I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6807 
To expand vote by mail and early voting, and to improve the safety, accessi-
bility, and efficiency of in-person voting during elections for Federal 
office. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 12, 2020 
Mr. CLYBURN (for himself, Ms. ADAMS, Ms. BASS, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. 
BUTTERFIELD, Mr. CA´RDENAS, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. CICILLINE, 
Mr. CISNEROS, Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mr. CLAY, Mr. DANNY K. 
DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. DEFAZIO, Ms. DEGETTE, Mrs. DEMINGS, Mr. 
DEUTCH, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Mr. EVANS, Mr. GARCI´A of Illi-
nois, Ms. GARCIA of Texas, Ms. HAALAND, Mr. HASTINGS, Mrs. HAYES, 
Mr. JEFFRIES, Ms. JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. 
KENNEDY, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. KILDEE, Ms. LEE of California, Mr. LEVIN 
of Michigan, Mr. TED LIEU of California, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Mr. LYNCH, 
Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. MCNERNEY, Ms. MENG, Ms. MOORE, Mrs. NAPOLI-
TANO, Mr. NEGUSE, Ms. NORTON, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, 
Mr. RYAN, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Ms. SEWELL of Alabama, Ms. SHALALA, 
Mr. SOTO, Mr. TAKANO, Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mrs. WATSON 
COLEMAN, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. GRIJALVA, and Mr. RUSH) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House 
Administration 
A BILL 
To expand vote by mail and early voting, and to improve 
the safety, accessibility, and efficiency of in-person voting 
during elections for Federal office. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘VoteSafe Act of 2020’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The right to vote is the foundation of Amer-
ican democracy. Voting provides the citizenry with a 
vital check on their elected officials and grants peo-
ple the political power necessary to exercise and de-
fend the rights guaranteed by the United States 
Constitution. 
(2) The Elections Clause of the United States 
Constitution gives Congress sweeping power to regu-
late the time, place, and manner of Federal elections 
(article I, section 4 of the Constitution of the United 
States; see also Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of 
Arizona, Inc., 570 U.S. 1 (2013)). Congress also has 
enforcement power under the Fourteenth and Fif-
teenth Amendments of the Constitution of the 
United States. 
(3) As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., explained 
in a speech delivered on May 17, 1957, ‘‘So long as 
I do not firmly and irrevocably possess the right to 
vote I do not possess myself. I cannot make up my 
mind—it is made up for me. I cannot live as a 
democratic citizen, observing the laws I have helped 
to enact—I can only submit to the edict of others.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(4) The right to vote was not guaranteed to all 
Americans at our Nation’s founding. The ratification 
of the Fifteenth and Nineteenth Amendments, the 
civil rights movement’s struggle for justice and 
equality, and the enactment of the Voting Rights 
Act of 1965 and its subsequent amendments suc-
ceeded in expanding access to the franchise. 
(5) Unfortunately, the barriers faced by voters 
who have historically experienced the greatest obsta-
cles to voting are exacerbated by the coronavirus 
(COVID-19) pandemic. 
(6) Strategies to mitigate the spread of 
COVID-19 include ‘‘social distancing’’, a practice 
that requires individuals to maintain a distance be-
tween themselves and other people in order to avoid 
acquiring or transmitting the virus. The need to em-
brace such precautions will require States to quickly 
modify voting processes to minimize person-to-per-
son contact. 
(7) Voting by mail is a critical part of the solu-
tion and must be expanded as quickly as possible, 
not simply as a means of ensuring access during 
public health emergencies, but also as a means of ex-
panding access to the franchise to those whose work, 
health, or ability to access the ballot may be limited. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(8) However, safe and secure in-person voting 
remains vitally important for large groups of voters, 
including voters with disabilities, language minority 
voters, American Indian and Alaska Native voters, 
and African American voters. 
(9) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) and the Rehabilita-
tion Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) require 
that individuals with disabilities have equal access to 
every aspect of the voting process. Vote-by-mail 
poses various accessibility challenges for voters with 
disabilities, including blind, low-vision, or other 
print-disabled voters who may require in-person vot-
ing or assistive technology in order to privately and 
independently mark their ballots. Remedies for vot-
ers with disabilities require an investment of re-
sources to ensure State and local election websites, 
online voter registration portals, and vote-by-mail 
systems are accessible; that in-person voting loca-
tions permit a safe, dignified, and accessible voting 
experience; and that the right of voters with disabil-
ities to a secret ballot is not sacrificed due to the 
pandemic. 
(10) Language minority voters face unique bar-
riers to voting that require additional resources and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
support to ensure full and equal access, including 
additional resources to ensure local compliance with 
the language minority voting protections in section 
203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 
10503) and greater language assistance services, in-
cluding additional bilingual or multilingual poll 
workers and election workers. 
(11) American Indian and Alaska Native voters 
face unique obstacles in a vote-by-mail system. Trib-
al communities in rural areas often do not have tra-
ditional residential mailing addresses and have lim-
ited access to transportation. Tribal members have 
distant rural post offices, slow mail routes, limited 
numbers of post office operation, and too few post 
office boxes. As a result, rural Tribal communities 
require distinct voting accommodations to ensure 
participation in a vote-by-mail system. 
(12) Finally, in-person voting holds great sig-
nificance for African American voters, for whom the 
right to vote was hard won. African Americans have 
been excluded from the franchise through State and 
local laws, poll taxes, voting literacy tests, physical 
violence, and lynchings. For many African American 
voters today, casting a ballot at one’s polling place 
is a solemn ritual that honors those who sacrificed 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
their safety and their lives in order to secure the 
right to vote. However, COVID-19 poses substantial 
risks to the African American population and has in-
fected and killed African Americans in the United 
States at disproportionately high rates, highlighting 
longstanding inequalities in resources and access to 
health care. 
(13) Social distancing designed to curb the 
COVID-19 pandemic will also greatly impact in-per-
son voter registration efforts, including voter reg-
istration drives and voter registration services re-
quired by the National Voter Registration Act. Many 
government offices, like State departments of motor 
vehicles, are currently closed to in-person traffic and 
are likely to remain closed for an indefinite period 
of time in 2020. 
(14) Therefore, it is appropriate for Congress 
to expand no-excuse absentee vote-by-mail while also 
ensuring the safety and accessibility of in-person 
voting and voter registration during exigent cir-
cumstances, including the current pandemic. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 3. REQUIREMENTS FOR NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOT-
ING, EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING, AND PLAN 
TO ENSURE POLLING PLACES IMPLEMENT 
CDC GUIDANCE FOR FEDERAL ELECTIONS IN 
2020. 
(a) APPLICABLE FEDERAL ELECTION.—For pur-
poses of this section, the term ‘‘applicable Federal elec-
tion’’ means any election for Federal office which occurs 
on or after the date that is 60 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act and before January 1, 2021. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In the case of any applicable 
Federal election, each State and local jurisdiction shall— 
(1) permit no-excuse mail-in absentee voting as 
described in subsection (c); 
(2) maintain an early in-person voting period as 
described in subsection (d); and 
(3) establish a plan as described in subsection 
(e) with respect to in-person voting, including during 
early voting periods and on the day of the election. 
(c) NO-EXCUSE MAIL-IN ABSENTEE VOTING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—No-excuse mail-in absentee 
voting meets the requirements described in this sub-
section with respect to an applicable Federal elec-
tion, if the State— 
(A) provides a no-excuse mail-in ballot to 
every registered voter who requests such a bal-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
lot (or, in the case of any State that does not 
register voters, to every individual who is eligi-
ble to vote and requests such a ballot); 
(B) allows voters to request a mail-in bal-
lot online; 
(C) requires a signature for absentee bal-
lots, allows voters to sign the ballot by pro-
viding a mark or signature stamp or by pro-
viding a signature with the use of an assistant 
because of age, disability, or other need; 
(D) accepts and counts ballots received be-
fore the state’s certification deadline if the bal-
lot— 
(i) is postmarked by the date of the 
election; or 
(ii) includes an indication that it was 
mailed by the date of the election; 
(E) provides a pre-paid and self-sealing re-
turn envelope for each ballot furnished by mail; 
(F) beginning with the date that is 45 
days before the date of the election and ending 
with the time that polls close on the date of the 
election, provides in-person, secured drop boxes; 
(G) before discarding any absentee ballot 
for error or technicalities (including the failure 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
to meet any signature matching requirement 
that is unrelated to voter qualification)— 
(i) notifies the voter of any such de-
fects; and 
(ii) provides the voter an opportunity 
to cure such defects that— 
(I) is uniform among all voters in 
the State; and 
(II) in the case of any error re-
lating to a signature requirement, 
meets the requirements of paragraph 
(2); 
(H) in the case of any voter with disabil-
ities— 
(i) provides the voter with access to 
Remote Access Vote By Mail (RAVBM) 
systems, ballot marking software, and 
screen reading software; and 
(ii) allows the voter to receive assist-
ance from a person of their choosing to 
complete and submit a mail-in ballot; and 
(I) ensures adequate support for language 
minority voters, including multilingual versions 
of vote-by-mail materials and language assist-
ance services. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(2) REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO SIGNATURE 
DEFECTS.—The requirements of this paragraph re-
lating to any defect described in paragraph 
(1)(G)(ii)(II) are the following: 
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), the voter shall be allowed to cure the de-
fect through the same form of communication 
with respect to which the notice of such defect 
is provided. 
(B) In any case in which a required signa-
ture is missing, the voter shall be provided an 
opportunity to provide such signature on a form 
provided by the State. 
(C) Any determination of the validity of 
the ballot shall be made by a group of 2 or 
more election officials. 
(D) The voter shall have the opportunity 
to appeal any rejection of the ballot based on 
the defect. 
(d) EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING PERIOD.—The early 
in-person voting period described in this subsection with 
respect to an applicable Federal election is a period of at 
least 20 days. Such period must include at least 1 Satur-
day and 1 Sunday. For each day of early in-person voting 
during such period, polls must be open for a minimum 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
of 10 hours, including hours before and after the standard 
work day. 
(e) PLAN TO IMPLEMENT CDC GUIDANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The requirement described 
in this subsection with respect to in person voting is 
met if the State establishes a plan to ensure that 
polling places are implementing Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention guidance relating to COVID- 
19 preparedness. Such plan must be finalized and 
approved by the State within 30 days of the date of 
enactment of this Act. 
(2) MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.—At a minimum, 
a State plan established under this subsection must 
include a plan— 
(A) to keep as many voting locations as 
possible open during the pandemic; 
(B) to prepare polling locations to imple-
ment social distancing protocols in lines and at 
voting booths; 
(C) to provide sufficient quantities of hy-
giene and cleaning supplies at polling locations; 
(D) to increase the number of— 
(i) paper ballots and provisional bal-
lots (including the numbers of such ballots 
that are translated, multilingual, or in-lan-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
guage ballots) available at each polling 
place; and 
(ii) disposable ballot marking utensils 
available at each polling place; 
(E) to provide masks and other personal 
protective equipment to poll workers; 
(F) to provide additional compensation to 
poll workers during the pandemic; 
(G) to increase the number of poll workers 
who can reliably staff voting locations; 
(H) to provide training to poll workers on 
pandemic conditions and COVID-19 prepared-
ness; and 
(I) to educate voters on changes to proce-
dures or voting opportunities during the pan-
demic. 
(f) PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.—Any person ag-
grieved by a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection 
(a) (relating to requirements for no-excuse mail-in absen-
tee voting and early in-person voting period) may bring 
an action for all appropriate remedies, including injunctive 
relief and compensatory and punitive damages, in a Fed-
eral district court of competent jurisdiction. 
(g) PAYMENTS TO STATES TO CARRY OUT REQUIRE-
MENTS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Election Assistance 
Commission shall makes a payment to each State to 
carry out the requirements under this section. Such 
payments shall be made not later than 30 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
(2) AMOUNT OF PAYMENT.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The amount of pay-
ment made to a State under this subsection 
shall be the voting age population proportion 
amount described in subparagraph (B). 
(B) VOTING
AGE
POPULATION
PROPOR-
TION AMOUNT.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—The voting age 
population proportion amount described in 
this paragraph is the product of— 
(I) the amount made available 
for payments under paragraph (3) of 
this subsection; and 
(II) the voting age population 
proportion for the State (as defined in 
clause (ii)). 
(ii) VOTING
AGE
POPULATION
PRO-
PORTION DEFINED.—The term ‘‘voting age 
population proportion’’ means, with respect 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
to any State, the amount equal to the 
quotient of— 
(I) the voting age population of 
the State (as determined by the most 
recent American Community Survey 
conducted by the Bureau of the Cen-
sus); and 
(II) the total voting age popu-
lation of all States (as determined by 
the most recent American Community 
Survey conducted by the Bureau of 
the Census). 
(3) FUNDING.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to make payments under this subsection 
$2,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2020. 
SEC. 4. GRANTS TO PROMOTE SAFE, ACCESSIBLE, AND EF-
FICIENT IN-PERSON VOTING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle D of title II of the Help 
America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21001 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘PART 
VII—GRANT 
PROGRAM 
TO 
PROMOTE 
SAFE, ACCESSIBLE, AND EFFICIENT IN-PER-
SON VOTING 
‘‘SEC. 297. PAYMENTS TO STATES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall make a 
payment to each eligible State (as described in section 
298(a)). Such payments shall be made not later than 30 
days after the date of enactment of this part. 
‘‘(b) USE OF FUNDS.—An eligible State shall use the 
payment received under this part to carry out one or more 
of the authorized activities described in section 298(b) 
with respect to elections for Federal office. 
‘‘(c) AMOUNT OF PAYMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The amount of payment 
made to an eligible State under this section shall be 
the voting age population proportion amount de-
scribed in paragraph (2) plus any additional amount 
determined by the Commission under paragraph (3). 
‘‘(2) VOTING
AGE
POPULATION
PROPORTION 
AMOUNT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The voting age popu-
lation proportion amount described in this para-
graph is the product of— 
‘‘(i) the aggregate amount made avail-
able for payments under this section minus 
the total of all of the additional payment 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
amounts determined under paragraph (3); 
and 
‘‘(ii) the voting age population propor-
tion for the State (as defined in subpara-
graph (B)). 
‘‘(B) VOTING AGE POPULATION PROPOR-
TION DEFINED.—The term ‘voting age popu-
lation proportion’ means, with respect to an eli-
gible State, the amount equal to the quotient 
of— 
‘‘(i) the voting age population of the 
State (as determined by the most recent 
American Community Survey conducted by 
the Bureau of the Census); and 
‘‘(ii) the total voting age population of 
all States (as determined by the most re-
cent American Community Survey con-
ducted by the Bureau of the Census). 
‘‘(3) DETERMINATION OF ADDITIONAL AMOUNT 
BASED ON NEEDS OF VOTING AGE POPULATION IN 
STATE.—The Commission shall, with respect to each 
eligible State, determine an amount of payment for 
the State in addition to the amount determined 
under paragraph (2) based on the needs of the vot-
ing age population in the State. In determining such 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
additional amount of payment with respect to an eli-
gible State, the Commission shall take into ac-
count— 
‘‘(A) the number of individuals with in-
come below 250 percent of the poverty line ap-
plicable to a family of the size involved (as de-
termined under section 673(2) of the Commu-
nity Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 
9902(2))); 
‘‘(B) the number of individuals in the vot-
ing age population of the State covered by sec-
tion 203 of the Voting Rights Act (52 U.S.C. 
10503); 
‘‘(C) the number of individuals with a dis-
ability as defined in section 3 of the Americans 
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
12102); 
‘‘(D) the number of individuals who live in 
a nonmetropolitan area (as determined by the 
Bureau of the Census); and 
‘‘(E) the number of individuals who belong 
to an Indian tribe (as such term is defined in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(4) DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO UNITS OF 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT.—At least 70 percent of funds 
provided to a State under this part shall be distrib-
uted to units of local government to carry out one 
or more of the authorized activities described in sec-
tion 298(b) with respect to elections for Federal of-
fice. 
‘‘SEC. 298. ELIGIBILITY FOR PAYMENT; AUTHORIZED AC-
TIVITIES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Each State that desires to re-
ceive a payment under this part shall submit a certifi-
cation of intent to use such funds for at least one of the 
authorized activities described in subsection (b) with re-
spect to elections for Federal office. 
‘‘(b) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED.—Funds 
provided under this part shall be used for one or more 
of the following authorized activities: 
‘‘(1) FUNDING TO ENSURE ELECTIONS ARE AC-
CESSIBLE DURING PANDEMIC.—Ensuring voters can 
safely access polling sites during the COVID-19 pan-
demic, including— 
‘‘(A) expanding the number of voting loca-
tions, as well as the days and hours of early in- 
person voting; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(B) providing mobile voting centers and 
temporary voting stations, including advance 
notice of schedule and locations; 
‘‘(C) increasing the ratio of machines and 
poll workers to voters in each precinct; 
‘‘(D) preparing polling locations to imple-
ment social distancing protocols in lines and 
voting booths; 
‘‘(E) providing sufficient quantities of hy-
giene and cleaning supplies, including materials 
to sanitize voting machines after each use; 
‘‘(F) increasing the number of paper bal-
lots available at each polling location; 
‘‘(G) providing masks, gloves, and other 
personal protective equipment to poll workers; 
‘‘(H) increasing pay for poll workers dur-
ing the COVID-19 pandemic; and 
‘‘(I) providing voter education on changes 
or improvements to election procedures, accessi-
bility, or voting opportunities during the pan-
demic. 
‘‘(2) FUNDING TO ENSURE ELECTIONS ARE AC-
CESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES DUR-
ING
PANDEMIC.—Ensuring voters can safely reg-
ister, access polling sites, and vote by mail during 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
the COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with this 
Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), the Voting Accessibility for 
the Elderly and Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee 
et seq.), and other applicable law, by improving poll-
ing place accessibility and providing accommodations 
for individuals with disabilities, including— 
‘‘(A) purchasing Remote Access Vote By 
Mail (RAVBM) systems, ballot marking devices 
and software, and screen reading software, and 
making them available to voters with disabil-
ities; 
‘‘(B) equipping polling locations with tech-
nologies that enable individuals with disabilities 
to privately and independently mark, verify, and 
cast their ballots, including through the avail-
ability of ballot marking devices, headsets, con-
trollers, and other assistive devices; 
‘‘(C) making permanent or temporary 
modifications to render polling places accessible; 
‘‘(D) ensuring appropriate polling place 
siting to avoid locations that pose higher health 
risks to the public; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(E) conducting analysis on polling place 
reconfiguration to account for social distancing 
and implementing changes; 
‘‘(F) providing training for poll workers on 
how to best serve individuals during the pan-
demic, including specialized training for serving 
individuals with disabilities; 
‘‘(G) assessing the accessibility of election 
websites and remediating any accessibility prob-
lems to ensure voter information is clear and 
accessible; and 
‘‘(H) providing fully accessible online voter 
registration services. 
‘‘(3) FUNDING TO ENSURE CONTINUING PRO-
TECTIONS FOR LANGUAGE MINORITY VOTERS.—En-
suring continuing protections for language minority 
voters, including— 
‘‘(A) ensuring compliance with section 203 
of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 
10503)— 
‘‘(i) with respect to vote-by-mail and 
new voter registration procedures; and 
‘‘(ii) with respect to voting materials 
(as such term is defined in such section); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(B) ensuring adequate support for such 
individuals (including for language minority 
voters who do not reside in jurisdictions covered 
by section 203 of the Voting Rights Act), in-
cluding through— 
‘‘(i) language assistance hotlines in 
covered languages; 
‘‘(ii) phone interpretation and inter-
preter services; 
‘‘(iii) funding to produce, print, and 
distribute multi-lingual versions of mate-
rials; 
‘‘(iv) enhancing in-language media ad-
vertising regarding polling place changes; 
‘‘(v) recruiting and hiring bilingual or 
multilingual election workers; and 
‘‘(vi) enhancing in-language media ad-
vertising regarding procedures for obtain-
ing and returning mail-in ballots; and 
‘‘(C) providing voter education on activities 
carried out under this paragraph. 
‘‘(4) FUNDING TO ENSURE VOTING ACCESS BY 
AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE VOTERS AND 
RURAL VOTERS.—Ensuring voting access American 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
Indian and Alaska Native voters and rural voters, 
including— 
‘‘(A) ensuring polling place availability 
within 20 miles of where voters live; 
‘‘(B) providing transportation services for 
American Indian, Alaska Native, and rural vot-
ers to reach their nearest polling location; 
‘‘(C) establishing polling places on Native 
American reservations that are open for voting 
days and hours commensurate with polling 
place days and hours in urban areas within the 
State; 
‘‘(D) giving Indian tribes authority to des-
ignate buildings that can be used as a residen-
tial address for voter registration and for phys-
ical sites for ballot pickup, drop-off, and collec-
tion; 
‘‘(E) offering information in unwritten lan-
guages or languages not widely used in written 
form, in consultation with relevant Tribal gov-
ernments; 
‘‘(F) collecting ballots from remote polling 
locations, ballot collection boxes, and tribally 
designated buildings; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(G) carrying out any activities permitted 
under paragraph (2) to improve accessibility for 
American Indian and Alaska Native voters with 
disabilities; and 
‘‘(H) providing voter education on the ac-
tivities carried out under this paragraph. 
‘‘(5) CURBSIDE VOTING.—The implementation 
and promotion of curbside voting to allow individuals 
to pick up ballots, complete them, and return them 
to a poll worker from their vehicles. 
‘‘(6) FUNDING TO MEET MAXIMUM WAIT TIME 
STANDARD AT POLLING LOCATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The implementation 
of standards that reduce wait times at polling 
locations. 
‘‘(B) CERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENT.—In 
the case where the State uses funds for pur-
poses described in subparagraph (A) with re-
spect to an election for Federal office, the State 
shall certify to the Commission within 120 days 
of the election that wait time standards were 
met in the State with respect to such election. 
‘‘(7) FUNDING
FOR
PUBLICATION
OF
WAIT 
TIMES.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The development or 
implementation of an accessible, web-based 
platform for the publication of wait times for 
voting in Federal elections. 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENT.—If a State uses 
funds for a purpose described in subparagraph 
(A), the State shall take reasonable steps before 
using such platform in an election for Federal 
office— 
‘‘(i) to provide advance training to 
election workers regarding use of the plat-
form; 
‘‘(ii) to notify voters of the platform; 
and 
‘‘(iii) to test and verify the security 
and functionality of the platform. 
‘‘(8) METHODS
TO
IMPROVE
LINE
MANAGE-
MENT.—Implementing standards to improve line 
management systems and polling place management. 
‘‘(9) STANDARDS FOR TRAINING AND RECRUIT-
MENT OF POLL WORKERS.—Providing for the train-
ing and recruitment of poll workers, including— 
‘‘(A) developing poll worker training cur-
ricula and standards for serving individuals 
with disabilities and language minority voters; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(B) ensuring that poll workers receive 
training, which— 
‘‘(i) may include remote training; and 
‘‘(ii) may cover applicable Federal and 
State laws and regulations, recent changes 
in election laws and processes, election se-
curity and cyber vulnerabilities, ballot re-
views, incident response, polling accessi-
bility for language minorities and individ-
uals with disabilities, and COVID-19 pre-
paredness; 
‘‘(C) expanding the number of election 
workers hired; 
‘‘(D) hiring individuals to serve as election 
workers from among high school and college 
students and, where feasible, compensating 
such individuals with course credits; and 
‘‘(E) hiring work-eligible non-citizens to 
satisfy the need for bilingual poll workers, 
where language assistance is required by law. 
‘‘(10) IMPROVING ACCESS TO VOTER REGISTRA-
TION.—Improving access to voter registration, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(A) authorizing and implementing same 
day registration; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘(B) ensuring that online voter registra-
tion systems are in place and have the capacity 
to process registration applications electroni-
cally; 
‘‘(C) expanding online voter registration 
systems to allow use by the maximum number 
of individuals, including— 
‘‘(i) by allowing individuals to register 
to vote without records in the department 
of motor vehicle system of the State by 
submitting their signatures online; 
‘‘(ii) by digitally uploading a picture 
of the required signature; 
‘‘(iii) by allowing individuals to pro-
vide the required signature when voting at 
the polls or when returning a mail-in bal-
lot; or 
‘‘(iv) by allowing individual to provide 
a required signature with a mark or signa-
ture stamp or through the use of an assist-
ant because of age, disability, or other 
need; 
‘‘(D) sending a voter registration mailer, 
including a blank voter registration application, 
a self-sealing prepaid return envelope, and in-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
structions on additional methods to register if 
the mailer is not accessible, to all eligible indi-
viduals with State records who are not cur-
rently registered to vote; and 
‘‘(E) testing capacity to ensure that exist-
ing online voter registration systems can with-
stand the likely increase in usage. 
‘‘(c) INTERAGENCY CONSULTATION.—Not later than 
15 days after the date of enactment of this part, the Com-
mission shall— 
‘‘(1) consult with the Centers for Disease Con-
trol and Prevention on preventing transmission of 
COVID-19 at polling places and election offices; and 
‘‘(2) consult with the Civil Rights Division of 
the Department of Justice to ensure changes to vot-
ing procedures made pursuant to this part are non-
discriminatory and comply with applicable Federal 
laws, including this Act, the Americans with Disabil-
ities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), the Vot-
ing Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee et seq.), the Voting Rights 
Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.), the National 
Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et 
seq.), and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
U.S.C. 20901 et seq.). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
‘‘SEC. 299. FUNDING; REPORTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
2020, 
for 
making 
payments 
under 
this 
part, 
$2,500,000,000. Such amount shall be in addition to other 
amounts otherwise available for such purposes. 
‘‘(b) REPORTS.—Not later than one year after the 
applicable election for which a payment was provided 
under this part, each eligible State that received such 
funds shall submit a report to the Commission on the ac-
tivities conducted using such payment and to substantiate 
authorized activities described in section 298(b) carried 
out using such funds. Not later than 30 days after receipt 
of such reports, the Commission shall transmit such re-
ports to the Committee on Rules and Administration of 
the Senate and the Committee on House Administration 
of the House of Representatives.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The table of contents 
of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 296 the following: 
‘‘PART VII—GRANT PROGRAM TO PROTECT IN-PERSON VOTING 
‘‘Sec. 297. Payments to States. 
‘‘Sec. 298. Eligibility for payment; authorized activities. 
‘‘Sec. 299. Funding; reports.’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:58 Jun 01, 2020
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H6807.IH
H6807
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS