,,ii #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #bhfe ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #ah1 #bjad ,mrs4 ,gillibrand 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 and ,mr4 ,begich7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic to provide for voter registration through the ,internet1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,voter ,registration ,modernization ,act4 #b4 ,requiring availability of ,internet for voter registration 7a7 ,requiring ,availability of ,internet for ,registration ,the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeja 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 7,a7 in the case of an individual who has a signature on file with the ,state motor vehicle authority1 the information provided in the application matches the records of such ,state motor vehicle authority2 and 7,b7 in any other case1 the individual provides a signature in electronic form in accordance with subsection 7c74 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 ,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 7e7 ,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 7f7 ,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 7g7 ,accessibility of online registration ,the services provided under subsection 7a7 shall be provided in a manner that is accessible to individuals with disabilities1 including those that are blind and visually impaired1 in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation 7including privacy and independence7 as for other voters4 4 7b7 ,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#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhc7;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 7c7 ,conforming ,amendments 7#a7 ,timing of registration ,section #h7;a77#a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7;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#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7;a77#e77 is amended by striking and #g and inserting #f;,a1 and #g4 #c4 ,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#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhc7;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 #cj days1 or the period provided by ,state law1 before the date of the election4 4 7#b7 ,conforming amendment relating to effective date ,section #cjc7;d77#a77;,a7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhc7;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#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7;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 #d4 ,study on best practices for internet registration 7a7 ,in general ,the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall conduct an ongoing study on best practices for implementing the requirements for ,internet registration under section #f;,a of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7as added by section #b7 and the requirement to permit voters to update voter registration information online under section #cjc7;a77#f7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7as added by section #c7 in a fully accessible manner4 7b7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #d months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall make publicly available a report on the study conducted under subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,quadrennial update ,the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall review and update the report made under paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,use of best practices in ,,eac voluntary guidance ,subsection 7a7 of section #caa of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #baaja7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence3 ,such voluntary guidance shall utilize the best practices developed by the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology under section #d of the ,voter ,registration ,modernization ,act for the use of the ,internet in voter registration44 #e4 ,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#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejh7;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#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejh7 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#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhb7;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 #cj 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 #f4 ,clarification of requirement regarding necessary information to show eligibility to vote ,section #h of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7 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 #g4 ,implementation payments 7a7 ,in general ,the ,election ,assistance ,commission shall make an implementation payment each year in an amount determined under subsection 7c7 to each ,state4 7b7 ,use of ,funds 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 a ,state receiving a payment under subsection 7a7 shall use the payment only to meet the requirements of this ,act4 7#b7 ,other activities ,a ,state may use implementation payments to carry out other activities to improve the administration of elections for ,federal office if the ,state certifies to the ,commission that-- 7,a7 the ,state has implemented the requirements of this ,act2 and 7,b7 the amount expended with respect to such other activities does not exceed the an amount equal to the minimum payment amount applicable to the ,state under subsection 7c77#c74 7#c7 ,limitation ,rules similar to the rules of section #bea7;f7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajja7;f77 shall apply for purposes of this section4 7c7 ,allocation of funds 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#c71 the amount of an implementation payment made to a ,state for any year shall be equal to-- 7,a7 the total amount appropriated for implementation payments for the year pursuant to the authorization under subsection 7d72 and 7,b7 the ,state allocation percentage for the ,state4 7#b7 ,state allocation percentage ,the term ,state allocation percentage has the same meaning as given such term under section #beb7;b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajjb7;b774 7#c7 ,minimum amount of payment2 other rules ,rules similar to the rules of subsections 7c71 7d71 and 7e7 of section #beb of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajjb7 shall apply for purposes of this subsection4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated for implementation payments under this section #ae1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjae4 7#b7 ,availability ,any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of paragraph 7#a7 shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended4 7e7 ,reports ,not later than ,april #a1 #bjag1 each ,state which received an implementation payment under this section shall submit a report to the ,commission on the activities conducted with funds provided under this section4 #h4 ,effective date 7a7 ,in ,general ,except as provided in subsection 7b71 the amendments made by this ,act 7other than the amendments made by section #e7 shall take effect ,january #a1 #bjaf4 7b7 ,waiver ,if a ,state certifies to the ,election ,assistance ,commission not later than ,january #a1 #bjaf1 that the ,state will not meet the deadline referred to in subsection 7a7 for good cause and includes in the certification the reasons for the failure to meet such deadline1 subsection 7a7 shall apply to the ,state as if the reference in such subsection to ,january #a1 #bjaf were a reference to ,january #a1 #bjah4