(3) have primary responsibility to carry out
Federal functions under title I of the Uniformed and
Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C.
1973ff et seq.) as the Presidential designee;
(4) develop, update, and adopt, by vote of the
Commission, not less often than every 4 years, rec-
ommendations for voluntary procedures for main-
taining and enhancing the administration of Federal,
State, and local elections;
(5) carry out the provisions of section 9 of the
National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C.
1973gg–7) regarding mail voter registration;
(6) make available information regarding the
Federal election system to the public and media;
(7) assemble and make available bipartisan
panels of election professionals to assist any State
election official, upon request, in review of election
or vote counting procedures in Federal, State, and
local elections; and
(8) compile and make available to the public the
official certified results of Federal elections and sta-
tistics regarding national voter registration and
turnout.
(b) STUDY OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION.—Begin-
ning on the date that is 1 day after the date on which
all the members are initially appointed to the Commission,
the Commission shall make periodic studies, which shall
be made available to the public, of issues related to the
administration of elections, such as procedures which rep-
resent the best practices in election administration,
including—
(1) election technology and systems and ballot
design;
(2) voter registration, and verification and
maintenance of voter rolls;
(3) access to polling places;
(4) alternative voting methods; and
(5) the accuracy and security of election proce-
dures and vote counts.
(c) GRANT PROGRAM.—
(1) GRANT AUTHORITY.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not less often than
once each calendar year, the Commission shall
solicit and review applications from State and
local governments for grants to improve and
modernize the administration of elections using
procedures 
consistent 
with 
voluntary 
rec-
ommendations adopted by the Commission.
(B) AWARD.—
(i) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to clause
(ii), the Commission shall, by vote, award
grants to State and local governments that
submit applications.
(ii) FIRST 4 YEARS.—During the first
4 years in which the Commission awards
grants under this subsection, the Commis-
sion shall, if possible, award 51 percent of
the amounts available for each year under
this subsection to local governments that
serve a population whose average per cap-
ita income is among the lowest 1⁄4 in the
State (as determined by the Commission).
(2) STATE AND LOCAL APPLICATIONS.—State
and local governments shall submit applications to
the Commission for grants under paragraph (1) at
such time, in such manner, and containing such in-
formation as the Commission shall by regulation re-
quire.
(3) USE OF FUNDS.—
(A) MATCHING FUNDS.—The Commission
shall ensure that any State or local government
receiving a grant under this subsection shall ex-
pend State or local funds in an amount equal
to not less than 25 percent of the amount of
the grant awarded.
(B) AUDIT.—A State or local government
receiving a grant under this subsection shall
agree that any funds under the grant are sub-
ject to audit whenever the Commission, by vote,
requests an audit.
(C) WAIVER.—The Commission shall waive
the requirement of subparagraph (A) if the
Commission determines that the local govern-
ment submitting an application under para-
graph (2) serves a population whose average
per capita income is among the lowest 1⁄4 in the
State.
(4) AMOUNT OF GRANT; TIME.—
(A) AMOUNT OF GRANT.—The Commission
shall award grants under this subsection—
(i) for the first fiscal year, in an ag-
gregate 
amount 
not 
to 
exceed
$500,000,000; and
(ii) for each subsequent fiscal year,
$100,000,000 or such greater amount as
may be appropriated for such fiscal year.
(B) TIME
TO
ALLOCATE.—The Commis-
sion shall begin review of applications for
grants under this subsection on the date which
is 1 year and 45 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act.
(5) APPROPRIATIONS.—Funds appropriated for
a fiscal year to the Commission to award grants
under this subsection that are not used for such pur-
pose shall be returned to the Treasury by the end
of such year.
(d) REPORT.—The Commission shall annually submit
to the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Sen-
ate and the Committee on House Administration of the
House of Representatives a report regarding the activities
of the Commission.
SEC. 103. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be
composed of 4 members appointed by the President,
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) PARTY AFFILIATION.—Not more than 2 of
the 4 members appointed under paragraph (1) may
be members of the same party.
(3) 
QUALIFICATIONS.—Members 
appointed
under paragraph (1) shall be chosen on the basis of
experience with and knowledge of State and local
election administration, integrity, impartiality, and
good judgment, and members shall be individuals
who, at the time appointed to the Commission, are
not elected or appointed officers or employees in the
executive or legislative branch of the Federal Gov-
ernment. Such individuals shall not engage in any
other business, vocation, or employment.
(4) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.—
(A) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT.—Members
shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, except
that of the members first appointed—
(i) 2 of the members, not affiliated
with the same party, shall be appointed for
5 years; and
(ii) 2 of the members, not affiliated
with the same party, shall be appointed for
4 years.
(B) VACANCIES.—
(i) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the
Commission shall be filled in the manner
in which the original appointment was
made and shall be subject to any condi-
tions which applied with respect to the
original appointment.
(ii) EXPIRED TERMS.—A member of
the Commission may serve on the Commis-
sion after the expiration of the member’s
term until the successor of such member
has taken office as a member of the Com-
mission.
(iii) UNEXPIRED
TERMS.—An indi-
vidual chosen to fill a vacancy shall be ap-
pointed for the unexpired term of the
member replaced.
(5) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—Each mem-
ber of the Commission shall receive compensation
equivalent to the annual rate of basic pay prescribed
for level IV of the Executive Schedule, under section
5315 of title 5, United States Code.
(6) CHAIRPERSON; VICE CHAIRPERSON.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall
elect a chairperson and vice chairperson from
among its members for a term of 1 year.
(B) NUMBER OF TERMS.—A member may
serve as a chairperson only once during any
term of office to which such member is ap-
pointed.
(C) POLITICAL AFFILIATION.—The chair-
person and vice chairperson shall not be affili-
ated with the same political party.
(b) DATE OF APPOINTMENT.—The appointments of
the members of the Commission shall be made not later
than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) VOTING.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each action of the Commis-
sion shall be approved by a majority vote of the
members of the Commission. Each member of the
Commission shall have 1 vote.
(2) CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD.—After the
members of the Election Administration Advisory
Board have elected a chairperson of that Board
under section 201(e), that chairperson may vote on
an action of the Commission if the votes of the
members of the Commission are equally divided with
respect to that action, and the result of such vote
shall be deemed to be approved by a majority vote
of the members of the Commission for purposes of
paragraph (1).
(d) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the
call of any member of the Commission, but may not meet
less often than monthly.
(e) JURISDICTION OF COMMISSION.—The Commis-
sion shall formulate and administer policy with respect to
the matters and duties in the jurisdiction of the Commis-
sion under this title.
SEC. 104. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission
may hold such hearings for the purpose of carrying out
this title, sit and act at such times and places, take such
testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission
considers advisable to carry out this title. The Commission
may administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses ap-
pearing before the Commission.
(b) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The
Commission may secure directly from any Federal depart-
ment or agency such information as the Commission con-
siders necessary to carry out this title. Upon request of
the chairperson of the Commission, the head of such de-
partment or agency shall furnish such information to the
Commission.
(c) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may use
the United States mails in the same manner and under
the same conditions as other departments and agencies of
the Federal Government.
(d) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon
the request of the chairperson of the Commission, the Ad-
ministrator of the General Services Administration shall
provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the
administrative support services that are necessary to en-
able the Commission to carry out its duties under this
title.
SEC. 105. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) STAFF.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The chairperson of the Com-
mission may, without regard to the civil service laws
and regulations, appoint and terminate an executive
director and such other additional personnel as may
be necessary to enable the Commission to perform
its duties. The employment of an executive director
shall be subject to confirmation by the Commission.
(2) COMPENSATION.—The chairperson of the
Commission may fix the compensation of the execu-
tive director and other personnel without regard to
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title
5, United States Code, relating to classification of
positions and General Schedule pay rates, except
that the rate of pay for the executive director and
other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for
level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316
of such title.
(b) DETAIL
OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.—Any
Federal Government employee may be detailed to the
Commission without reimbursement, and such detail shall
be without interruption or loss of civil service status or
privilege.
(c) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMIT-
TENT SERVICES.—The chairperson of the Commission
may procure temporary and intermittent services under
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates
for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent
of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of
the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Com-
mission such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
title.
SEC. 107. OFFICE OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION OF THE
FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION.
There are transferred to the Commission all functions
that the Office of Election Administration, established
within the Federal Election Commission, exercised before
the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 108. UNIFORMED AND OVERSEAS CITIZENS ABSENTEE
VOTING ACT.
(a) TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS.—There are trans-
ferred to the Commission established under section 101
all functions that the Presidential designee under title 1
of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting
Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.) exercised before the date
of enactment of this Act.
(b) TRANSITION.—With the consent of the appro-
priate department or agency concerned, the Commission
is authorized to utilize the services of such officers, em-
ployees, and other personnel of the departments and agen-
cies from which functions have been transferred to the
Commission for such period of time as may reasonably be
needed to facilitate the orderly transfer of functions under
this section.
(c) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Section 101 of the
Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42
U.S.C. 1973ff) is amended by striking subsection (a) and
inserting the following:
‘‘(a) PRESIDENTIAL DESIGNEE.—The Election Ad-
ministration Commission shall have primary responsibility
for Federal functions under this title as the Presidential
designee.’’.
SEC. 109. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
(a) FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT.—Section
311(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 438(a)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (8), by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the
end;
(2) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and
inserting a period; and
(3) by striking paragraph (10) and the second
and third sentences.
(b) NATIONAL
VOTER
REGISTRATION
ACT
OF
1993.—Section 9(a) of the National Voter Registration
Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg–7) is amended by striking
‘‘Federal Election Commission’’ and inserting ‘‘Election
Administration Commission’’.
TITLE 
II—ELECTION 
ADMINIS-
TRATION ADVISORY BOARD
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
ADVISORY BOARD.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the Elec-
tion Administration Advisory Board (in this Act referred
to as the ‘‘Board’’).
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Board shall be com-
posed of 25 members appointed by the Executive Di-
rector of the Election Administration Commission
established under section 101 (in this title referred
to as the ‘‘Commission’’), by and with the advice
and consent of the Commission, from among individ-
uals who—
(A) have experience administering State
and local elections; and
(B) are not officers or employees of the
Federal Government.
(2) PROHIBITION.—A member of the Board ap-
pointed under paragraph (1) may not be a candidate
(as defined in section 301 of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431)), or hold a
Federal office (as defined in such section) while
serving as a member of the Board.
(3) DATE.—The appointments of the members
of the Board under paragraph (1) shall be made not
later than 45 days after the date on which all the
members of the Commission have been appointed
under section 103.
(c) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.—
(1) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT.—Members shall
be appointed for a period of 2 years.
(2) VACANCIES.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—A vacancy on the
Board shall be filled in the manner in which the
original appointment was made and shall be
subject to any conditions which applied with re-
spect to the original appointment.
(B) FILLING UNEXPIRED TERM.—An indi-
vidual chosen to fill a vacancy shall be ap-
pointed for the unexpired term of the member
replaced.
(3) EXPIRATION OF TERMS.—The term of any
member shall not expire before the date on which
the member’s successor takes office.
(d) MEETINGS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Board shall meet at the
call of the Chairperson.
(2) ANNUAL MEETING REQUIRED.—The Board
shall meet not less often than annually.
(3) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days
after the date on which all members of the Board
have been appointed, the Board shall hold its first
meeting.
(4) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of
the Board shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser
number of members may hold hearings.
(e) CHAIRPERSON.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2),
the Board shall elect a Chairperson from among its
members to serve a term of 1 year.
(2) POLITICAL AFFILIATION.—No members of
the same political party may hold the position of
Chairperson for 2 consecutive terms.
(f) VOTING.—Each action of the Board shall be ap-
proved by a majority vote of members. Each member shall
have 1 vote.
SEC. 202. DUTY OF THE BOARD.
It shall be the duty of the Board to advise the Com-
mission on the best practices in the administration of elec-
tions.
SEC. 203. BOARD PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—Each member of
the Board shall serve without compensation.
(b) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member of the Board
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu
of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agen-
cies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United
States Code, while away from their homes or regular
places of business in the performance of services for the
Board.
SEC. 204. TERMINATION OF THE BOARD.
Section 14(b) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Board.
SEC. 205. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Board such sums as may be necessary to
carry out this title.
(b) AVAILABILITY.—Any sums appropriated under
the authorization contained in this section shall remain
available, without fiscal year limitation, until expended.
TITLE III—ABSENT UNIFORMED
SERVICES VOTERS
SEC. 301. MAXIMIZING ACCESS TO THE POLLS BY ABSENT
UNIFORMED SERVICES VOTERS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 104 of the Uniformed and
Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff–
3) is amended—
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ‘‘it is recommended that the States’’ and in-
serting ‘‘each State shall’’; and
(2) by striking the heading and inserting the
following:
‘‘SEC. 104. MAXIMIZING ACCESS TO THE POLLS BY ABSENT
UNIFORMED SERVICES VOTERS.’’.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
(1) Section 101(b) of the Uniformed and Over-
seas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C.
1973ff(b)) is amended—
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘as rec-
ommended in’’ and inserting ‘‘as required by’’; and
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘as rec-
ommended in’’ and inserting ‘‘as required by’’.
(2) Section 104 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff–
3) is amended—
(A) by striking paragraph (4);