,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #edi ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #be1 #bjai,mrs4 ,gillibrand 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,duckworth1 ,ms4 ,harris1 ,mr4 ,sanders1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,mr4 ,durbin1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,mr4 ,markey1 and ,mr4 ,cardin7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration ,a ,,bill ,to modernize voter registration1 promote access to voting for individuals with disabilities1 protect the ability of individuals to exercise the right to vote in elections for ,federal office1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 statement of policy 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,voter ,empowerment ,act of #bjai4 7b7 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states that-- 7#a7 all eligible citizens of the ,united ,states should access and exercise their constitutional right to vote in a free1 fair1 and timely manner2 and 7#b7 the integrity1 security1 and accountability of the voting process must be vigilantly protected1 maintained1 and enhanced in order to protect and preserve electoral and participatory democracy in the ,united ,states4 #b4 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 statement of policy4,sec4 #b4 ,table of contents4,title ,i--,voter ,registration ,modernization,sec4 #ajj4 ,short title4,subtitle ,a--,promoting ,internet ,registration,sec4 #aja4 ,requiring availability of ,internet for voter registration4,sec4 #ajb4 ,use of ,internet to update registration information4,sec4 #ajc4 ,provision of election information by electronic mail to individuals registered to vote4,sec4 #ajd4 ,clarification of requirement regarding necessary information to show eligibility to vote4,sec4 #aje4 ,effective date4,subtitle ,b--,automatic ,voter ,registration,sec4 #aaa4 ,short title2 findings and purpose4,sec4 #aab4 ,automatic registration of eligible individuals4,sec4 #aac4 ,contributing agency assistance in registration4,sec4 #aad4 ,one-time contributing agency assistance in registration of eligible voters in existing records4,sec4 #aae4 ,voter protection and security in automatic registration4,sec4 #aaf4 ,registration portability and correction4,sec4 #aag4 ,payments and grants4,sec4 #aah4 ,treatment of exempt ,states4,sec4 #aai4 ,miscellaneous provisions4,sec4 #abj4 ,definitions4,sec4 #aba4 ,effective date4,subtitle ,c--,same ,day ,voter ,registration,sec4 #aca4 ,same day registration4,subtitle ,d--,conditions on ,removal on ,basis of ,interstate ,cross-,checks,sec4 #ada4 ,conditions on removal of registrants from official list of eligible voters on basis of interstate cross-checks4,subtitle ,e--,other ,initiatives ,to ,promote ,voter ,registration,sec4 #aea4 ,acceptance of voter registration applications from individuals under #ah years of age4,sec4 #aeb4 ,annual reports on voter registration statistics4,subtitle ,f--,availability of ,,hava ,requirements ,payments,sec4 #afa4 ,availability of requirements payments under ,,hava to cover costs of compliance with new requirements4,subtitle ,g--,prohibiting ,interference ,with ,voter ,registration ,sec4 #aga4 ,prohibiting hindering1 interfering with1 or preventing voter registration4,sec4 #agb4 ,establishment of best practices4,subtitle ,h--,saving ,voters ,from ,voter ,purging,sec4 #aha4 ,short title4,sec4 #ahb4 ,conditions for removal of voters from list of registered voters4,title ,,ii--,access to ,voting for ,individuals ,with ,disabilities,sec4 #bja4 ,requirements for ,states to promote access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities4,sec4 #bjb4 ,pilot programs for enabling individuals with disabilities to register to vote and vote privately and independently at residences4,sec4 #bjc4 ,expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure voting access for individuals with disabilities4,title ,,iii--,prohibiting ,voter ,caging,sec4 #cja4 ,voter caging and other questionable challenges prohibited4,sec4 #cjb4 ,development and adoption of best practices for preventing voter caging4,title ,,iv--,prohibiting ,deceptive ,practices and ,preventing ,voter ,intimidation,sec4 #dja4 ,short title4,sec4 #djb4 ,prohibition on deceptive practices in ,federal elections4,sec4 #djc4 ,corrective action4,sec4 #djd4 ,reports to ,congress4,title ,v--,democracy ,restoration,sec4 #eja4 ,short title4,sec4 #ejb4 ,rights of citizens4,sec4 #ejc4 ,enforcement4,sec4 #ejd4 ,notification of restoration of voting rights4,sec4 #eje4 ,definitions4,sec4 #ejf4 ,relation to other laws4,sec4 #ejg4 ,federal prison funds4,sec4 #ejh4 ,effective date4,title ,,vi--,promoting ,accuracy1 ,integrity1 and ,security ,through ,voter-,verified ,permanent ,paper ,ballot,sec4 #fja4 ,short title4,sec4 #fjb4 ,paper ballot and manual counting requirements4,sec4 #fjc4 ,accessibility and ballot verification for individuals with disabilities4,sec4 #fjd4 ,durability and readability requirements for ballots4,sec4 #fje4 ,effective date for new requirements4,sec4 #fjf4 ,clarification of ability of ,states to use election administration payments to meet requirements4,title ,,vii--,provisional ,ballots,sec4 #gja4 ,requirements for counting provisional ballots2 establishment of uniform and nondiscriminatory standards4,title ,,viii--,early ,voting,sec4 #hja4 ,early voting4,title ,,ix--,voting by ,mail,sec4 #ija4 ,voting by mail4,title ,x--,absent ,uniformed ,services ,voters and ,overseas ,voters,sec4 #ajja4 ,extending guarantee of residency for voting purposes to family members of absent military personnel4,sec4 #ajjb4 ,pre-election reports on availability and transmission of absentee ballots4,sec4 #ajjc4 ,enforcement4,sec4 #ajjd4 ,revisions to #de-;day absentee ballot transmission rule4,sec4 #ajje4 ,use of single absentee ballot application for subsequent elections4,sec4 #ajjf4 ,effective date4,title ,,xi--,poll ,worker ,recruitment and ,training,sec4 #aaja4 ,leave to serve as a poll worker for ,federal employees4,sec4 #aajb4 ,grants to ,states for poll worker recruitment and training4,sec4 #aajc4 ,model poll worker training program4,sec4 #aajd4 ,state defined4,title ,,xii--,enhancement of ,enforcement,sec4 #abja4 ,enhancement of enforcement of ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb4,title ,,xiii--,federal ,election ,integrity,sec4 #acja4 ,prohibition on campaign activities by chief ,state election administration officials4,title ,,xiv--,grants for ,risk-limiting ,audits of ,results of ,elections,sec4 #adja4 ,grants to ,states for conducting risk-limiting audits of results of elections4,sec4 #adjb4 ,,gao analysis of effects of audits4,title ,,xv--,promoting ,voter ,access ,through ,election ,administration ,improvements,subtitle ,a--,promoting ,voter ,access,sec4 #aeja4 ,treatment of universities as voter registration agencies4,sec4 #aejb4 ,minimum notification requirements for voters affected by polling place changes4,sec4 #aejc4 ,election ,day holiday4,sec4 #aejd4 ,permitting use of sworn written statement to meet identification requirements for voting4,sec4 #aeje4 ,postage-free ballots4,sec4 #aejf4 ,reimbursement for costs incurred by ,states in establishing program to track and confirm receipt of absentee ballots4,sec4 #aejg4 ,voter information response systems and hotline4,subtitle ,b--,improvements in ,operation of ,election ,assistance ,commission,sec4 #aeaa4 ,reauthorization of ,election ,assistance ,commission4,sec4 #aeab4 ,requiring ,states to participate in post-general election surveys4,sec4 #aeac4 ,reports by ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology on use of funds transferred from ,election ,assistance ,commission4,sec4 #aead4 ,recommendations to improve operations of ,election ,assistance ,commission4,sec4 #aeae4 ,repeal of exemption of ,election ,assistance ,commission from certain government contracting requirements4,subtitle ,c--,miscellaneous ,provisions,sec4 #aeba4 ,application of laws to ,commonwealth of ,northern ,mariana ,islands4,sec4 #aebb4 ,repeal of exemption of ,election ,assistance ,commission from certain government contracting requirements4,sec4 #aebc4 ,no effect on other laws4,title ,,xvi--,severability,sec4 #afja4 ,severability4 ,i ,voter ,registration ,modernization #ajj4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,voter ,registration ,modernization ,act of #bjai4 ,a ,promoting ,internet ,registration #aja4 ,requiring availability of ,internet for voter registration 7a7 ,requiring ,availability of ,internet for ,registration ,the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeja et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #f the following new section3 #f;,a4 ,internet ,registration 7a7 ,requiring ,availability of ,internet for ,online ,registration 7#a7 ,availability of online registration ,each ,state1 acting through the chief ,state election official1 shall ensure that the following services are available to the public at any time on the official public websites of the appropriate ,state and local election officials in the ,state1 in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as the services provided by voter registration agencies under section #g7;a73 7,a7 ,online application for voter registration4 7,b7 ,online assistance to applicants in applying to register to vote4 7,c7 ,online completion and submission by applicants of the mail voter registration application form prescribed by the ,election ,assistance ,commission pursuant to section #i7;a77#b71 including assistance with providing a signature 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 ,as soon as the appropriate ,state or local election official has approved or rejected an application submitted by an individual under this section1 the official shall send the individual a notice of the disposition of the application4 7#c7 ,method of notification ,the appropriate ,state or local election official shall send the notices required under this subsection by regular mail1 and1 in the case of an individual who has requested that the ,state provide voter registration and voting information through electronic mail1 by both electronic mail and regular mail4 7e7 ,provision of ,services in ,nonpartisan ,manner ,the services made available under subsection 7a7 shall be provided in a manner that ensures that1 consistent with section #g7;a77#e7-- 7#a7 the online application does not seek to influence an applicant's political preference or party registration2 and 7#b7 there is no display on the website promoting any political preference or party allegiance1 except that nothing in this paragraph may be construed to prohibit an applicant from registering to vote as a member of a political party4 7f7 ,protection of ,security of ,information ,in meeting the requirements of this section1 the ,state shall establish appropriate technological security measures to prevent to the greatest extent practicable any unauthorized access to information provided by individuals using the services made available under subsection 7a74 7g7 ,use of ,additional ,telephone-,based ,system ,a ,state shall make the services made available online under subsection 7a7 available through the use of an automated telephone-based system1 subject to the same terms and conditions applicable under this section to the services made available online1 in addition to making the services available online in accordance with the requirements of this section4 7h7 ,nondiscrimination among registered voters using mail and online registration ,in carrying out this ,act1 the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb1 or any other ,federal1 ,state1 or local law governing the treatment of registered voters in the ,state or the administration of elections for public office in the ,state1 a ,state shall treat a registered voter who registered to vote online in accordance with this section in the same manner as the ,state treats a registered voter who registered to vote by mail4 4 7b7 ,special requirements for individuals using online registration 7#a7 ,treatment as individuals registering to vote by mail for purposes of first-time voter identification requirements ,section #cjc7;b77#a77;,a7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#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-- 7,a7 by redesignating paragraph 7#e7 as paragraph 7#f72 and 7,b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#d7 the following new paragraph3 7#e7 ,signature requirements for first-time voters using online registration 7,a7 ,in general ,a ,state shall1 in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner1 require an individual to meet the requirements of subparagraph 7,b7 if-- 7i7 the individual registered to vote in the ,state online under section #f;,a of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic2 and 7ii7 the individual has not previously voted in an election for ,federal office in the ,state4 7,b7 ,requirements ,an individual meets the requirements of this subparagraph if-- 7i7 in the case of an individual who votes in person1 the individual provides the appropriate ,state or local election official with a handwritten signature2 or 7ii7 in the case of an individual who votes by mail1 the individual submits with the ballot a handwritten signature4 7,c7 ,inapplicability ,subparagraph 7,a7 does not apply in the case of an individual who is-- 7i7 entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#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 7c7 ,conforming ,amendments 7#a7 ,timing of registration ,section #h7;a77#a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7;a77#a77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,c72 7,b7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,d7 as subparagraph 7,e72 and 7,c7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,c7 the following new subparagraph3 7,d7 in the case of online registration through the official public website of an election official under section #f;,a1 if the valid voter registration application is submitted online not later than the lesser of #cj days1 or the period provided by ,state law1 before the date of the election 7as determined by treating the date on which the application is sent electronically as the date on which it is submitted72 and 4 7#b7 ,informing applicants of eligibility requirements and penalties ,section #h7;a77#e7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7;a77#e77 is amended by striking and #g and inserting #f;,a1 and #g4 #ajb4 ,use of ,internet to update registration information 7a7 ,in ,general 7#a7 ,updates to information contained on computerized statewide voter registration list ,section #cjc7;a7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#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 ,as soon as the appropriate ,state or local election official has accepted or rejected updated information submitted by an individual under this paragraph1 the official shall send the individual a notice of the disposition of the update4 7iii7 ,method of notification ,the appropriate ,state or local election official shall send the notices required under this subparagraph by regular mail1 and1 in the case of an individual who has requested that the ,state provide voter registration and voting information through electronic mail1 by both electronic mail and regular mail4 4 7#b7 ,conforming amendment relating to effective date ,section #cjc7;d77#a77;,a7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhc7;d77#a77;,a77 is amended by striking subparagraph 7,b7 and inserting subparagraph 7,b7 and subsection 7a77#f74 7b7 ,ability of registrant ,to use online update ,to provide information on residence ,section #h7;d77#b77;,a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7;d77#b77;,a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the first sentence1 by inserting after return the card the following3 or update the registrant's information on the computerized statewide voter registration list using the online method provided under section #cjc7;a77#f7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb2 and 7#b7 in the second sentence1 by striking returned1 and inserting the following3 returned or if the registrant does not update the registrant's information on the computerized statewide voter registration list using such online method14 #ajc4 ,provision of election information by electronic mail to individuals registered to vote 7a7 ,including ,option on ,voter ,registration ,application ,to ,provide ,email ,address and ,receive ,information 7#a7 ,in general ,section #i7;b7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejh7;b77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking and at the end of paragraph 7#c72 7,b7 by striking the period at the end of paragraph 7#d7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#e7 shall include a space for the applicant to provide 7at the applicant's option7 an electronic mail address1 together with a statement that1 if the applicant so requests1 instead of using regular mail the appropriate ,state and local election officials shall provide to the applicant1 through electronic mail sent to that address1 the same voting information 7as defined in section #cjb7;b77#b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb7 which the officials would provide to the applicant through regular mail4 4 7#b7 ,prohibiting use for purposes unrelated to official duties of election officials ,section #i of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejh7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,prohibiting use of electronic mail addresses for other than official purposes ,the chief ,state election official shall ensure that any electronic mail address provided by an applicant under subsection 7b77#e7 is used only for purposes of carrying out official duties of election officials and is not transmitted by any ,state or local election official 7or any agent of such an official1 including a contractor7 to any person who does not require the address to carry out such official duties and who is not under the direct supervision and control of a ,state or local election official4 4 7b7 ,requiring ,provision of ,information by ,election ,officials ,section #cjb7;b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhb7;b77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 ,provision of other information by electronic mail ,if an individual who is a registered voter has provided the ,state or local election official with an electronic mail address for the purpose of receiving voting information 7as described in section #i7;b77#e7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic71 the appropriate ,state or local election official1 through electronic mail transmitted not later than #g days before the date of the election involved1 shall provide the individual with information on how to obtain the following information by electronic means3 7,a7 ,the name and address of the polling place at which the individual is assigned to vote in the election4 7,b7 ,the hours of operation for the polling place4 7,c7 ,a description of any identification or other information the individual may be required to present at the polling place4 4 #ajd4 ,clarification of requirement regarding necessary information to show eligibility to vote ,section #h of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7j7 as subsection 7k72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7i7 the following new subsection3 7j7 ,requirement for ,state ,to ,register ,applicants ,providing ,necessary ,information ,to ,show ,eligibility ,to ,vote ,for purposes meeting the requirement of subsection 7a77#a7 that an eligible applicant is registered to vote in an election for ,federal office within the deadlines required under such subsection1 the ,state shall consider an applicant to have provided a valid voter registration form if-- 7#a7 the applicant has accurately completed the application form and attested to the statement required by section #i7;b77#b72 and 7#b7 in the case of an applicant who registers to vote online in accordance with section #f;,a1 the applicant provides a signature in accordance with subsection 7c7 of such section4 4 #aje4 ,effective date 7a7 ,in ,general ,except as provided in subsection 7b71 the amendments made by this subtitle 7other than the amendments made by section #ajd7 shall take effect ,january #a1 #bjbj4 7b7 ,waiver ,subject to the approval of the ,election ,assistance ,commission1 if a ,state certifies to the ,election ,assistance ,commission that the ,state will not meet the deadline referred to in subsection 7a7 because of extraordinary circumstances and includes in the certification the reasons for the failure to meet the deadline1 subsection 7a7 shall apply to the ,state as if the reference in such subsection to ,january #a1 #bjbj were a reference to ,january #a1 #bjbb4 ,b ,automatic ,voter ,registration #aaa4 ,short title2 findings and purpose 7a7 ,short title ,this subtitle may be cited as the ,automatic ,voter ,registration ,act of #bjai4 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 subtitle-- 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 #aab4 ,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 subtitle4 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 #aac1 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 subtitle1 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 #aad 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 subtitle1 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 subtitle2 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 part2 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 subtitle1 of the individual's voter registration status4 7d7 ,treatment of individuals under #ah years of age ,a ,state may not refuse to treat an individual as an eligible individual for purposes of this subtitle on the grounds that the individual is less than #ah years of age at the time a contributing agency receives information with respect to the individual1 so long as the individual is at least #af years of age at such time4 7e7 ,contributing agency defined ,in this subtitle1 the term contributing agency means1 with respect to a ,state1 an agency listed in section #aac7;e74 #aac4 ,contributing agency assistance in registration 7a7 ,in general ,in accordance with this subtitle1 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 ,center 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 subtitle4 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 #aad4 ,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 #aac7;b77#c71 the agency shall promptly transmit that information to the appropriate ,state election official in accordance with section #aac7;b77#c7 not later than the effective date described in section #aaa7;a74 7b7 ,transition ,for each individual listed in a contributing agency's records as of the effective date described in section #aaa7;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 #aac7;b77#c71 the ,agency shall promptly transmit that information to the appropriate ,state election official in accordance with section #aac7;b77#c7 not later than #f months after the effective date described in section #aaa7;a74 #aae4 ,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 subtitle4 7#b7 ,the individual is not eligible to vote in elections for ,federal office but was automatically registered to vote under this subtitle4 7#c7 ,the individual was automatically registered to vote under this subtitle 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 subtitle4 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 subtitle 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 subsections 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 subtitle 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 #aac7;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 subtitle1 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 #aac or section #aad1 the online system used pursuant to section #aag1 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 #aae7;e7 of the ,automatic ,voter ,registration ,act of #bjai4 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 subtitle 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 #aac7;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 subtitle 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 #aaf4 ,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 pace 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 #aag4 ,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 subtitle 7or1 in the case of an exempt ,state1 in implementing its existing automatic voter registration program74 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 subtitle 7or1 in the case of an exempt ,state1 which are most likely to enhance the ability of the ,state to automatically register individuals to vote through its existing automatic voter registration program71 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 #bjbj2 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 #aah4 ,treatment of exempt ,states 7a7 ,waiver of requirements ,except as provided in subsection 7b71 this subtitle does not apply with respect to an exempt ,state4 7b7 ,exceptions ,the following provisions of this subtitle apply with respect to an exempt ,state3 7#a7 ,section #aaf 7relating to registration portability and correction74 7#b7 ,section #aag 7relating to payments and grants74 7#c7 ,section #aai7;e7 7relating to enforcement74 7#d7 ,section #aai7;f7 7relating to relation to other laws74 #aai4 ,miscellaneous provisions 7a7 ,accessibility of registration services ,each contributing agency shall ensure that the services it provides under this subtitle 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 subtitle 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 subtitle1 so long as the data transmittal complies with the applicable requirements of this subtitle1 including the privacy and security provisions of section #aae4 7c7 ,nonpartisan1 nondiscriminatory provision of services ,the services made available by contributing agencies under this subtitle and by the ,state under sections #ajjf and #ajjg 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 subtitle 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 subtitle 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 subtitle in the same manner as such section applies to such ,act4 7f7 ,relation to other laws ,except as provided1 nothing in this subtitle 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 #abj4 ,definitions ,in this subtitle1 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 exempt ,state means a ,state which1 under law which is in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 operates an automatic voter registration program under which an individual is automatically registered to vote in elections for ,federal office in the ,state if the individual provides the motor vehicle authority of the ,state with such identifying information as the ,state may require4 7#d7 ,the term ,state means each of the several ,states and the ,district of ,columbia4 #aba4 ,effective date 7a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subsection 7b71 this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with respect to a ,state beginning ,january #a1 #bjba4 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 #bjba were a reference to ,january #a1 #bjbc4 ,c ,same ,day ,voter ,registration #aca4 ,same day registration 7a7 ,in general ,title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating sections #cjd and #cje as sections #cje and #cjf2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #cjc the following new section3 #cjd4 ,same day registration 7a7 ,in general 7#a7 ,registration ,notwithstanding section #h7;a77#a77;,d7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7;a77#a77;,d771 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 7b7 ,conforming amendment relating to enforcement ,section #dja of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #baaaa7 is amended by striking sections #cja1 #cjb1 and #cjc and inserting subtitle ,a of title ,,iii4 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating the items relating to sections #cjd and #cje as relating to sections #cje and #cjf2 and 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #cjc the following new item3 ,sec4 #cjd4 ,same day registration4 4 ,d ,conditions on ,removal on ,basis of ,interstate ,cross-,checks #ada4 ,conditions on removal of registrants from official list of eligible voters on basis of interstate cross-checks 7a7 ,minimum information required for removal under cross-,check ,section #h7;c77#b7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7;c77#b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,b7 as subparagraph 7,d72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,a7 the following new subparagraphs3 7,b7 ,to the extent that the program carried out by a ,state under subparagraph 7,a7 to systematically remove the names of ineligible voters from the official lists of eligible voters uses information obtained in an interstate cross-check1 the ,state may not remove the name of the voter from such a list unless-- 7i7 the ,state obtained the voter's full name 7including the voter's middle name1 if any7 and date of birth1 and the last #d digits of the voter's social security number1 in the interstate cross-check2 or 7ii7 the ,state obtained documentation from the ,,eric system that the voter is no longer a resident of the ,state4 7,c7 ,in this paragraph-- 7i7 the term interstate cross-check means the transmission of information from an election official in one ,state to an election official of another ,state2 and 7ii7 the term ,,eric system means the system operated by the ,electronic ,registration ,information ,center to share voter registration information and voter identification information among participating ,states4 4 7b7 ,requiring completion of cross-,checks not later than #f months prior to election ,subparagraph 7,a7 of section #h7;c77#b7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7;c77#b77 is amended by striking not later than #ij days and inserting the following3 not later than #ij days 7or1 in the case of a program in which the ,state uses interstate cross-checks1 not later than #f months74 7c7 ,conforming amendment ,subparagraph 7,f7 of section #h7;c77#b7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7;c77#b77 is amended by striking ,subparagraph 7,a7 and inserting ,this paragraph4 7d7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this ,act shall apply with respect to elections held on or after the expiration of the #f-month period which begins on the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,e ,other ,initiatives ,to ,promote ,voter ,registration #aea4 ,acceptance of voter registration applications from individuals under #ah years of age 7a7 ,acceptance of applications ,section #h of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg71 as amended by section #ajd1 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7k7 as subsection 7l72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7j7 the following new subsection3 7k7 ,acceptance of applications from individuals under #ah years of age 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,state may not refuse to accept or process an individual's application to register to vote in elections for ,federal office on the grounds that the individual is under #ah years of age at the time the individual submits the application1 so long as the individual is at least #af years of age at such time4 7#b7 ,no effect on ,state voting age requirements ,nothing in paragraph 7#a7 may be construed to require a ,state to permit an individual who is under #ah years of age at the time of an election for ,federal office to vote in the election4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to elections occurring on or after ,january #a1 #bjbj4 #aeb4 ,annual reports on voter registration statistics 7a7 ,annual report ,not later than #ij days after the end of each year1 each ,state shall submit to the ,election ,assistance ,commission and ,congress a report containing the following categories of information for the year3 7#a7 ,the number of individuals who were registered under subtitle ,b4 7#b7 ,the number of voter registration application forms completed by individuals that were transmitted by motor vehicle authorities in the ,state 7pursuant to section #e7;d7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic7 and voter registration agencies in the ,state 7as designated under section #g of such ,act7 to the chief ,state election official of the ,state1 broken down by each such authority and agency4 7#c7 ,the number of such individuals whose voter registration application forms were accepted and who were registered to vote in the ,state and the number of such individuals whose forms were rejected and who were not registered to vote in the ,state1 broken down by each such authority and agency4 7#d7 ,the number of change of address forms and other forms of information indicating that an individual's identifying information has been changed that were transmitted by such motor vehicle authorities and voter registration agencies to the chief ,state election official of the ,state1 broken down by each such authority and agency and the type of form transmitted4 7#e7 ,the number of individuals on the statewide computerized voter registration list 7as established and maintained under section #cjc of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb7 whose voter registration information was revised by the chief ,state election official as a result of the forms transmitted to the official by such motor vehicle authorities and voter registration agencies 7as described in paragraph 7#c771 broken down by each such authority and agency and the type of form transmitted4 7#f7 ,the number of individuals who requested the chief ,state election official to revise voter registration information on such list1 and the number of individuals whose information was revised as a result of such a request4 7b7 ,breakdown of information by race and ethnicity of ,individuals ,in preparing the report under this section1 the ,state shall1 for each category of information described in subsection 7a71 include a breakdown by race and ethnicity of the individuals whose information is included in the category1 to the extent that information on the race and ethnicity of such individuals is available to the ,state4 7c7 ,confidentiality of information ,in preparing and submitting a report under this section1 the chief ,state election official shall ensure that no information regarding the identification of any individual is revealed4 7d7 ,state defined ,in this section1 a ,state includes the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 but does not include any ,state in which1 under a ,state law in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 there is no voter registration requirement for individuals in the ,state with respect to elections for ,federal office4 ,f ,availability of ,,hava ,requirements ,payments #afa4 ,availability of requirements payments under ,,hava to cover costs of compliance with new requirements 7a7 ,in ,general ,section #bea7;b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajja7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking 7#b7 and 7#c7 and inserting 7#b71 7#c71 and 7#d72 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#d7 ,certain voter registration activities ,a ,state may use a requirements payment to carry out any of the requirements of the ,voter ,registration ,modernization ,act of #bjai1 including the requirements of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic which are imposed pursuant to the amendments made to such ,act by the ,voter ,registration ,modernization ,act of #bjai4 4 7b7 ,conforming ,amendment ,section #bed7;a77#a7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajjd7;a77#a77 is amended by striking section #bea7;a77#b7 and inserting section #bea7;b77#b74 7c7 ,effective ,date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to fiscal year #bjbj and each succeeding fiscal year4 ,g ,prohibiting ,interference ,with ,voter ,registration #aga4 ,prohibiting hindering1 interfering with1 or preventing voter registration 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #bi of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #fab4 ,hindering1 interfering with1 or preventing registering to vote 7a7 ,prohibition ,it shall be unlawful for any person1 whether acting under color of law or otherwise1 to corruptly hinder1 interfere with1 or prevent another person from registering to vote or to corruptly hinder1 interfere with1 or prevent another person from aiding another person in registering to vote4 7b7 ,attempt ,any person who attempts to commit any offense described in subsection 7a7 shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense that the person attempted to commit4 7c7 ,penalty ,any person who violates subsection 7a7 shall be fined under this title1 imprisoned not more than #e years1 or both4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #bi of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new item3 #fab4 ,hindering1 interfering with1 or preventing registering to vote4 4 7c7 ,effective ,date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections held on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 except that no person may be found to have violated section #fab of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code 7as added by subsection 7a771 on the basis of any act occurring prior to the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #agb4 ,establishment of best practices 7a7 ,best practices ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,election ,assistance ,commission shall develop and publish recommendations for best practices for ,states to use to deter and prevent violations of section #fab of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code 7as added by section #aga71 and section #ab of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeaa7 7relating to the unlawful interference with registering to vote1 or voting1 or attempting to register to vote or vote71 including practices to provide for the posting of relevant information at polling places and voter registration agencies under such ,act1 the training of poll workers and election officials1 and relevant educational materials4 ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term ,state includes the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 7b7 ,inclusion in voter information requirements ,section #cjb7;b77#b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhb7;b77#b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,e72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,f7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,g7 information relating to the prohibitions of section #fab of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 and section #ab of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeaa7 7relating to the unlawful interference with registering to vote1 or voting1 or attempting to register to vote or vote71 including information on how individuals may report allegations of violations of such prohibitions4 4 ,h ,saving ,voters ,from ,voter ,purging #aha4 ,short title ,this subtitle may be cited as the ,stop ,automatically ,voiding ,eligible ,voters ,off ,their ,enlisted ,rolls in ,states ,act or the ,save ,voters ,act4 #ahb4 ,conditions for removal of voters from list of registered voters 7a7 ,conditions described ,the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeja et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #h the following new section3 #h;,a4 ,conditions for removal of voters from official list of registered voters 7a7 ,verification on basis of objective and reliable evidence of ineligibility ,notwithstanding any other provision of this ,act1 a ,state may not remove any registrant from the official list of voters eligible to vote in elections for ,federal office in the ,state unless the ,state verifies1 on the basis of objective and reliable evidence1 that the registrant is ineligible to vote in such elections on any of the grounds described in paragraph 7#c7 or paragraph 7#d7 of section #h7;a74 7b7 ,factors not considered as objective and reliable evidence of ineligibility ,for purposes of subsection 7a71 the following factors1 or any combination thereof1 shall not be treated as objective and reliable evidence of a registrant's ineligibility to vote3 7#a7 ,the failure of the registrant to vote in any election4 7#b7 ,the failure of the registrant to respond to any notice sent under section #h7;d74 7#c7 ,the failure of the registrant to take any other action with respect to voting in any election or with respect to the registrant's status as a registrant4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendments 7#a7 ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic ,section #h7;a7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejg7;a77 is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking provide and inserting subject to section #h;,a1 provide2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking conduct and inserting subject to section #h;,a1 conduct4 7#b7 ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb ,section #cjc7;a77#d77;,a7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhc7;a77#d77;,a77 is amended by striking 1 registrants and inserting 1 and subject to section #h;,a of such ,act1 registrants4 7c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,,ii ,access to ,voting for ,individuals ,with ,disabilities #bja4 ,requirements for ,states to promote access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities 7a7 ,requirements ,subtitle ,a of title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha et seq471 as amended by section #aca7;a71 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating sections #cje and #cjf as sections #cjf and #cjg2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #cjd the following new section3 #cje4 ,access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities 7a7 ,treatment of applications and ballots ,each ,state shall-- 7#a7 permit individuals with disabilities to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in elections for ,federal office2 7#b7 accept and process1 with respect to any election for ,federal office1 any otherwise valid voter registration application and absentee ballot application from an individual with a disability if the application is received by the appropriate ,state election official not less than #cj days before the election2 7#c7 in addition to any other method of registering to vote or applying for an absentee ballot in the ,state1 establish procedures-- 7,a7 for individuals with disabilities to request by mail and electronically voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications with respect to elections for ,federal office in accordance with subsection 7c72 7,b7 for ,states to send by mail and electronically 7in accordance with the preferred method of transmission designated by the individual under subparagraph 7,c77 voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications requested under subparagraph 7,a7 in accordance with subsection 7c72 and 7,c7 by which such an individual can designate whether the individual prefers that such voter registration application or absentee ballot application be transmitted by mail or electronically2 7#d7 in addition to any other method of transmitting blank absentee ballots in the ,state1 establish procedures for transmitting by mail and electronically blank absentee ballots to individuals with disabilities with respect to elections for ,federal office in accordance with subsection 7d72 7#e7 transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an individual with a disability-- 7,a7 except as provided in subsection 7e71 in the case in which the request is received at least #de days before an election for ,federal office1 not later than #de days before the election2 and 7,b7 in the case in which the request is received less than #de days before an election for ,federal office-- 7i7 in accordance with ,state law2 and 7ii7 if practicable and as determined appropriate by the ,state1 in a manner that expedites the transmission of such absentee ballot2 and 7#f7 if the ,state declares or otherwise holds a runoff election for ,federal office1 establish a written plan that provides absentee ballots are made available to individuals with disabilities in a manner that gives them sufficient time to vote in the runoff election4 7b7 ,designation of single ,state office ,to ,provide ,information on ,registration and ,absentee ,ballot ,procedures for ,all ,disabled ,voters in ,state ,each ,state shall designate a single office which shall be responsible for providing information regarding voter registration procedures and absentee ballot procedures to be used by individuals with disabilities with respect to elections for ,federal office to all individuals with disabilities who wish to register to vote or vote in any jurisdiction in the ,state4 7c7 ,designation of ,means of ,electronic ,communication for ,individuals with ,disabilities ,to ,request and for ,states ,to ,send ,voter ,registration ,applications and ,absentee ,ballot ,applications1 and for ,other ,purposes ,related to ,voting ,information 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,state shall1 in addition to the designation of a single ,state office under subsection 7b71 designate not less than #a means of electronic communication-- 7,a7 for use by individuals with disabilities who wish to register to vote or vote in any jurisdiction in the ,state to request voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications under subsection 7a77#c72 7,b7 for use by ,states to send voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications requested under such subsection2 and 7,c7 for the purpose of providing related voting1 balloting1 and election information to individuals with disabilities4 7#b7 ,clarification regarding provision of multiple means of electronic communication ,a ,state may1 in addition to the means of electronic communication so designated1 provide multiple means of electronic communication to individuals with disabilities1 including a means of electronic communication for the appropriate jurisdiction of the ,state4 7#c7 ,inclusion of designated means of electronic communication with informational and instructional materials that accompany balloting materials ,each ,state shall include a means of electronic communication so designated with all informational and instructional materials that accompany balloting materials sent by the ,state to individuals with disabilities4 7#d7 ,transmission if no preference indicated ,in the case where an individual with a disability does not designate a preference under subsection 7a77#c77;,c71 the ,state shall transmit the voter registration application or absentee ballot application by any delivery method allowable in accordance with applicable ,state law1 or if there is no applicable ,state law1 by mail4 7d7 ,transmission of blank absentee ballots by mail and electronically 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,state shall establish procedures-- 7,a7 to securely transmit blank absentee ballots by mail and electronically 7in accordance with the preferred method of transmission designated by the individual with a disability under subparagraph 7,b77 to individuals with disabilities for an election for ,federal office2 and 7,b7 by which the individual with a disability can designate whether the individual prefers that such blank absentee ballot be transmitted by mail or electronically4 7#b7 ,transmission if no preference indicated ,in the case where an individual with a disability does not designate a preference under paragraph 7#a77;,b71 the ,state shall transmit the ballot by any delivery method allowable in accordance with applicable ,state law1 or if there is no applicable ,state law1 by mail4 7#c7 ,application of methods to track delivery to and return of ballot by individual requesting ballot ,under the procedures established under paragraph 7#a71 the ,state shall apply such methods as the ,state considers appropriate1 such as assigning a unique identifier to the ballot1 to ensure that if an individual with a disability requests the ,state to transmit a blank absentee ballot to the individual in accordance with this subsection1 the voted absentee ballot which is returned by the individual is the same blank absentee ballot which the ,state transmitted to the individual4 7e7 ,hardship ,exemption 7#a7 ,in general ,if the chief ,state election official determines that the ,state is unable to meet the requirement under subsection 7a77#e77;,a7 with respect to an election for ,federal office due to an undue hardship described in paragraph 7#b77;,b71 the chief ,state election official shall request that the ,attorney ,general grant a waiver to the ,state of the application of such subsection4 ,such request shall include-- 7,a7 a recognition that the purpose of such subsection is to individuals with disabilities enough time to vote in an election for ,federal office2 7,b7 an explanation of the hardship that indicates why the ,state is unable to transmit such individuals an absentee ballot in accordance with such subsection2 7,c7 the number of days prior to the election for ,federal office that the ,state requires absentee ballots be transmitted to such individuals2 and 7,d7 a comprehensive plan to ensure that such individuals are able to receive absentee ballots which they have requested and submit marked absentee ballots to the appropriate ,state election official in time to have that ballot counted in the election for ,federal office1 which includes-- 7i7 the steps the ,state will undertake to ensure that such individuals have time to receive1 mark1 and submit their ballots in time to have those ballots counted in the election2 7ii7 why the plan provides such individuals sufficient time to vote as a substitute for the requirements under such subsection2 and 7iii7 the underlying factual information which explains how the plan provides such sufficient time to vote as a substitute for such requirements4 7#b7 ,approval of waiver request ,the ,attorney ,general shall approve a waiver request under paragraph 7#a7 if the ,attorney ,general determines each of the following requirements are met3 7,a7 ,the comprehensive plan under subparagraph 7,d7 of such paragraph provides individuals with disabilities sufficient time to receive absentee ballots they have requested and submit marked absentee ballots to the appropriate ,state election official in time to have that ballot counted in the election for ,federal office4 7,b7 ,one or more of the following issues creates an undue hardship for the ,state3 7i7 ,the ,state's primary election date prohibits the ,state from complying with subsection 7a77#e77;,a74 7ii7 ,the ,state has suffered a delay in generating ballots due to a legal contest4 7iii7 ,the ,state ,constitution prohibits the ,state from complying with such subsection4 7#c7 ,timing of waiver 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided under subparagraph 7,b71 a ,state that requests a waiver under paragraph 7#a7 shall submit to the ,attorney ,general the written waiver request not later than #ij days before the election for ,federal office with respect to which the request is submitted4 ,the ,attorney ,general shall approve or deny the waiver request not later than #fe days before such election4 7,b7 ,exception ,if a ,state requests a waiver under paragraph 7#a7 as the result of an undue hardship described in paragraph 7#b77;,b77ii71 the ,state shall submit to the ,attorney ,general the written waiver request as soon as practicable4 ,the ,attorney ,general shall approve or deny the waiver request not later than #e business days after the date on which the request is received4 7#d7 ,application of waiver ,a waiver approved under paragraph 7#b7 shall only apply with respect to the election for ,federal office for which the request was submitted4 ,for each subsequent election for ,federal office1 the ,attorney ,general shall only approve a waiver if the ,state has submitted a request under paragraph 7#a7 with respect to such election4 7f7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this section may be construed to allow the marking or casting of ballots over the ,internet4 7g7 ,individual with a disability defined ,in this section1 an individual with a disability means an individual with an impairment that substantially limits any major life activities and who is otherwise qualified to vote in elections for ,federal office4 7h7 ,effective date ,this section shall apply with respect to elections for ,federal office held on or after ,january #a1 #bjbj4 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 section #cje1 ,january #a1 #bjbj4 4 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act1 as amended by section #aca7;c71 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating the items relating to sections #cje and #cjf as relating to sections #cjf and #cjg2 and 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #cjd the following new item3 ,sec4 #cje4 ,access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities4 4 #bjb4 ,pilot programs for enabling individuals with disabilities to register to vote and vote privately and independently at residences 7a7 ,establishment of pilot programs ,the ,election ,assistance ,commission 7hereafter referred to as the ,commission7 shall make grants to eligible ,states to conduct pilot programs under which-- 7#a7 individuals with disabilities may use electronic means 7including the ,internet and telephones utilizing assistive devices7 to register to vote and to request and receive absentee ballots1 in a manner which permits such individuals to do so privately and independently at their own residences2 and 7#b7 individuals with disabilities may use the telephone to cast ballots electronically from their own residences1 but only if the telephone used is not connected to the ,internet4 7b7 ,reports 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,state receiving a grant for a year under this section shall submit a report to the ,commission on the pilot programs the ,state carried out with the grant with respect to elections for public office held in the ,state during the year4 7#b7 ,deadline ,a ,state shall submit a report under paragraph 7#a7 not later than #ij days after the last election for public office held in the ,state during the year4 7c7 ,eligibility ,a ,state is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the ,state submits to the ,commission1 at such time and in such form as the ,commission may require1 an application containing such information and assurances as the ,commission may require4 7d7 ,timing ,the ,commission shall make the first grants under this section for pilot programs which will be in effect with respect to elections for ,federal office held in #bjbj1 or1 at the option of a ,state1 with respect to other elections for public office held in the ,state in #bjbj4 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated for grants for pilot programs under this section #cj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj and each succeeding fiscal year4 7f7 ,state defined ,in this section1 the term ,state includes the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 #bjc4 ,expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure voting access for individuals with disabilities 7a7 ,purposes of payments ,section #bfa7;b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajba7;b77 is amended by striking paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 and inserting the following3 7#a7 making absentee voting and voting at home accessible to individuals with the full range of disabilities 7including impairments involving vision1 hearing1 mobility1 or dexterity7 through the implementation of accessible absentee voting systems that work in conjunction with assistive technologies for which individuals have access at their homes1 independent living centers1 or other facilities2 7#b7 making polling places1 including the path of travel1 entrances1 exits1 and voting areas of each polling facility1 accessible to individuals with disabilities1 including the blind and visually impaired1 in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation 7including privacy and independence7 as for other voters2 and 7#c7 providing solutions to problems of access to voting and elections for individuals with disabilities that are universally designed and provide the same opportunities for individuals with and without disabilities4 4 7b7 ,reauthorization ,section #bfd7;a7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajbd7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#d7 ,for fiscal year #bjbj and each succeeding fiscal year1 such sums as may be necessary to carry out this part4 4 7c7 ,period of availability of funds ,section #bfd of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajbd7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b71 by striking ,any amounts and inserting ,except as provided in subsection 7b71 any amounts2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,return and transfer of certain funds 7#a7 ,deadline for obligation and expenditure ,in the case of any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of subsection 7a7 for a payment to a ,state or unit of local government for fiscal year #bjbj or any succeeding fiscal year1 any portion of such amounts which have not been obligated or expended by the ,state or unit of local government prior to the expiration of the #d-year period which begins on the date the ,state or unit of local government first received the amounts shall be transferred to the ,commission4 7#b7 ,reallocation of transferred amounts 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall use the amounts transferred under paragraph 7#a7 to make payments on a pro rata basis to each covered payment recipient described in subparagraph 7,b71 which may obligate and expend such payment for the purposes described in section #bfa7;b7 during the #a-year period which begins on the date of receipt4 7,b7 ,covered payment recipients described ,in subparagraph 7,a71 a covered payment recipient is a ,state or unit of local government with respect to which-- 7i7 amounts were appropriated pursuant to the authority of subsection 7a72 and 7ii7 no amounts were transferred to the ,commission under paragraph 7#a74 4 ,,iii ,prohibiting ,voter ,caging #cja4 ,voter caging and other questionable challenges prohibited 7a7 ,in ,general ,chapter #bi of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #aga7;a71 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #fac4 ,voter caging and other questionable challenges 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the term voter caging document means-- 7,a7 a nonforwardable document that is returned to the sender or a third party as undelivered or undeliverable despite an attempt to deliver such document to the address of a registered voter or applicant2 or 7,b7 any document with instructions to an addressee that the document be returned to the sender or a third party but is not so returned1 despite an attempt to deliver such document to the address of a registered voter or applicant1 unless at least two ,federal election cycles have passed since the date of the attempted delivery2 7#b7 the term voter caging list means a list of individuals compiled from voter caging documents2 and 7#c7 the term unverified match list means a list produced by matching the information of registered voters or applicants for voter registration to a list of individuals who are ineligible to vote in the registrar's jurisdiction1 by virtue of death1 conviction1 change of address1 or otherwise2 unless one of the pieces of information matched includes a signature1 photograph1 or unique identifying number ensuring that the information from each source refers to the same individual4 7b7 ,prohibition ,against ,voter ,caging ,no ,state or local election official shall prevent an individual from registering or voting in any election for ,federal office1 or permit in connection with any election for ,federal office a formal challenge under ,state law to an individual's registration status or eligibility to vote1 if the basis for such decision is evidence consisting of-- 7#a7 a voter caging document or voter caging list2 7#b7 an unverified match list2 7#c7 an error or omission on any record or paper relating to any application1 registration1 or other act requisite to voting1 if such error or omission is not material to an individual's eligibility to vote under section #bjjd of the ,revised ,statutes1 as amended 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;a77#b77;,b772 or 7#d7 any other evidence so designated for purposes of this section by the ,election ,assistance ,commission1 except that the election official may use such evidence if it is corroborated by independent evidence of the individual's ineligibility to register or vote4 7c7 ,requirements for ,challenges by ,persons ,other ,than ,election ,officials ,no person1 other than a ,state or local election official1 shall submit a formal challenge to an individual's eligibility to register to vote in an election for ,federal office or to vote in an election for ,federal office unless that challenge is supported by personal knowledge regarding the grounds for ineligibility which is-- 7#a7 documented in writing2 and 7#b7 subject to an oath or attestation under penalty of perjury that the challenger has a good faith factual basis to believe that the individual who is the subject of the challenge is ineligible to register to vote or vote in that election1 except a challenge which is based on the race1 ethnicity1 or national origin of the individual who is the subject of the challenge may not be considered to have a good faith factual basis for purposes of this paragraph4 7d7 ,penalties for ,knowing ,misconduct ,whoever knowingly challenges the eligibility of one or more individuals to register or vote or knowingly causes the eligibility of such individuals to be challenged in violation of this section with the intent that one or more eligible voters be disqualified1 shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than #a year1 or both1 for each such violation4 ,each violation shall be a separate offense4 7e7 ,no ,effect on ,related ,laws ,nothing in this section is intended to override the protections of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeja et seq47 or to affect the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja et seq474 4 7b7 ,clerical ,amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #bi of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #aga7;b71 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #fac4 ,voter caging and other questionable challenges4 4 #cjb4 ,development and adoption of best practices for preventing voter caging 7a7 ,best practices ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,election ,assistance ,commission shall develop and publish for the use of ,states recommendations for best practices to deter and prevent violations of section #fac of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by section #abja7;a71 including practices to provide for the posting of relevant information at polling places and voter registration agencies1 the training of poll workers and election officials1 and relevant educational measures4 ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term ,state includes the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 7b7 ,inclusion in voting information requirements ,section #cjb7;b77#b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhb7;b77#b771 as amended by section #agb7;b71 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,f72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,g7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,h7 information relating to the prohibition against voter caging and other questionable challenges 7as set forth in section #fac of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code71 including information on how individuals may report allegations of violations of such prohibition4 4 ,,iv ,prohibiting ,deceptive ,practices and ,preventing ,voter ,intimidation #dja4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,deceptive ,practices and ,voter ,intimidation ,prevention ,act of #bjai4 #djb4 ,prohibition on deceptive practices in ,federal elections 7a7 ,prohibition ,subsection 7b7 of section #bjjd of the ,revised ,statutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,no person and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,no person 2 and 7#b7 by inserting at the end the following new paragraphs3 7#b7 ,false statements regarding ,federal elections 7,a7 ,prohibition ,no person1 whether acting under color of law or otherwise1 shall1 within #fj days before an election described in paragraph 7#e71 by any means1 including by means of written1 electronic1 or telephonic communications1 communicate or cause to be communicated information described in subparagraph 7,b71 or produce information described in subparagraph 7,b7 with the intent that such information be communicated1 if such person-- 7i7 knows such information to be materially false2 and 7ii7 has the intent to impede or prevent another person from exercising the right to vote in an election described in paragraph 7#e74 7,b7 ,information described ,information is described in this subparagraph if such information is regarding-- 7i7 the time1 place1 or manner of holding any election described in paragraph 7#e72 or 7ii7 the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility for any such election1 including-- 7,i7 any criminal penalties associated with voting in any such election2 or 7,,ii7 information regarding a voter's registration status or eligibility4 7#c7 ,false statements regarding public endorsements 7,a7 ,prohibition ,no person1 whether acting under color of law or otherwise1 shall1 within #fj days before an election described in paragraph 7#e71 by any means1 including by means of written1 electronic1 or telephonic communications1 communicate1 or cause to be communicated1 a materially false statement about an endorsement1 if such person-- 7i7 knows such statement to be false2 and 7ii7 has the intent to impede or prevent another person from exercising the right to vote in an election described in paragraph 7#e74 7,b7 ,definition of materially false ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 a statement about an endorsement is materially false if1 with respect to an upcoming election described in paragraph 7#e7-- 7i7 the statement states that a specifically named person1 political party1 or organization has endorsed the election of a specific candidate for a ,federal office described in such paragraph2 and 7ii7 such person1 political party1 or organization has not endorsed the election of such candidate4 7#d7 ,hindering1 interfering with1 or preventing voting or registering to vote ,no person1 whether acting under color of law or otherwise1 shall intentionally hinder1 interfere with1 or prevent another person from voting1 registering to vote1 or aiding another person to vote or register to vote in an election described in paragraph 7#e74 7#e7 ,election described ,an election described in this paragraph is any general1 primary1 run-off1 or special election held solely or in part for the purpose of nominating or electing a candidate for the office of ,president1 ,vice ,president1 presidential elector1 ,member of the ,senate1 ,member of the ,house of ,representatives1 or ,delegate or ,commissioner from a ,territory or possession4 4 7b7 ,private right of action 7#a7 ,in general ,subsection 7c7 of section #bjjd of the ,revised ,statutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;c77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking ,whenever any person and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,whenever any person 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#b7 ,any person aggrieved by a violation of subsection 7b77#b71 7b77#c71 or 7b77#d7 may institute a civil action for preventive relief1 including an application in a ,united ,states district court for a permanent or temporary injunction1 restraining order1 or other order4 ,in any such action1 the court1 in its discretion1 may allow the prevailing party a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the costs4 4 7#b7 ,conforming amendments 7,a7 ,subsection 7e7 of section #bjjd of the ,revised ,statutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;e77 is amended by striking subsection 7c7 and inserting subsection 7c77#a74 7,b7 ,subsection 7g7 of section #bjjd of the ,revised ,statutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;g77 is amended by striking subsection 7c7 and inserting subsection 7c77#a74 7c7 ,criminal penalties 7#a7 ,deceptive acts ,section #eid of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking ,whoever and inserting the following3 7a7 ,intimidation ,whoever 2 7,b7 in subsection 7a71 as inserted by subparagraph 7,a71 by striking at any election and inserting at any general1 primary1 run-off1 or special election2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new subsections3 7b7 ,deceptive acts 7#a7 ,false statements regarding ,federal elections 7,a7 ,prohibition ,it shall be unlawful for any person1 whether acting under color of law or otherwise1 within #fj days before an election described in subsection 7e71 by any means1 including by means of written1 electronic1 or telephonic communications1 to communicate or cause to be communicated information described in subparagraph 7,b71 or produce information described in subparagraph 7,b7 with the intent that such information be communicated1 if such person-- 7i7 knows such information to be materially false2 and 7ii7 has the intent to mislead voters1 or the intent to impede or prevent another person from exercising the right to vote in an election described in subsection 7e74 7,b7 ,information described ,information is described in this subparagraph if such information is regarding-- 7i7 the time or place of holding any election described in subsection 7e72 or 7ii7 the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility for any such election1 including-- 7,i7 any criminal penalties associated with voting in any such election2 or 7,,ii7 information regarding a voter's registration status or eligibility4 7#b7 ,penalty ,any person who violates paragraph 7#a7 shall be fined not more than #ajj1jjj1 imprisoned for not more than #e years1 or both4 7c7 ,hindering1 interfering with1 or preventing voting or registering ,to vote 7#a7 ,prohibition ,it shall be unlawful for any person1 whether acting under color of law or otherwise1 to corruptly hinder1 interfere with1 or prevent another person from voting1 registering to vote1 or aiding another person to vote or register to vote in an election described in subsection 7e74 7#b7 ,penalty ,any person who violates paragraph 7#a7 shall be fined not more than #ajj1jjj1 imprisoned for not more than #e years1 or both4 7d7 ,attempt ,any person who attempts to commit any offense described in subsection 7a71 7b77#a71 or 7c77#a7 shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense that the person attempted to commit4 7e7 ,election described ,an election described in this subsection is any general1 primary1 run-off1 or special election held solely or in part for the purpose of nominating or electing a candidate for the office of ,president1 ,vice ,president1 presidential elector1 ,member of the ,senate1 ,member of the ,house of ,representatives1 or ,delegate or ,commissioner from a ,territory or possession4 4 7#b7 ,modification of penalty for voter intimidation ,section #eid7;a7 of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by paragraph 7#a71 is amended by striking fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year and inserting fined not more than #ajj1jjj1 imprisoned for not more than #e years4 7#c7 ,sentencing guidelines 7,a7 ,review and amendment ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,united ,states ,sentencing ,commission1 pursuant to its authority under section #iid of title #bh1 ,united ,states ,code1 and in accordance with this section1 shall review and1 if appropriate1 amend the ,federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of any offense under section #eid of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by this section4 7,b7 ,authorization ,the ,united ,states ,sentencing ,commission may amend the ,federal ,sentencing ,guidelines in accordance with the procedures set forth in section #ba7;a7 of the ,sentencing ,act of #aihg 7#bh ,u4,s4,c4 #iid note7 as though the authority under that section had not expired4 7#d7 ,payments for refraining from voting ,subsection 7c7 of section #aa of the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjg7 is amended by striking either for registration to vote or for voting and inserting for registration to vote1 for voting1 or for not voting4 #djc4 ,corrective action 7a7 ,corrective action 7#a7 ,in general ,if the ,attorney ,general receives a credible report that materially false information has been or is being communicated in violation of paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 of section #bjjd7;b7 of the ,revised ,statutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;b771 as added by section #acjb7;a71 and if the ,attorney ,general determines that ,state and local election officials have not taken adequate steps to promptly communicate accurate information to correct the materially false information1 the ,attorney ,general shall1 pursuant to the written procedures and standards under subsection 7b71 communicate to the public1 by any means1 including by means of written1 electronic1 or telephonic communications1 accurate information designed to correct the materially false information4 7#b7 ,communication of corrective information ,any information communicated by the ,attorney ,general under paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 shall-- 7i7 be accurate and objective2 7ii7 consist of only the information necessary to correct the materially false information that has been or is being communicated2 and 7iii7 to the extent practicable1 be by a means that the ,attorney ,general determines will reach the persons to whom the materially false information has been or is being communicated2 and 7,b7 shall not be designed to favor or disfavor any particular candidate1 organization1 or political party4 7b7 ,written procedures and standards for taking corrective action 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,attorney ,general shall publish written procedures and standards for determining when and how corrective action will be taken under this section4 7#b7 ,inclusion of appropriate deadlines ,the procedures and standards under paragraph 7#a7 shall include appropriate deadlines1 based in part on the number of days remaining before the upcoming election4 7#c7 ,consultation ,in developing the procedures and standards under paragraph 7#a71 the ,attorney ,general shall consult with the ,election ,assistance ,commission1 ,state and local election officials1 civil rights organizations1 voting rights groups1 voter protection groups1 and other interested community organizations4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,attorney ,general such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title4 #djd4 ,reports to ,congress 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after each general election for ,federal office1 the ,attorney ,general shall submit to ,congress a report compiling all allegations received by the ,attorney ,general of deceptive practices described in paragraphs 7#b71 7#c71 and 7#d7 of section #bjjd7;b7 of the ,revised ,statutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;b771 as added by section #acjb7;a71 relating to the general election for ,federal office and any primary1 run-off1 or a special election for ,federal office held in the #b years preceding the general election4 7b7 ,contents 7#a7 ,in general ,each report submitted under subsection 7a7 shall include-- 7,a7 a description of each allegation of a deceptive practice described in subsection 7a71 including the geographic location1 racial and ethnic composition1 and language minority-group membership of the persons toward whom the alleged deceptive practice was directed2 7,b7 the status of the investigation of each allegation described in subparagraph 7,a72 7,c7 a description of each corrective action taken by the ,attorney ,general under section #d7;a7 in response to an allegation described in subparagraph 7,a72 7,d7 a description of each referral of an allegation described in subparagraph 7,a7 to other ,federal1 ,state1 or local agencies2 7,e7 to the extent information is available1 a description of any civil action instituted under section #bjjd7;c77#b7 of the ,revised ,statutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;c77#b771 as added by section #acjb7;b71 in connection with an allegation described in subparagraph 7,a72 and 7,f7 a description of any criminal prosecution instituted under section #eid of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 as amended by section #djb7;c71 in connection with the receipt of an allegation described in subparagraph 7,a7 by the ,attorney ,general4 7#b7 ,exclusion of certain information 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,attorney ,general shall not include in a report submitted under subsection 7a7 any information protected from disclosure by rule #f7;e7 of the ,federal ,rules of ,criminal ,procedure or any ,federal criminal statute4 7,b7 ,exclusion of certain other information ,the ,attorney ,general may determine that the following information shall not be included in a report submitted under subsection 7a73 7i7 ,any information that is privileged4 7ii7 ,any information concerning an ongoing investigation4 7iii7 ,any information concerning a criminal or civil proceeding conducted under seal4 7iv7 ,any other nonpublic information that the ,attorney ,general determines the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to infringe on the rights of any individual or adversely affect the integrity of a pending or future criminal investigation4 7c7 ,report made public ,on the date that the ,attorney ,general submits the report under subsection 7a71 the ,attorney ,general shall also make the report publicly available through the ,internet and other appropriate means4 ,v ,democracy ,restoration #eja4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,democracy ,restoration ,act of #bjai4 #ejb4 ,rights of citizens ,the right of an individual who is a citizen of the ,united ,states to vote in any election for ,federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless such individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility at the time of the election4 #ejc4 ,enforcement 7a7 ,attorney general ,the ,attorney ,general may1 in a civil action1 obtain such declaratory or injunctive relief as is necessary to remedy a violation of this title4 7b7 ,private right of action 7#a7 ,in general ,a person who is aggrieved by a violation of this title may provide written notice of the violation to the chief election official of the ,state involved4 7#b7 ,relief ,except as provided in paragraph 7#c71 if the violation is not corrected within #ij days after receipt of a notice under paragraph 7#a71 or within #bj days after receipt of the notice if the violation occurred within #abj days before the date of an election for ,federal office1 the aggrieved person may1 in a civil action1 obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation4 7#c7 ,exception ,if the violation occurred within #cj days before the date of an election for ,federal office1 the aggrieved person need not provide notice to the chief election official of the ,state under paragraph 7#a7 before bringing a civil action to obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation4 #ejd4 ,notification of restoration of voting rights 7a7 ,state notification 7#a7 ,notification ,on the date determined under paragraph 7#b71 each ,state shall notify in writing any individual who has been convicted of a criminal offense under the law of that ,state that such individual has the right to vote in an election for ,federal office pursuant to the ,democracy ,restoration ,act of #bjai and may register to vote in any such election4 7#b7 ,date of notification 7,a7 ,felony conviction ,in the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a felony1 the notification required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be given on the date on which the individual-- 7i7 is sentenced to serve only a term of probation2 or 7ii7 is released from the custody of that ,state 7other than to the custody of another ,state or the ,federal ,government to serve a term of imprisonment for a felony conviction74 7,b7 ,misdemeanor conviction ,in the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor1 the notification required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be given on the date on which such individual is sentenced by a ,state court4 7b7 ,federal notification 7#a7 ,notification ,any individual who has been convicted of a criminal offense under ,federal law shall be notified in accordance with paragraph 7#b7 that such individual has the right to vote in an election for ,federal office pursuant to the ,democracy ,restoration ,act of #bjai and may register to vote in any such election4 7#b7 ,date of notification 7,a7 ,felony conviction ,in the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a felony1 the notification required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be given-- 7i7 in the case of an individual who is sentenced to serve only a term of probation1 by the ,assistant ,director for the ,office of ,probation and ,pretrial ,services of the ,administrative ,office of the ,united ,states ,courts on the date on which the individual is sentenced2 or 7ii7 in the case of any individual committed to the custody of the ,bureau of ,prisons1 by the ,director of the ,bureau of ,prisons1 during the period beginning on the date that is #f months before such individual is released and ending on the date such individual is released from the custody of the ,bureau of ,prisons4 7,b7 ,misdemeanor conviction ,in the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor1 the notification required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be given on the date on which such individual is sentenced by a court established by an ,act of ,congress4 #eje4 ,definitions ,for purposes of this title3 7#a7 ,correctional institution or facility ,the term correctional institution or facility means any prison1 penitentiary1 jail1 or other institution or facility for the confinement of individuals convicted of criminal offenses1 whether publicly or privately operated1 except that such term does not include any residential community treatment center 7or similar public or private facility74 7#b7 ,election ,the term election means-- 7,a7 a general1 special1 primary1 or runoff election2 7,b7 a convention or caucus of a political party held to nominate a candidate2 7,c7 a primary election held for the selection of delegates to a national nominating convention of a political party2 or 7,d7 a primary election held for the expression of a preference for the nomination of persons for election to the office of ,president4 7#c7 ,federal office ,the term ,federal office means the office of ,president or ,vice ,president of the ,united ,states1 or of ,senator or ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress of the ,united ,states4 7#d7 ,probation ,the term probation means probation1 imposed by a ,federal1 ,state1 or local court1 with or without a condition on the individual involved concerning-- 7,a7 the individual's freedom of movement2 7,b7 the payment of damages by the individual2 7,c7 periodic reporting by the individual to an officer of the court2 or 7,d7 supervision of the individual by an officer of the court4 #ejf4 ,relation to other laws 7a7 ,state laws relating to voting rights ,nothing in this title be construed to prohibit the ,states from enacting any ,state law which affords the right to vote in any election for ,federal office on terms less restrictive than those established by this title4 7b7 ,certain ,federal ,acts ,the rights and remedies established by this title are in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law1 and neither rights and remedies established by this ,act shall supersede1 restrict1 or limit the application of the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja et seq47 or the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeja et seq474 #ejg4 ,federal prison funds ,no ,state1 unit of local government1 or other person may receive or use1 to construct or otherwise improve a prison1 jail1 or other place of incarceration1 any ,federal funds unless that person has in effect a program under which each individual incarcerated in that person's jurisdiction who is a citizen of the ,united ,states is notified1 upon release from such incarceration1 of that individual's rights under section #ejb4 #ejh4 ,effective date ,this title shall apply to citizens of the ,united ,states voting in any election for ,federal office held after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,,vi ,promoting ,accuracy1 ,integrity1 and ,security ,through ,voter-,verified ,permanent ,paper ,ballot #fja4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,voter ,confidence and ,increased ,accessibility ,act of #bjai4 #fjb4 ,paper ballot and manual counting requirements 7a7 ,in general ,section #cja7;a77#b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha7;a77#b77 is amended to read as follows3 7#b7 ,paper ballot requirement 7,a7 ,voter-verified paper ballots 7i7 ,paper ballot requirement 7,i7 ,the voting system shall require the use of an individual1 durable1 voter-verified1 paper ballot of the voter's vote that shall be marked and made available for inspection and verification by the voter before the voter's vote is cast and counted1 and which shall be counted by hand or read by an optical character recognition device or other counting device4 ,for purposes of this subclause1 the term individual1 durable1 voter-verified1 paper ballot means a paper ballot marked by the voter by hand or a paper ballot marked through the use of a nontabulating ballot marking device or system1 so long as the voter shall have the option to mark his or her ballot by hand4 7,,ii7 ,the voting system shall provide the voter with an opportunity to correct any error on the paper ballot before the permanent voter-verified paper ballot is preserved in accordance with clause 7ii74 7,,iii7 ,the voting system shall not preserve the voter-verified paper ballots in any manner that makes it possible1 at any time after the ballot has been cast1 to associate a voter with the record of the voter's vote without the voter's consent4 7ii7 ,preservation as official record ,the individual1 durable1 voter-verified1 paper ballot used in accordance with clause 7i7 shall constitute the official ballot and shall be preserved and used as the official ballot for purposes of any recount or audit conducted with respect to any election for ,federal office in which the voting system is used4 7iii7 ,manual counting requirements for recounts and audits 7,i7 ,each paper ballot used pursuant to clause 7i7 shall be suitable for a manual audit1 and shall be counted by hand in any recount or audit conducted with respect to any election for ,federal office4 7,,ii7 ,in the event of any inconsistencies or irregularities between any electronic vote tallies and the vote tallies determined by counting by hand the individual1 durable1 voter-verified1 paper ballots used pursuant to clause 7i71 and subject to subparagraph 7,b71 the individual1 durable1 voter-verified1 paper ballots shall be the true and correct record of the votes cast4 7iv7 ,application to all ballots ,the requirements of this subparagraph shall apply to all ballots cast in elections for ,federal office1 including ballots cast by absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters under the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act and other absentee voters4 7,b7 ,special rule for treatment of disputes when paper ballots have been shown to be compromised 7i7 ,in general ,in the event that-- 7,i7 there is any inconsistency between any electronic vote tallies and the vote tallies determined by counting by hand the individual1 durable1 voter-verified1 paper ballots used pursuant to subparagraph 7,a77i7 with respect to any election for ,federal office2 and 7,,ii7 it is demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence 7as determined in accordance with the applicable standards in the jurisdiction involved7 in any recount1 audit1 or contest of the result of the election that the paper ballots have been compromised 7by damage or mischief or otherwise7 and that a sufficient number of the ballots have been so compromised that the result of the election could be changed1 the determination of the appropriate remedy with respect to the election shall be made in accordance with applicable ,state law1 except that the electronic tally shall not be used as the exclusive basis for determining the official certified result4 7ii7 ,rule for consideration of ballots associated with each voting machine ,for purposes of clause 7i71 only the paper ballots deemed compromised1 if any1 shall be considered in the calculation of whether or not the result of the election could be changed due to the compromised paper ballots4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment clarifying applicability of alternative language accessibility ,section #cja7;a77#d7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha7;a77#d77 is amended by inserting 7including the paper ballots required to be used under paragraph 7#b77 after voting system4 7c7 ,other conforming amendments ,section #cja7;a77#a7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha7;a77#a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a77i71 by striking counted and inserting counted1 in accordance with paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c72 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,a77ii71 by striking counted and inserting counted1 in accordance with paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c72 7#c7 in subparagraph 7,a77iii71 by striking counted each place it appears and inserting counted1 in accordance with paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c72 and 7#d7 in subparagraph 7,b77ii71 by striking counted and inserting counted1 in accordance with paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c74 #fjc4 ,accessibility and ballot verification for individuals with disabilities 7a7 ,in general ,section #cja7;a77#c77;,b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha7;a77#c77;,b77 is amended to read as follows3 7,b7 7i7 ensure that individuals with disabilities and others are given an equivalent opportunity to vote1 including with privacy and independence1 in a manner that produces a voter-verified paper ballot as for other voters2 7ii7 satisfy the requirement of subparagraph 7,a7 through the use of at least one voting system equipped for individuals with disabilities1 including nonvisual and enhanced visual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired1 and nonmanual and enhanced manual accessibility for the mobility and dexterity impaired1 at each polling place2 and 7iii7 meet the requirements of subparagraph 7,a7 and paragraph 7#b77;,a7 by using a system that-- 7,i7 allows the voter to privately and independently verify the permanent paper ballot through the presentation1 in accessible form1 of the printed or marked vote selections from the same printed or marked information that would be used for any vote counting or auditing2 and 7,,ii7 allows the voter to privately and independently verify and cast the permanent paper ballot without requiring the voter to manually handle the paper ballot4 4 7b7 ,specific requirement of study1 testing1 and development of accessible paper ballot verification mechanisms 7#a7 ,study and reporting ,subtitle ,c of title ,,ii of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha et seq47 is amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating section #bdg as section #bdh2 and 7,b7 by inserting after section #bdf the following new section3 #bdg4 ,study and report on accessible paper ballot verification mechanisms 7a7 ,study and report ,the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation shall make grants to not fewer than #c eligible entities to study1 test1 and develop accessible paper ballot voting1 verification1 and casting mechanisms and devices and best practices to enhance the accessibility of paper ballot voting and verification mechanisms for individuals with disabilities1 for voters whose primary language is not ,english1 and for voters with difficulties in literacy1 including best practices for the mechanisms themselves and the processes through which the mechanisms are used4 7b7 ,eligibility ,an entity is eligible to receive a grant under this part if it submits to the ,director 7at such time and in such form as the ,director may require7 an application containing-- 7#a7 certifications that the entity shall specifically investigate enhanced methods or devices1 including non-electronic devices1 that will assist such individuals and voters in marking voter-verified paper ballots and presenting or transmitting the information printed or marked on such ballots back to such individuals and voters1 and casting such ballots2 7#b7 a certification that the entity shall complete the activities carried out with the grant not later than ,december #ca1 #bjbj2 and 7#c7 such other information and certifications as the ,director may require4 7c7 ,availability of technology ,any technology developed with the grants made under this section shall be treated as non-proprietary and shall be made available to the public1 including to manufacturers of voting systems4 7d7 ,coordination with grants for technology improvements ,the ,director shall carry out this section so that the activities carried out with the grants made under subsection 7a7 are coordinated with the research conducted under the grant program carried out by the ,commission under section #bga1 to the extent that the ,director and ,commission determine necessary to provide for the advancement of accessible voting technology4 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection 7a7 #e1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act is amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating the item relating to section #bdg as relating to section #bdh2 and 7,b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #bdf the following new item3 ,sec4 #bdg4 ,study and report on accessible paper ballot verification mechanisms4 4 7c7 ,clarification of accessibility standards under voluntary voting system guidance ,in adopting any voluntary guidance under subtitle ,b of title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act with respect to the accessibility of the paper ballot verification requirements for individuals with disabilities1 the ,election ,assistance ,commission shall include and apply the same accessibility standards applicable under the voluntary guidance adopted for accessible voting systems under such subtitle4 7d7 ,permitting use of funds for protection and advocacy systems ,to support actions ,to enforce election-,related disability access ,section #bib7;a7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajfb7;a77 is amended by striking 2 except that and all that follows and inserting a period4 #fjd4 ,durability and readability requirements for ballots ,section #cja7;a7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#g7 ,durability and readability requirements for ballots 7,a7 ,durability requirements for paper ballots 7i7 ,in general ,all voter-verified paper ballots required to be used under this ,act shall be marked or printed on durable paper4 7ii7 ,definition ,for purposes of this ,act1 paper is durable if it is capable of withstanding multiple counts and recounts by hand without compromising the fundamental integrity of the ballots1 and capable of retaining the information marked or printed on them for the full duration of a retention and preservation period of #bb months4 7,b7 ,readability requirements for paper ballots marked by ballot marking device ,all voter-verified paper ballots completed by the voter through the use of a ballot marking device shall be clearly readable by the voter without assistance 7other than eyeglasses or other personal vision enhancing devices7 and by an optical character recognition device or other device equipped for individuals with disabilities4 4 #fje4 ,effective date for new requirements ,section #cja7;d7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha7;d77 is amended to read as follows3 7d7 ,effective ,date 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 each ,state and jurisdiction shall be required to comply with the requirements of this section on and after ,january #a1 #bjjf4 7#b7 ,special rule for certain requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c71 the requirements of this section which are first imposed on a ,state and jurisdiction pursuant to the amendments made by the ,voter ,confidence and ,increased ,accessibility ,act of #bjai shall apply with respect to voting systems used for any election for ,federal office held in #bjbd or any succeeding year4 7,b7 ,delay for jurisdictions using certain paper record printers or certain systems using or producing voter-verifiable paper records in #bjbb 7i7 ,delay ,in the case of a jurisdiction described in clause 7ii71 subparagraph 7,a7 shall apply to a voting system in the jurisdiction as if the reference in such subparagraph to #bjbd were a reference to #bjbf1 but only with respect to the following requirements of this section3 7,i7 ,paragraph 7#b77;,a77i77,i7 of subsection 7a7 7relating to the use of voter-marked paper ballots74 7,,ii7 ,paragraph 7#c77;,b77ii77,i7 and 7,,ii7 of subsection 7a7 7relating to access to verification from and casting of the durable paper ballot74 7,,iii7 ,paragraph 7#g7 of subsection 7a7 7relating to durability and readability requirements for ballots74 7ii7 ,jurisdictions described ,a jurisdiction described in this clause is a jurisdiction-- 7,i7 which used voter verifiable paper record printers attached to direct recording electronic voting machines1 or which used other voting systems that used or produced paper records of the vote verifiable by voters but that are not in compliance with paragraphs 7#b77;,a77i77,i71 7#c77;,b77iii77,i7 and 7,,ii71 and 7#g7 of subsection 7a7 7as amended or added by the ,voter ,confidence and ,increased ,accessibility ,act of #bjai71 for the administration of the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbb2 and 7,,ii7 which will continue to use such printers or systems for the administration of elections for ,federal office held in years before #bjbd4 7iii7 ,mandatory availability of paper ballots at polling places using grandfathered printers and systems 7,i7 ,requiring ballots to be offered and provided ,the appropriate election official at each polling place that uses a printer or system described in clause 7ii77,i7 for the administration of elections for ,federal office shall offer each individual who is eligible to cast a vote in the election at the polling place the opportunity to cast the vote using a blank pre-printed paper ballot which the individual may mark by hand and which is not produced by the direct recording electronic voting machine or other such system4 ,the official shall provide the individual with the ballot and the supplies necessary to mark the ballot1 and shall ensure 7to the greatest extent practicable7 that the waiting period for the individual to cast a vote is the lesser of #cj minutes or the average waiting period for an individual who does not agree to cast the vote using such a paper ballot under this clause4 7,,ii7 ,treatment of ballot ,any paper ballot which is cast by an individual under this clause shall be counted and otherwise treated as a regular ballot for all purposes 7including by incorporating it into the final unofficial vote count 7as defined by the ,state7 for the precinct7 and not as a provisional ballot1 unless the individual casting the ballot would have otherwise been required to cast a provisional ballot4 7,,iii7 ,posting of notice ,the appropriate election official shall ensure there is prominently displayed at each polling place a notice that describes the obligation of the official to offer individuals the opportunity to cast votes using a pre-printed blank paper ballot4 7,,iv7 ,training of election officials ,the chief ,state election official shall ensure that election officials at polling places in the ,state are aware of the requirements of this clause1 including the requirement to display a notice under subclause 7,,iii71 and are aware that it is a violation of the requirements of this title for an election official to fail to offer an individual the opportunity to cast a vote using a blank pre-printed paper ballot4 7,v7 ,period of applicability ,the requirements of this clause apply only during the period in which the delay is in effect under clause 7i74 7,c7 ,special rule for jurisdictions using certain nontabulating ballot marking devices ,in the case of a jurisdiction which uses a nontabulating ballot marking device which automatically deposits the ballot into a privacy sleeve1 subparagraph 7,a7 shall apply to a voting system in the jurisdiction as if the reference in such subparagraph to any election for ,federal office held in #bjbd or any succeeding year were a reference to elections for ,federal office occurring held in #bjbf or each succeeding year1 but only with respect to paragraph 7#c77;,b77iii77,,ii7 of subsection 7a7 7relating to nonmanual casting of the durable paper ballot74 4 #fjf4 ,clarification of ability of ,states to use election administration payments to meet requirements ,nothing in the amendments made by this title or in any provision of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb may be construed to prohibit a ,state from using any payment made under title ,i of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjija et seq47 or part #a of subtitle ,d of title ,,ii of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajja et seq47 to comply with the requirements of the amendments made by this title4 ,,vii ,provisional ,ballots #gja4 ,requirements for counting provisional ballots2 establishment of uniform and nondiscriminatory standards 7a7 ,in general ,section #cjb of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhb7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7d7 as subsection 7f72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7c7 the following new subsections3 7d7 ,statewide counting of provisional ballots 7#a7 ,in general ,for purposes of subsection 7a77#d71 notwithstanding the precinct or polling place at which a provisional ballot is cast within the ,state1 the appropriate election official shall count each vote on such ballot for each election in which the individual who cast such ballot is eligible to vote4 7#b7 ,effective date ,this subsection shall apply with respect to elections held on or after ,january #a1 #bjbj4 7e7 ,uniform and nondiscriminatory standards 7#a7 ,in general ,consistent with the requirements of this section1 each ,state shall establish uniform and nondiscriminatory standards for the issuance1 handling1 and counting of provisional ballots4 7#b7 ,effective date ,this subsection shall apply with respect to elections held on or after ,january #a1 #bjbj4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #cjb7;f7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhb7;f771 as redesignated by subsection 7a71 is amended by striking ,each ,state and inserting ,except as provided in subsections 7d77#b7 and 7e77#b71 each ,state4 ,,viii ,early ,voting #hja4 ,early voting 7a7 ,requirements ,subtitle ,a of title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha et seq471 as amended by section #aca7;a7 and section #bja7;a71 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating sections #cjf and #cjg as sections #cjg and #cjh2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #cje the following new section3 #cjf4 ,early voting 7a7 ,requiring ,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 #d hours on each day1 except that the polling place may allow such voting for fewer than #d hours on ,sundays2 and 7#b7 have uniform hours each day for which such voting occurs4 7c7 ,location of polling places near public transportation ,to the greatest extent practicable1 a ,state shall ensure that each polling place which allows voting during an early voting period under subsection 7a7 is located within walking distance of a stop on a public transportation route4 7d7 ,standards 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall issue standards for the administration of voting prior to the day scheduled for a ,federal election4 ,such standards shall include the nondiscriminatory geographic placement of polling places at which such voting occurs4 7#b7 ,deviation ,the standards described in paragraph 7#a7 shall permit ,states1 upon providing adequate public notice1 to deviate from any requirement in the case of unforeseen circumstances such as a natural disaster1 terrorist attack1 or a change in voter turnout4 7e7 ,effective date ,this section shall apply with respect to elections held on or after ,january #a1 #bjbj4 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;b771 as amended by section #bja7;b71 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of paragraph 7#c72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of paragraph 7#d7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#e7 in the case of the recommendations with respect to section #cjf1 ,june #cj1 #bjbj4 4 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act1 as amended by section #aca7;c7 and section #bja7;c71 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating the items relating to sections #cjf and #cjg as relating to sections #cjg and #cjh2 and 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #cje the following new item3 ,sec4 #cjf4 ,early voting4 4 ,,ix ,voting by ,mail #ija4 ,voting by mail 7a7 ,requirements ,subtitle ,a of title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha et seq471 as amended by section #aca7;a71 section #bja7;a71 and section #hja7;a71 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating sections #cjg and #cjh as sections #cjh and #cji2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #cjf the following new section3 #cjg4 ,promoting ability of voters to vote by mail 7a7 ,in ,general ,if an individual in a ,state is eligible to cast a vote in an election for ,federal office1 the ,state may not impose any additional conditions or requirements on the eligibility of the individual to cast the vote in such election by absentee ballot by mail1 except as required under subsection 7b7 and except to the extent that the ,state imposes a deadline for requesting the ballot and related voting materials from the appropriate ,state or local election official and for returning the ballot to the appropriate ,state or local election official4 7b7 ,requiring signature verification ,a ,state may not accept and process an absentee ballot submitted by any individual with respect to an election for ,federal office unless the ,state verifies the identification of the individual by comparing the individual's signature on the absentee ballot with the individual's signature on the official list of registered voters in the ,state1 in accordance with such procedures as the ,state may adopt4 7c7 ,deadline for providing balloting materials ,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 transmitted to the individual-- 7#a7 not later than #b weeks before the date of the election2 or 7#b7 in the case of a ,state which imposes a deadline for requesting an absentee ballot and related voting materials which is less than #b weeks before the date of the election1 as expeditiously as possible4 7d7 ,accessibility for individuals with disabilities ,consistent with section #cje1 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 ,if a ballot submitted by an individual by mail with respect to an election for ,federal office in a ,state is postmarked on or before the date of the election1 the ,state may not refuse to accept or process the ballot on the grounds that the individual did not meet a deadline for returning the ballot to the appropriate ,state or local election official4 7f7 ,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 7g7 ,effective date ,this section shall apply with respect to elections held on or after ,january #a1 #bjbj4 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;b771 as amended by section #bja7;b7 and section #hja7;b71 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of paragraph 7#d72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of paragraph 7#e7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#f7 in the case of the recommendations with respect to section #cjg1 ,june #cj1 #bjbj4 4 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act1 as amended by section #aca7;c71 section #bja7;c71 and section #hja7;c71 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating the items relating to sections #cjg and #cjh as relating to sections #cjh and #cji2 and 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #cjf the following new item3 ,sec4 #cjg4 ,promoting ability of voters to vote by mail4 4 ,x ,absent ,uniformed ,services ,voters and ,overseas ,voters #ajja4 ,extending guarantee of residency for voting purposes to family members of absent military personnel ,section #gje of the ,servicemembers ,civil ,relief ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #djbe7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the heading1 by striking spouses and inserting family members2 and 7#b7 by amending subsection 7b7 to read as follows3 7b7 ,family members ,for the purposes of voting for in any election for any ,federal office 7as defined in section #cja of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaja77 or any ,state or local office1 a spouse1 domestic partner1 or dependent of a person who is absent from a ,state in compliance with military or naval orders shall not1 solely by reason of that person's absence and without regard to whether or not such family member is accompanying that person-- 7#a7 be deemed to have lost a residence or domicile in that ,state1 without regard to whether or not the person intends to return to that ,state2 7#b7 be deemed to have acquired a residence or domicile in any other ,state2 or 7#c7 be deemed to have become a resident in or a resident of any other ,state4 4 #ajjb4 ,pre-election reports on availability and transmission of absentee ballots ,section #ajb7;c7 of the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcjb7;c77 is amended to read as follows3 7c7 ,reports on ,availability1 transmission1 and receipt of absentee ballots 7#a7 ,pre-election report on absentee ballot availability ,not later than #ee days before any regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office1 each ,state shall submit a report to the ,attorney ,general1 the ,election ,assistance ,commission 7hereafter in this subsection referred to as the ,commission71 and the ,presidential ,designee1 and make that report publicly available that same day1 certifying that absentee ballots for the election are or will be available for transmission to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters by not later than #de days before the election4 ,the report shall be in a form prescribed jointly by the ,attorney ,general and the ,commission and shall require the ,state to certify specific information about ballot availability from each unit of local government which will administer the election4 7#b7 ,pre-election report on absentee ballot transmission ,not later than #dc days before any regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office1 each ,state shall submit a report to the ,attorney ,general1 the ,commission1 and the ,presidential ,designee1 and make that report publicly available that same day1 certifying whether all absentee ballots have been transmitted by not later than #de days before the election to all qualified absent uniformed services and overseas voters whose requests were received at least #de days before the election4 ,the report shall be in a form prescribed jointly by the ,attorney ,general and the ,commission1 and shall require the ,state to certify specific information about ballot transmission1 including the total numbers of ballot requests received and ballots transmitted1 from each unit of local government which will administer the election4 7#c7 ,post-election report on number of absentee ballots transmitted and received ,not later than #ij days after the date of each regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office1 each ,state and unit of local government which administered the election shall 7through the ,state1 in the case of a unit of local government7 submit a report to the ,attorney ,general1 the ,commission1 and the ,presidential ,designee on the combined number of absentee ballots transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters for the election and the combined number of such ballots which were returned by such voters and cast in the election1 and shall make such report available to the general public that same day4 4 #ajjc4 ,enforcement 7a7 ,availability of civil penalties and private rights of action ,section #aje of the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcjg7 is amended to read as follows3 #aje4 ,enforcement 7a7 ,action by ,attorney ,general 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,attorney ,general may bring civil action in an appropriate district court for such declaratory or injunctive relief as may be necessary to carry out this title4 7#b7 ,penalty ,in a civil action brought under paragraph 7#a71 if the court finds that the ,state violated any provision of this title1 it may1 to vindicate the public interest1 assess a civil penalty against the ,state-- 7,a7 in an amount not to exceed #aaj1jjj for each such violation1 in the case of a first violation2 or 7,b7 in an amount not to exceed #bbj1jjj for each such violation1 for any subsequent violation4 7#c7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than ,december #ca of each year1 the ,attorney ,general shall submit to ,congress an annual report on any civil action brought under paragraph 7#a7 during the preceding year4 7b7 ,private right of action ,a person who is aggrieved by a ,state's violation of this title may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for such declaratory or injunctive relief as may be necessary to carry out this title4 7c7 ,state as only necessary defendant ,in any action brought under this section1 the only necessary party defendant is the ,state1 and it shall not be a defense to any such action that a local election official or a unit of local government is not named as a defendant1 notwithstanding that a ,state has exercised the authority described in section #egf of the ,military and ,overseas ,voter ,empowerment ,act to delegate to another jurisdiction in the ,state any duty or responsibility which is the subject of an action brought under this section4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to violations alleged to have occurred on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #ajjd4 ,revisions to #de-;day absentee ballot transmission rule 7a7 ,repeal of waiver authority 7#a7 ,in general ,section #ajb of the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcjb7 is amended by striking subsection 7g74 7#b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #ajb7;a77#h77;,a7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcjb7;a77#h77;,a77 is amended by striking except as provided in subsection 7g714 7b7 ,requiring use of express delivery in case of failure ,to meet requirement ,section #ajb of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcjb71 as amended by subsection 7a71 is amended by inserting after subsection 7f7 the following new subsection3 7g7 ,requiring use of express delivery in case of failure ,to transmit ballots within deadlines 7#a7 ,transmission of ballot by express delivery ,if a ,state fails to meet the requirement of subsection 7a77#h77;,a7 to transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter not later than #de days before the election 7in the case in which the request is received at least #de days before the election7-- 7,a7 the ,state shall transmit the ballot to the voter by express delivery2 or 7,b7 in the case of a voter who has designated that absentee ballots be transmitted electronically in accordance with subsection 7f77#a71 the ,state shall transmit the ballot to the voter electronically4 7#b7 ,special rule for transmission fewer than #dj days before the election ,if1 in carrying out paragraph 7#a71 a ,state transmits an absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter fewer than #dj days before the election1 the ,state shall enable the ballot to be returned by the voter by express delivery1 except that in the case of an absentee ballot of an absent uniformed services voter for a regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office1 the ,state may satisfy the requirement of this paragraph by notifying the voter of the procedures for the collection and delivery of such ballots under section #ajc;,a4 4 7c7 ,clarification of treatment of weekends ,section #ajb7;a77#h77;,a7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcjb7;a77#h77;,a77 is amended by striking the election2 and inserting the following3 the election 7or1 if the #deth day preceding the election is a weekend or legal public holiday1 not later than the most recent weekday which precedes such #deth day and which is not a legal public holiday1 but only if the request is received by at least such most recent weekday724 #ajje4 ,use of single absentee ballot application for subsequent elections 7a7 ,in general ,section #ajd of the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcjf7 is amended to read as follows3 #ajd4 ,use of single application for subsequent elections 7a7 ,in general ,if a ,state accepts and processes an official post card form 7prescribed under section #aja7 submitted by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter for simultaneous voter registration and absentee ballot application 7in accordance with section #ajb7;a77#d77 and the voter requests that the application be considered an application for an absentee ballot for each subsequent election for ,federal office held in the ,state through the next regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office 7including any runoff elections which may occur as a result of the outcome of such general election71 the ,state shall provide an absentee ballot to the voter for each such subsequent election4 7b7 ,exception for voters changing registration ,subsection 7a7 shall not apply with respect to a voter registered to vote in a ,state for any election held after the voter notifies the ,state that the voter no longer wishes to be registered to vote in the ,state or after the ,state determines that the voter has registered to vote in another ,state or is otherwise no longer eligible to vote in the ,state4 7c7 ,prohibition of refusal of application on grounds of early submission ,a ,state may not refuse to accept or to process1 with respect to any election for ,federal office1 any otherwise valid voter registration application or absentee ballot application 7including the postcard form prescribed under section #aja7 submitted by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter on the grounds that the voter submitted the application before the first date on which the ,state otherwise accepts or processes such applications for that election which are submitted by absentee voters who are not members of the uniformed services or overseas citizens4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to voter registration and absentee ballot applications which are submitted to a ,state or local election official on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #ajjf4 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this title shall apply with respect to elections occurring on or after ,january #a1 #bjbj4 ,,xi ,poll ,worker ,recruitment and ,training #aaja4 ,leave to serve as a poll worker for ,federal employees 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,,ii of chapter #fc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after section #fcbi;c the following3 #fcbi;d4 ,absence in connection with serving as a poll worker 7a7 ,in general ,an employee in or under an ,executive agency is entitled to leave1 without loss of or reduction in pay1 leave to which otherwise entitled1 credit for time or service1 or performance or efficiency rating1 not to exceed #f days in a leave year1 in order-- 7#a7 to provide election administration assistance to a ,state or unit of local government at a polling place on the date of any election for public office2 or 7#b7 to receive any training without which such employee would be ineligible to provide such assistance4 7b7 ,regulations ,the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management may prescribe regulations for the administration of this section1 including regulations setting forth the terms and conditions of the election administration assistance an employee may provide for purposes of subsection 7a74 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #fc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #fcbi;c the following3 #fcbi;d4 ,absence in connection with serving as a poll worker4 4 #aajb4 ,grants to ,states for poll worker recruitment and training 7a7 ,grants by ,election ,assistance ,commission 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,election ,assistance ,commission 7hereafter referred to as the ,commission7 shall make a grant to each eligible ,state for recruiting and training individuals to serve as poll workers on dates of elections for public office4 7#b7 ,use of ,commission materials ,in carrying out activities with a grant provided under this section1 the recipient of the grant shall use the manual prepared by the ,commission on successful practices for poll worker recruiting1 training and retention as an interactive training tool1 and shall develop training programs with the participation and input of experts in adult learning4 7b7 ,requirements for ,eligibility 7#a7 ,application ,each ,state that desires to receive a payment under this section shall submit an application for the payment to the ,commission at such time and in such manner and containing such information as the ,commission shall require4 7#b7 ,contents of ,application ,each application submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought2 7,b7 provide assurances that the funds provided under this section will be used to supplement and not supplant other funds used to carry out the activities2 7,c7 provide assurances that the ,state will furnish the ,commission with information on the number of individuals who served as poll workers after recruitment and training with the funds provided under this section2 and 7,d7 provide such additional information and certifications as the ,commission determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section4 7c7 ,amount of ,grant 7#a7 ,in general ,the amount of a grant made to a ,state under this section shall be equal to the product of-- 7,a7 the aggregate amount made available for grants to ,states under this section2 and 7,b7 the voting age population percentage for the ,state4 7#b7 ,voting age population percentage defined ,in paragraph 7#a71 the voting age population percentage for a ,state is the quotient of-- 7,a7 the voting age population of the ,state 7as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the ,bureau of the ,census72 and 7,b7 the total voting age population of all ,states 7as determined on the basis of the most recent information available from the ,bureau of the ,census74 7d7 ,reports to ,congress 7#a7 ,reports by recipients of grants ,not later than #f months after the date on which the final grant is made under this section1 each recipient of a grant shall submit a report to the ,commission on the activities conducted with the funds provided by the grant4 7#b7 ,reports by ,commission ,not later than #a year after the date on which the final grant is made under this section1 the ,commission shall submit a report to ,congress on the grants made under this section and the activities carried out by recipients with the grants1 and shall include in the report such recommendations as the ,commission considers appropriate4 7e7 ,funding 7#a7 ,continuing availability of amount appropriated ,any amount appropriated to carry out this section shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended4 7#b7 ,administrative expenses ,of the amount appropriated for any fiscal year to carry out this section1 not more than #c percent shall be available for administrative expenses of the ,commission4 #aajc4 ,model poll worker training program 7a7 ,development of program by ,election ,assistance ,commission ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,election ,assistance ,commission shall develop and provide to each ,state materials for a model poll worker training program which the ,state may use to train individuals to serve as poll workers in elections for ,federal office4 7b7 ,contents of materials ,the materials for the model poll worker training program developed under this section shall include materials to provide training with respect to the following3 7#a7 ,the relevant provisions of the ,federal laws which apply to the administration of elections for ,federal office in the ,state1 including the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife and the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb4 7#b7 ,the provision of access to voting to individuals with disabilities in a manner which preserves the dignity and privacy of such individuals4 7#c7 ,the provision of access to voting to individuals with limited ,english language proficiency1 and to individuals who are members or racial or ethnic minorities1 consistent with the protections provided for such individuals under relevant law1 in a manner which preserves the dignity of such individuals4 7#d7 ,practical experience in the use of the voting machines which will be used in the election involved1 including the accessibility features of such machines4 7#e7 ,such other election administration subjects as the ,commission considers appropriate to ensure that poll workers are able to effectively assist with the administration of elections for ,federal office4 #aajd4 ,state defined ,in this title1 the term ,state includes the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 ,,xii ,enhancement of ,enforcement #abja4 ,enhancement of enforcement of ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7a7 ,complaints2 availability of private right of action ,section #dja of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #baaaa7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,the ,attorney ,general and inserting 7a7 ,in ,general4--,the ,attorney ,general2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new subsections3 7b7 ,filing of ,complaints by ,aggrieved ,persons 7#a7 ,in general ,a person who is aggrieved by a violation of title ,,iii which has occurred1 is occurring1 or is about to occur may file a written1 signed1 notarized complaint with the ,attorney ,general describing the violation and requesting the ,attorney ,general to take appropriate action under this section4 ,the ,attorney ,general shall immediately provide a copy of a complaint filed under the previous sentence to the entity responsible for administering the ,state-based administrative complaint procedures described in section #djb7;a7 for the ,state involved4 7#b7 ,response by ,attorney ,general ,the ,attorney ,general shall respond to each complaint filed under paragraph 7#a71 in accordance with procedures established by the ,attorney ,general that require responses and determinations to be made within the same 7or shorter7 deadlines which apply to a ,state under the ,state-based administrative complaint procedures described in section #djb7;a77#b74 ,the ,attorney ,general shall immediately provide a copy of the response made under the previous sentence to the entity responsible for administering the ,state-based administrative complaint procedures described in section #djb7;a7 for the ,state involved4 7c7 ,availability of private right of action ,any person who is authorized to file a complaint under subsection 7b77#a7 7including any individual who seeks to enforce the individual's right to a voter-verified paper ballot1 the right to have the voter-verified paper ballot counted in accordance with this ,act1 or any other right under title ,,iii7 may file an action under section #aigi of the ,revised ,statutes of the ,united ,states 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aihc7 to enforce the uniform and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration requirements under subtitle ,a of title ,,iii4 7d7 ,no effect on ,state procedures ,nothing in this section may be construed to affect the availability of the ,state-based administrative complaint procedures required under section #djb to any person filing a complaint under this subsection4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to violations occurring with respect to elections for ,federal office held in #bjbj or any succeeding year4 ,,xiii ,federal ,election ,integrity #acja4 ,prohibition on campaign activities by chief ,state election administration officials 7a7 ,in ,general ,title ,,iii of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaja et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #cai the following new section3 #cai;,a4 ,campaign activities by chief ,state election administration officials 7a7 ,prohibition ,it shall be unlawful for a chief ,state election administration official to take an active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any election for ,federal office over which such official has supervisory authority4 7b7 ,chief ,state election administration official ,the term chief ,state election administration official means the highest ,state official with responsibility for the administration of ,federal elections under ,state law4 7c7 ,active part in political management or in a political campaign ,the term active part in political management or in a political campaign means-- 7#a7 serving as a member of an authorized committee of a candidate for ,federal office2 7#b7 the use of official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election for ,federal office2 7#c7 the solicitation1 acceptance1 or receipt of a contribution from any person on behalf of a candidate for ,federal office2 and 7#d7 any other act which would be prohibited under paragraph 7#b7 or 7#c7 of section #gcbc7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 if taken by an individual to whom such paragraph applies 7other than any prohibition on running for public office74 7d7 ,exception in case of recusal from administration of elections involving official or immediate family member 7#a7 ,in general ,this section does not apply to a chief ,state election administration official with respect to an election for ,federal office in which the official or an immediate family member of the official is a candidate1 but only if such official recuses himself or herself from all of the official's responsibilities for the administration of such election4 7#b7 ,immediate family member defined ,in paragraph 7#a71 the term immediate family member means1 with respect to a candidate1 a father1 mother1 son1 daughter1 brother1 sister1 husband1 wife1 father-in-law1 or mother-in-law4 4 7b7 ,effective ,date ,the amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to elections for ,federal office held after ,december #bjai4 ,,xiv ,grants for ,risk-limiting ,audits of ,results of ,elections #adja4 ,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 seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new part3 #g ,grants for ,conducting ,risk-,limiting ,audits of ,results of ,elections #big4 ,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 election agency means any component of a ,state1 or any component of a unit of local government in a ,state1 which is responsible for the administration of elections for ,federal office in the ,state4 7#c7 ,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#d7 ,the term outcome means the winner of an election1 whether a candidate or a position4 7#e7 ,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 #big;,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 #big2 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 #big7;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 #big;,b4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated for grants under this part #bj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjai1 to remain available until expended4 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--;,grants for ,conducting ,risk-,limiting ,audits of ,results of ,elections,sec4 #big4 ,grants for conducting risk-limiting audits of results of elections4,sec4 #big;,a4 ,eligibility of ,states4,sec4 #big;,b4 ,authorization of appropriations4 4 #adjb4 ,,gao analysis of effects of audits 7a7 ,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 under part #g of subtitle ,d of title ,,ii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7as added by section #adja7 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 7b7 ,report ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit a report on the analysis conducted under subsection 7a7 to the appropriate congressional committees4 7c7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the term appropriate congressional committees means the ,committees on ,homeland ,security and ,house ,administration of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committees on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs and ,rules and ,administration of the ,senate2 7#b7 the term election agency means any component of a ,state1 or any component of a unit of local government in a ,state1 which is responsible for the administration of elections for ,federal office in the ,state2 and 7#c7 the term election infrastructure means storage facilities1 polling places1 and centralized vote tabulation locations used to support the administration of elections for public office1 as well as related information and communications technology1 including voter registration databases1 voting machines1 electronic mail and other communications systems 7including electronic mail and other systems of vendors who have entered into contracts with election agencies to support the administration of elections1 manage the election process1 and report and display election results71 and other systems used to manage the election process and to report and display election results on behalf of an election agency4 ,,xv ,promoting ,voter ,access ,through ,election ,administration ,improvements ,a ,promoting ,voter ,access #aeja4 ,treatment of universities as voter registration agencies 7a7 ,in general ,section #g7;a7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejf7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,a72 7,b7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,b7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,c7 each institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja77 in the ,state that receives ,federal funds4 2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#f77;,a71 by inserting or1 in the case of an institution of higher education1 with each registration of a student for enrollment in a course of study after assistance14 7b7 ,amendment to ,higher ,education ,act of #aife ,section #dhg7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajid7;a77 is amended by striking paragraph 7#bc74 7c7 ,sense of ,congress relating to option of students ,to register in jurisdiction of institution of higher education or jurisdiction of domicile ,it is the sense of ,congress that1 as provided under existing law1 students who attend an institution of higher education and reside in the jurisdiction of the institution while attending the institution should have the option of registering to vote in elections for ,federal office in that jurisdiction or in the jurisdiction of their own domicile4 7d7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections held on or after ,january #a1 #bjbj4 #aejb4 ,minimum notification requirements for voters affected by polling place changes 7a7 ,requirements ,section #cjb of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhb71 as amended by section #gja7;a71 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7f7 as subsection 7g72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7e7 the following new subsection3 7f7 ,minimum notification requirements for voters affected by polling place changes 7#a7 ,in general ,if a ,state assigns an individual who is a registered voter in a ,state to a polling place with respect to an election for ,federal office which is not the same polling place to which the individual was previously assigned with respect to the most recent election for ,federal office in the ,state in which the individual was eligible to vote-- 7,a7 the ,state shall notify the individual of the location of the polling place not later than #g days before the date of the election2 or 7,b7 if the ,state makes such an assignment fewer than #g days before the date of the election and the individual appears on the date of the election at the polling place to which the individual was previously assigned1 the ,state shall make every reasonable effort to enable the individual to vote on the date of the election4 7#b7 ,effective date ,this subsection shall apply with respect to elections held on or after ,january #a1 #bjbj4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #cjb7;g7 of such ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhb7;g771 as redesignated by subsection 7a7 and as amended by section #gja7;b71 is amended by striking 7d77#b7 and 7e77#b7 and inserting 7d77#b71 7e77#b71 and 7f77#b74 #aejc4 ,election ,day holiday 7a7 ,treatment of ,election ,day in same manner as legal public holiday for purposes of ,federal employment ,for purposes of any law relating to ,federal employment1 the ,tuesday next after the first ,monday in ,november in #bjbj and each even-numbered year thereafter shall be treated in the same manner as a legal public holiday described in section #fajc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7b7 ,sense of ,congress relating to treatment of day by private employers ,it is the sense of ,congress that private employers in the ,united ,states should give their employees a day off on the ,tuesday next after the first ,monday in ,november in #bjbj and each even-numbered year thereafter to enable the employees to cast votes in the elections held on that day4 #aejd4 ,permitting use of sworn written statement to meet identification requirements for voting 7a7 ,permitting use of statement ,title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #cjc the following new section3 #cjc;,a4 ,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 receiving and 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 identification 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 ,providing pre-printed copy of statement ,a ,state which is subject to paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 prepare 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 signature2 7,b7 make copies of the pre-printed version available at polling places for election officials to distribute to individuals who desire to vote in person2 and 7,c7 include a copy of the pre-printed version with each blank absentee or other ballot transmitted to an individual who desires to vote by mail4 7b7 ,requiring use of regular ballot ,an individual who presents or submits a sworn written statement in accordance with subsection 7a77#a7 shall be permitted to cast a regular 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 as amended by section #agb7;b7 and section #cjb7;b71 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,g72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,h7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,i7 in the case of a ,state that has in effect a requirement that an individual present identification as a condition of receiving and 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 ,act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #cjc the following new item3 ,sec4 #cjc;,a4 ,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 #aeje4 ,postage-free ballots 7a7 ,absentee ballots carried free of postage 7#a7 ,in general ,chapter #cd of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding after section #cdjf the following3 #cdjg4 ,absentee ballots carried free of postage 7a7 ,any absentee ballot for any election shall be carried expeditiously and free of postage4 7b7 ,as used in this section1 the term absentee ballot does not include any ballot covered by section #cdjf4 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 ,absentee ballots carried free of postage4 4 7#c7 ,reimbursement ,section #bdja7;c7 of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking #cdjf and inserting #cdjg4 7b7 ,use by ,states of requirements payments under ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb ,to reimburse ,postal ,service 7#a7 ,authorizing use of payments ,section #bea7;b7 of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajja7;b77 is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking as provided in paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 and inserting as otherwise provided in this subsection2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#d7 ,reimbursement of ,postal ,service for costs associated with absentee ballots ,a ,state shall use a requirements payment to reimburse the ,united ,states ,postal ,service for the revenue which the ,postal ,service would have obtained as the result of the mailing of absentee ballots in the ,state but for section #cdjg of title #ci1 ,united ,states ,code4 4 7#b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by paragraph 7#a7 shall apply with respect to the requirements payments made to a ,state under part #a of subtitle ,d of title ,,ii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajja et seq47-- 7,a7 for fiscal year #bjai or any previous fiscal year1 but only to the extent that any such payment remains unobligated or unexpended by the ,state as of the date of the enactment of this ,act2 and 7,b7 for fiscal year #bjbj and each succeeding fiscal year4 #aejf4 ,reimbursement for costs incurred by ,states in establishing program to track and confirm receipt of absentee ballots 7a7 ,reimbursement ,subtitle ,d of title ,,ii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aedja et seq471 as amended by section #adja7;a71 is further amended by adding at the end the following new part3 #h ,payments ,to ,reimburse ,states for ,costs ,incurred in ,establishing ,program ,to ,track and ,confirm ,receipt of ,absentee ,ballots #bih4 ,payments to ,states 7a7 ,payments for ,costs of ,establishing ,program ,in accordance with this section1 the ,commission shall make a payment to a ,state to reimburse the ,state for the costs incurred in establishing1 if the ,state so chooses to establish1 an absentee ballot tracking program with respect to elections for ,federal office held in the ,state 7including costs incurred prior to the date of the enactment of this part74 7b7 ,absentee ,ballot ,tracking ,program ,described 7#a7 ,program described 7,a7 ,in general ,in this part1 an absentee ballot tracking program is 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 7,b7 ,information on whether vote was counted ,the information referred to under subparagraph 7,a7 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 7#b7 ,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 description of a program under paragraph 7#a7 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 paragraph4 7c7 ,certification of ,compliance and ,costs 7#a7 ,certification required ,in order to receive a payment under this section1 a ,state shall submit to the ,commission a statement containing-- 7,a7 a certification that the ,state has established an absentee ballot tracking program with respect to elections for ,federal office held in the ,state2 and 7,b7 a statement of the costs incurred by the ,state in establishing the program4 7#b7 ,amount of payment ,the amount of a payment made to a ,state under this section shall be equal to the costs incurred by the ,state in establishing the absentee ballot tracking program1 as set forth in the statement submitted under paragraph 7#a71 except that such amount may not exceed the product of-- 7,a7 the number of jurisdictions in the ,state which are responsible for operating the program2 and 7,b7 #c1jjj4 7#c7 ,limit on number of payments received ,a ,state may not receive more than one payment under this part4 #bih;,a4 ,authorization of ,appropriations 7a7 ,authorization ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,commission for fiscal year #bjbj and each succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary for payments under this part4 7b7 ,continuing ,availability of ,funds ,any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization under this section shall remain available until expended4 4 7b7 ,clerical ,amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act1 as amended by section #adja7;b71 is further amended by adding at the end of the items relating to subtitle ,d of title ,,ii the following3 ,part #h--,payments ,to ,reimburse ,states for ,costs ,incurred in ,establishing ,program ,to ,track and ,confirm ,receipt of ,absentee ,ballots,sec4 #bih4 ,payments to ,states4,sec4 #bih;,a4 ,authorization of appropriations4 4 #aejg4 ,voter information response systems and hotline 7a7 ,establishment and operation of systems and services 7#a7 ,state-based response systems ,the ,attorney ,general shall coordinate the establishment of a ,state-based response system for responding to questions and complaints from individuals voting or seeking to vote1 or registering to vote or seeking to register to vote1 in elections for ,federal office4 ,such system shall provide-- 7,a7 ,state-specific1 same-day1 and immediate assistance to such individuals1 including information on how to register to vote1 the location and hours of operation of polling places1 and how to obtain absentee ballots2 and 7,b7 ,state-specific1 same-day1 and immediate assistance to individuals encountering problems with registering to vote or voting1 including individuals encountering intimidation or deceptive practices4 7#b7 ,hotline ,the ,attorney ,general1 in consultation with ,state election officials1 shall establish and operate a toll-free telephone service1 using a telephone number that is accessible throughout the ,united ,states and that uses easily identifiable numerals1 through which individuals throughout the ,united ,states-- 7,a7 may connect directly to the ,state-based response system described in paragraph 7#a7 with respect to the ,state involved2 7,b7 may obtain information on voting in elections for ,federal office1 including information on how to register to vote in such elections1 the locations and hours of operation of polling places1 and how to obtain absentee ballots2 and 7,c7 may report information to the ,attorney ,general on problems encountered in registering to vote or voting1 including incidences of voter intimidation or suppression4 7#c7 ,collaboration with ,state and local election officials 7,a7 ,collection of information from states ,the ,attorney ,general shall coordinate the collection of information on ,state and local election laws and policies1 including information on the statewide computerized voter registration lists maintained under title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb1 so that individuals who contact the free telephone service established under paragraph 7#b7 on the date of an election for ,federal office may receive an immediate response on that day4 7,b7 ,forwarding questions and complaints to ,states ,if an individual contacts the free telephone service established under paragraph 7#b7 on the date of an election for ,federal office with a question or complaint with respect to a particular ,state or jurisdiction within a ,state1 the ,attorney ,general shall forward the question or complaint immediately to the appropriate election official of the ,state or jurisdiction so that the official may answer the question or remedy the complaint on that date4 7#d7 ,consultation requirements for development of systems and services ,the ,attorney ,general shall ensure that the ,state-based response system under paragraph 7#a7 and the free telephone service under paragraph 7#b7 are each developed in consultation with civil rights organizations1 voting rights groups1 ,state and local election officials1 voter protection groups1 and other interested community organizations1 especially those that have experience in the operation of similar systems and services4 7b7 ,use of service by individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited ,english language proficiency ,the ,attorney ,general shall design and operate the telephone service established under this section in a manner that ensures that individuals with disabilities are fully able to use the service1 and that assistance is provided in any language in which the ,state 7or any jurisdiction in the ,state7 is required to provide election materials under section #bjc of the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife4 7c7 ,voter ,hotline ,task ,force 7#a7 ,appointment by attorney general ,the ,attorney ,general shall appoint individuals 7in such number as the ,attorney ,general considers appropriate but in no event fewer than #c7 to serve on a ,voter ,hotline ,task ,force to provide ongoing analysis and assessment of the operation of the telephone service established under this section1 and shall give special consideration in making appointments to the ,task ,force to individuals who represent civil rights organizations4 ,at least one member of the ,task ,force shall be a representative of an organization promoting voting rights or civil rights which has experience in the operation of similar telephone services or in protecting the rights of individuals to vote1 especially individuals who are members of racial1 ethnic1 or linguistic minorities or of communities who have been adversely affected by efforts to suppress voting rights4 7#b7 ,eligibility ,an individual shall be eligible to serve on the ,task ,force under this subsection if the individual meets such criteria as the ,attorney ,general may establish1 except that an individual may not serve on the ,task ,force if the individual has been convicted of any criminal offense relating to voter intimidation or voter suppression4 7#c7 ,term of service ,an individual appointed to the ,task ,force shall serve a single term of #b years1 except that the initial terms of the members first appointed to the ,task ,force shall be staggered so that there are at least #c individuals serving on the ,task ,force during each year4 ,a vacancy in the membership of the ,task ,force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment4 7#d7 ,no compensation for service ,members of the ,task ,force shall serve without pay1 but shall receive travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7d7 ,bi-,annual report to ,congress ,not later than ,march #a of each odd-numbered year1 the ,attorney ,general shall submit a report to ,congress on the operation of the telephone service established under this section during the previous #b years1 and shall include in the report-- 7#a7 an enumeration of the number and type of calls that were received by the service2 7#b7 a compilation and description of the reports made to the service by individuals citing instances of voter intimidation or suppression2 7#c7 an assessment of the effectiveness of the service in making information available to all households in the ,united ,states with telephone service2 7#d7 any recommendations developed by the ,task ,force established under subsection 7c7 with respect to how voting systems may be maintained or upgraded to better accommodate voters and better ensure the integrity of elections1 including but not limited to identifying how to eliminate coordinated voter suppression efforts and how to establish effective mechanisms for distributing updates on changes to voting requirements2 and 7#e7 any recommendations on best practices for the ,state-based response systems established under subsection 7a77#a74 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,authorization ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,attorney ,general for fiscal year #bjai and each succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,set-aside for outreach ,of the amounts appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year pursuant to the authorization under paragraph 7#a71 not less than #ae percent shall be used for outreach activities to make the public aware of the availability of the telephone service established under this section1 with an emphasis on outreach to individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited proficiency in the ,english language4 ,b ,improvements in ,operation of ,election ,assistance ,commission #aeaa4 ,reauthorization of ,election ,assistance ,commission ,section #baj of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjicj7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking for each of the fiscal years #bjjc through #bjje and inserting for fiscal year #bjai and each succeeding fiscal year2 and 7#b7 by striking 7but not to exceed #aj1jjj1jjj for each such year74 #aeab4 ,requiring ,states to participate in post-general election surveys 7a7 ,requirement ,title ,,iii of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajha et seq471 as amended by section #aejd7;a71 is further amended by inserting after section #cjc;,a the following new section3 #cjc;,b4 ,requiring participation in post-general election surveys 7a7 ,requirement ,each ,state shall furnish to the ,commission such information as the ,commission may request for purposes of conducting any post-election survey of the ,states with respect to the administration of a regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office4 7b7 ,effective date ,this section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office held in ,november #bjbj and any succeeding election4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents of such ,act1 as amended by section #aejd7;c71 is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section #cjc;,a the following new item3 ,sec4 #cjc;,b4 ,requiring participation in post-general election surveys4 4 #aeac4 ,reports by ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology on use of funds transferred from ,election ,assistance ,commission 7a7 ,requiring reports on use of funds as condition of receipt ,section #bca of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjiga7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7e7 ,report on use of funds transferred from ,commission ,to the extent that funds are transferred from the ,commission to the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology for purposes of carrying out this section during any fiscal year1 the ,director may not use such funds unless the ,director certifies at the time of transfer that the ,director will submit a report to the ,commission not later than #ij days after the end of the fiscal year detailing how the ,director used such funds during the year4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to fiscal year #bjbj and each succeeding fiscal year4 #aead4 ,recommendations to improve operations of ,election ,assistance ,commission 7a7 ,assessment of information technology and cybersecurity ,not later than ,december #ca1 #bjai1 the ,election ,assistance ,commission shall carry out an assessment of the security and effectiveness of the ,commission's information technology systems1 including the cybersecurity of such systems4 7b7 ,improvements to administrative complaint procedures 7#a7 ,review of procedures ,the ,election ,assistance ,commission shall carry out a review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the ,state-based administrative complaint procedures established and maintained under section #djb of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #baaab7 for the investigation and resolution of allegations of violations of title ,,iii of such ,act4 7#b7 ,recommendations to streamline procedures ,not later than ,december #ca1 #bjai1 the ,commission shall submit to ,congress a report on the review carried out under paragraph 7#a71 and shall include in the report such recommendations as the ,commission considers appropriate to streamline and improve the procedures which are the subject of the review4 #aeae4 ,repeal of exemption of ,election ,assistance ,commission from certain government contracting requirements 7a7 ,in general ,section #bje of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjibe7 is amended by striking subsection 7e74 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to contracts entered into by the ,election ,assistance ,commission on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,c ,miscellaneous ,provisions #aeba4 ,application of laws to ,commonwealth of ,northern ,mariana ,islands 7a7 ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic ,section #c7d7 of the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejb7d77 is amended by striking ,states and the ,district of ,columbia and inserting ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 7b7 ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#a7 ,coverage of ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands ,section #ija of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #baada7 is amended by striking and the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands and inserting the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 7#b7 ,conforming amendments to ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb ,such ,act is further amended as follows3 7,a7 ,the second sentence of section #bac7;a77#b7 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjidc7;a77#b77 is amended by striking and ,american ,samoa and inserting ,american ,samoa1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 7,b7 ,section #beb7;c77#b7 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajjb7;c77#b77 is amended by striking or the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands and inserting the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 or the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 7#c7 ,conforming amendment relating to consultation of ,help ,america ,vote ,foundation with local election officials ,section #ijajb7;c7 of title #cf1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking and the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands and inserting the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 #aebb4 ,repeal of exemption of ,election ,assistance ,commission from certain government contracting requirements 7a7 ,in general ,section #bje of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjibe7 is amended by striking subsection 7e74 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to contracts entered into by the ,election ,assistance ,commission on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #aebc4 ,no effect on other laws 7a7 ,in general ,except as specifically provided1 nothing in this ,act may be construed to authorize or require conduct prohibited under any of the following laws1 or to supersede1 restrict1 or limit the application of such laws3 7#a7 ,the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja et seq474 7#b7 ,the ,voting ,accessibility for the ,elderly and ,handicapped ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaja et seq474 7#c7 ,the ,uniformed and ,overseas ,citizens ,absentee ,voting ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcja et seq474 7#d7 ,the ,national ,voter ,registration ,act of #aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeja et seq474 7#e7 ,the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abaja et seq474 7#f7 ,the ,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gja et seq474 7b7 ,no effect on preclearance or other requirements under ,voting ,rights ,act ,the approval by any person of a payment or grant application under this ,act1 or any other action taken by any person under this ,act1 shall not be considered to have any effect on requirements for preclearance under section #e of the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjd7 or any other requirements of such ,act4 ,,xvi ,severability #afja4 ,severability ,if any provision of this ,act or amendment made by this ,act1 or the application of a provision or amendment to any person or circumstance1 is held to be unconstitutional1 the remainder of this ,act and amendments made by this ,act1 and the application of the provisions and amendment to any person or circumstance1 shall not be affected by the holding4