,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #gdbg ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #cj1 #bjbj ,ms4 ,lofgren introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,house ,administration1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,oversight and ,reform1 and the ,judiciary1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb to establish election contingency plans to enable individuals to vote in elections for ,federal office during an emergency1 to require ,states to make early voting and absentee voting available to all individuals eligible to vote in such elections1 to encourage voter registration1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,american ,coronavirus_/,,covid-#ai ,election ,safety and ,security ,act or the ,,access ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,requirements for ,federal election contingency plans in response to natural disasters and emergencies4 ,sec4 #c4 ,early voting and voting by mail4 ,sec4 #d4 ,permitting use of sworn written statement to meet identification requirements for voting4 ,sec4 #e4 ,voting materials postage4 ,sec4 #f4 ,requiring transmission of blank absentee ballots under ,,uocava to certain voters4 ,sec4 #g4 ,voter registration4 ,sec4 #h4 ,accommodations for voters residing in ,indian lands4 ,sec4 #i4 ,payments by ,election ,assistance ,commission to ,states to assist with costs of compliance4 ,sec4 #aj4 ,grants to ,states for conducting risk-limiting audits of results of elections4 ,sec4 #aa4 ,additional appropriations for the ,election ,assistance ,commission4 ,sec4 #ab4 ,definition4 #b4 ,requirements for ,federal election contingency plans in response to natural disasters and emergencies 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,establishment ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 each ,state and each jurisdiction in a ,state which is responsible for administering elections for ,federal office shall establish and make publicly available a contingency plan to enable individuals to vote in elections for ,federal office during a state of emergency1 public health emergency1 or national emergency which has been declared for reasons including-- 7,a7 a natural disaster2 or 7,b7 an infectious disease4 7#b7 ,updating ,each ,state and jurisdiction shall update the contingency plan established under this subsection not less frequently than every #e years4 7b7 ,requirements relating to safety ,the contingency plan established under subsection 7a7 shall include initiatives to provide equipment and resources needed to protect the health and safety of poll workers and voters when voting in person4 7c7 ,requirements relating to recruitment of poll workers ,the contingency plan established under subsection 7a7 shall include initiatives by the chief ,state election official and local election officials to recruit poll workers from resilient or unaffected populations1 which may include-- 7#a7 employees of other ,state and local government offices2 and 7#b7 in the case in which an infectious disease poses significant increased health risks to elderly individuals1 students of secondary schools and institutions of higher education in the ,state4 7d7 ,enforcement 7#a7 ,attorney ,general ,the ,attorney ,general may bring a civil action against any ,state or jurisdiction in an appropriate ,united ,states ,district ,court for such declaratory and injunctive relief 7including a temporary restraining order1 a permanent or temporary injunction1 or other order7 as may be necessary to carry out the requirements of this section4 7#b7 ,private right of action 7,a7 ,in general ,in the case of a violation of this section1 any person who is aggrieved by such violation may provide written notice of the violation to the chief election official of the ,state involved4 7,b7 ,relief ,if the violation is not corrected within #bj days after receipt of a notice under subparagraph 7,a71 or within #e 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 ,special rule ,if the violation occurred within #e 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 involved under subparagraph 7,a7 before bringing a civil action under subparagraph 7,b74 7e7 ,definitions 7#a7 ,election for ,federal office ,for purposes of this section1 the term election for ,federal office means a general1 special1 primary1 or runoff election for the office of ,president or ,vice ,president1 or of ,senator or ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress4 7#b7 ,state ,for purposes of 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 7f7 ,effective date ,this section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbj and each succeeding election for ,federal office4 #c4 ,early voting and voting by mail 7a7 ,requirements ,title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new subtitle3 ,c ,other ,requirements #cba4 ,early voting 7a7 ,requiring allowing voting prior to date of election 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,state shall allow individuals to vote in an election for ,federal office during an early voting period which occurs prior to the date of the election1 in the same manner as voting is allowed on such date4 7#b7 ,length of period ,the early voting period required under this subsection with respect to an election shall consist of a period of consecutive days 7including weekends7 which begins on the #aeth day before the date of the election 7or1 at the option of the ,state1 on a day prior to the #aeth day before the date of the election7 and ends on the date of the election4 7b7 ,minimum early voting requirements ,each polling place which allows voting during an early voting period under subsection 7a7 shall-- 7#a7 allow such voting for no less than #aj hours on each day2 7#b7 have uniform hours each day for which such voting occurs2 and 7#c7 allow such voting to be held for some period of time prior to #i3jj a4m 7local time7 and some period of time after #e3jj p4m4 7local time74 7c7 ,location of polling places 7#a7 ,proximity to public transportation ,to the greatest extent practicable1 a ,state shall ensure that each polling place which allows voting during an early voting period under subsection 7a7 is located within walking distance of a stop on a public transportation route4 7#b7 ,availability in rural areas ,the ,state shall ensure that polling places which allow voting during an early voting period under subsection 7a7 will be located in rural areas of the ,state1 and shall ensure that such polling places are located in communities which will provide the greatest opportunity for residents of rural areas to vote during the early voting period4 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 ,ballot processing and scanning requirements 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,state shall begin processing and scanning ballots cast during early voting for tabulation at least #ad days prior to the date of the election involved4 7#b7 ,limitation ,nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit a ,state to tabulate ballots in an election before the closing of the polls on the date of the election4 7f7 ,effective date ,this section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbj and each succeeding election for ,federal office4 #cbb4 ,promoting ability of voters to vote by mail 7a7 ,uniform availability of absentee voting to all voters 7#a7 ,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 absentee ballot by mail4 7#b7 ,administration of voting by mail 7,a7 ,prohibiting identification requirement as condition of obtaining ballot ,a ,state may not require an individual to provide any form of identification as a condition of obtaining an absentee ballot1 except that nothing in this paragraph may be construed to prevent a ,state from requiring a signature of the individual or similar affirmation as a condition of obtaining an absentee ballot4 7,b7 ,prohibiting requirement to provide notarization or witness signature as condition of obtaining or casting ballot ,a ,state may not require notarization or witness signature or other formal authentication 7other than voter attestation7 as a condition of obtaining or casting an absentee ballot4 7,c7 ,deadline for returning ballot ,a ,state may impose a deadline for requesting the absentee 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 7#c7 ,application for all future elections ,at the option of an individual1 a ,state shall treat the individual's application to vote by absentee ballot by mail in an election for ,federal office as an application to vote by absentee ballot by mail in all subsequent ,federal elections held in the ,state4 7b7 ,due process requirements for ,states requiring signature verification 7#a7 ,requirement 7,a7 ,in general ,a ,state may not impose a signature verification requirement as a condition of accepting and counting an absentee ballot submitted by any individual with respect to an election for ,federal office unless the ,state meets the due process requirements described in paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,signature verification requirement described ,in this subsection1 a signature verification requirement is a requirement that an election official verify the identification of an individual by comparing the individual's signature on the absentee ballot with the individual's signature on the official list of registered voters in the ,state or another official record or other document used by the ,state to verify the signatures of voters4 7#b7 ,due process requirements 7,a7 ,notice and opportunity to cure discrepancy ,if an individual submits an absentee ballot and the appropriate ,state or local election official determines that a discrepancy exists between the signature on such ballot and the signature of such individual on the official list of registered voters in the ,state or other official record or document used by the ,state to verify the signatures of voters1 such election official1 prior to making a final determination as to the validity of such ballot1 shall-- 7i7 make a good faith effort to immediately notify the individual by mail1 telephone1 and 7if available7 electronic mail that-- 7,i7 a discrepancy exists between the signature on such ballot and the signature of the individual on the official list of registered voters in the ,state2 and 7,,ii7 if such discrepancy is not cured prior to the expiration of the #aj-;day period which begins on the date the official notifies the individual of the discrepancy1 such ballot will not be counted2 and 7ii7 cure such discrepancy and count the ballot if1 prior to the expiration of the #aj-;day period described in clause 7i77,,ii71 the individual provides the official with information to cure such discrepancy1 either in person1 by telephone1 or by electronic methods4 7,b7 ,notice and opportunity to provide missing signature ,if an individual submits an absentee ballot without a signature1 the appropriate ,state or local election official1 prior to making a final determination as to the validity of the ballot1 shall-- 7i7 make a good faith effort to immediately notify the individual by mail1 telephone1 and 7if available7 electronic mail that-- 7,i7 the ballot did not include a signature2 and 7,,ii7 if the individual does not provide the missing signature prior to the expiration of the #aj-;day period which begins on the date the official notifies the individual that the ballot did not include a signature1 such ballot will not be counted2 and 7ii7 count the ballot if1 prior to the expiration of the #aj-;day period described in clause 7i77,,ii71 the individual provides the official with the missing signature on a form proscribed by the ,state4 7,c7 ,other requirements ,an election official may not make a determination that a discrepancy exists between the signature on an absentee ballot and the signature of the individual who submits the ballot on the official list of registered voters in the ,state or other official record or other document used by the ,state to verify the signatures of voters unless-- 7i7 at least #b election officials make the determination2 and 7ii7 each official who makes the determination has received training in procedures used to verify signatures4 7#c7 ,report 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #abj days after the end of a ,federal election cycle1 each chief ,state election official shall submit to ,congress a report containing the following information for the applicable ,federal election cycle in the ,state3 7i7 ,the number of ballots invalidated due to a discrepancy under this subsection4 7ii7 ,description of attempts to contact voters to provide notice as required by this subsection4 7iii7 ,description of the cure process developed by such ,state pursuant to this subsection1 including the number of ballots determined valid as a result of such process4 7,b7 ,federal election cycle defined ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term ,federal election cycle means the period beginning on ,january #a of any odd numbered year and ending on ,december #ca of the following year4 7c7 ,methods and timing for transmission of ballots and balloting materials to voters 7#a7 ,method for requesting ballot ,in addition to such other methods as the ,state may establish for an individual to request an absentee ballot1 the ,state shall permit an individual to submit a request for an absentee ballot online4 ,the ,state shall be considered to meet the requirements of this paragraph if the website of the appropriate ,state or local election official allows an absentee ballot request application to be completed and submitted online and if the website permits the individual-- 7,a7 to print the application so that the individual may complete the application and return it to the official2 or 7,b7 request that a paper copy of the application be transmitted to the individual by mail or electronic mail so that the individual may complete the application and return it to the official4 7#b7 ,ensuring delivery prior to election ,if an individual requests to vote by absentee ballot in an election for ,federal office1 the appropriate ,state or local election official shall ensure that the ballot and relating voting materials are received by the individual prior to the date of the election so long as the individual's request is received by the official not later than #e days 7excluding ,saturdays1 ,sundays1 and legal public holidays7 before the date of the election1 except that nothing in this paragraph shall preclude a ,state or local jurisdiction from allowing for the acceptance and processing of ballot requests submitted or received after such required period4 7#c7 ,special rules in case of emergency periods 7,a7 ,automatic mailing of absentee ballots to all voters ,if the area in which an election is held is in an area in which an emergency or disaster which is described in subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 of section #aace7;g77#a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acbj;b-#e7;g77#a77 is declared during the period described in subparagraph 7,c7-- 7i7 paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 shall not apply with respect to the election2 and 7ii7 not later than #b weeks before the date of the election1 the appropriate ,state or local election official shall transmit by mail absentee ballots and balloting materials for the election to all individuals who are registered to vote in such election or1 in the case of any ,state that does not register voters1 all individuals who are in the ,state's central voter file 7or if the ,state does not keep a central voter file1 to all individuals who are eligible to vote in such election74 7,b7 ,affirmation ,if an individual receives an absentee ballot from a ,state or local election official pursuant to subparagraph 7,a7 and returns the voted ballot to the official1 the ballot shall not be counted in the election unless the individual includes with the ballot a signed affirmation that-- 7i7 the individual has not and will not cast another ballot with respect to the election2 and 7ii7 acknowledges that a material misstatement of fact in completing the ballot may constitute grounds for conviction of perjury4 7,c7 ,period described ,the period described in this subparagraph with respect to an election is the period which begins #abj days before the date of the election and ends #cj days before the date of the election4 7,d7 ,application to ,november #bjbj general election ,because of the public health emergency declared pursuant to section #cai of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d7 resulting from the ,,covid-#ai pandemic1 the special rules set forth in this paragraph shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbj in each ,state4 7d7 ,accessibility for individuals with disabilities ,the ,state shall ensure that all absentee ballots and related voting materials in elections for ,federal office are accessible to individuals with disabilities in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation 7including with privacy and independence7 as for other voters4 7e7 ,uniform deadline for acceptance of mailed ballots ,a ,state may not refuse to accept or process a ballot submitted by an individual by mail with respect to an election for ,federal office in the ,state on the grounds that the individual did not meet a deadline for returning the ballot to the appropriate ,state or local election official if-- 7#a7 the ballot is postmarked1 signed1 or otherwise indicated by the ,united ,states ,postal ,service to have been mailed on or before the date of the election2 and 7#b7 the ballot is received by the appropriate election official prior to the expiration of the #aj-;day period which begins on the date of the election4 7f7 ,alternative methods of returning ballots 7#a7 ,in general ,in addition to permitting an individual to whom a ballot in an election was provided under this section to return the ballot to an election official by mail1 the ,state shall permit the individual to cast the ballot by delivering the ballot at such times and to such locations as the ,state may establish1 including-- 7,a7 permitting the individual to deliver the ballot to a polling place on any date on which voting in the election is held at the polling place2 and 7,b7 permitting the individual to deliver the ballot to a designated ballot drop-off location4 7#b7 ,permitting voters to designate other person to return ballot ,the ,state-- 7,a7 shall permit a voter to designate any person to return a voted and sealed absentee ballot to the post office1 a ballot drop-off location1 tribally designated building1 or election office so long as the person designated to return the ballot does not receive any form of compensation based on the number of ballots that the person has returned and no individual1 group1 or organization provides compensation on this basis2 and 7,b7 may not put any limit on how many voted and sealed absentee ballots any designated person can return to the post office1 a ballot drop off location1 tribally designated building1 or election office4 7g7 ,ballot processing and scanning requirements 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,state shall begin processing and scanning ballots cast by mail for tabulation at least #ad days prior to the date of the election involved4 7#b7 ,limitation ,nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit a ,state to tabulate ballots in an election before the closing of the polls on the date of the election4 7h7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of ,states to conduct elections for ,federal office through the use of polling places at which individuals cast ballots4 7i7 ,no effect on ballots submitted by absent military and overseas voters ,nothing in this section may be construed to affect the treatment of any ballot submitted by an individual who is entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcja et seq474 7j7 ,effective date ,this section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbj and each succeeding election for ,federal office4 #cbc4 ,absentee ballot tracking program 7a7 ,requirement ,each ,state shall carry out a program to track and confirm the receipt of absentee ballots in an election for ,federal office under which the ,state or local election official responsible for the receipt of voted absentee ballots in the election carries out procedures to track and confirm the receipt of such ballots1 and makes information on the receipt of such ballots available to the individual who cast the ballot1 by means of online access using the ,internet site of the official's office4 7b7 ,information on whether vote was counted ,the information referred to under subsection 7a7 with respect to the receipt of an absentee ballot shall include information regarding whether the vote cast on the ballot was counted1 and1 in the case of a vote which was not counted1 the reasons therefor4 7c7 ,use of toll-,free telephone number by officials without internet site ,a program established by a ,state or local election official whose office does not have an ,internet site may meet the requirements of subsection 7a7 if the official has established a toll-free telephone number that may be used by an individual who cast an absentee ballot to obtain the information on the receipt of the voted absentee ballot as provided under such subsection4 7d7 ,effective date ,this section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbj and each succeeding election for ,federal office4 #cbd4 ,rules for counting provisional ballots 7a7 ,statewide counting of provisional ballots 7#a7 ,in general ,for purposes of section #cjb7;a77#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 the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbj and each succeeding election for ,federal office4 7b7 ,uniform and nondiscriminatory standards 7#a7 ,in general ,consistent with the requirements of section #cjb1 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 the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbj and each succeeding election for ,federal office4 #cbe4 ,coverage of ,commonwealth of ,northern ,mariana ,islands ,in this subtitle1 the term ,state includes the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 #cbf4 ,minimum requirements for expanding ability of individuals to vote ,the requirements of this subtitle are minimum requirements1 and nothing in this subtitle may be construed to prevent a ,state from establishing standards which promote the ability of individuals to vote in elections for ,federal office1 so long as such standards are not inconsistent with the requirements of this subtitle or other ,federal laws4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment relating to issuance of voluntary guidance by ,election ,assistance ,commission ,section #caa7;b7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #baaja7;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 subtitle ,c1 ,june #cj1 #bjbj4 4 7c7 ,enforcement 7#a7 ,coverage under existing enforcement provisions ,section #dja of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #baaaa7 is amended by striking and #cjc and inserting #cjc1 and subtitle ,c of title ,,iii4 7#b7 ,availability of private right of action ,title ,,iv of such 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #baaaa et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #djc4 ,private right of action for violations of certain requirements 7a7 ,in general ,in the case of a violation of subtitle ,c of title ,,iii1 section #djb shall not apply and any person who is aggrieved by such violation may provide written notice of the violation to the chief election official of the ,state involved4 7b7 ,relief ,if the violation is not corrected within #bj days after receipt of a notice under subsection 7a71 or within #e 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 7c7 ,special rule ,if the violation occurred within #e 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 involved under subsection 7a7 before bringing a civil action under subsection 7b74 4 7d7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act is amended-- 7#a7 by adding at the end of the items relating to title ,,iii the following3 ,subtitle ,c--,other ,requirements ,sec4 #cba4 ,early voting4 ,sec4 #cbb4 ,promoting ability of voters to vote by mail4 ,sec4 #cbc4 ,absentee ballot tracking program4 ,sec4 #cbd4 ,rules for counting provisional ballots4 ,sec4 #cbe4 ,coverage of ,commonwealth of ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 ,sec4 #cbf4 ,minimum requirements for expanding ability of individuals to vote4 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end of the items relating to title ,,iv the following new item3 ,sec4 #djc4 ,private right of action for violations of certain requirements4 4 #d4 ,permitting use of sworn written statement to meet identification requirements for voting 7a7 ,permitting use of statement ,subtitle ,c of title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb1 as added by section #c7;a71 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating sections #cbe and #cbf as sections #cbf and #cbg2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #cbd the following new section3 #cbe4 ,permitting use of sworn written statement to meet identification requirements 7a7 ,use of statement 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subsection 7c71 if a ,state has in effect a requirement that an individual present identification as a condition of casting a ballot in an election for ,federal office1 the ,state shall permit the individual to meet the requirement-- 7,a7 in the case of an individual who desires to vote in person1 by presenting the appropriate ,state or local election official with a sworn written statement1 signed by the individual under penalty of perjury1 attesting to the individual's identity and attesting that the individual is eligible to vote in the election2 or 7,b7 in the case of an individual who desires to vote by mail1 by submitting with the ballot the statement described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,development of pre-printed version of statement by ,commission ,the ,commission shall develop a pre-printed version of the statement described in paragraph 7#a77;,a7 which includes a blank space for an individual to provide a name and signature for use by election officials in ,states which are subject to paragraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,providing pre-printed copy of statement ,a ,state which is subject to paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 make copies of the pre-printed version of the statement described in paragraph 7#a77;,a7 which is prepared by the ,commission available at polling places for election officials to distribute to individuals who desire to vote in person2 and 7,b7 include a copy of such pre-printed version of the statement with each blank absentee or other ballot transmitted to an individual who desires to vote by mail4 7b7 ,requiring use of ballot in same manner as individuals presenting identification ,an individual who presents or submits a sworn written statement in accordance with subsection 7a77#a7 shall be permitted to cast a ballot in the election in the same manner as an individual who presents identification4 7c7 ,exception for first-,time voters registering by mail ,subsections 7a7 and 7b7 do not apply with respect to any individual described in paragraph 7#a7 of section #cjc7;b7 who is required to meet the requirements of paragraph 7#b7 of such section4 4 7b7 ,requiring ,states ,to include information on use of sworn written statement in voting information material posted at polling places ,section #cjb7;b77#b7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhb7;b77#b771 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 in the case of a ,state that has in effect a requirement that an individual present identification as a condition of casting a ballot in an election for ,federal office1 information on how an individual may meet such requirement by presenting a sworn written statement in accordance with section #cjc;,a4 4 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act1 as amended by section #c1 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating the items relating to sections #cbe and #cbf as relating to sections #cbf and #cbg2 and 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #cbd the following new item3 ,sec4 #cbe4 ,permitting use of sworn written statement to meet identification requirements4 4 7d7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #e4 ,voting materials postage 7a7 ,prepayment of postage on return envelopes 7#a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,c of title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb1 as added by section #c7;a7 and as amended by section #d7;a71 is further amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating sections #cbf and #cbg as sections #cbg and #cbh2 and 7,b7 by inserting after section #cbe the following new section3 #cbf4 ,prepayment of postage on return envelopes for voting materials 7a7 ,provision of return envelopes ,the appropriate ,state or local election official shall provide a self-sealing return envelope with-- 7#a7 any voter registration application form transmitted to a registrant by mail2 7#b7 any application for an absentee ballot transmitted to an applicant by mail2 and 7#c7 any blank absentee ballot transmitted to a voter by mail4 7b7 ,prepayment of postage ,consistent with regulations of the ,united ,states ,postal ,service1 the ,state or the unit of local government responsible for the administration of the election involved shall prepay the postage on any envelope provided under subsection 7a74 7c7 ,no effect on ballots or balloting materials transmitted to absent military and overseas voters ,nothing in this section may be construed to affect the treatment of any ballot or balloting materials transmitted to an individual who is entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcja et seq474 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act1 as amended by section #d7;c71 is amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating the items relating to sections #cbf and #cbg as relating to sections #cbg and #cbh2 and 7,b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #cbe the following new item3 ,sec4 #cbf4 ,prepayment of postage on return envelopes for voting materials4 4 7b7 ,role of ,united ,states ,postal ,service 7#a7 ,in general ,chapter #cd of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding after section #cdjf the following3 #cdjg4 ,voting materials 7a7 ,any voter registration application1 absentee ballot application1 or absentee ballot with respect to any election for ,federal office shall be carried expeditiously1 with postage on the return envelope prepaid by the ,state or unit of local government responsible for the administration of the election4 7b7 ,as used in this section-- 7#a7 the term absentee ballot means any ballot transmitted by a voter by mail in an election for ,federal office1 but does not include any ballot covered by section #cdjf2 and 7#b7 the term election for ,federal office means a general1 special1 primary1 or runoff election for the office of ,president or ,vice ,president1 or of ,senator or ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress4 7c7 ,nothing in this section may be construed to affect the treatment of any ballot or balloting materials transmitted to an individual who is entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcja et seq474 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #cd of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #cdjf the following3 #cdjg4 ,voting materials4 4 #f4 ,requiring transmission of blank absentee ballots under ,,uocava to certain voters 7a7 ,in general ,the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcja et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #ajc;,b the following new section3 #ajc;,c4 ,transmission of blank absentee ballots to certain other voters 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,state responsibilities ,subject to the provisions of this section1 each ,state shall transmit blank absentee ballots electronically to qualified individuals who request such ballots in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions under which the ,state transmits such ballots electronically to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters under the provisions of section #ajb7;f71 except that no such marked ballots shall be returned electronically4 7#b7 ,requirements ,any blank absentee ballot transmitted to a qualified individual under this section-- 7,a7 must comply with the language requirements under section #bjc of the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajejc72 and 7,b7 must comply with the disability requirements under section #ejh of the ,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gid;d74 7#c7 ,affirmation ,the ,state may not transmit a ballot to a qualified individual under this section unless the individual provides the ,state with a signed affirmation in electronic form that-- 7,a7 the individual is a qualified individual 7as defined in subsection 7b772 7,b7 the individual has not and will not cast another ballot with respect to the election2 and 7,c7 acknowledges that a material misstatement of fact in completing the ballot may constitute grounds for conviction of perjury4 7#d7 ,clarification regarding free postage ,an absentee ballot obtained by a qualified individual under this section shall be considered balloting materials as defined in section #ajg for purposes of section #cdjf of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#e7 ,prohibiting refusal to accept ballot for failure to meet certain requirements ,a ,state shall not refuse to accept and process any otherwise valid blank absentee ballot which was transmitted to a qualified individual under this section and used by the individual to vote in the election solely on the basis of the following3 7,a7 ,notarization or witness signature requirements4 7,b7 ,restrictions on paper type1 including weight and size4 7,c7 ,restrictions on envelope type1 including weight and size4 7b7 ,qualified individual 7#a7 ,in general ,in this section1 except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the term qualified individual means any individual who is otherwise qualified to vote in an election for ,federal office and who meets any of the following requirements3 7,a7 ,the individual-- 7i7 has previously requested an absentee ballot from the ,state or jurisdiction in which such individual is registered to vote2 and 7ii7 has not received such absentee ballot at least #b days before the date of the election4 7,b7 ,the individual-- 7i7 resides in an area of a ,state with respect to which an emergency or public health emergency has been declared by the chief executive of the ,state or of the area involved within #e days of the date of the election under the laws of the ,state due to reasons including a natural disaster1 including severe weather1 or an infectious disease2 and 7ii7 has not previously requested an absentee ballot4 7,c7 ,the individual expects to be absent from such individual's jurisdiction on the date of the election due to professional or volunteer service in response to a natural disaster or emergency as described in subparagraph 7,b74 7,d7 ,the individual is hospitalized or expects to be hospitalized on the date of the election4 7,e7 ,the individual is an individual with a disability 7as defined in section #c of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb77 and resides in a ,state which does not offer voters the ability to use secure and accessible remote ballot marking4 ,for purposes of this subparagraph1 a ,state shall permit an individual to self-certify that the individual is an individual with a disability4 7#b7 ,exclusion of absent uniformed services and overseas voters ,the term qualified individual shall not include an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter4 7c7 ,state ,for purposes of 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 7d7 ,effective date ,this section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbj and each succeeding election for ,federal office4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #ajb7;a7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcjb7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of paragraph 7#aj72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of paragraph 7#aa7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#ab7 meet the requirements of section #ajc;,c with respect to the provision of blank absentee ballots for the use of qualified individuals described in such section4 4 7c7 ,clerical amendments ,the table of contents of such ,act is amended by inserting the following after section #ajc3 ,sec4 #ajc;,a4 ,procedures for collection and delivery of marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters4 ,sec4 #ajc;,b4 ,federal voting assistance program improvements4 ,sec4 #ajc;,c4 ,transmission of blank absentee ballots to certain other voters4 4 #g4 ,voter registration 7a7 ,requiring availability of internet for voter registration 7#a7 ,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 and correction of existing registration information ,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 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 meets the requirements of subsection 7c7 to provide a signature in electronic form 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 ,signature requirements 7#a7 ,in general ,for purposes of this section1 an individual meets the requirements of this subsection as follows3 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 under this ,act or any other law1 the individual consents to the transfer of that electronic signature4 7,b7 ,if subparagraph 7,a7 does not apply1 the individual submits with the application an electronic copy of the individual's handwritten signature through electronic means4 7,c7 ,if subparagraph 7,a7 and subparagraph 7,b7 do not apply1 the individual executes a computerized mark in the signature field on an online voter registration application1 in accordance with reasonable security measures established by the ,state1 but only if the ,state accepts such mark from the individual4 7#b7 ,treatment of individuals unable to meet requirement ,if an individual is unable to meet the requirements of paragraph 7#a71 the ,state shall-- 7,a7 permit the individual to complete all other elements of the online voter registration application2 7,b7 permit the individual to provide a signature at the time the individual requests a ballot in an election 7whether the individual requests the ballot at a polling place or requests the ballot by mail72 and 7,c7 if the individual carries out the steps described in subparagraph 7,a7 and subparagraph 7,b71 ensure that the individual is registered to vote in the ,state4 7#c7 ,notice ,the ,state shall ensure that individuals applying to register to vote online are notified of the requirements of paragraph 7#a7 and of the treatment of individuals unable to meet such requirements1 as described in paragraph 7#b74 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 ,not later than #g days after 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 mail and-- 7,a7 in the case of an individual who has provided the official with an electronic mail address1 by electronic mail2 and 7,b7 at the option of an individual1 by text message4 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 ,accessibility of services ,a ,state shall ensure that the services made available under this section are made available to individuals with disabilities to the same extent as services are made available to all other individuals4 7h7 ,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 7i7 ,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 7#b7 ,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#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 7,b7 ,requiring signature for first-time voters in jurisdiction ,section #cjc7;b7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhc7;b77 is amended-- 7i7 by redesignating paragraph 7#e7 as paragraph 7#f72 and 7ii7 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#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcjb 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#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjajb7;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#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhc7;d77#b77;,a77 is amended by striking ,each ,state and inserting ,except as provided in subsection 7b77#e71 each ,state4 7#c7 ,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-- 7i7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,c72 7ii7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,d7 as subparagraph 7,e72 and 7iii7 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 #bh 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 7b7 ,use of internet ,to update registration information 7#a7 ,updates to information contained on computerized ,statewide voter registration list 7,a7 ,in general ,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 #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 ,not later than #g days after 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 mail and-- 7,i7 in the case of an individual who has requested that the ,state provide voter registration and voting information through electronic mail1 by electronic mail2 and 7,,ii7 at the option of an individual1 by text message4 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,b71 and inserting subparagraph 7,b7 and subsection 7a77#f714 7#b7 ,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 7c7 ,same day registration 7#a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,c of title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb1 as added by section #c7;a7 and as amended by sections #d7;a7 and #e7;a71 is further amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating sections #cbg and #cbh as sections #cbh and #cbi2 and 7,b7 by inserting after section #cbf the following new section3 #cbg4 ,same day registration 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,registration ,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 #bjbj and for any subsequent election for ,federal office4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act1 as added by section #c and as amended by sections #d and #e1 is further amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating the items relating to sections #cbg and #cbh as relating to sections #cbh and #cbi2 and 7,b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #cbf the following new item3 ,sec4 #cbg4 ,same day registration4 4 7d7 ,prohibiting ,state from requiring applicants ,to provide more than last #d digits of ,social ,security number 7#a7 ,form included with application for motor vehicle driver's license ,section #e7;c77#b77;,b77ii7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejd7;c77#b77;,b77ii77 is amended by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting the following3 1 and to the extent that the application requires the applicant to provide a ,social ,security number1 may not require the applicant to provide more than the last #d digits of such number24 7#b7 ,national mail voter registration form ,section #i7;b77#a7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejh7;b77#a77 is amended by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting the following3 1 and to the extent that the form requires the applicant to provide a ,social ,security number1 the form may not require the applicant to provide more than the last #d digits of such number24 7#c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this subsection shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbj and each succeeding election for ,federal office4 #h4 ,accommodations for voters residing in ,indian lands 7a7 ,accommodations described 7#a7 ,designation of ballot pickup and collection locations ,given the widespread lack of residential mail delivery in ,indian ,country1 an ,indian ,tribe may designate buildings as ballot pickup and collection locations with respect to an election for ,federal office at no cost to the ,indian ,tribe4 ,an ,indian ,tribe may designate one building per precinct located within ,indian lands4 ,the applicable ,state or political subdivision shall collect ballots from those locations4 ,the applicable ,state or political subdivision shall provide the ,indian ,tribe with accurate precinct maps for all precincts located within ,indian lands #fj days before the election4 7#b7 ,provision of mail-in and absentee ballots ,the ,state or political subdivision shall provide mail-in and absentee ballots with respect to an election for ,federal office to each individual who is registered to vote in the election who resides on ,indian lands in the ,state or political subdivision involved without requiring a residential address or a mail-in or absentee ballot request4 7#c7 ,use of designated building as residential and mailing address ,the address of a designated building that is a ballot pickup and collection location with respect to an election for ,federal office may serve as the residential address and mailing address for voters living on ,indian lands if the tribally designated building is in the same precinct as that voter4 ,if there is no tribally designated building within a voter's precinct1 the voter may use another tribally designated building within the ,indian lands where the voter is located4 ,voters using a tribally designated building outside of the voter's precinct may use the tribally designated building as a mailing address and may separately designate the voter's appropriate precinct through a description of the voter's address1 as specified in section #idbh4d7;a77#b7 of title #aa1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations4 7#d7 ,language accessibility ,in the case of a ,state or political subdivision that is a covered ,state or political subdivision under section #bjc of the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajejc71 that ,state or political subdivision shall provide absentee or mail-in voting materials with respect to an election for ,federal office in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the ,english language1 bilingual election voting assistance1 and written translations of all voting materials in the language of the applicable minority group1 as required by section #bjc of the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajejc71 as amended by subsection 7b74 7#e7 ,clarification ,nothing in this section alters the ability of an individual voter residing on ,indian lands to request a ballot in a manner available to all other voters in the ,state4 7#f7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7,a7 ,election for ,federal office ,the term election for ,federal office means a general1 special1 primary or runoff election for the office of ,president or ,vice ,president1 or of ,senator or ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress4 7,b7 ,indian ,the term ,indian has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7,c7 ,indian lands ,the term ,indian lands includes-- 7i7 any ,indian country of an ,indian ,tribe1 as defined under section #aaea of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code2 7ii7 any land in ,alaska owned1 pursuant to the ,alaska ,native ,claims ,settlement ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #afja et seq471 by an ,indian ,tribe that is a ,native village 7as defined in section #c of that ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #afjb77 or by a ,village ,corporation that is associated with an ,indian ,tribe 7as defined in section #c of that ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #afjb772 7iii7 any land on which the seat of the ,tribal ,government is located2 and 7iv7 any land that is part or all of a ,tribal designated statistical area associated with an ,indian ,tribe1 or is part or all of an ,alaska ,native village statistical area associated with an ,indian ,tribe1 as defined by the ,census ,bureau for the purposes of the most recent decennial census4 7,d7 ,indian ,tribe ,the term ,indian ,tribe has the meaning given the term ,indian tribe in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7,e7 ,tribal ,government ,the term ,tribal ,government means the recognized governing body of an ,indian ,tribe4 7#g7 ,enforcement 7,a7 ,attorney ,general ,the ,attorney ,general may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for such declaratory or injunctive relief as is necessary to carry out this subsection4 7,b7 ,private right of action 7i7 ,a person or ,tribal ,government who is aggrieved by a violation of this subsection may provide written notice of the violation to the chief election official of the ,state involved4 7ii7 ,an aggrieved person or ,tribal ,government may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to a violation of this subsection1 if-- 7,i7 that person or ,tribal ,government provides the notice described in clause 7i72 and 7,,ii7 7aa7 in the case of a violation that occurs more than #abj days before the date of an election for ,federal office1 the violation remains and #ij days or more have passed since the date on which the chief election official of the ,state receives the notice under clause 7i72 or 7bb7 in the case of a violation that occurs #abj days or less before the date of an election for ,federal office1 the violation remains and #bj days or more have passed since the date on which the chief election official of the ,state receives the notice under clause 7i74 7iii7 ,in the case of a violation of this section that occurs #cj days or less before the date of an election for ,federal office1 an aggrieved person or ,tribal ,government may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation without providing notice to the chief election official of the ,state under clause 7i74 7b7 ,bilingual election requirements ,section #bjc of the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajejc7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b77#c77;,c71 by striking #aiij and inserting #bjaj2 and 7#b7 by striking subsection 7c7 and inserting the following3 7c7 ,provision of voting materials in the language of a minority group 7#a7 ,in general ,whenever any ,state or political subdivision subject to the prohibition of subsection 7b7 of this section provides any registration or voting notices1 forms1 instructions1 assistance1 or other materials or information relating to the electoral process1 including ballots1 it shall provide them in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the ,english language4 7#b7 ,exceptions 7,a7 ,in general 7i7 ,in the case of a minority group that is not ,american ,indian or ,alaska ,native and the language of that minority group is oral or unwritten1 the ,state or political subdivision shall only be required to furnish1 in the covered language1 oral instructions1 assistance1 translation of voting materials1 or other information relating to registration and voting4 7ii7 ,in the case of a minority group that is ,american ,indian or ,alaska ,native1 the ,state or political subdivision shall only be required to furnish in the covered language oral instructions1 assistance1 or other information relating to registration and voting1 including all voting materials1 if the ,tribal ,government of that minority group has certified that the language of the applicable ,american ,indian or ,alaska ,native language is presently unwritten or the ,tribal ,government does not want written translations in the minority language4 7#c7 ,written translations for election workers ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#b71 the ,state or political division may be required to provide written translations of voting materials1 with the consent of any applicable ,indian ,tribe1 to election workers to ensure that the translations from ,english to the language of a minority group are complete1 accurate1 and uniform4 4 7c7 ,effective date ,this section and the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbj and each succeeding election for ,federal office4 #i4 ,payments by ,election ,assistance ,commission to ,states to assist with costs of compliance 7a7 ,availability of grants ,subtitle ,d of title ,,ii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajja et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new part3 #g ,payments ,to ,assist ,with ,costs of ,compliance with ,access ,act #big4 ,payments to assist with costs of compliance with ,access ,act 7a7 ,availability and use of payments 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall make a payment to each eligible ,state to assist the ,state with the costs of complying with the ,american ,coronavirus_/,,covid-#ai ,election ,safety and ,security ,act and the amendments made by such ,act1 including the provisions of such ,act and such amendments which require ,states to pre-pay the postage on absentee ballots and balloting materials4 7#b7 ,public education campaigns ,for purposes of this part1 the costs incurred by a ,state in carrying out a campaign to educate the public about the requirements of the ,american ,coronavirus_/,,covid-#ai ,election ,safety and ,security ,act and the amendments made by such ,act shall be included as the costs of complying with such ,act and such amendments4 7b7 ,primary elections 7#a7 ,payments to ,states ,in addition to any payments under subsection 7a71 the ,commission shall make a payment to each eligible ,state to assist the ,state with the costs incurred in voluntarily electing to comply with the ,american ,coronavirus_/,,covid-#ai ,election ,safety and ,security ,act and the amendments made by such ,act with respect to primary elections for ,federal office held in the ,state in #bjbj4 7#b7 ,state party-run primaries ,in addition to any payments under paragraph 7#a71 the ,commission shall make payments to each eligible political party of the ,state for costs incurred by such parties to send absentee ballots and return envelopes with prepaid postage to eligible voters participating in such primaries during #bjbj4 7c7 ,pass-,through of funds to local jurisdictions 7#a7 ,in general ,if a ,state receives a payment under this part for costs that include costs incurred by a local jurisdiction or ,tribal government within the ,state1 the ,state shall pass through to such local jurisdiction or ,tribal government a portion of such payment that is equal to the amount of the costs incurred by such local jurisdiction or ,tribal government4 7#b7 ,tribal ,government defined ,in this subsection1 the term ,tribal ,government means the recognized governing body of an ,indian tribe 7as defined in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7d7 ,schedule of payments ,as soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this part and not less frequently than once each calendar year thereafter1 the ,commission shall make payments under this part4 7e7 ,coverage of ,commonwealth of ,northern ,mariana ,islands ,in this part1 the term ,state includes the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 7f7 ,limitation ,no funds may be provided to a ,state under this part for costs attributable to the electronic return of marked ballots by any voter4 #big;,a4 ,amount of payment 7a7 ,in general ,except as provided in section #big;,c1 the amount of a payment made to an eligible ,state for a year under this part shall be determined by the ,commission4 7b7 ,continuing availability of funds after appropriation ,a payment made to an eligible ,state or eligible unit of local government under this part shall be available without fiscal year limitation4 #big;,b4 ,requirements for eligibility 7a7 ,application ,except as provided in section #big;,c1 each ,state that desires to receive a payment under this part for a fiscal year1 and each political party of a ,state that desires to receive a payment under section #big7;b77#b71 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 7b7 ,contents of application ,each application submitted under subsection 7a7 shall-- 7#a7 describe the activities for which assistance under this part is sought2 and 7#b7 provide such additional information and certifications as the ,commission determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this part4 #big;,c4 ,special rules for payments for elections subject to emergency rules 7a7 ,submission of estimated costs ,if the special rules in the case of an emergency period under section #cbb7;c77#c7 apply to an election1 not later than the applicable deadline under subsection 7c71 the ,state shall submit to the ,commission a request for a payment under this part1 and shall include in the request the ,state's estimate of the costs the ,state expects to incur in the administration of the election which are attributable to the application of such special rules to the election4 7b7 ,payment ,not later than #g days after receiving a request from the ,state under subsection 7a71 the ,commission shall make a payment to the ,state in an amount equal to the estimate provided by the ,state in the request4 7c7 ,applicable deadline ,the applicable deadline under this paragraph with respect to an election is-- 7#a7 with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbj1 #ae days after the date of the enactment of this part2 and 7#b7 with respect to any other election1 #ae days after the emergency or disaster described in section #cbb7;c77#c7 is declared4 #big;,d4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated for payments under this part-- 7#a7 in the case of payments made under section #big;,c1 such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year #bjbj and each succeeding fiscal year2 and 7#b7 in the case of any other payments1 such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year #bjbj4 #big;,e4 ,reports 7a7 ,reports by recipients ,not later than #f months after the end of each fiscal year for which an eligible ,state received a payment under this part1 the ,state shall submit a report to the ,commission on the activities conducted with the funds provided during the year4 7b7 ,reports by ,commission to committees ,with respect to each fiscal year for which the ,commission makes payments under this part1 the ,commission shall submit a report on the activities carried out under this part to the ,committee on ,house ,administration of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration of the ,senate4 4 7b7 ,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--,payments ,to ,assist ,with ,costs of ,compliance ,with ,access ,act ,sec4 #big4 ,payments to assist with costs of compliance with ,access ,act4 ,sec4 #big;,a4 ,amount of payment4 ,sec4 #big;,b4 ,requirements for eligibility4 ,sec4 #big;,c4 ,special rules for payments for elections subject to emergency rules4 ,sec4 #big;,d4 ,authorization of appropriations4 ,sec4 #big;,e4 ,reports4 4 #aj4 ,grants to ,states for conducting risk-limiting audits of results of elections 7a7 ,availability of grants ,subtitle ,d of title ,,ii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajja et seq471 as amended by section #i7;a71 is further amended by adding at the end the following new part3 #h ,grants for ,conducting ,risk-,limiting ,audits of ,results of ,elections #bih4 ,grants for conducting risk-limiting audits of results of elections 7a7 ,availability of grants ,the ,commission shall make a grant to each eligible ,state to conduct risk-limiting audits as described in subsection 7b7 with respect to the regularly scheduled general elections for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbj and each succeeding election for ,federal office4 7b7 ,risk-,limiting audits described ,in this part1 a risk-limiting audit is a post-election process-- 7#a7 which is conducted in accordance with rules and procedures established by the chief ,state election official of the ,state which meet the requirements of subsection 7c72 and 7#b7 under which1 if the reported outcome of the election is incorrect1 there is at least a predetermined percentage chance that the audit will replace the incorrect outcome with the correct outcome as determined by a full1 hand-to-eye tabulation of all votes validly cast in that election that ascertains voter intent manually and directly from voter-verifiable paper records4 7c7 ,requirements for rules and procedures ,the rules and procedures established for conducting a risk-limiting audit shall include the following elements3 7#a7 ,rules for ensuring the security of ballots and documenting that prescribed procedures were followed4 7#b7 ,rules and procedures for ensuring the accuracy of ballot manifests produced by election agencies4 7#c7 ,rules and procedures for governing the format of ballot manifests1 cast vote records1 and other data involved in the audit4 7#d7 ,methods to ensure that any cast vote records used in the audit are those used by the voting system to tally the election results sent to the chief ,state election official and made public4 7#e7 ,procedures for the random selection of ballots to be inspected manually during each audit4 7#f7 ,rules for the calculations and other methods to be used in the audit and to determine whether and when the audit of an election is complete4 7#g7 ,procedures and requirements for testing any software used to conduct risk-limiting audits4 7d7 ,definitions ,in this part1 the following definitions apply3 7#a7 ,the term ballot manifest means a record maintained by each election agency that meets each of the following requirements3 7,a7 ,the record is created without reliance on any part of the voting system used to tabulate votes4 7,b7 ,the record functions as a sampling frame for conducting a risk-limiting audit4 7,c7 ,the record contains the following information with respect to the ballots cast and counted in the election3 7i7 ,the total number of ballots cast and counted by the agency 7including undervotes1 overvotes1 and other invalid votes74 7ii7 ,the total number of ballots cast in each election administered by the agency 7including undervotes1 overvotes1 and other invalid votes74 7iii7 ,a precise description of the manner in which the ballots are physically stored1 including the total number of physical groups of ballots1 the numbering system for each group1 a unique label for each group1 and the number of ballots in each such group4 7#b7 ,the term incorrect outcome means an outcome that differs from the outcome that would be determined by a full tabulation of all votes validly cast in the election1 determining voter intent manually1 directly from voter-verifiable paper records4 7#c7 ,the term outcome means the winner of an election1 whether a candidate or a position4 7#d7 ,the term reported outcome means the outcome of an election which is determined according to the canvass and which will become the official1 certified outcome unless it is revised by an audit1 recount1 or other legal process4 #bih;,a4 ,eligibility of ,states ,a ,state is eligible to receive a grant under this part 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 certification that1 not later than #e years after receiving the grant1 the ,state will conduct risk-limiting audits of the results of elections for ,federal office held in the ,state as described in section #bih2 7#b7 a certification that1 not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section1 the chief ,state election official of the ,state has established or will establish the rules and procedures for conducting the audits which meet the requirements of section #bih7;c72 7#c7 a certification that the audit shall be completed not later than the date on which the ,state certifies the results of the election2 7#d7 a certification that1 after completing the audit1 the ,state shall publish a report on the results of the audit1 together with such information as necessary to confirm that the audit was conducted properly2 7#e7 a certification that1 if a risk-limiting audit conducted under this part leads to a full manual tally of an election1 ,state law requires that the ,state or election agency shall use the results of the full manual tally as the official results of the election2 and 7#f7 such other information and assurances as the ,commission may require4 #bih;,b4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated for grants under this part #bj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj1 to remain available until expended4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act1 as amended by section #i7;b71 is further amended by adding at the end of the items relating to subtitle ,d of title ,,ii the following3 ,part #h--;,grants for ,conducting ,risk-,limiting ,audits of ,results of ,elections ,sec4 #bih4 ,grants for conducting risk-limiting audits of results of elections4 ,sec4 #bih;,a4 ,eligibility of ,states4 ,sec4 #bih;,b4 ,authorization of appropriations4 7c7 ,,gao analysis of effects of audits 7#a7 ,analysis ,not later than #f months after the first election for ,federal office is held after grants are first awarded to ,states for conducting risk-limiting audits under part #h of subtitle ,d of title ,,ii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7as added by subsection 7a77 for conducting risk-limiting audits of elections for ,federal office1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct an analysis of the extent to which such audits have improved the administration of such elections and the security of election infrastructure in the ,states receiving such grants4 7#b7 ,report ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit a report on the analysis conducted under subsection 7a7 to the appropriate congressional committees4 #aa4 ,additional appropriations for the ,election ,assistance ,commission 7a7 ,in general ,in addition to any funds otherwise appropriated to the ,election ,assistance ,commission for fiscal year #bjbj1 there is authorized to be appropriated #c1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj in order for the ,commission to provide additional assistance and resources to ,states for improving the administration of elections4 7b7 ,availability of funds ,amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization under this subsection shall remain available without fiscal year limitation4 #ab4 ,definition 7a7 ,definition of election for ,federal office ,title ,,ix of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #baada et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #ijg4 ,election for ,federal office defined ,for purposes of titles ,i through ,,iii1 the term election for ,federal office means a general1 special1 primary1 or runoff election for the office of ,president or ,vice ,president1 or of ,senator or ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title ,,ix the following new item3 ,sec4 #ijg4 ,election for ,federal office defined4 4