,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #acec ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #ad1 #bjag,mr4 ,leahy 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 and ,mr4 ,durbin7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration ,a ,,bill ,to require ,states to automatically register eligible voters to vote in elections for ,federal office1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 findings and purpose 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,automatic ,voter ,registration ,act of #bjag4 7b7 ,findings and purpose 7#a7 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7,a7 the right to vote is a fundamental right of citizens of the ,united ,states2 7,b7 it is the responsibility of the ,state and ,federal governments to ensure that every eligible citizen is registered to vote2 7,c7 existing voter registration systems can be inaccurate1 costly1 inaccessible and confusing1 with damaging effects on voter participation in elections and disproportionate impacts on young people1 persons with disabilities1 and racial and ethnic minorities2 and 7,d7 voter registration systems must be updated with #bast century technologies and procedures to maintain their security4 7#b7 ,purpose ,it is the purpose of this ,act-- 7,a7 to establish that it is the responsibility of government at every level to ensure that all eligible citizens are registered to vote2 7,b7 to enable the ,state and ,federal governments to register all eligible citizens to vote with accurate1 cost-efficient1 and up-to-date procedures2 7,c7 to modernize voter registration and list maintenance procedures with electronic and ,internet capabilities2 and 7,d7 to protect and enhance the integrity1 accuracy1 efficiency1 and accessibility of the electoral process for all eligible citizens4 #b4 ,automatic registration of eligible individuals 7a7 ,requiring ,states ,to establish and operate automatic registration system 7#a7 ,in general ,the chief ,state election official of each ,state shall establish and operate a system of automatic registration for the registration of eligible individuals to vote for elections for ,federal office in the ,state1 in accordance with the provisions of this ,act4 7#b7 ,definition ,the term automatic registration means a system that registers an individual to vote in elections for ,federal office in a ,state1 if eligible1 by electronically transferring the information necessary for registration from government agencies to election officials of the ,state so that1 unless the individual affirmatively declines to be registered1 the individual will be registered to vote in such elections4 7b7 ,registration of voters based on new agency records ,the chief ,state election official shall-- 7#a7 not later than #ae days after a contributing agency has transmitted information with respect to an individual pursuant to section #c1 ensure that the individual is registered to vote in elections for ,federal office in the ,state if the individual is eligible to be registered to vote in such elections2 and 7#b7 send written notice to the individual1 in addition to other means of notice established by this ,act1 of the individual's voter registration status4 7c7 ,one-,time registration of voters based on existing contributing agency records ,the chief ,state election official shall-- 7#a7 identify all individuals whose information is transmitted by a contributing agency pursuant to section #d and who are eligible to be1 but are not currently1 registered to vote in that ,state2 7#b7 promptly send each such individual written notice1 in addition to other means of notice established by this ,act1 which shall not identify the contributing agency that transmitted the information but shall include-- 7,a7 an explanation that voter registration is voluntary1 but if the individual does not decline registration1 the individual will be registered to vote2 7,b7 a statement offering the opportunity to decline voter registration through means consistent with the requirements of this ,act2 7,c7 in the case of a ,state in which affiliation or enrollment with a political party is required in order to participate in an election to select the party's candidate in an election for ,federal office1 a statement offering the individual the opportunity to affiliate or enroll with a political party or to decline to affiliate or enroll with a political party1 through means consistent with the requirements of this ,act2 7,d7 the substantive qualifications of an elector in the ,state as listed in the mail voter registration application form for elections for ,federal office prescribed pursuant to section #i of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic1 the consequences of false registration1 and a statement that the individual should decline to register if the individual does not meet all those qualifications2 7,e7 instructions for correcting any erroneous information2 and 7,f7 instructions for providing any additional information which is listed in the mail voter registration application form for elections for ,federal office prescribed pursuant to section #i of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic2 7#c7 ensure that each such individual who is eligible to register to vote in elections for ,federal office in the ,state is promptly registered to vote not later than #de days after the official sends the individual the written notice under paragraph 7#b71 unless1 during the #cj-;day period which begins on the date the election official sends the individual such written notice1 the individual declines registration in writing1 through a communication made over the ,internet1 or by an officially logged telephone communication2 and 7#d7 send written notice to each such individual1 in addition to other means of notice established by this ,act1 of the individual's voter registration status4 7d7 ,contributing agency defined ,in this ,act1 the term contributing agency means1 with respect to a ,state1 an agency listed in section #c7;e74 #c4 ,contributing agency assistance in registration 7a7 ,in general ,in accordance with this ,act1 each contributing agency in a ,state shall assist the ,state's chief election official in registering to vote all eligible individuals served by that agency4 7b7 ,requirements for contributing agencies 7#a7 ,instructions on automatic registration ,with each application for service or assistance1 and with each related recertification1 renewal1 or change of address1 or1 in the case of an institution of higher education1 with each registration of a student for enrollment in a course of study1 each contributing agency that 7in the normal course of its operations7 requests individuals to affirm ,united ,states citizenship 7either directly or as part of the overall application for service or assistance7 shall inform each such individual who is a citizen of the ,united ,states of the following3 7,a7 ,unless that individual declines to register to vote1 or is found ineligible to vote1 the individual will be registered to vote or1 if applicable1 the individual's registration will be updated4 7,b7 ,the substantive qualifications of an elector in the ,state as listed in the mail voter registration application form for elections for ,federal office prescribed pursuant to section #i of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic1 the consequences of false registration1 and the individual should decline to register if the individual does not meet all those qualifications4 7,c7 ,in the case of a ,state in which affiliation or enrollment with a political party is required in order to participate in an election to select the party's candidate in an election for ,federal office1 the requirement that the individual must affiliate or enroll with a political party in order to participate in such an election4 7,d7 ,voter registration is voluntary1 and neither registering nor declining to register to vote will in any way affect the availability of services or benefits1 nor be used for other purposes4 7#b7 ,opportunity to decline registration required ,each contributing agency shall ensure that each application for service or assistance1 and each related recertification1 renewal1 or change of address1 or1 in the case of an institution of higher education1 each registration of a student for enrollment in a course of study1 cannot be completed until the individual is given the opportunity to decline to be registered to vote4 7#c7 ,information transmittal ,upon the expiration of the #cj-;day period which begins on the date the contributing agency informs the individual of the information described in paragraph 7#a71 each contributing agency shall electronically transmit to the appropriate ,state election official1 in a format compatible with the statewide voter database maintained under section #cjc of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhc71 the following information1 unless during such #cj-;day period the individual declined to be registered to vote3 7,a7 ,the individual's given name7s7 and surname7s74 7,b7 ,the individual's date of birth4 7,c7 ,the individual's residential address4 7,d7 ,information showing that the individual is a citizen of the ,united ,states4 7,e7 ,the date on which information pertaining to that individual was collected or last updated4 7,f7 ,if available1 the individual's signature in electronic form4 7,g7 ,information regarding the individual's affiliation or enrollment with a political party1 if the individual provides such information4 7,h7 ,any additional information listed in the mail voter registration application form for elections for ,federal office prescribed pursuant to section #i of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic1 including any valid driver's license number or the last #d digits of the individual's social security number1 if the individual provided such information4 7c7 ,alternate procedure for certain contributing agencies ,with each application for service or assistance1 and with each related recertification1 renewal1 or change of address1 or in the case of an institution of higher education1 with each registration of a student for enrollment in a course of study1 any contributing agency that in the normal course of its operations does not request individuals applying for service or assistance to affirm ,united ,states citizenship 7either directly or as part of the overall application for service or assistance7 shall-- 7#a7 complete the requirements of section #g7;a77#f7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejf7;a77#f772 7#b7 ensure that each applicant's transaction with the agency cannot be completed until the applicant has indicated whether the applicant wishes to register to vote or declines to register to vote in elections for ,federal office held in the ,state2 and 7#c7 for each individual who wishes to register to vote1 transmit that individual's information in accordance with subsection 7b77#c74 7d7 ,required availability of automatic registration opportunity with each application for service or assistance ,each contributing agency shall offer each individual1 with each application for service or assistance1 and with each related recertification1 renewal1 or change of address1 or in the case of an institution of higher education1 with each registration of a student for enrollment in a course of study1 the opportunity to register to vote as prescribed by this section without regard to whether the individual previously declined a registration opportunity4 7e7 ,contributing agencies 7#a7 ,state agencies ,in each ,state1 each of the following agencies shall be treated as a contributing agency3 7,a7 ,each agency in a ,state that is required by ,federal law to provide voter registration services1 including the ,state motor vehicle authority and other voter registration agencies under the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic4 7,b7 ,each agency in a ,state that administers a program pursuant to title ,,iii of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eja et seq471 title ,,xix of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acif et seq471 or the ,patient ,protection and ,affordable ,care ,act 7,public ,law #aaa-adh74 7,c7 ,each ,state agency primarily responsible for regulating the private possession of firearms4 7,d7 ,each ,state agency primarily responsible for maintaining identifying information for students enrolled at public secondary schools1 including1 where applicable1 the ,state agency responsible for maintaining the education data system described in section #fbja7;e77#b7 of the ,america ,,competes ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ihga7;e77#b774 7,e7 ,in the case of a ,state in which an individual disenfranchised by a criminal conviction may become eligible to vote upon completion of a 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 7,f7 ,any other agency of the ,state which is designated by the ,state as a contributing agency4 7#b7 ,federal agencies ,in each ,state1 each of the following agencies of the ,federal ,government shall be treated as a contributing agency with respect to individuals who are residents of that ,state 7except as provided in subparagraph 7,c773 7,a7 ,the ,social ,security ,administration1 the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 the ,defense ,manpower ,data ,center of the ,department of ,defense1 the ,employee and ,training ,administration of the ,department of ,labor1 and the ,centers for ,medicare ,medicaid ,services of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services4 7,b7 ,the ,bureau of ,citizenship and ,immigration ,services1 but only with respect to individuals who have completed the naturalization process4 7,c7 ,in the case of an individual who is a resident of a ,state in which an individual disenfranchised by a criminal conviction under ,federal law may become eligible to vote upon completion of a criminal sentence or any part thereof1 or upon formal restoration of rights1 the ,federal agency responsible for administering that sentence or part thereof 7without regard to whether the agency is located in the same ,state in which the individual is a resident71 but only with respect to individuals who have completed the criminal sentence or any part thereof4 7,d7 ,any other agency of the ,federal ,government which the ,state designates as a contributing agency1 but only if the ,state and the head of the agency determine that the agency collects information sufficient to carry out the responsibilities of a contributing agency under this section4 7#c7 ,institutions of higher education ,each institution of higher education that receives ,federal funds shall be treated as a contributing agency in the ,state in which it is located1 but only with respect to students of the institution 7including students who attend classes online7 who reside in the ,state4 ,an institution of higher education described in the previous sentence shall be exempt from the voter registration requirements of section #dhg7;a77#bc7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajid7;a77#bc77 if the institution is in compliance with the applicable requirements of this ,act4 7#d7 ,publication ,not later than #ahj days prior to the date of each election for ,federal office held in the ,state1 the chief ,state election official shall publish on the public website of the official an updated list of all contributing agencies in that ,state4 7#e7 ,public education ,the chief ,state election official of each ,state1 in collaboration with each contributing agency1 shall take appropriate measures to educate the public about voter registration under this section4 #d4 ,one-time contributing agency assistance in registration of eligible voters in existing records 7a7 ,initial transmittal of information ,for each individual already listed in a contributing agency's records as of the date of enactment of this ,act1 and for whom the agency has the information listed in section #c7;b77#c71 the agency shall promptly transmit that information to the appropriate ,state election official in accordance with section #c7;b77#c7 not later than the effective date described in section #aa7;a74 7b7 ,transition ,for each individual listed in a contributing agency's records as of the effective date described in section #aa7;a7 7but who was not listed in a contributing agency's records as of the date of enactment of this ,act71 and for whom the agency has the information listed in section #c7;b77#c71 the ,agency shall promptly transmit that information to the appropriate ,state election official in accordance with section #c7;b77#c7 not later than #f months after the effective date described in section #aa7;a74 #e4 ,voter protection and security in automatic registration 7a7 ,protections for errors in registration ,an individual shall not be prosecuted under any ,federal law1 adversely affected in any civil adjudication concerning immigration status or naturalization1 or subject to an allegation in any legal proceeding that the individual is not a citizen of the ,united ,states on any of the following grounds3 7#a7 ,the individual notified an election office of the individual's automatic registration to vote under this ,act4 7#b7 ,the individual is not eligible to vote in elections for ,federal office but was automatically registered to vote under this ,act4 7#c7 ,the individual was automatically registered to vote under this ,act at an incorrect address4 7#d7 ,the individual declined the opportunity to register to vote or did not make an affirmation of citizenship1 including through automatic registration1 under this ,act4 7b7 ,limits on use of automatic registration ,the automatic registration of any individual or the fact that an individual declined the opportunity to register to vote or did not make an affirmation of citizenship 7including through automatic registration7 under this ,act may not be used as evidence against that individual in any ,state or ,federal law enforcement proceeding1 and an individual's lack of knowledge or willfulness of such registration may be demonstrated by the individual's testimony alone4 7c7 ,protection of election integrity ,nothing in subsection 7a7 or 7b7 may be construed to prohibit or restrict any action under color of law against an individual who-- 7#a7 knowingly and willfully makes a false statement to effectuate or perpetuate automatic voter registration by any individual2 or 7#b7 casts a ballot knowingly and willfully in violation of ,state law or the laws of the ,united ,states4 7d7 ,contributing agencies' protection of information ,nothing in this ,act authorizes a contributing agency to collect1 retain1 transmit1 or publicly disclose any of the following3 7#a7 ,an individual's decision to decline to register to vote or not to register to vote4 7#b7 ,an individual's decision not to affirm his or her citizenship4 7#c7 ,any information that a contributing agency transmits pursuant to section #c7;b77#c71 except in pursuing the agency's ordinary course of business4 7e7 ,election officials' protection of information 7#a7 ,public disclosure prohibited 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 with respect to any individual for whom any ,state election official receives information from a contributing agency1 the ,state election officials shall not publicly disclose any of the following3 7i7 ,the identity of the contributing agency4 7ii7 ,any information not necessary to voter registration4 7iii7 ,any voter information otherwise shielded from disclosure under ,state law or section #h7;a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7;a774 7iv7 ,any portion of the individual's social security number4 7v7 ,any portion of the individual's motor vehicle driver's license number4 7vi7 ,the individual's signature4 7vii7 ,the individual's telephone number4 7viii7 ,the individual's email address4 7,b7 ,special rule for individuals registered to vote ,with respect to any individual for whom any ,state election official receives information from a contributing agency and who1 on the basis of such information1 is registered to vote in the ,state under this ,act1 the ,state election officials shall not publicly disclose any of the following3 7i7 ,the identity of the contributing agency4 7ii7 ,any information not necessary to voter registration4 7iii7 ,any voter information otherwise shielded from disclosure under ,state law or section #h7;a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7;a774 7iv7 ,any portion of the individual's social security number4 7v7 ,any portion of the individual's motor vehicle driver's license number4 7vi7 ,the individual's signature4 7#b7 ,voter record changes ,each ,state shall maintain for at least #b years and shall make available for public inspection and1 where available1 photocopying at a reasonable cost1 all records of changes to voter records1 including removals and updates4 7#c7 ,database management standards ,the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall1 after providing the public with notice and the opportunity to comment-- 7,a7 establish standards governing the comparison of data for voter registration list maintenance purposes1 identifying as part of such standards the specific data elements1 the matching rules used1 and how a ,state may use the data to determine and deem that an individual is ineligible under ,state law to vote in an election1 or to deem a record to be a duplicate or outdated2 7,b7 ensure that the standards developed pursuant to this paragraph are uniform and nondiscriminatory and are applied in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner2 and 7,c7 publish the standards developed pursuant to this paragraph on the ,director's website and make those standards available in written form upon request4 7#d7 ,security policy ,the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology shall1 after providing the public with notice and the opportunity to comment1 publish privacy and security standards for voter registration information4 ,the standards shall require the chief ,state election official of each ,state to adopt a policy that shall specify-- 7,a7 each class of users who shall have authorized access to the computerized statewide voter registration list1 specifying for each class the permission and levels of access to be granted1 and setting forth other safeguards to protect the privacy1 security1 and accuracy of the information on the list2 and 7,b7 security safeguards to protect personal information transmitted through the information transmittal processes of section #c or section #d1 the online system used pursuant to section #g1 any telephone interface1 the maintenance of the voter registration database1 and any audit procedure to track access to the system4 7#e7 ,state compliance with national standards 7,a7 ,certification ,the chief executive officer of the ,state shall annually file with the ,election ,assistance ,commission a statement certifying to the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology that the ,state is in compliance with the standards referred to in paragraphs 7#d7 and 7#e74 ,a ,state may meet the requirement of the previous sentence by filing with the ,commission a statement which reads as follows3 hereby certifies that it is in compliance with the standards referred to in paragraphs 7#d7 and 7#e7 of section #e7;e7 of the ,automatic ,voter ,registration ,act of #bjag4 7with the blank to be filled in with the name of the ,state involved74 7,b7 ,publication of policies and procedures ,the chief ,state election official of a ,state shall publish on the official's website the policies and procedures established under this section1 and shall make those policies and procedures available in written form upon public request4 7,c7 ,funding dependent on certification ,if a ,state does not timely file the certification required under this paragraph1 it shall not receive any payment under this ,act for the upcoming fiscal year4 7,d7 ,compliance of ,states that require changes to ,state law ,in the case of a ,state that requires ,state legislation to carry out an activity covered by any certification submitted under this paragraph1 for a period of not more than #b years the ,state shall be permitted to make the certification notwithstanding that the legislation has not been enacted at the time the certification is submitted1 and such ,state shall submit an additional certification once such legislation is enacted4 7f7 ,restrictions on use of information ,no person acting under color of law may discriminate against any individual based on1 or use for any purpose other than voter registration1 election administration1 or enforcement relating to election crimes1 any of the following3 7#a7 ,voter registration records4 7#b7 ,an individual's declination to register to vote or complete an affirmation of citizenship under section #c7;b74 7#c7 ,an individual's voter registration status4 7g7 ,prohibition on the use of voter registration information for commercial purposes ,information collected under this ,act shall not be used for commercial purposes4 ,nothing in this subsection may be construed to prohibit the transmission1 exchange1 or dissemination of information for political purposes1 including the support of campaigns for election for ,federal1 ,state1 or local public office or the activities of political committees 7including committees of political parties7 under the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga4 #f4 ,registration portability and correction 7a7 ,correcting registration information at polling place ,notwithstanding section #cjb7;a7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhb7;a771 if an individual is registered to vote in elections for ,federal office held in a ,state1 the appropriate election official at the polling place for any such election 7including a location used as a polling place on a date other than the date of the election7 shall permit the individual to-- 7#a7 update the individual's address for purposes of the records of the election official2 7#b7 correct any incorrect information relating to the individual1 including the individual's name and political party affiliation1 in the records of the election official2 and 7#c7 cast a ballot in the election on the basis of the updated address or corrected information1 and to have the ballot treated as a regular ballot and not as a provisional ballot under section #cjb7;a7 of such ,act4 7b7 ,updates to computerized ,statewide voter registration lists ,if an election official at the polling place receives an updated address or corrected information from an individual under subsection 7a71 the official shall ensure that the address or information is promptly entered into the computerized statewide voter registration list in accordance with section #cjc7;a77#a77;,a77vi7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhc7;a77#a77;,a77vi774 #g4 ,online registration 7a7 ,in general ,each ,state shall ensure that the following services are available on the official public websites of the appropriate ,state election officials3 7#a7 ,application for or update to voter registration using an electronic version of the mail voter registration application form the ,election ,assistance ,commission prescribes1 and any additional voter registration form the ,state develops pursuant to section #f7;a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeje7;a774 7#b7 ,completion of a printable version of the mail voter registration application form the ,election ,assistance ,commission prescribes1 and any additional voter registration form the ,state develops pursuant to section #f7;a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeje7;a774 7#c7 ,correction of voter registration4 7#d7 ,designation of political party affiliation1 where applicable4 7#e7 ,cancellation of registration and removal from the voter rolls4 7#f7 ,declination of any automatic registration4 7b7 ,signature requirements ,the appropriate ,state election official shall accept an online voter registration application and register each eligible individual to vote if the application provides a signature by any of the following3 7#a7 ,in the case of an individual who has a signature on file with a ,state agency1 including the ,state motor vehicle authority1 that is required to provide voter registration services by the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeja et seq471 the individual consents to the transfer of that electronic signature4 7#b7 ,the individual submits with the application an electronic copy of the individual's handwritten signature4 7#c7 ,if the ,state chooses to accept it1 the individual's execution of a computerized mark in the signature field on an online voter registration application4 7#d7 ,the individual otherwise completes registration under this section and provides a signature at the time of casting a ballot in an election or at the time of applying for a ballot 7including an absentee ballot7 in an upcoming election4 ,the online system and disposition notice sent to any individual pursuant to this paragraph must inform the individual of the process for providing a signature4 7c7 ,interagency transmission of electronic signatures ,each ,state agency that is required by the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeja et seq47 to provide voter registration services1 including the ,state motor vehicle authority1 shall electronically transmit to the appropriate ,state election official the signature of any individual who has a signature on file with the agency and who consents to the transfer of that electronic signature under subsection 7b77#a74 7d7 ,pre-,election correction ,any correction to the statewide voter registration database pursuant to this section that is made no later than the lesser of thirty days1 or the period ,state law provides1 before a ,federal election shall be effective for purposes of that ,federal election and succeeding elections4 7e7 ,accessibility of services ,each ,state shall ensure that all of the services provided under this section are provided in a manner accessible to individuals with disabilities4 #h4 ,payments and grants 7a7 ,in general ,the ,election ,assistance ,commission shall make grants to each eligible ,state to assist the ,state in implementing the requirements of this ,act4 7b7 ,eligibility2 application ,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-- 7#a7 a description of the activities the ,state will carry out with the grant2 7#b7 an assurance that the ,state shall carry out such activities without partisan bias and without promoting any particular point of view regarding any issue2 and 7#c7 such other information and assurances as the ,commission may require4 7c7 ,amount of grant2 priorities ,the ,commission shall determine the amount of a grant made to an eligible ,state under this section4 ,in determining the amounts of the grants1 the ,commission shall give priority to providing funds for those activities which are most likely to accelerate compliance with the requirements of this ,act1 including-- 7#a7 investments supporting electronic information transfer1 including electronic collection and transfer of signatures1 between contributing agencies and the appropriate ,state election officials2 7#b7 updates to online or electronic voter registration systems already operating as of the date of the enactment of this ,act2 7#c7 introduction of online voter registration systems in jurisdictions in which those systems did not previously exist2 and 7#d7 public education on the availability of new methods of registering to vote1 updating registration1 and correcting registration4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,authorization ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section-- 7,a7 #ejj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjah2 and 7,b7 such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding fiscal year4 7#b7 ,continuing availability of funds ,any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of this subsection shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended4 #i4 ,miscellaneous provisions 7a7 ,accessibility of registration services ,each contributing agency shall ensure that the services it provides under this ,act are made available to individuals with disabilities to the same extent as services are made available to all other individuals4 7b7 ,transmission through secure third party permitted ,nothing in this ,act shall be construed to prevent a contributing agency from contracting with a third party to assist the agency in meeting the information transmittal requirements of this ,act1 so long as the data transmittal complies with the applicable requirements of this ,act1 including the privacy and security provisions of section #e4 7c7 ,nonpartisan1 nondiscriminatory provision of services ,the services made available by contributing agencies under this ,act and by the ,state under sections #f and #g shall be made in a manner consistent with paragraphs 7#d71 7#e71 and 7#f77;,c7 of section #g7;a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejf7;a774 7d7 ,notices ,each ,state may send notices under this ,act via electronic mail if the individual has provided an electronic mail address and consented to electronic mail communications for election-related materials4 ,all notices sent pursuant to this ,act that require a response must offer the individual notified the opportunity to respond at no cost to the individual4 7e7 ,enforcement ,section #aa of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeaj71 relating to civil enforcement and the availability of private rights of action1 shall apply with respect to this ,act in the same manner as such section applies to such ,act4 7f7 ,relation to other laws ,except as provided1 nothing in this ,act may be construed to authorize or require conduct prohibited under1 or to supersede1 restrict1 or limit the application of any of the following3 7#a7 ,the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja et seq474 7#b7 ,the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcja et seq474 7#c7 ,the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeja et seq474 7#d7 ,the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjija et seq474 #aj4 ,definitions ,in this ,act1 the following definitions apply3 7#a7 ,the term 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#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeji7 to be responsible for coordination of the ,state's responsibilities under such ,act4 7#b7 ,the term ,commission means the ,election ,assistance ,commission4 7#c7 ,the term ,state means each of the several ,states and the ,district of ,columbia4 #aa4 ,effective date 7a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subsection 7b71 this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act shall apply with respect to a ,state beginning ,january #a1 #bjai4 7b7 ,waiver ,subject to the approval of the ,commission1 if a ,state certifies to the ,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 #bjai were a reference to ,january #a1 #bjba4