 whether a ,voting ,integrity ,task ,force was established with respect to such election1 and1 if so1 how such task force was staffed and funded2 7ix7 any referrals of information to other ,federal1 ,state1 or local agencies2 and 7x7 any criminal prosecution instituted under title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 in connection with such allegations4 7#c7 ,report made public ,on the date that the ,attorney ,general submits the report under paragraph 7#a71 the ,attorney ,general shall also make the report publicly available through the ,internet and other appropriate means4 7d7 ,delegation of duties 7#a7 ,use of voting integrity task force ,the ,attorney ,general shall delegate the responsibilities under this section with respect to a particular election to a ,voting ,integrity ,task ,force established by the ,attorney ,general for such purpose4 7#b7 ,composition ,a ,voting ,integrity ,task ,force established under paragraph 7#a7 shall be under the direction of the ,assistant ,attorney ,general for the ,civil ,rights ,division and the ,assistant ,attorney ,general for the ,criminal ,division1 acting jointly4 ,v ,democracy ,restoration #eja4 ,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 election4 #ejb4 ,enforcement 7a7 ,attorney general ,the ,attorney ,general may1 in a civil action1 obtain such declaratory or injunctive relief as is necessary to remedy a violation of this title4 7b7 ,private right of action 7#a7 ,a person who is aggrieved by a violation of this title may provide written notice of the violation to the chief election official of the ,state involved4 7#b7 ,except as provided in paragraph 7#c71 if the violation is not corrected within #ij days after receipt of a notice under paragraph 7#a71 or within #bj days after receipt of the notice if the violation occurred within #abj days before the date of an election for ,federal office1 the aggrieved person may1 in a civil action1 obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation4 7#c7 ,if the violation occurred within #cj days before the date of an election for ,federal office1 the aggrieved person need not provide notice to the chief election official of the ,state under paragraph 7#a7 before bringing a civil action to obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation4 #ejc4 ,notification of restoration of voting rights 7a7 ,state notification 7#a7 ,notification ,on the date determined under paragraph 7#b71 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 this title and may register to vote in any such election4 7#b7 ,date of notification 7,a7 ,felony conviction ,in the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a felony1 the notification required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be given on the date on which the individual-- 7i7 is sentenced to serve only a term of probation2 or 7ii7 is released from the custody of that ,state 7other than to the custody of another ,state or the ,federal ,government to serve a term of imprisonment for a felony conviction74 7,b7 ,misdemeanor conviction ,in the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor1 the notification required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be given on the date on which such individual is sentenced by a ,state court4 7b7 ,federal notification 7#a7 ,notification ,on the date determined under paragraph 7#b71 the ,director of the ,bureau of ,prisons shall notify in writing any individual who has been convicted of a criminal offense under ,federal law that such individual has the right to vote in an election for ,federal office pursuant to this title and may register to vote in any such election4 7#b7 ,date of notification 7,a7 ,felony conviction ,in the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a felony1 the notification required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be given on the date on which the individual-- 7i7 is sentenced to serve only a term of probation by a court established by an ,act of ,congress2 or 7ii7 is released from the custody of the ,bureau of ,prisons 7other than to the custody of a ,state to serve a term of imprisonment for a felony conviction74 7,b7 ,misdemeanor conviction ,in the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor1 the notification required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be given on the date on which such individual is sentenced by a ,state court4 #ejd4 ,definitions ,for purposes of this title3 7#a7 ,correctional institution or facility ,the term correctional institution or facility means any prison1 penitentiary1 jail1 or other institution or facility for the confinement of individuals convicted of criminal offenses1 whether publicly or privately operated1 except that such term does not include any residential community treatment center 7or similar public or private facility74 7#b7 ,election ,the term election means-- 7,a7 a general1 special1 primary1 or runoff election2 7,b7 a convention or caucus of a political party held to nominate a candidate2 7,c7 a primary election held for the selection of delegates to a national nominating convention of a political party2 or 7,d7 a primary election held for the expression of a preference for the nomination of persons for election to the office of ,president4 7#c7 ,federal office ,the term ,federal office means the office of ,president or ,vice ,president of the ,united ,states1 or of ,senator or ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress of the ,united ,states4 7#d7 ,probation ,the term probation means probation1 imposed by a ,federal1 ,state1 or local court1 with or without a condition on the individual involved concerning-- 7,a7 the individual's freedom of movement2 7,b7 the payment of damages by the individual2 7,c7 periodic reporting by the individual to an officer of the court2 or 7,d7 supervision of the individual by an officer of the court4 #eje4 ,relation to other laws 7a7 ,state laws relating to voting rights ,nothing in this title shall be construed to prohibit the ,states 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 title4 7b7 ,certain ,federal ,acts ,the rights and remedies established by this title are in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law1 and neither rights and remedies established by this title shall supersede1 restrict1 or limit the application of the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc et seq47 or the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc-;gg74 #ejf4 ,federal prison funds ,no ,state1 unit of local government1 or other person may receive or use1 to construct or otherwise improve a prison1 jail1 or other place of incarceration1 any ,federal grant amounts unless that person has in effect a program under which each individual incarcerated in that person's jurisdiction who is a citizen of the ,united ,states is notified1 upon release from such incarceration1 of that individual's rights under section #eja4 #ejg4 ,effective date ,this title shall apply to citizens of the ,united ,states voting in any election for ,federal office held after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,,vi ,accuracy1 ,integrity1 and ,security of ,elections #fjj4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,voter ,confidence and ,increased ,accessibility ,act of #bjac4 ,a ,promoting accuracy1 integrity1 and security through voter-,verified permanent paper ballot #fja4 ,paper ballot and manual counting requirements 7a7 ,in general ,section #cja7;a77#b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedha7;a77#b77 is amended to read as follows3 7#b7 ,paper ballot requirement 7,a7 ,voter-verified paper ballots 7i7 ,paper ballot requirement 7,i7 ,the voting system shall require the use of an individual1 durable1 voter-verified1 paper ballot of the voter's vote that shall be marked and made available for inspection and verification by the voter before the voter's vote is cast and counted1 and which shall be counted by hand or read by an optical character recognition device or other counting device4 ,for purposes of this subclause1 the term individual1 durable1 voter-verified1 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 system1 so long as the voter shall have the option to mark his or her ballot by hand4 7,,ii7 ,the voting system shall provide the voter with an opportunity to correct any error on the paper ballot before the permanent voter-verified paper ballot is preserved in accordance with clause 7ii74 7,,iii7 ,the voting system shall not preserve the voter-verified paper ballots in any manner that makes it possible1 at any time after the ballot has been cast1 to associate a voter with the record of the voter's vote without the voter's consent4 7ii7 ,preservation as official record ,the individual1 durable1 voter-verified1 paper ballot used in accordance with clause 7i7 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 used4 7iii7 ,manual counting requirements for recounts and audits 7,i7 ,each paper ballot used pursuant to clause 7i7 shall be suitable for a manual audit1 and shall be counted by hand in any recount or audit conducted with respect to any election for ,federal office4 7,,ii7 ,in the event of any inconsistencies or irregularities between any electronic vote tallies and the vote tallies determined by counting by hand the individual1 durable1 voter-verified1 paper ballots used pursuant to clause 7i71 and subject to subparagraph 7,b71 the individual1 durable1 voter-verified1 paper ballots shall be the true and correct record of the votes cast4 7iv7 ,application to all ballots ,the requirements of this subparagraph shall apply to all ballots cast in elections for ,federal office1 including ballots cast by absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters under the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act and other absentee voters4 7,b7 ,special rule for treatment of disputes when paper ballots have been shown to be compromised 7i7 ,in general ,in the event that-- 7,i7 there is any inconsistency between any electronic vote tallies and the vote tallies determined by counting by hand the individual1 durable1 voter-verified1 paper ballots used pursuant to subparagraph 7,a77i7 with respect to any election for ,federal office2 and 7,,ii7 it is demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence 7as determined in accordance with the applicable standards in the jurisdiction involved7 in any recount1 audit1 or contest of the result of the election that the paper ballots have been compromised 7by damage or mischief or otherwise7 and that a sufficient number of the ballots have been so compromised that the result of the election could be changed1 the determination of the appropriate remedy with respect to the election shall be made in accordance with applicable ,state law1 except that the electronic tally shall not be used as the exclusive basis for determining the official certified result4 7ii7 ,rule for consideration of ballots associated with each voting machine ,for purposes of clause 7i71 only the paper ballots deemed compromised1 if any1 shall be considered in the calculation of whether or not the result of the election could be changed due to the compromised paper ballots4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment clarifying applicability of alternative language accessibility ,section #cja7;a77#d7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedha7;a77#d77 is amended by inserting 7including the paper ballots required to be used under paragraph 7#b77 after voting system4 7c7 ,other conforming amendments ,section #cja7;a77#a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedha7;a77#a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a77i71 by striking counted and inserting counted1 in accordance with paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c72 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,a77ii71 by striking counted and inserting counted1 in accordance with paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c72 7#c7 in subparagraph 7,a77iii71 by striking counted each place it appears and inserting counted1 in accordance with paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c72 and 7#d7 in subparagraph 7,b77ii71 by striking counted and inserting counted1 in accordance with paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c74 #fjb4 ,accessibility and ballot verification for individuals with disabilities 7a7 ,in general ,section #cja7;a77#c77;,b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedha7;a77#c77;,b77 is amended to read as follows3 7,b7 7i7 satisfy the requirement of subparagraph 7,a7 through the use of at least one voting system equipped for individuals with disabilities1 including nonvisual and enhanced visual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired1 and nonmanual and enhanced manual accessibility for the mobility and dexterity impaired1 at each polling place2 and 7ii7 meet the requirements of subparagraph 7,a7 and paragraph 7#b77;,a7 by using a system that-- 7,i7 allows the voter to privately and independently verify the permanent paper ballot through the presentation1 in accessible form1 of the printed or marked vote selections from the same printed or marked information that would be used for any vote counting or auditing2 and 7,,ii7 allows the voter to privately and independently verify and cast the permanent paper ballot without requiring the voter to manually handle the paper ballot2 and 4 7b7 ,specific requirement of study1 testing1 and development of accessible paper ballot verification mechanisms 7#a7 ,study and reporting ,subtitle ,c of title ,,ii of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aecha et seq47 is amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating section #bdg as section #bdh2 and 7,b7 by inserting after section #bdf the following new section3 #bdg4 ,study and report on accessible paper ballot verification mechanisms 7a7 ,study and ,report ,the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation shall make grants to not fewer than #c eligible entities to study1 test1 and develop accessible paper ballot voting1 verification1 and casting mechanisms and devices and best practices to enhance the accessibility of paper ballot voting and verification mechanisms for individuals with disabilities1 for voters whose primary language is not ,english1 and for voters with difficulties in literacy1 including best practices for the mechanisms themselves and the processes through which the mechanisms are used4 7b7 ,eligibility ,an entity is eligible to receive a grant under this part if it submits to the ,director 7at such time and in such form as the ,director may require7 an application containing-- 7#a7 certifications that the entity shall specifically investigate enhanced methods or devices1 including non-electronic devices1 that will assist such individuals and voters in marking voter-verified paper ballots and presenting or transmitting the information printed or marked on such ballots back to such individuals and voters1 and casting such ballots2 7#b7 a certification that the entity shall complete the activities carried out with the grant not later than ,december #ca1 #bjad2 and 7#c7 such other information and certifications as the ,director may require4 7c7 ,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 public1 including to manufacturers of voting systems4 7d7 ,coordination ,with ,grants for ,technology ,improvements ,the ,director shall carry out this section so that the activities carried out with the grants made under subsection 7a7 are coordinated with the research conducted under the grant program carried out by the ,commission under section #bga1 to the extent that the ,director and ,commission determine necessary to provide for the advancement of accessible voting technology4 7e7 ,authorization of ,appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection 7a7 #e1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act is amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating the item relating to section #bdg as relating to section #bdh2 and 7,b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #bdf the following new item3 ,sec4 #bdg4 ,study and report on accessible paper ballot verification mechanisms4 4 7c7 ,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 disabilities1 the ,election ,assistance ,commission shall include and apply the same accessibility standards applicable under the voluntary guidance adopted for accessible voting systems under such subtitle4 7d7 ,permitting ,use of ,funds for ,protection and ,advocacy ,systems ,to ,support ,actions ,to ,enforce ,election-,related ,disability ,access ,section #bib7;a7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedfb7;a77 is amended by striking 2 except that and all that follows and inserting a period4 #fjc4 ,additional voting system requirements 7a7 ,requirements described ,section #cja7;a7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedha7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs3 7#g7 ,prohibiting use of uncertified election-dedicated voting system technologies2 disclosure requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,a voting system used in an election for ,federal office in a ,state may not at any time during the election contain or use any election-dedicated voting system technology-- 7i7 which has not been certified by the ,state for use in the election2 and 7ii7 which has not been deposited with an accredited laboratory described in section #bca to be held in escrow and disclosed in accordance with this section4 7,b7 ,requirement for disclosure and limitation on restricting disclosure ,an accredited laboratory under section #bca with whom an election-dedicated voting system technology has been deposited shall-- 7i7 hold the technology in escrow2 and 7ii7 disclose technology and information regarding the technology to another person if-- 7,i7 the person is a qualified person described in subparagraph 7,c7 who has entered into a nondisclosure agreement with respect to the technology which meets the requirements of subparagraph 7,d72 or 7,,ii7 the laboratory is permitted or required to disclose the technology to the person under ,state law1 in accordance with the terms and conditions applicable under such law4 7,c7 ,qualified persons described ,with respect to the disclosure of election-dedicated voting system technology by a laboratory under subparagraph 7,b77ii77,i71 a qualified person is any of the following3 7i7 ,a governmental entity with responsibility for the administration of voting and election-related matters for purposes of reviewing1 analyzing1 or reporting on the technology4 7ii7 ,a party to pre- or post-election litigation challenging the result of an election or the administration or use of the technology used in an election1 including but not limited to election contests or challenges to the certification of the technology1 or an expert for a party to such litigation1 for purposes of reviewing or analyzing the technology to support or oppose the litigation1 and all parties to the litigation shall have access to the technology for such purposes4 7iii7 ,a person not described in clause 7i7 or 7ii7 who reviews1 analyzes1 or reports on the technology solely for an academic1 scientific1 technological1 or other investigation or inquiry concerning the accuracy or integrity of the technology4 7,d7 ,requirements for nondisclosure agreements ,a nondisclosure agreement entered into with respect to an election-dedicated voting system technology meets the requirements of this subparagraph if the agreement-- 7i7 is limited in scope to coverage of the technology disclosed under subparagraph 7,b7 and any trade secrets and intellectual property rights related thereto2 7ii7 does not prohibit a signatory from entering into other nondisclosure agreements to review other technologies under this paragraph2 7iii7 exempts from coverage any information the signatory lawfully obtained from another source or any information in the public domain2 7iv7 remains in effect for not longer than the life of any trade secret or other intellectual property right related thereto2 7v7 prohibits the use of injunctions barring a signatory from carrying out any activity authorized under subparagraph 7,c71 including injunctions limited to the period prior to a trial involving the technology2 7vi7 is silent as to damages awarded for breach of the agreement1 other than a reference to damages available under applicable law2 7vii7 allows disclosure of evidence of crime1 including in response to a subpoena or warrant2 7viii7 allows the signatory to perform analyses on the technology 7including by executing the technology71 disclose reports and analyses that describe operational issues pertaining to the technology 7including vulnerabilities to tampering1 errors1 risks associated with use1 failures as a result of use1 and other problems71 and describe or explain why or how a voting system failed or otherwise did not perform as intended2 and 7ix7 provides that the agreement shall be governed by the trade secret laws of the applicable ,state4 7,e7 ,election-dedicated voting system technology defined ,for purposes of this paragraph3 7i7 ,in general ,the term election-dedicated voting system technology means the following3 7,i7 ,the source code used for the trusted build and its file signatures4 7,,ii7 ,a complete disk image of the pre-build1 build environment1 and any file signatures to validate that it is unmodified4 7,,iii7 ,a complete disk image of the post-build1 build environment1 and any file signatures to validate that it is unmodified4 7,,iv7 ,all executable code produced by the trusted build and any file signatures to validate that it is unmodified4 7,v7 ,installation devices and software file signatures4 7ii7 ,exclusion ,such term does not include commercial-off-the-shelf software and hardware defined under the #bjje voluntary voting system guidelines adopted by the ,commission under section #bbb4 7#h7 ,prohibition of use of wireless communications devices in systems or devices ,no system or device upon which ballots are programmed or votes are cast or tabulated shall contain1 use1 or be accessible by any wireless1 power-line1 or concealed communication device1 except that enclosed infrared communications devices which are certified for use in such device by the ,state and which cannot be used for any remote or wide area communications or used without the knowledge of poll workers shall be permitted4 7#i7 ,prohibiting connection of system to the internet 7,a7 ,in general ,no system or device upon which ballots are programmed or votes are cast or tabulated shall be connected to the ,internet at any time4 7,b7 ,rule of construction ,nothing contained in this paragraph shall be deemed to prohibit the ,commission from conducting the studies under section #bdb or to conduct other similar studies under any other provision of law in a manner consistent with this paragraph4 7#aj7 ,security standards for voting systems used in ,federal elections 7,a7 ,in general ,no voting system may be used in an election for ,federal office unless the manufacturer of such system and the election officials using such system meet the applicable requirements described in subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,requirements described ,the requirements described in this subparagraph are as follows3 7i7 ,the manufacturer and the election officials shall document the secure chain of custody for the handling of all software1 hardware1 vote storage media1 blank ballots1 and completed ballots used in connection with voting systems1 and shall make the information available upon request to the ,commission4 7ii7 ,the manufacturer shall disclose to an accredited laboratory under section #bca and to the appropriate election official any information required to be disclosed under paragraph 7#g74 7iii7 ,after the appropriate election official has certified the election-dedicated and other voting system software for use in an election1 the manufacturer may not-- 7,i7 alter such software2 or 7,,ii7 insert or use in the voting system any software1 software patch1 or other software modification not certified by the ,state for use in the election4 7iv7 ,at the request of the ,commission-- 7,i7 the appropriate election official shall submit information to the ,commission regarding the ,state's compliance with this subparagraph2 and 7,,ii7 the manufacturer shall submit information to the ,commission regarding the manufacturer's compliance with this subparagraph4 7,c7 ,development and publication of best practices of secure chain of custody ,not later than ,august #a1 #bjaf1 the ,commission shall develop and make publicly available best practices regarding the requirement of subparagraph 7,b77i7 and 7,b77iii71 and in the case of subparagraph 7,b77iii71 shall include best practices for certifying software patches and minor software modifications under short deadlines4 7,d7 ,disclosure of secure chain of custody ,the ,commission shall make information provided to the ,commission under subparagraph 7,b77i7 available to any person upon request4 7#aa7 ,durability and readability requirements for ballots 7,a7 ,durability requirements for paper ballots 7i7 ,in general ,all voter-verified paper ballots required to be used under this ,act shall be marked or printed on durable paper4 7ii7 ,definition ,for purposes of this ,act1 paper is durable if it is capable of withstanding multiple counts and recounts by hand without compromising the fundamental integrity of the ballots1 and capable of retaining the information marked or printed on them for the full duration of a retention and preservation period of #bb months4 7,b7 ,readability requirements for paper ballots marked by ballot marking device ,all voter-verified paper ballots completed by the voter through the use of a ballot marking device shall be clearly readable by the voter without assistance 7other than eyeglasses or other personal vision enhancing devices7 and by an optical character recognition device or other device equipped for individuals with disabilities4 7#ab7 ,requirements for publication of poll tapes 7,a7 ,requirements ,each ,state shall meet the following requirements3 7i7 ,upon the closing of the polls at each polling place1 the appropriate election official1 under the observation of the certified tabulation observers admitted to the polling place under subparagraph 7,e7 7if any71 shall announce the vote orally1 post a copy of the poll tape reflecting the totals from each voting machine upon which votes were cast in the election at the polling place1 and prepare and post a statement of the total number of individuals who appeared at the polling place to cast ballots1 determined by reference to the number of signatures in a sign-in book or other similar independent count4 ,such officials shall ensure that each of the certified tabulation observers admitted to the polling place has full access to observe the process by which the poll tapes and statement are produced and a reasonable period of time to review the poll tapes and statement before the polling place is closed1 and 7if feasible7 shall provide such observers with identical duplicate copies of the poll tapes and statement4 7ii7 ,as soon as practicable1 but in no event later than noon of the day following the date of the election1 the appropriate election official shall display 7at a prominent location accessible to the public during regular business hours and in or within reasonable proximity to the polling place7 a copy of each poll tape and statement prepared under clause 7i71 and the information shall be displayed on the official public websites of the applicable local election official and chief ,state election official1 together with the name of the designated voting official who entered the information and the date and time the information was entered4 7iii7 ,each website on which information is posted under clause 7ii7 shall include information on the procedures by which discrepancies shall be reported to election officials4 ,if any discrepancy exists between the posted information and the relevant poll tape or statement1 the appropriate election official shall display information on the discrepancy on the website on which the information is posted under clause 7ii7 not later than #bd hours after the official is made aware of the discrepancy1 and shall maintain the information on the discrepancy and its resolution 7if applicable7 on such website during the entire period for which results of the election are typically maintained on such website4 7iv7 ,the appropriate election official shall preserve archived copies of the poll tapes and statements prepared under clause 7i7 and reports of discrepancies filed by certified tabulation observers for the period of time during which records and papers are required to be retained and preserved pursuant to title ,,iii of the ,civil ,rights ,act of #aifj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigd et seq47 or for the same duration for which archived copies of other records of the election are required to be preserved under applicable ,state law1 whichever is longer4 7,b7 ,treatment of ballots cast at early voting sites 7i7 ,application ,the requirements of this subparagraph shall apply with respect to poll tapes and statements of the number of voters who voted in person at designated sites prior to the date of the election4 7ii7 ,daily count of voters ,at the close of business on each day on which ballots described in clause 7i7 may be cast prior to the date of the election1 the appropriate election official at each such site shall-- 7,i7 under the observation of certified tabulation observers admitted to the site under subparagraph 7,e7 7if any71 prepare and post a statement of the total number of individuals who appeared at the site to cast ballots1 determined by reference to the number of signatures in a sign-in book or other similar independent count1 and the total number of ballots cast 7excluding information on the votes received by individual candidates71 and shall ensure that each of the certified tabulation observers admitted to the site has full access to observe the process by which the statement is produced and a reasonable period of time to review the statement before the site is closed2 and 7,,ii7 display at the site during regular business hours for the duration of the early voting period a paper copy of the statement prepared under subclause 7,i74 7iii7 ,application of general requirements for poll tapes and statements ,upon the closing of the polls on the date of the election1 the appropriate election official at each designated site described in this subparagraph shall meet the requirements of subparagraph 7,a7 7including requirements relating to the role of certified tabulation observers7 in the same manner as an election official at a polling place4 7,c7 ,treatment of absentee ballots 7i7 ,daily count of ballots mailed and received ,at the close of each business day on which a ,state mails or accepts absentee ballots cast in an election for ,federal office prior to the date of the election1 the appropriate election official shall-- 7,i7 under the observation of certified tabulation observers admitted under subparagraph 7,e7 to the site at which the ballots are mailed and received 7if any71 prepare and post a statement of the total number of absentee ballots mailed and received by the official during that day and a separate count of the number of absentee ballots received but rejected 7separated into categories of the reasons for rejection71 and ensure that each of the certified tabulation observers admitted to the site has full access to observe the process by which the statement is produced and a reasonable period of time to review the statement before the site is closed2 and 7,,ii7 display at the site during regular business hours for the duration of the period during which absentee ballots are processed a paper copy of the statement prepared under subclause 7,i74 7ii7 ,application of general requirements for poll tapes and statements ,at the close of business on the last day on which absentee ballots are counted prior to the certification of the election1 the appropriate election official at the site at which absentee ballots are received and counted shall meet the requirements of subparagraph 7,a7 7including requirements relating to the role of certified tabulation observers7 in the same manner as an election official at a polling place4 7,d7 ,daily count of provisional ballots ,at the close of business on the day on which the appropriate election official determines whether or not provisional ballots cast in an election for ,federal office will be counted as votes in the election 7as described in section #cjb7;a77#d771 the official shall-- 7i7 under the observation of certified tabulation observers admitted under subparagraph 7,e7 to the site at which the determination is made 7if any71 prepare and post a statement of the number of such ballots for which a determination was made1 the number of ballots counted1 and the number of ballots rejected 7separated into categories of the reason for the rejection71 and ensure that each of the certified tabulation observers admitted to the site has full access to observe the process by which the statement is produced and a reasonable period of time to review the statement before the site is closed2 and 7ii7 display at the site during regular business hours for the duration of the period during which provisional ballots are processed a paper copy of the statement prepared under clause 7i74 7,e7 ,admission of certified tabulation observers 7i7 ,certified tabulation observer defined ,in this paragraph1 a certified tabulation observer is an individual who is certified by an appropriate election official as authorized to carry out the responsibilities of a certified tabulation observer under this paragraph4 7ii7 ,selection ,in determining which individuals to certify as tabulation observers and admit to a polling place or other location to serve as certified tabulation observers with respect to an election for ,federal office1 the election official shall give preference to individuals who are affiliated with a candidate in the election1 except that-- 7,i7 the number of individuals admitted who are affiliated with the same candidate for ,federal office may not exceed one2 and 7,,ii7 the maximum number of individuals who may be admitted shall equal the number of candidates in the election plus #c1 or such greater number as may be authorized under ,state law4 7iii7 ,no effect on admission of other observers ,nothing in this subparagraph may be construed to limit or otherwise affect the authority of other individuals to enter and observe polling place operations under any other law1 including international observers authorized under any treaty or observers of the ,federal ,government authorized under the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife4 7,f7 ,no effect on other tabulation requirements ,nothing in this ,act may be construed to supersede any requirement that an election official at a polling place report vote totals to a central tabulation facility and address discrepancies the official finds in the aggregation of those totals with other vote totals4 4 7b7 ,requiring laboratories ,to meet standards prohibiting conflicts of interest as condition of accreditation for testing of voting system hardware and software 7#a7 ,in general ,section #bca7;b7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aecga7;b77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs3 7#c7 ,prohibiting conflicts of interest2 ensuring availability of results 7,a7 ,in general ,a laboratory may not be accredited by the ,commission for purposes of this section unless-- 7i7 the laboratory certifies that the only compensation it receives for the testing carried out in connection with the certification1 decertification1 and recertification of the manufacturer's voting system hardware and software is the payment made from the ,testing ,escrow ,account under paragraph 7#d72 7ii7 the laboratory meets such standards as the ,commission shall establish 7after notice and opportunity for public comment7 to prevent the existence or appearance of any conflict of interest in the testing carried out by the laboratory under this section1 including standards to ensure that the laboratory does not have a financial interest in the manufacture1 sale1 and distribution of voting system hardware and software1 and is sufficiently independent from other persons with such an interest2 7iii7 the laboratory certifies that it will permit an expert designated by the ,commission or by the ,state requiring certification of the system being tested to observe any testing the laboratory carries out under this section2 and 7iv7 the laboratory1 upon completion of any testing carried out under this section1 discloses the test protocols1 results1 and all communication between the laboratory and the manufacturer to the ,commission4 7,b7 ,availability of results ,upon receipt of information under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,commission shall make the information available promptly to election officials and the public4 7#d7 ,procedures for conducting testing2 payment of user fees for compensation of accredited laboratories 7,a7 ,establishment of escrow account ,the ,commission shall establish an escrow account 7to be known as the ,testing ,escrow ,account7 for making payments to accredited laboratories for the costs of the testing carried out in connection with the certification1 decertification1 and recertification of voting system hardware and software4 7,b7 ,schedule of fees ,in consultation with the accredited laboratories1 the ,commission shall establish and regularly update a schedule of fees for the testing carried out in connection with the certification1 decertification1 and recertification of voting system hardware and software1 based on the reasonable costs expected to be incurred by the accredited laboratories in carrying out the testing for various types of hardware and software4 7,c7 ,requests and payments by manufacturers ,a manufacturer of voting system hardware and software may not have the hardware or software tested by an accredited laboratory under this section unless-- 7i7 the manufacturer submits a detailed request for the testing to the ,commission2 and 7ii7 the manufacturer pays to the ,commission1 for deposit into the ,testing ,escrow ,account established under subparagraph 7,a71 the applicable fee under the schedule established and in effect under subparagraph 7,b74 7,d7 ,selection of laboratory ,upon receiving a request for testing and the payment from a manufacturer required under subparagraph 7,c71 the ,commission shall select1 from all laboratories which are accredited under this section to carry out the specific testing requested by the manufacturer1 an accredited laboratory to carry out the testing4 7,e7 ,payments to laboratories ,upon receiving a certification from a laboratory selected to carry out testing pursuant to subparagraph 7,d7 that the testing is completed1 along with a copy of the results of the test as required under paragraph 7#c77;,a77iv71 the ,commission shall make a payment to the laboratory from the ,testing ,escrow ,account established under subparagraph 7,a7 in an amount equal to the applicable fee paid by the manufacturer under subparagraph 7,c77ii74 7#e7 ,dissemination of additional information on accredited laboratories 7,a7 ,information on testing ,upon completion of the testing of a voting system under this section1 the ,commission shall promptly disseminate to the public the identification of the laboratory which carried out the testing4 7,b7 ,information on status of laboratories ,the ,commission shall promptly notify ,congress1 the chief ,state election official of each ,state1 and the public whenever-- 7i7 the ,commission revokes1 terminates1 or suspends the accreditation of a laboratory under this section2 7ii7 the ,commission restores the accreditation of a laboratory under this section which has been revoked1 terminated1 or suspended2 or 7iii7 the ,commission has credible evidence of significant security failure at an accredited laboratory4 4 7#b7 ,conforming amendments ,section #bca of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aecga7 is further amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a77#a71 by striking testing1 certification1 and all that follows and inserting the following3 testing of voting system hardware and software by accredited laboratories in connection with the certification1 decertification1 and recertification of the hardware and software for purposes of this ,act42 7,b7 in subsection 7a77#b71 by striking testing1 certification1 and all that follows and inserting the following3 testing of its voting system hardware and software by the laboratories accredited by the ,commission under this section in connection with certifying1 decertifying1 and recertifying the hardware and software42 7,c7 in subsection 7b77#a71 by striking testing1 certification1 decertification1 and recertification and inserting testing2 and 7,d7 in subsection 7d71 by striking testing1 certification1 decertification1 and recertification each place it appears and inserting testing4 7#c7 ,deadline for establishment of standards1 escrow account1 and schedule of fees ,the ,election ,assistance ,commission shall establish the standards described in section #bca7;b77#c7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb and the ,testing ,escrow ,account and schedule of fees described in section #bca7;b77#d7 of such ,act 7as added by paragraph 7#a77 not later than ,january #a1 #bjaf4 7#d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,election ,assistance ,commission such sums as may be necessary to carry out the ,commission's duties under paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#d7 of section #bca of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7as added by paragraph 7#a774 7c7 ,grants for research on development of election-,dedicated voting system software 7#a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,d of title ,,ii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedja et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new part3 #g ,grants for research on development of election-,dedicated voting system software #big4 ,grants for research on development of election-dedicated voting system software 7a7 ,in ,general ,the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation 7hereafter in this part referred to as the ,director7 shall make grants to not fewer than #c eligible entities to conduct research on the development of election-dedicated voting system software4 7b7 ,eligibility ,an entity is eligible to receive a grant under this part if it submits to the ,director 7at such time and in such form as the ,director may require7 an application containing-- 7#a7 certifications regarding the benefits of operating voting systems on election-dedicated software which is easily understandable and which is written exclusively for the purpose of conducting elections2 7#b7 certifications that the entity will use the funds provided under the grant to carry out research on how to develop voting systems that run on election-dedicated software and that will meet the applicable requirements for voting systems under title ,,iii2 and 7#c7 such other information and certifications as the ,director may require4 7c7 ,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 public1 including to manufacturers of voting systems4 7d7 ,authorization of ,appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section #a1ejj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjag and #bjah1 to remain available until expended4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to subtitle ,d of title ,,ii the following3 ,part #g--;,grants for research on development of election-,dedicated voting system software ,sec4 #big4 ,grants for research on development of election-dedicated voting system software4 4 #fjd4 ,availability of additional funding to enable ,states to meet costs of revised requirements 7a7 ,extension of requirements payments for meeting revised requirements ,section #beg7;a7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedjg7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#e7 ,for fiscal year #bjah1 the sum of-- 7,a7 #a1jjj1jjj1jjj1 except that any funds provided under the authorization made by this subparagraph shall be used by a ,state only to meet the requirements of title ,,iii which are first imposed on the ,state pursuant to the amendments made by title ,i of the ,voter ,confidence and ,increased ,accessibility ,act of #bjac1 or to otherwise modify or replace its voting systems in response to such amendments2 plus 7,b7 such sums as may be necessary to enable ,states to carry out the activities described in subparagraph 7,a7 with respect to requirements which first apply to elections for ,federal office held after in ,november #bjbj1 except that any funds provided under the authorization made by this subparagraph shall be used by a ,state only for carrying out these activities4 4 7b7 ,use of revised formula for allocation of funds ,section #beb7;b7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedjb7;b77 is amended to read as follows3 7b7 ,state ,allocation ,percentage ,defined 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the ,state allocation percentage for a ,state is the amount 7expressed as a percentage7 equal to the quotient of-- 7,a7 the voting age population of the ,state 7as reported in the most recent decennial census72 and 7,b7 the total voting age population of all ,states 7as reported in the most recent decennial census74 7#b7 ,special rule for payments used to meet requirements imposed under ,voter ,confidence and ,increased ,accessibility ,act of #bjac 7,a7 ,in general ,in the case of the requirements payment made to a ,state under the authorization made by section #beg7;a77#e7 for fiscal year #bjah or any fiscal year thereafter1 the ,state allocation percentage for a ,state is the amount 7expressed as a percentage7 equal to the quotient of-- 7i7 the sum of the number of noncompliant precincts in the ,state and #ej percent of the number of partially noncompliant precincts in the ,state2 and 7ii7 the sum of the number of noncompliant precincts in all ,states and #ej percent of the number of partially noncompliant precincts in all ,states4 7,b7 ,noncompliant precinct defined ,in this paragraph1 a noncompliant precinct means any precinct 7or equivalent location7 within a ,state for which the voting system used to administer the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjaf did not meet either of the requirements described in subparagraph 7,d74 7,c7 ,partially noncompliant precinct defined ,in this paragraph1 a partially noncompliant precinct means any precinct 7or equivalent location7 within a ,state for which the voting system used to administer the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjaf met only one of the requirements described in subparagraph 7,d74 7,d7 ,requirements described ,the requirements described in this subparagraph with respect to a voting system are as follows3 7i7 ,the primary voting system required the use of durable paper ballots 7as described in section #cja7;a77#b77;,a77i77,i7 and #cja7;a77#aa77;,a71 as amended or added by the ,voter ,confidence and ,increased ,accessibility ,act of #bjac7 for every vote cast4 7ii7 ,the voting system allowed the voter to privately and independently verify the permanent paper ballot through the presentation of the same printed or marked information used for vote counting and auditing and to privately and independently cast the permanent paper ballot without handling the ballot manually4 4 7c7 ,revised conditions for receipt of funds ,section #bec of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedjc7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking ,a ,state is eligible and inserting ,except as provided in subsection 7f71 a ,state is eligible2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7f7 ,special ,rule for ,payments ,used ,to ,meet ,requirements ,imposed ,under ,voter ,confidence and ,increased ,accessibility ,act of #bjac 7#a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding any other provision of this part1 a ,state is eligible to receive a requirements payment under the authorization made by section #beg7;a77#e7 for fiscal year #bjah or any fiscal year thereafter if1 not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of the ,voter ,confidence and ,increased ,accessibility ,act of #bjac1 the chief executive officer of the ,state1 or designee1 in consultation and coordination with the chief ,state election official-- 7,a7 certifies to the ,commission the number of noncompliant and partially noncompliant precincts in the ,state 7as defined in section #beb7;b77#b772 7,b7 certifies to the ,commission that the ,state will reimburse each unit of local government in the ,state for any costs the unit incurs in carrying out the activities for which the payment may be used2 and 7,c7 files a statement with the ,commission describing the ,state's need for the payment and how the ,state will use the payment to meet the requirements of title ,,iii 7in accordance with the limitations applicable to the use of the payment under section #beg7;a77#e774 7#b7 ,certifications by ,states that require changes to ,state law ,in the case of a ,state that requires ,state legislation to carry out any activity covered by any certification submitted under this subsection1 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 enacted4 4 7d7 ,permitting use of funds for reimbursement for costs previously incurred ,section #bea7;c77#a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedja7;c77#a77 is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the following3 1 or as a reimbursement for any costs incurred after ,november #bjaf in meeting the requirements of title ,,iii which are imposed pursuant to the amendments made by title ,i of the ,voter ,confidence and ,increased ,accessibility ,act of #bjac or in otherwise upgrading or replacing voting systems in a manner consistent with such amendments 7so long as the voting systems meet any of the requirements that apply with respect to elections for ,federal office held in #bjbj and each succeeding year744 7e7 ,rule of construction regarding ,states receiving other funds for replacing punch card1 lever1 or other voting machines ,nothing in the amendments made by this section or in any other provision of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb may be construed to prohibit a ,state which received or was authorized to receive a payment under title ,i or ,,ii of such ,act for replacing punch card1 lever1 or other voting machines from receiving or using any funds which are made available under the amendments made by this section4 7f7 ,rule of construction regarding use of funds received in prior years 7#a7 ,in general ,nothing contained in this ,act or the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb may be construed to prohibit a ,state from using funds received under title ,i or ,,ii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb to purchase or acquire by other means a voting system that meets the requirements of paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 of section #cja of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7as amended by this ,act7 in order to replace voting systems purchased with funds received under the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb that do not meet such requirements4 7#b7 ,waiver of notice and comment requirements ,the requirements of subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,c7 of section #bed7;a77#aa7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb shall not apply to any ,state using funds received under such ,act for the purposes described in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 of paragraph 7#a74 7g7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to fiscal years beginning with fiscal year #bjah4 #fje4 ,effective date for new requirements ,section #cja7;d7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedha7;d77 is amended to read as follows3 7d7 ,effective ,date 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 each ,state and jurisdiction shall be required to comply with the requirements of this section on and after ,january #a1 #bjjf4 7#b7 ,special rule for certain requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c71 the requirements of this section which are first imposed on a ,state and jurisdiction pursuant to the amendments made by title ,i of the ,voter ,confidence and ,increased ,accessibility ,act of #bjac shall apply with respect to voting systems used for any election for ,federal office held in #bjah or any succeeding year4 7,b7 ,delay for jurisdictions using certain paper record printers or certain systems using or producing voter-verifiable paper records in #bjaf 7i7 ,delay ,in the case of a jurisdiction described in clause 7ii71 subparagraph 7,a7 shall apply to a voting system in the jurisdiction as if the reference in such subparagraph to #bjah were a reference to #bjbj1 but only with respect to the following requirements of this section3 7,i7 ,paragraph 7#b77;,a77i77,i7 of subsection 7a7 7relating to the use of voter-marked paper ballots74 7,,ii7 ,paragraph 7#c77;,b77ii77,i7 and 7,,ii7 of subsection 7a7 7relating to access to verification from and casting of the durable paper ballot74 7,,iii7 ,paragraph 7#aa7 of subsection 7a7 7relating to durability and readability requirements for ballots74 7ii7 ,jurisdictions described ,a jurisdiction described in this clause is a jurisdiction-- 7,i7 which used voter verifiable paper record printers attached to direct recording electronic voting machines1 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 7#b77;,a77i77,i71 7#c77;,b77ii77,i7 and 7,,ii71 and 7#aa7 of subsection 7a7 7as amended or added by the ,voter ,confidence and ,increased ,accessibility ,act of #bjac71 for the administration of the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjaf2 and 7,,ii7 which will continue to use such printers or systems for the administration of elections for ,federal office held in years before #bjbj4 7iii7 ,mandatory availability of paper ballots at polling places using grandfathered printers and systems 7,i7 ,requiring ballots to be offered and provided ,the appropriate election official at each polling place that uses a printer or system described in clause 7ii77,i7 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 pre-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 system4 ,the official shall provide the individual with the ballot and the supplies necessary to mark the ballot1 and shall ensure 7to the greatest extent practicable7 that the waiting period for the individual to cast a vote is the lesser of #cj minutes or the average waiting period for an individual who does not agree to cast the vote using such a paper ballot under this clause4 7,,ii7 ,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 7including by incorporating it into the final unofficial vote count 7as defined by the ,state7 for the precinct7 and not as a provisional ballot1 unless the individual casting the ballot would have otherwise been required to cast a provisional ballot4 7,,iii7 ,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 pre-printed blank paper ballot4 7,,iv7 ,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 clause1 including the requirement to display a notice under subclause 7,,iii71 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 pre-printed paper ballot4 7,v7 ,period of applicability ,the requirements of this clause apply only during the period in which the delay is in effect under clause 7i74 7,c7 ,special rule for jurisdictions using certain nontabulating ballot marking devices ,in the case of a jurisdiction which uses a nontabulating ballot marking device which automatically deposits the ballot into a privacy sleeve1 subparagraph 7,a7 shall apply to a voting system in the jurisdiction as if the reference in such subparagraph to any election for ,federal office held in #bjah or any succeeding year were a reference to elections for ,federal office occurring held in #bjbj or each succeeding year1 but only with respect to paragraph 7#c77;,b77ii77,,ii7 of subsection 7a7 7relating to nonmanual casting of the durable paper ballot74 4 ,b ,requirement for mandatory manual audits by hand count #faa4 ,mandatory manual audits ,title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedha et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new subtitle3 ,c ,mandatory manual audits #cba4 ,requiring audits of results of elections 7a7 ,requiring ,audits 7#a7 ,in general ,in accordance with this subtitle1 each ,state shall administer1 without advance notice to the precincts or alternative audit units selected1 audits of the results of all elections for ,federal office held in the ,state 7and1 at the option of the ,state or jurisdiction involved1 of elections for ,state and local office held at the same time as such election7 consisting of random hand counts of the voter-verified paper ballots required to be used and preserved pursuant to section #cja7;a77#b74 7#b7 ,exception for certain elections ,a ,state shall not be required to administer an audit of the results of an election for ,federal office under this subtitle if the winning candidate in the election-- 7,a7 had no opposition on the ballot2 or 7,b7 received #hj percent or more of the total number of votes cast in the election1 as determined on the basis of the final unofficial vote count4 7b7 ,determination of ,entity ,conducting ,audits2 ,application of ,,gao ,independence ,standards ,the ,state shall administer audits under this subtitle through an entity selected for such purpose by the ,state in accordance with such criteria as the ,state considers appropriate consistent with the requirements of this subtitle1 except that the entity must meet the general standards established by the ,comptroller ,general and as set forth in the ,comptroller ,general's ,government ,auditing ,standards to ensure the independence 7including1 except as provided under section #cbc7;b71 the organizational independence7 of entities performing financial audits1 attestation engagements1 and performance audits4 7c7 ,references to ,election ,auditor ,in this subtitle1 the term ,election ,auditor means1 with respect to a ,state1 the entity selected by the ,state under subsection 7b74 #cbb4 ,number of ballots counted under audit 7a7 ,in ,general ,except as provided in subsection 7b71 the number of voter-verified paper ballots which will be subject to a hand count administered by the ,election ,auditor of a ,state under this subtitle with respect to an election shall be determined as follows3 7#a7 ,in the event that the unofficial count as described in section #cbc7;a77#a7 reveals that the margin of victory between the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes in the election is less than #a percent of the total votes cast in that election1 the hand counts of the voter-verified paper ballots shall occur in at least #aj percent of all precincts or equivalent locations 7or alternative audit units used in accordance with the method provided for under subsection 7b77 in the ,congressional district involved 7in the case of an election for the ,house of ,representatives7 or the ,state 7in the case of any other election for ,federal office74 7#b7 ,in the event that the unofficial count as described in section #cbc7;a77#a7 reveals that the margin of victory between the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes in the election is greater than or equal to #a percent but less than #b percent of the total votes cast in that election1 the hand counts of the voter-verified paper ballots shall occur in at least #e percent of all precincts or equivalent locations 7or alternative audit units used in accordance with the method provided for under subsection 7b77 in the ,congressional district involved 7in the case of an election for the ,house of ,representatives7 or the ,state 7in the case of any other election for ,federal office74 7#c7 ,in the event that the unofficial count as described in section #cbc7;a77#a7 reveals that the margin of victory between the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes in the election is equal to or greater than #b percent of the total votes cast in that election1 the hand counts of the voter-verified paper ballots shall occur in at least #c percent of all precincts or equivalent locations 7or alternative audit units used in accordance with the method provided for under subsection 7b77 in the ,congressional district involved 7in the case of an election for the ,house of ,representatives7 or the ,state 7in the case of any other election for ,federal office74 7b7 ,use of ,alternative ,mechanism 7#a7 ,permitting use of alternative mechanism ,notwithstanding subsection 7a71 a ,state may adopt and apply an alternative mechanism to determine the number of voter-verified paper ballots which will be subject to the hand counts required under this subtitle with respect to an election1 so long as the alternative mechanism uses the voter-verified paper ballots to conduct the audit and the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology determines that the alternative mechanism is in accordance with the principles set forth in paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,principles for approval ,in approving an alternative mechanism under paragraph 7#a71 the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall ensure that the audit procedure will have the property that for each election-- 7,a7 the alternative mechanism will be at least as statistically effective in ensuring the accuracy of the election results as the procedures under this subtitle2 or 7,b7 the alternative mechanism will achieve at least a #ie confidence interval 7as determined in accordance with criteria set forth by the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology7 with respect to the outcome of the election4 7#c7 ,deadline for response ,the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall make a determination regarding a ,state's request to approve an alternative mechanism under paragraph 7#a7 not later than #cj days after receiving the ,state's request4 #cbc4 ,process for administering audits 7a7 ,in ,general ,the ,election ,auditor of a ,state shall administer an audit under this section of the results of an election in accordance with the following procedures3 7#a7 ,within #bd hours after the ,state announces the final unofficial vote count 7as defined by the ,state7 in each precinct in the ,state1 the ,election ,auditor shall-- 7,a7 determine and then announce the precincts or equivalent locations 7or alternative audit units used in accordance with the method provided under section #cbb7;b77 in the ,state in which it will administer the audits2 and 7,b7 with respect to votes cast at the precinct or equivalent location on or before the date of the election 7other than provisional ballots described in paragraph 7#b771 begin to administer the hand count of the votes on the voter-verified paper ballots required to be used and preserved under section #cja7;a77#b77;,a7 and the comparison of the count of the votes on those ballots with the final unofficial count of such votes as announced by the ,state4 7#b7 ,with respect to votes cast other than at the precinct on the date of the election 7other than votes cast before the date of the election described in paragraph 7#b77 or votes cast by provisional ballot on the date of the election which are certified and counted by the ,state on or after the date of the election1 including votes cast by absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters under the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act1 the ,election ,auditor shall administer the hand count of the votes on the applicable voter-verified paper ballots required to be produced and preserved under section #cja7;a77#b77;,a7 and the comparison of the count of the votes on those ballots with the final unofficial count of such votes as announced by the ,state4 7b7 ,use of personnel ,in administering the audits1 the ,election ,auditor may utilize the services of the personnel of the ,state or jurisdiction1 including election administration personnel and poll workers1 without regard to whether or not the personnel have professional auditing experience4 7c7 ,location ,the ,election ,auditor shall administer an audit of an election-- 7#a7 at the location where the ballots cast in the election are stored and counted after the date of the election or such other appropriate and secure location agreed upon by the ,election ,auditor and the individual that is responsible under ,state law for the custody of the ballots2 and 7#b7 in the presence of the personnel who under ,state law are responsible for the custody of the ballots4 7d7 ,special rule in case of delay in reporting absentee vote count ,in the case of a ,state in which the final count of absentee and provisional votes is not announced until after the date of the election1 the ,election ,auditor shall initiate the process described in subsection 7a7 for administering the audit not later than #bd hours after the ,state announces the final unofficial vote count for the votes cast at the precinct or equivalent location on or before the date of the election1 and shall initiate the administration of the audit of the absentee and provisional votes pursuant to subsection 7a77#b7 not later than #bd hours after the ,state announces the final unofficial count of such votes4 7e7 ,additional ,audits if ,cause ,shown 7#a7 ,in general ,if the ,election ,auditor finds that any of the hand counts administered under this section do not match the final unofficial tally of the results of an election1 the ,election ,auditor shall administer hand counts under this section of such additional precincts 7or alternative audit units7 as the ,election ,auditor considers appropriate to resolve any concerns resulting from the audit and ensure the accuracy of the election results4 7#b7 ,establishment and publication of procedures governing additional audits ,not later than ,august #a1 #bjag1 each ,state shall establish and publish procedures for carrying out the additional audits under this subsection1 including the means by which the ,state shall resolve any concerns resulting from the audit with finality and ensure the accuracy of the election results4 7f7 ,public ,observation of ,audits ,each audit conducted under this section shall be conducted in a manner that allows public observation of the entire process4 #cbd4 ,selection of precincts 7a7 ,in ,general ,except as provided in subsection 7c71 the selection of the precincts or alternative audit units in the ,state in which the ,election ,auditor of the ,state shall administer the hand counts under this subtitle shall be made by the ,election ,auditor on a random basis1 in accordance with procedures adopted by the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology1 except that at least one precinct shall be selected at random in each county1 with additional precincts selected by the ,election ,auditor at the ,auditor's discretion4 7b7 ,public ,selection ,the random selection of precincts under subsection 7a7 shall be conducted in public1 at a time and place announced in advance4 7c7 ,mandatory ,selection of ,precincts ,established ,specifically for ,absentee ,ballots ,if a ,state does not sort absentee ballots by precinct and include those ballots in the hand count with respect to that precinct1 the ,state shall create absentee ballot precincts or audit units which are of similar size to the average precinct or audit unit in the jurisdiction being audited1 and shall include those absentee precincts or audit units among the precincts in the ,state in which the ,election ,auditor shall administer the hand counts under this subtitle4 7d7 ,deadline for ,adoption of ,procedures by ,commission ,the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall adopt the procedures described in subsection 7a7 not later than ,march #ca1 #bjag1 and shall publish them in the ,federal ,register upon adoption4 #cbe4 ,publication of results 7a7 ,submission to ,commission ,as soon as practicable after the completion of an audit under this subtitle1 the ,election ,auditor of a ,state shall submit to the ,commission the results of the audit1 and shall include in the submission a comparison of the results of the election in the precinct as determined by the ,election ,auditor under the audit and the final unofficial vote count in the precinct as announced by the ,state and all undervotes1 overvotes1 blank ballots1 and spoiled1 voided1 or cancelled ballots1 as well as a list of any discrepancies discovered between the initial1 subsequent1 and final hand counts administered by the ,election ,auditor and such final unofficial vote count and any explanation for such discrepancies1 broken down by the categories of votes described in paragraphs 7#a77;,b7 and 7#b7 of section #cbc7;a74 7b7 ,publication by ,commission ,immediately after receiving the submission of the results of an audit from the ,election ,auditor of a ,state under subsection 7a71 the ,commission shall publicly announce and publish the information contained in the submission4 7c7 ,delay in certification of results by ,state 7#a7 ,prohibiting certification until completion of audits ,no ,state may certify the results of any election which is subject to an audit under this subtitle prior to-- 7,a7 to the completion of the audit 7and1 if required1 any additional audit conducted under section #cbc7;e77#a77 and the announcement and submission of the results of each such audit to the ,commission for publication of the information required under this section2 and 7,b7 the completion of any procedure established by the ,state pursuant to section #cbc7;e77#b7 to resolve discrepancies and ensure the accuracy of results4 7#b7 ,deadline for completion of audits of ,presidential elections ,in the case of an election for electors for ,president and ,vice ,president which is subject to an audit under this subtitle1 the ,state shall complete the audits and announce and submit the results to the ,commission for publication of the information required under this section in time for the ,state to certify the results of the election and provide for the final determination of any controversy or contest concerning the appointment of such electors prior to the deadline described in section #f of title #c1 ,united ,states ,code4 #cbf4 ,payments to ,states 7a7 ,payments for ,costs of ,conducting ,audits ,in accordance with the requirements and procedures of this section1 the ,commission shall make a payment to a ,state to cover the costs incurred by the ,state in carrying out this subtitle with respect to the elections that are the subject of the audits conducted under this subtitle4 7b7 ,certification of ,compliance and ,anticipated ,costs 7#a7 ,certification required ,in order to receive a payment under this section1 a ,state shall submit to the ,commission1 in such form as the ,commission may require1 a statement containing-- 7,a7 a certification that the ,state will conduct the audits required under this subtitle in accordance with all of the requirements of this subtitle2 7,b7 a notice of the reasonable costs incurred or the reasonable costs anticipated to be incurred by the ,state in carrying out this subtitle with respect to the elections involved2 and 7,c7 such other information and assurances as the ,commission may require4 7#b7 ,amount of payment ,the amount of a payment made to a ,state under this section shall be equal to the reasonable costs incurred or the reasonable costs anticipated to be incurred by the ,state in carrying out this subtitle with respect to the elections involved1 as set forth in the statement submitted under paragraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,timing of notice ,the ,state may not submit a notice under paragraph 7#a7 until candidates have been selected to appear on the ballot for all of the elections for ,federal office which will be the subject of the audits involved4 7c7 ,timing of ,payments ,the ,commission shall make the payment required under this section to a ,state not later than #cj days after receiving the notice submitted by the ,state under subsection 7b74 7d7 ,recoupment of ,overpayments ,no payment may be made to a ,state under this section unless the ,state agrees to repay to the ,commission the excess 7if any7 of-- 7#a7 the amount of the payment received by the ,state under this section with respect to the elections involved2 over 7#b7 the actual costs incurred by the ,state in carrying out this subtitle with respect to the elections involved4 7e7 ,authorization of ,appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,commission for fiscal year #bjah and each succeeding fiscal year #ajj1jjj1jjj for payments under this section4 #cbg4 ,exception for elections subject to recount under ,state law prior to certification 7a7 ,exception ,this subtitle does not apply to any election for which a recount under ,state law will commence prior to the certification of the results of the election1 including but not limited to a recount required automatically because of the margin of victory between the #b candidates receiving the largest number of votes in the election1 but only if each of the following applies to the recount3 7#a7 ,the recount commences prior to the determination and announcement by the ,election ,auditor under section #cbc7;a77#a7 of the precincts in the ,state in which it will administer the audits under this subtitle4 7#b7 ,if the recount would apply to fewer than #ajj percent of the ballots cast in the election-- 7,a7 the number of ballots counted will be at least as many as would be counted if an audit were conducted with respect to the election in accordance with this subtitle2 and 7,b7 the selection of the precincts in which the recount will be conducted will be made in accordance with the random selection procedures applicable under section #cbd4 7#c7 ,the recount for the election meets the requirements of section #cbc7;f7 7relating to public observation74 7#d7 ,the ,state meets the requirements of section #cbe 7relating to the publication of results and the delay in the certification of results7 with respect to the recount4 7b7 ,clarification of ,effect on ,other ,requirements ,nothing in this section may be construed to waive the application of any other provision of this ,act to any election 7including the requirement set forth in section #cja7;a77#b7 that the voter verified paper ballots serve as the vote of record and shall be counted by hand in all audits and recounts1 including audits and recounts described in this subtitle74 #cbh4 ,effective date ,this subtitle shall apply with respect to elections for ,federal office held in #bjah or any succeeding year4 4 #fab4 ,availability of enforcement under ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb ,section #dja of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aeeaa7 is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the following3 1 or the requirements of subtitle ,c of title ,,iii44 #fac4 ,guidance on best practices for alternative audit mechanisms 7a7 ,in general ,not later than ,may #a1 #bjag1 the ,director of the ,national ,institute for ,standards and ,technology shall establish guidance for ,states that wish to establish alternative audit mechanisms under section #cbb7;b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7as added by section #faa74 ,such guidance shall be based upon scientifically and statistically reasonable assumptions for the purpose of creating an alternative audit mechanism that will be consistent with the principles for approval described in section #cbb7;b77#b7 of such ,act 7as so added74 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection 7a7 #ajj1jjj1 to remain available until expended4 #fad4 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title ,,iii the following3 ,subtitle ,c--,mandatory ,manual ,audits ,sec4 #cba4 ,requiring audits of results of elections4 ,sec4 #cbb4 ,number of ballots counted under audit4 ,sec4 #cbc4 ,process for administering audits4 ,sec4 #cbd4 ,selection of precincts4 ,sec4 #cbe4 ,publication of results4 ,sec4 #cbf4 ,payments to ,states4 ,sec4 #cbg4 ,exception for elections subject to recount under ,state law prior to certification4 ,sec4 #cbh4 ,effective date4 4 ,,vii ,provisional ,ballots #gja4 ,requirements for counting provisional ballots2 establishment of uniform and nondiscriminatory standards 7a7 ,in general ,section #cjb of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhb7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7d7 as subsection 7f72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7c7 the following new subsections3 7d7 ,statewide counting of provisional ballots 7#a7 ,in general ,for purposes of subsection 7a77#d71 notwithstanding the precinct or polling place at which a provisional ballot is cast within the ,state1 the appropriate election official shall count each vote on such ballot for each election in which the individual who cast such ballot is eligible to vote4 7#b7 ,effective date ,this subsection shall apply with respect to elections held on or after ,january #a1 #bjad4 7e7 ,uniform and nondiscriminatory standards 7#a7 ,in general ,consistent with the requirements of this section1 each ,state shall establish uniform and nondiscriminatory standards for the issuance1 handling1 and counting of provisional ballots4 7#b7 ,effective date ,this subsection shall apply with respect to elections held on or after ,january #a1 #bjad4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #cjb7;f7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhb7;f771 as redesignated by subsection 7a71 is amended by striking ,each ,state and inserting ,except as provided in subsections 7d77#b7 and 7e77#b71 each ,state4 ,,viii ,early ,voting and ,voting by ,mail #hja4 ,early voting and voting by mail 7a7 ,requirements ,subtitle ,a of title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedha et seq471 as amended by section #aad7;a7 and section #bja7;a71 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating sections #cjf and #cjg as sections #cjh and #cji2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #cje the following new sections3 #cjf4 ,early voting 7a7 ,in general ,each ,state shall allow individuals to vote in an election for ,federal office not less than #ae days prior to the day scheduled for such election in the same manner as voting is allowed on such day4 7b7 ,minimum early voting requirements ,each polling place which allows voting prior to the day of a ,federal election pursuant to subsection 7a7 shall-- 7#a7 allow such voting for no less than #d hours on each day 7other than ,sunday72 and 7#b7 have uniform hours each day for which such voting occurs4 7c7 ,location of polling places near public transportation ,to the greatest extent practicable1 a ,state shall ensure that each polling place which allows voting prior to the day of a ,federal election pursuant to subsection 7a7 is located within walking distance of a stop on a public transportation route4 7d7 ,standards 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall issue standards for the administration of voting prior to the day scheduled for a ,federal election4 ,such standards shall include the nondiscriminatory geographic placement of polling places at which such voting occurs4 7#b7 ,deviation ,the standards described in paragraph 7#a7 shall permit ,states1 upon providing adequate public notice1 to deviate from any requirement in the case of unforeseen circumstances such as a natural disaster1 terrorist attack1 or a change in voter turnout4 7e7 ,effective date ,this section shall apply with respect to elections held on or after ,january #a1 #bjad4 #cjg4 ,promoting ability of voters to vote by mail 7a7 ,in ,general ,if an individual in a ,state is eligible to cast a vote in an election for ,federal office1 the ,state may not impose any additional conditions or requirements on the eligibility of the individual to cast the vote in such election by mail1 except as required under subsection 7b7 and except to the extent that the ,state imposes a deadline for requesting the ballot and related voting materials from the appropriate ,state or local election official and for returning the ballot to the appropriate ,state or local election official4 7b7 ,requiring signature verification ,a ,state may not accept and process an absentee ballot submitted by any individual with respect to an election for ,federal office unless the ,state verifies the identification of the individual by comparing the individual's signature on the absentee ballot with the individual's signature on the official list of registered voters in the ,state1 in accordance with such procedures as the ,state may adopt4 7c7 ,effective date ,this section shall apply with respect to elections held on or after ,january #a1 #bjad4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment relating to issuance of voluntary guidance by election assistance commission ,section #caa7;b7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aeeja7;b771 as amended by section #bja7;b71 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of paragraph 7#c72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of paragraph 7#d7 and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraphs3 7#e7 in the case of the recommendations with respect to section #cjf1 ,june #cj1 #bjac2 and 7#f7 in the case of the recommendations with respect to section #cjg1 ,june #cj1 #bjac4 4 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating the items relating to sections #cjf and #cjg as relating to sections #cjh and #cji2 and 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #cje the following new items3 ,sec4 #cjf4 ,early voting4 ,sec4 #cjg4 ,promoting ability of voters to vote by mail4 4 ,,ix ,absent ,uniformed ,services ,voters and ,overseas ,voters #ija4 ,extending guarantee of residency for voting purposes to family members of absent military personnel ,section #gje of the ,servicemembers ,civil ,relief ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #eie7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the heading1 by striking spouses and inserting family members2 and 7#b7 by amending subsection 7b7 to read as follows3 7b7 ,family members ,for the purposes of voting for in any election for any ,federal office 7as defined in section #cja of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #dca77 or any ,state or local office1 a spouse1 domestic partner1 or dependent of a person who is absent from a ,state in compliance with military or naval orders shall not1 solely by reason of that person's absence and without regard to whether or not such family member is accompanying that person-- 7#a7 be deemed to have lost a residence or domicile in that ,state1 without regard to whether or not the person intends to return to that ,state2 7#b7 be deemed to have acquired a residence or domicile in any other ,state2 or 7#c7 be deemed to have become a resident in or a resident of any other ,state4 4 #ijb4 ,pre-election reports on availability and transmission of absentee ballots ,section #ajb7;c7 of the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;ff-#a7;c77 is amended to read as follows3 7c7 ,reports on ,availability1 transmission1 and receipt of absentee ballots 7#a7 ,pre-election report on absentee ballot availability ,not later than #ee days before any regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office1 each ,state shall submit a report to the ,attorney ,general1 the ,election ,assistance ,commission 7hereafter in this subsection referred to as the ,commission71 and the ,presidential ,designee1 and make that report publicly available that same day1 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 #de days before the election4 ,the report shall be in a form prescribed jointly by the ,attorney ,general and the ,commission and shall require the ,state to certify specific information about ballot availability from each unit of local government which will administer the election4 7#b7 ,pre-election report on absentee ballot transmission ,not later than #dc days before any regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office1 each ,state shall submit a report to the ,attorney ,general1 the ,commission1 and the ,presidential ,designee1 and make that report publicly available that same day1 certifying whether all absentee ballots have been transmitted by not later than #de days before the election to all qualified absent uniformed services and overseas voters whose requests were received at least #de days before the election4 ,the report shall be in a form prescribed jointly by the ,attorney ,general and the ,commission1 and shall require the ,state to certify specific information about ballot transmission1 including the total numbers of ballot requests received and ballots transmitted1 from each unit of local government which will administer the election4 7#c7 ,post-election report on number of absentee ballots transmitted and received ,not later than #ij days after the date of each regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office1 each ,state and unit of local government which administered the election shall 7through the ,state1 in the case of a unit of local government7 submit a report to the ,attorney ,general1 the ,commission1 and the ,presidential ,designee 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 election1 and shall make such report available to the general public that same day4 4 #ijc4 ,enforcement 7a7 ,availability of civil penalties and private rights of action ,section #aje of the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;ff-#d7 is amended to read as follows3 #aje4 ,enforcement 7a7 ,action by ,attorney ,general 7#a7 ,in 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 title4 7#b7 ,penalty ,in a civil action brought under paragraph 7#a71 if the court finds that the ,state violated any provision of this title1 it may1 to vindicate the public interest1 assess a civil penalty against the ,state-- 7,a7 in an amount not to exceed #aaj1jjj for each such violation1 in the case of a first violation2 or 7,b7 in an amount not to exceed #bbj1jjj for each such violation1 for any subsequent violation4 7#c7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than ,december #ca of each year1 the ,attorney ,general shall submit to ,congress an annual report on any civil action brought under paragraph 7#a7 during the preceding year4 7b7 ,private right of action ,a person who is aggrieved by a ,state's 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 title4 7c7 ,state as only necessary defendant ,in any action brought under this section1 the only necessary party defendant is the ,state1 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 defendant1 notwithstanding that a ,state has exercised the authority described in section #egf 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 section4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to violations alleged to have occurred on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #ijd4 ,revisions to #de-;day absentee ballot transmission rule 7a7 ,repeal of waiver authority 7#a7 ,in general ,section #ajb of the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;ff-#a7 is amended by striking subsection 7g74 7#b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #ajb7;a77#h77;,a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;ff-#a7;a77#h77;,a77 is amended by striking except as provided in subsection 7g714 7b7 ,requiring use of express delivery in case of failure ,to meet requirement ,section #ajb of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;ff-#a71 as amended by subsection 7a71 is amended by inserting after subsection 7f7 the following new subsection3 7g7 ,requiring use of express delivery in case of failure ,to transmit ballots within deadlines 7#a7 ,transmission of ballot by express delivery ,if a ,state fails to meet the requirement of subsection 7a77#h77;,a7 to transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter not later than #de days before the election 7in the case in which the request is received at least #de days before the election7-- 7,a7 the ,state shall transmit the ballot to the voter by express delivery2 or 7,b7 in the case of a voter who has designated that absentee ballots be transmitted electronically in accordance with subsection 7f77#a71 the ,state shall transmit the ballot to the voter electronically4 7#b7 ,special rule for transmission fewer than #dj days before the election ,if1 in carrying out paragraph 7#a71 a ,state transmits an absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter fewer than #dj days before the election1 the ,state shall enable the ballot to be returned by the voter by express delivery1 except that in the case of an absentee ballot of an absent uniformed services voter for a regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office1 the ,state may satisfy the requirement of this paragraph by notifying the voter of the procedures for the collection and delivery of such ballots under section #ajc;,a4 4 7c7 ,clarification of treatment of weekends ,section #ajb7;a77#h77;,a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;ff-#a7;a77#h77;,a77 is amended by striking the election2 and inserting the following3 the election 7or1 if the #deth day preceding the election is a weekend or legal public holiday1 not later than the most recent weekday which precedes such #deth day and which is not a legal public holiday1 but only if the request is received by at least such most recent weekday724 #ije4 ,use of single absentee ballot application for subsequent elections 7a7 ,in general ,section #ajd of the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;ff-#c7 is amended to read as follows3 #ajd4 ,use of single application for subsequent elections 7a7 ,in general ,if a ,state accepts and processes an official post card form 7prescribed under section #aja7 submitted by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter for simultaneous voter registration and absentee ballot application 7in accordance with section #ajb7;a77#d77 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 next regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office 7including any runoff elections which may occur as a result of the outcome of such general election71 the ,state shall provide an absentee ballot to the voter for each such subsequent election4 7b7 ,exception for voters changing registration ,subsection 7a7 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 ,state4 7c7 ,prohibition of refusal of application on grounds of early submission ,a ,state may not refuse to accept or to process1 with respect to any election for ,federal office1 any otherwise valid voter registration application or absentee ballot application 7including the postcard form prescribed under section #aja7 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 citizens4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 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 the enactment of this ,act4 #ijf4 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this title shall apply with respect to elections occurring on or after ,january #a1 #bjad4 ,x ,poll ,worker ,recruitment and ,training #ajja4 ,leave to serve as a poll worker for ,federal employees 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,ii of chapter #fc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #fcbi4 ,absence in connection with serving as a poll worker 7a7 ,in general ,an employee in or under an ,executive agency is entitled to leave1 without loss of or reduction in pay1 leave to which otherwise entitled1 credit for time or service1 or performance or efficiency rating1 not to exceed #f days in a leave year1 in order-- 7#a7 to provide election administration assistance to a ,state or unit of local government at a polling place on the date of any election for public office2 or 7#b7 to receive any training without which such employee would be ineligible to provide such assistance4 7b7 ,regulations ,the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management may prescribe regulations for the administration of this section1 including regulations setting forth the terms and conditions of the election administration assistance an employee may provide for purposes of subsection 7a74 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #fc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #fcbh the following3 #fcbi4 ,absence in connection with serving as a poll worker4 4 #ajjb4 ,grants to ,states for poll worker recruitment and training 7a7 ,grants by ,election ,assistance ,commission 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,election ,assistance ,commission 7hereafter referred to as the ,commission7 shall make a grant to each eligible ,state for recruiting and training individuals to serve as nonpartisan poll workers on dates of elections for public office4 7#b7 ,use of ,commission materials ,in carrying out activities with a grant provided under this section1 the recipient of the grant shall use the manual prepared by the ,commission on successful practices for poll worker recruiting1 training and retention as an interactive training tool1 and shall develop training programs with the participation and input of experts in adult learning4 7b7 ,requirements for ,eligibility 7#a7 ,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 require4 7#b7 ,contents of ,application ,each application submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought2 7,b7 provide assurances that the funds provided under this section will be used to supplement and not supplant other funds used to carry out the activities2 7,c7 provide assurances that the ,state will furnish the ,commission with information on the number of individuals who served as nonpartisan poll workers after recruitment and training with the funds provided under this section2 and 7,d7 provide such additional information and certifications as the ,commission determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section4 7c7 ,amount of ,grant 7#a7 ,in general ,the amount of a grant made to a ,state under this section shall be equal to the product of-- 7,a7 the aggregate amount made available for grants to ,states under this section2 and 7,b7 the voting age population percentage for the ,state4 7#b7 ,voting age population percentage defined ,in paragraph 7#a71 the voting age population percentage for a ,state is the quotient of-- 7,a7 the voting age population of the ,state 7as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the ,bureau of the ,census72 and 7,b7 the total voting age population of all ,states 7as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the ,bureau of the ,census74 7d7 ,reports to ,congress 7#a7 ,reports by recipients of grants ,not later than #f months after the date on which the final grant is made under this section1 each recipient of a grant shall submit a report to the ,commission on the activities conducted with the funds provided by the grant4 7#b7 ,reports by ,commission ,not later than #a year after the date on which the final grant is made under this section1 the ,commission shall submit a report to ,congress on the grants made under this section and the activities carried out by recipients with the grants1 and shall include in the report such recommendations as the ,commission considers appropriate4 7e7 ,funding 7#a7 ,continuing availability of amount appropriated ,any amount appropriated to carry out this section shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended4 7#b7 ,administrative expenses ,of the amount appropriated for any fiscal year to carry out this section1 not more than #c percent shall be available for administrative expenses of the ,commission4 #ajjc4 ,model poll worker training program 7a7 ,development of program by ,election ,assistance ,commission ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,election ,assistance ,commission shall develop and provide to each ,state materials for a model poll worker training program which the ,state may use to train individuals to serve as poll workers in elections for ,federal office4 7b7 ,contents of materials ,the materials for the model poll worker training program developed under this section shall include materials to provide training with respect to the following3 7#a7 ,the relevant provisions of the ,federal laws which apply to the administration of elections for ,federal office in the ,state1 including the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife and the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb4 7#b7 ,the provision of access to voting to individuals with disabilities in a manner which preserves the dignity and privacy of such individuals4 7#c7 ,the provision of access to voting to individuals with limited ,english language proficiency1 and to individuals who are members or racial or ethnic minorities1 consistent with the protections provided for such individuals under relevant law1 in a manner which preserves the dignity of such individuals4 7#d7 ,practical experience in the use of the voting machines which will be used in the election involved1 including the accessibility features of such machines4 7#e7 ,such other election administration subjects as the ,commission considers appropriate to ensure that poll workers are able to effectively assist with the administration of elections for ,federal office4 #ajjd4 ,state defined ,in this title1 the term ,state includes the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 ,,xi ,enhancement of ,enforcement #aaja4 ,enhancement of enforcement of ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7a7 ,complaints2 ,availability of private right of action ,section #dja of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aeeaa7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,the ,attorney ,general and inserting 7a7 ,in ,general4--,the ,attorney ,general2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new subsections3 7b7 ,filing of ,complaints by ,aggrieved ,persons 7#a7 ,in general ,a person who is aggrieved by a violation of subtitle ,a or subtitle ,c of title ,,iii which has occurred1 is occurring1 or is about to occur may file a written1 signed1 notarized complaint with the ,attorney ,general describing the violation and requesting the ,attorney ,general to take appropriate action under this section4 ,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 #djb7;a7 for the ,state involved4 7#b7 ,response by ,attorney ,general ,the ,attorney ,general shall respond to each complaint filed under paragraph 7#a71 in accordance with procedures established by the ,attorney ,general that require responses and determinations to be made within the same 7or shorter7 deadlines which apply to a ,state under the ,state-based administrative complaint procedures described in section #djb7;a77#b74 ,the ,attorney ,general shall immediately provide a copy of the response made under the previous sentence to the entity responsible for administering the ,state-based administrative complaint procedures described in section #djb7;a7 for the ,state involved4 7c7 ,availability of private right of action ,any person who is authorized to file a complaint under subsection 7b77#a7 7including any individual who seeks to enforce the individual's right to a voter-verified paper ballot1 the right to have the voter-verified paper ballot counted in accordance with this ,act1 or any other right under subtitles ,a or ,c of title ,,iii7 may file an action under section #aigi of the ,revised ,statutes of the ,united ,states 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aihc7 to enforce the uniform and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration requirements under subtitle ,a of title ,,iii1 or the requirements of subtitle ,c of title ,,iii4 7d7 ,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 #djb to any person filing a complaint under this subsection4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to violations occurring with respect to elections for ,federal office held in #bjad or any succeeding year4 ,,xii ,federal ,election ,integrity #abja4 ,prohibition on campaign activities by chief ,state election administration officials 7a7 ,in ,general ,title ,,iii of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #dca et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #cai the following new section3 #cai;,a4 ,campaign activities by chief ,state election administration officials 7a7 ,prohibition ,it shall be unlawful for a chief ,state election administration official to take an active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any election for ,federal office over which such official has supervisory authority4 7b7 ,chief ,state election administration official ,the term chief ,state election administration official means the highest ,state official with responsibility for the administration of ,federal elections under ,state law4 7c7 ,active part in political management or in a political campaign ,the term active part in political management or in a political campaign means-- 7#a7 serving as a member of an authorized committee of a candidate for ,federal office2 7#b7 the use of official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election for ,federal office2 7#c7 the solicitation1 acceptance1 or receipt of a contribution from any person on behalf of a candidate for ,federal office2 and 7#d7 any other act which would be prohibited under paragraph 7#b7 or 7#c7 of section #gcbc7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 if taken by an individual to whom such paragraph applies 7other than any prohibition on running for public office74 7d7 ,exception for ,campaigns of ,official or ,immediate ,family ,members 7#a7 ,in general ,this section does not apply to a chief ,state election administration official with respect to an election for ,federal office in which the official or an immediate family member of the official is a candidate4 7#b7 ,immediate family member defined ,in paragraph 7#a71 the term immediate family member means1 with respect to a candidate1 a father1 mother1 son1 daughter1 brother1 sister1 husband1 wife1 father-in-law1 or mother-in-law4 4 7b7 ,effective ,date ,the amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to elections for ,federal office held after ,december #bjac4 ,,xiii ,other ,election ,administration ,improvements #acja4 ,treatment of universities as voter registration agencies 7a7 ,in general ,section #g7;a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#e7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,a72 7,b7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,b7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,c7 each institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja77 in the ,state that receives ,federal funds4 2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#f77;,a71 by inserting or1 in the case of an institution of higher education1 with each registration of a student for enrollment in a course of study after assistance14 7b7 ,amendment to ,higher ,education ,act of #aife ,section #dhg7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajid7;a77 is amended by striking paragraph 7#bc74 7c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections held on or after ,january #a1 #bjad4 #acjb4 ,minimum notification requirements for voters affected by polling place changes 7a7 ,requirements ,section #cjb of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhb71 as amended by section #gja7;a71 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7f7 as subsection 7g72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7e7 the following new subsection3 7f7 ,minimum notification requirements for voters affected by polling place changes 7#a7 ,in general ,if a ,state assigns an individual who is a registered voter in a ,state to a polling place with respect to an election for ,federal office which is not the same polling place to which the individual was previously assigned with respect to the most recent election for ,federal office in the ,state in which the individual was eligible to vote-- 7,a7 the ,state shall notify the individual of the location of the polling place not later than #g days before the date of the election2 or 7,b7 if the ,state makes such an assignment fewer than #g days before the date of the election and the individual appears on the date of the election at the polling place to which the individual was previously assigned1 the ,state shall make every reasonable effort to enable the individual to vote on the date of the election4 7#b7 ,effective date ,this subsection shall apply with respect to elections held on or after ,january #a1 #bjad4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #cjb7;f7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedhb7;f771 as redesignated by subsection 7a7 and as amended by section #gja7;b71 is amended by striking 7d77#b7 and 7e77#b7 and inserting 7d77#b71 7e77#b71 and 7f77#b74 #acjc4 ,voter information response systems and hotline 7a7 ,establishment and operation of systems and services 7#a7 ,state-based response systems ,the ,attorney ,general shall coordinate the establishment of a ,state-based response system for responding to questions and complaints from individuals voting or seeking to vote1 or registering to vote or seeking to register to vote1 in elections for ,federal office4 ,such system shall provide-- 7,a7 ,state-specific1 same-day1 and immediate assistance to such individuals1 including information on how to register to vote1 the location and hours of operation of polling places1 and how to obtain absentee ballots2 and 7,b7 ,state-specific1 same-day1 and immediate assistance to individuals encountering problems with registering to vote or voting1 including individuals encountering intimidation or deceptive practices4 7#b7 ,hotline ,the ,attorney ,general1 in consultation with ,state election officials1 shall establish and operate a toll-free telephone service1 using a telephone number that is accessible throughout the ,united ,states and that uses easily identifiable numerals1 through which individuals throughout the ,united ,states-- 7,a7 may connect directly to the ,state-based response system described in paragraph 7#a7 with respect to the ,state involved2 7,b7 may obtain information on voting in elections for ,federal office1 including information on how to register to vote in such elections1 the locations and hours of operation of polling places1 and how to obtain absentee ballots2 and 7,c7 may report information to the ,attorney ,general on problems encountered in registering to vote or voting1 including incidences of voter intimidation or suppression4 7#c7 ,collaboration with ,state and local election officials 7,a7 ,collection of information from states ,the ,attorney ,general shall coordinate the collection of information on ,state and local election laws and policies1 including information on the ,statewide computerized voter registration lists maintained under title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb1 so that individuals who contact the free telephone service established under paragraph 7#b7 on the date of an election for ,federal office may receive an immediate response on that day4 7,b7 ,forwarding questions and complaints to ,states ,if an individual contacts the free telephone service established under paragraph 7#b7 on the date of an election for ,federal office with a question or complaint with respect to a particular ,state or jurisdiction within a ,state1 the ,attorney ,general shall forward the question or complaint immediately to the appropriate election official of the ,state or jurisdiction so that the official may answer the question or remedy the complaint on that date4 7b7 ,use of service by individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited ,english language proficiency ,the ,attorney ,general shall design and operate the telephone service established under this section in a manner that ensures that individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited proficiency in the ,english language are fully able to use the service4 7c7 ,voter ,hotline ,task ,force 7#a7 ,appointment by attorney general ,the ,attorney ,general shall appoint individuals 7in such number as the ,attorney ,general considers appropriate but in no event fewer than #c7 to serve on a ,voter ,hotline ,task ,force to provide ongoing analysis and assessment of the operation of the telephone service established under this section1 and shall give special consideration in making appointments to the ,task ,force to individuals who represent civil rights organizations4 ,at least one member of the ,task ,force shall be a representative of an organization promoting voting rights or civil rights which has experience in the operation of similar telephone services or in protecting the rights of individuals to vote1 especially individuals who are members or racial minorities or of communities who have been adversely affected by efforts to suppress voting rights4 7#b7 ,eligibility ,an individual shall be eligible to serve on the ,task ,force under this subsection if the individual meets such criteria as the ,attorney ,general may establish1 except that an individual may not serve on the task force if the individual has been convicted of any criminal offense relating to voter intimidation or voter suppression4 7#c7 ,term of service ,an individual appointed to the ,task ,force shall serve a single term of #b years1 except that the initial terms of the members first appointed to the ,task ,force shall be staggered so that there are at least #c individuals serving on the ,task ,force during each year4 ,a vacancy in the membership of the ,task ,force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment4 7#d7 ,no compensation for service ,members of the ,task ,force shall serve without pay1 but shall receive travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7d7 ,biannual report to ,congress ,not later than ,march #a of each odd-numbered year1 the ,attorney ,general shall submit a report to ,congress on the operation of the telephone service established under this section during the previous #b years1 and shall include in the report-- 7#a7 an enumeration of the number and type of calls that were received by the service2 7#b7 a compilation and description of the reports made to the service by individuals citing instances of voter intimidation or suppression2 7#c7 an assessment of the effectiveness of the service in making information available to all households in the ,united ,states with telephone service2 7#d7 any recommendations developed by the ,task ,force established under subsection 7c7 with respect to how voting systems may be maintained or upgraded to better accommodate voters and better ensure the integrity of elections1 including but not limited to identifying how to eliminate coordinated voter suppression efforts and how to establish effective mechanisms for distributing updates on changes to voting requirements2 and 7#e7 any recommendations on best practices for the ,state-based response systems established under subsection 7a77#a74 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,authorization ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,attorney ,general for fiscal year #bjac and each succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,set-aside for outreach ,of the amounts appropriated to carry out this ,act for a fiscal year pursuant to the authorization under paragraph 7#a71 not less than #ae shall be used for outreach activities to make the public aware of the availability of the telephone service established under this section1 with an emphasis on outreach to individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited proficiency in the ,english language4 #acjd4 ,reauthorization of election assistance commission ,section #baj of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aeccj7 is amended by striking for each of the fiscal years #bjjc through #bjje and inserting for each of the fiscal years #bjac through #bjag4 #acje4 ,application of laws to ,commonwealth of ,northern ,mariana ,islands 7a7 ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic ,section #c7d7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg-#a7 is amended by striking ,states and the ,district of ,columbia and inserting ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 7b7 ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#a7 ,in general ,section #ija of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aeeda7 is amended by striking and the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands and inserting the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 7#b7 ,conforming amendment relating to minimum amount of requirements payment to territories ,section #beb7;c77#b7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedjb7;c77#b77 is amended by striking or the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands and inserting the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 or the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 #acjf4 ,repeal of exemption of ,election ,assistance ,commission from certain government contracting requirements 7a7 ,in general ,section #bje of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aecbe7 is amended by striking subsection 7e74 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to contracts entered into by the ,election ,assistance ,commission on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #acjg4 ,no effect on other laws 7a7 ,in general ,except as specifically provided1 nothing in this ,act may be construed to authorize or require conduct prohibited under any of the following laws1 or to supersede1 restrict1 or limit the application of such laws3 7#a7 ,the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc et seq474 7#b7 ,the ,voting ,accessibility for the ,elderly and ,handicapped ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;ee et seq474 7#c7 ,the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;ff et seq474 7#d7 ,the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;gg et seq474 7#e7 ,the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abaja et seq474 7#f7 ,the ,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gja et seq474 7b7 ,no effect on preclearance or other requirements under ,voting ,rights ,act ,the approval by any person of a payment or grant application under this ,act1 or any other action taken by any person under this ,act1 shall not be considered to have any effect on requirements for preclearance under section #e of the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc;c7 or any other requirements of such ,act4