Voter Empowerment Act of 2021
Bill: S.954 | Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. (D-NY)
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
Voter Empowerment Act of 2021
This bill expands voter registration and voting access.
Specifically, the bill expands voter registration by requiring states to (1) make available online voter registration, (2) establish automatic voter registration systems, (3) permit same-day voter registration, and (4) accept voter registration applications from individuals under age 18.
Further, the bill limits removing voters from voter rolls and prohibits interference with voter registration or voting.
Next, the bill requires states to allow individuals with disabilities to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections.
The bill also prohibits voter caging (the practice of sending mail to addresses on voter rolls, compiling a list of the undeliverable mail, and using the list to remove registered voters from voter rolls).
Next, the bill expands voting access by requiring states to allow early voting and voting by mail without additional conditions. It also requires states to provide secured drop boxes at which individuals may drop off their completed absentee ballots.
In addition, the bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any federal election shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence.
Finally, the bill permanently reauthorizes the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). It also directs the EAC to make grants to states for specified activities, including to implement automatic voter registration systems.

To modernize voter registration, promote access to voting for 
 individuals with disabilities, protect the ability of individuals to 
  exercise the right to vote in elections for Federal office, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Voter Empowerment 
Act of 2021''.
    (b) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United States 
that--
            (1) the ability of all eligible citizens of the United 
        States to access and exercise their constitutional right to 
        vote in a free, fair, and timely manner must be vigilantly 
        enhanced, protected, and maintained; and
            (2) the integrity, security, and accountability of the 
        voting process must be vigilantly protected, maintained, and 
        enhanced in order to protect and preserve electoral and 
        participatory democracy in the United States.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; statement of policy.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
               TITLE I--VOTER REGISTRATION MODERNIZATION

Sec. 100. Short title.
              Subtitle A--Promoting Internet Registration

Sec. 101. Requiring availability of internet for voter registration.
Sec. 102. Use of internet to update registration information.
Sec. 103. Provision of election information by electronic mail to 
                            individuals registered to vote.
Sec. 104. Clarification of requirement regarding necessary information 
                            to show eligibility to vote.
Sec. 105. Prohibiting State from requiring applicants to provide more 
                            than last 4 digits of Social Security 
                            number.
Sec. 106. Application of rules to certain exempt States.
Sec. 107. Effective date.
                Subtitle B--Automatic Voter Registration

Sec. 111. Short title; findings and purpose.
Sec. 112. Automatic registration of eligible individuals.
Sec. 113. Contributing agency assistance in registration.
Sec. 114. One-time contributing agency assistance in registration of 
                            eligible voters in existing records.
Sec. 115. Voter protection and security in automatic registration.
Sec. 116. Registration portability and correction.
Sec. 117. Payments and grants.
Sec. 118. Treatment of exempt States.
Sec. 119. Miscellaneous provisions.
Sec. 120. Definitions.
Sec. 121. Effective date.
                Subtitle C--Same Day Voter Registration

Sec. 131. Same day registration.
 Subtitle D--Conditions on Removal on Basis of Interstate Cross-Checks

Sec. 141. Conditions on removal of registrants from official list of 
                            eligible voters on basis of interstate 
                            cross-checks.
      Subtitle E--Other Initiatives To Promote Voter Registration

Sec. 151. Biennial reports on voter registration statistics.
Sec. 152. Ensuring pre-election registration deadlines are consistent 
                            with timing of legal public holidays.
Sec. 153. Use of Postal Service hard copy change of address form to 
                            remind individuals to update voter 
                            registration.
Sec. 154. Grants to States for activities to encourage involvement of 
                            minors in election activities.
         Subtitle F--Availability of HAVA Requirements Payments

Sec. 161. Availability of requirements payments under HAVA to cover 
                            costs of compliance with new requirements.
      Subtitle G--Prohibiting Interference With Voter Registration

Sec. 171. Prohibiting hindering, interfering with, or preventing voter 
                            registration.
Sec. 172. Establishment of best practices.
             Subtitle H--Voter Registration Efficiency Act

Sec. 181. Short title.
Sec. 182. Requiring applicants for motor vehicle driver's licenses in 
                            new State to indicate whether State serves 
                            as residence for voter registration 
                            purposes.
   Subtitle I--Providing Voter Registration Information to Secondary 
                            School Students

Sec. 191. Pilot program for providing voter registration information to 
                            secondary school students prior to 
                            graduation.
Sec. 192. Reports.
Sec. 193. Authorization of appropriations.
                Subtitle J--Voter Registration of Minors

Sec. 194. Acceptance of voter registration applications from 
                            individuals under 18 years of age.
      TITLE II--ACCESS TO VOTING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Sec. 201. Requirements for States to promote access to voter 
                            registration and voting for individuals 
                            with disabilities.
Sec. 202. Establishment and maintenance of State accessible election 
                            websites.
Sec. 203. Protections for in-person voting for individuals with 
                            disabilities and older individuals.
Sec. 204. Protections for individuals subject to guardianship.
Sec. 205. Expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure 
                            voting access for individuals with 
                            disabilities.
Sec. 206. Appointments to EAC Board of Advisors.
Sec. 207. Funding for protection and advocacy systems.
Sec. 208. Pilot programs for enabling individuals with disabilities to 
                            register to vote privately and 
                            independently at residences.
Sec. 209. GAO analysis and report on voting access for individuals with 
                            disabilities.
                  TITLE III--PROHIBITING VOTER CAGING

Sec. 301. Voter caging and other questionable challenges prohibited.
Sec. 302. Development and adoption of best practices for preventing 
                            voter caging.
    TITLE IV--PROHIBITING DECEPTIVE PRACTICES AND PREVENTING VOTER 
                              INTIMIDATION

Sec. 401. Short title.
Sec. 402. Prohibition on deceptive practices in Federal elections.
Sec. 403. Corrective action.
Sec. 404. Reports to Congress.
                     TITLE V--DEMOCRACY RESTORATION

Sec. 501. Short title.
Sec. 502. Findings.
Sec. 503. Rights of citizens.
Sec. 504. Enforcement.
Sec. 505. Notification of restoration of voting rights.
Sec. 506. Definitions.
Sec. 507. Relation to other laws.
Sec. 508. Federal prison funds.
Sec. 509. Effective date.
  TITLE VI--PROMOTING ACCURACY, INTEGRITY, AND SECURITY THROUGH VOTER-
                    VERIFIED PERMANENT PAPER BALLOT

Sec. 601. Short title.
Sec. 602. Paper ballot and manual counting requirements.
Sec. 603. Accessibility and ballot verification for individuals with 
                            disabilities.
Sec. 604. Durability and readability requirements for ballots.
Sec. 605. Study and report on optimal ballot design.
Sec. 606. Paper ballot printing requirements.
Sec. 607. Effective date for new requirements.
                     TITLE VII--PROVISIONAL BALLOTS

Sec. 701. Requirements for counting provisional ballots; establishment 
                            of uniform and nondiscriminatory standards.
                        TITLE VIII--EARLY VOTING

Sec. 801. Early voting.
                        TITLE IX--VOTING BY MAIL

Sec. 901. Voting by mail.
Sec. 902. Absentee ballot tracking program.
Sec. 903. Election mail and delivery improvements.
Sec. 904. Voting materials postage.
     TITLE X--ABSENT UNIFORMED SERVICES VOTERS AND OVERSEAS VOTERS

Sec. 1001. Pre-election reports on availability and transmission of 
                            absentee ballots.
Sec. 1002. Enforcement.
Sec. 1003. Revisions to 45-day absentee ballot transmission rule.
Sec. 1004. Use of single absentee ballot application for subsequent 
                            elections.
Sec. 1005. Extending guarantee of residency for voting purposes to 
                            family members of absent military 
                            personnel.
Sec. 1006. Requiring transmission of blank absentee ballots under 
                            UOCAVA to certain voters.
Sec. 1007. Effective date.
             TITLE XI--POLL WORKER RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING

Sec. 1101. Grants to States for poll worker recruitment and training.
Sec. 1102. State defined.
                 TITLE XII--ENHANCEMENT OF ENFORCEMENT

Sec. 1201. Enhancement of enforcement of Help America Vote Act of 2002.
                 TITLE XIII--FEDERAL ELECTION INTEGRITY

Sec. 1301. Prohibition on campaign activities by chief State election 
                            administration officials.
   TITLE XIV--PROMOTING VOTER ACCESS THROUGH ELECTION ADMINISTRATION 
                              IMPROVEMENTS

                   Subtitle A--Promoting Voter Access

Sec. 1401. Treatment of institutions of higher education.
Sec. 1402. Minimum notification requirements for voters affected by 
                            polling place changes.
Sec. 1403. Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet 
                            identification requirements for voting.
Sec. 1404. Accommodations for voters residing in Indian lands.
Sec. 1405. Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of polling 
                            places.
Sec. 1406. Requiring States to provide secured drop boxes for voted 
                            absentee ballots in elections for Federal 
                            office.
Sec. 1407. Prohibiting States from restricting curbside voting.
          Subtitle B--Disaster and Emergency Contingency Plans

Sec. 1411. Requirements for Federal election contingency plans in 
                            response to natural disasters and 
                            emergencies.
Subtitle C--Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission

Sec. 1421. Reauthorization of Election Assistance Commission.
Sec. 1422. Requiring States to participate in post-general election 
                            surveys.
Sec. 1423. Reports by National Institute of Standards and Technology on 
                            use of funds transferred from Election 
                            Assistance Commission.
Sec. 1424. Recommendations to improve operations of Election Assistance 
                            Commission.
Sec. 1425. Repeal of exemption of Election Assistance Commission from 
                            certain government contracting 
                            requirements.
                  Subtitle D--Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 1431. Application of laws to Commonwealth of Northern Mariana 
                            Islands.
Sec. 1432. Definition of election for Federal office.
Sec. 1433. No effect on other laws.
Sec. 1434. Clarification of exemption for States without voter 
                            registration.
                         TITLE XV--SEVERABILITY

Sec. 1501. Severability.

               TITLE I--VOTER REGISTRATION MODERNIZATION

SEC. 100. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Voter Registration Modernization 
Act of 2021''.

              Subtitle A--Promoting Internet Registration

SEC. 101. REQUIRING AVAILABILITY OF INTERNET FOR VOTER REGISTRATION.

    (a) Requiring Availability of Internet for Registration.--The 
National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.) is 
amended by inserting after section 6 the following new section:

``SEC. 6A. INTERNET REGISTRATION.

    ``(a) Requiring Availability of Internet for Online Registration.--
Each State, acting through the chief State election official, 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 State, in the same manner and subject to the 
same terms and conditions as the services provided by voter 
registration agencies under section 7(a):
            ``(1) Online application for voter registration.
            ``(2) Online assistance to applicants in applying to 
        register to vote.
            ``(3) Online completion and submission by applicants of the 
        mail voter registration application form prescribed by the 
        Election Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2), 
        including assistance with providing a signature as required 
        under subsection (c).
            ``(4) Online receipt of completed voter registration 
        applications.
    ``(b) Acceptance of Completed Applications.--A State shall accept 
an online voter registration application provided by an individual 
under this section, and ensure that the individual is registered to 
vote in the State, if--
            ``(1) the individual meets the same voter registration 
        requirements applicable to individuals who register to vote by 
        mail in accordance with section 6(a)(1) using the mail voter 
        registration application form prescribed by the Election 
        Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2); and
            ``(2) the individual meets the requirements of subsection 
        (c) to provide a signature in electronic form (but only in the 
        case of applications submitted during or after the second year 
        in which this section is in effect in the State).
    ``(c) Signature Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, an 
        individual meets the requirements of this subsection as 
        follows:
                    ``(A) In the case of an individual who has a 
                signature on file with a State agency, including the 
                State motor vehicle authority, that is required to 
                provide voter registration services under this Act or 
                any other law, the individual consents to the transfer 
                of that electronic signature.
                    ``(B) If subparagraph (A) does not apply, the 
                individual submits with the application an electronic 
                copy of the individual's handwritten signature through 
                electronic means.
                    ``(C) If subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B) do 
                not apply, the individual executes a computerized mark 
                in the signature field on an online voter registration 
                application, in accordance with reasonable security 
                measures established by the State, but only if the 
                State accepts such mark from the individual.
            ``(2) Treatment of individuals unable to meet 
        requirement.--If an individual is unable to meet the 
        requirements of paragraph (1), the State shall--
                    ``(A) permit the individual to complete all other 
                elements of the online voter registration application;
                    ``(B) permit the individual to provide a signature 
                at the time the individual requests a ballot in an 
                election (whether the individual requests the ballot at 
                a polling place or requests the ballot by mail); and
                    ``(C) if the individual carries out the steps 
                described in subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B), 
                ensure that the individual is registered to vote in the 
                State.
            ``(3) Notice.--The State shall ensure that individuals 
        applying to register to vote online are notified of the 
        requirements of paragraph (1) and of the treatment of 
        individuals unable to meet such requirements, as described in 
        paragraph (2).
    ``(d) Confirmation and Disposition.--
            ``(1) Confirmation of receipt.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Upon the online submission of a 
                completed voter registration application by an 
                individual under this section, the appropriate State or 
                local election official shall provide 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 application.
                    ``(B) Method of notification.--The appropriate 
                State or local election official shall provide the 
                notice required under subparagraph (A) though the 
                online submission process and--
                            ``(i) in the case of an individual who has 
                        provided the official with an electronic mail 
                        address, by electronic mail; and
                            ``(ii) at the option of the individual, by 
                        text message.
            ``(2) Notice of disposition.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 7 days after the 
                appropriate State or local election official has 
                approved or rejected an application submitted by an 
                individual under this section, the official shall 
                provide the individual a notice of the disposition of 
                the application.
                    ``(B) Method of notification.--The appropriate 
                State or local election official shall provide the 
                notice required under subparagraph (A) by regular mail 
                and--
                            ``(i) in the case of an individual who has 
                        provided the official with an electronic mail 
                        address, by electronic mail; and
                            ``(ii) at the option of the individual, by 
                        text message.
    ``(e) Provision of Services in Nonpartisan Manner.--The services 
made available under subsection (a) shall be provided in a manner that 
ensures that, consistent with section 7(a)(5)--
            ``(1) the online application does not seek to influence an 
        applicant's political preference or party registration; and
            ``(2) there is no display on the website promoting any 
        political preference or party allegiance, except that nothing 
        in this paragraph may be construed to prohibit an applicant 
        from registering to vote as a member of a political party.
    ``(f) Protection of Security of Information.--In meeting the 
requirements of this section, 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 (a).
    ``(g) Accessibility of Services.--A State shall ensure that the 
services made available under this section are made available to 
individuals with disabilities to the same extent as services are made 
available to all other individuals.
    ``(h) Nondiscrimination Among Registered Voters Using Mail and 
Online Registration.--In carrying out this Act, the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002, or any other Federal, State, or local law governing the 
treatment of registered voters in the State or the administration of 
elections for public office in the State, 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 mail.''.
    (b) Special Requirements for Individuals Using Online 
Registration.--
            (1) Treatment as individuals registering to vote by mail 
        for purposes of first-time voter identification requirements.--
        Section 303(b)(1)(A) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
        U.S.C. 21083(b)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``by mail'' and 
        inserting ``by mail or online under section 6A of the National 
        Voter Registration Act of 1993''.
            (2) Requiring signature for first-time voters in 
        jurisdiction.--Section 303(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21083(b)) 
        is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph 
                (6); and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following 
                new paragraph:
            ``(5) Signature requirements for first-time voters using 
        online registration.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A State shall, in a uniform and 
                nondiscriminatory manner, require an individual to meet 
                the requirements of subparagraph (B) if--
                            ``(i) the individual registered to vote in 
                        the State online under section 6A of the 
                        National Voter Registration Act of 1993; and
                            ``(ii) the individual has not previously 
                        voted in an election for Federal office in the 
                        State.
                    ``(B) Requirements.--An individual meets the 
                requirements of this subparagraph if--
                            ``(i) in the case of an individual who 
                        votes in person, the individual provides the 
                        appropriate State or local election official 
                        with a handwritten signature; or
                            ``(ii) in the case of an individual who 
                        votes by mail, the individual submits with the 
                        ballot a handwritten signature.
                    ``(C) Inapplicability.--Subparagraph (A) does not 
                apply in the case of an individual who is--
                            ``(i) entitled to vote by absentee ballot 
                        under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 
                        Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302 et seq.);
                            ``(ii) provided the right to vote otherwise 
                        than in person under section 3(b)(2)(B)(ii) of 
                        the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and 
                        Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20102(b)(2)(B)(ii)); 
                        or
                            ``(iii) entitled to vote otherwise than in 
                        person under any other Federal law.''.
            (3) Conforming amendment relating to effective date.--
        Section 303(d)(2)(A) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21083(d)(2)(A)) is 
        amended by striking ``Each State'' and inserting ``Except as 
        provided in subsection (b)(5), each State''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Timing of registration.--Section 8(a)(1) of the 
        National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(1)) 
        is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
                (C);
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as 
                subparagraph (E); and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the 
                following new subparagraph:
                    ``(D) in the case of online registration through 
                the official public website of an election official 
                under section 6A, if the valid voter registration 
                application is submitted online not later than the 
                lesser of 28 days, or the period provided by State law, 
                before the date of the election (as determined by 
                treating the date on which the application is sent 
                electronically as the date on which it is submitted); 
                and''.
            (2) Informing applicants of eligibility requirements and 
        penalties.--Section 8(a)(5) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(5)) 
        is amended by striking ``and 7'' and inserting ``6A, and 7''.

SEC. 102. USE OF INTERNET TO UPDATE REGISTRATION INFORMATION.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Updates to information contained on computerized 
        statewide voter registration list.--Section 303(a) of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(a)) is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(6) Use of internet by registered voters to update 
        information.--
                    ``(A) 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 information, including the 
                voter's address and electronic mail address, online 
                through the official public website of the election 
                official responsible for the maintenance of the list, 
                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 6A(c) of the 
                National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
                    ``(B) Processing of updated information by election 
                officials.--If a registered voter updates registration 
                information under subparagraph (A), the appropriate 
                State or local election official shall--
                            ``(i) revise any information on the 
                        computerized list to reflect the update made by 
                        the voter; and
                            ``(ii) if the updated registration 
                        information affects the voter's eligibility to 
                        vote in an election for Federal office, ensure 
                        that the information is processed with respect 
                        to the election if the voter updates the 
                        information not later than the lesser of 7 
                        days, or the period provided by State law, 
                        before the date of the election.
                    ``(C) Confirmation and disposition.--
                            ``(i) Confirmation of receipt.--Upon the 
                        online submission of updated registration 
                        information by an individual under this 
                        paragraph, 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 update.
                            ``(ii) Notice of disposition.--Not later 
                        than 7 days after the appropriate State or 
                        local election official has accepted or 
                        rejected updated information submitted by an 
                        individual under this paragraph, the official 
                        shall send the individual a notice of the 
                        disposition of the update.
                            ``(iii) Method of notification.--The 
                        appropriate State or local election official 
                        shall send the notices required under this 
                        subparagraph by regular mail and--
                                    ``(I) in the case of an individual 
                                who has requested that the State 
                                provide voter registration and voting 
                                information through electronic mail, by 
                                electronic mail; and
                                    ``(II) at the option of the 
                                individual, by text message.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment relating to effective date.--
        Section 303(d)(1)(A) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21083(d)(1)(A)) is 
        amended by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting 
        ``subparagraph (B) and subsection (a)(6)''.
    (b) Ability of Registrant To Use Online Update To Provide 
Information on Residence.--Section 8(d)(2)(A) of the National Voter 
Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(d)(2)(A)) is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence, by inserting after ``return the 
        card'' the following: ``or update the registrant's information 
        on the computerized Statewide voter registration list using the 
        online method provided under section 303(a)(6) of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002''; and
            (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``returned,'' and 
        inserting the following: ``returned or if the registrant does 
        not update the registrant's information on the computerized 
        Statewide voter registration list using such online method,''.

SEC. 103. PROVISION OF ELECTION INFORMATION BY ELECTRONIC MAIL TO 
              INDIVIDUALS REGISTERED TO VOTE.

    (a) Including Option on Voter Registration Application To Provide 
Email Address and Receive Information.--
            (1) In general.--Section 9(b) of the National Voter 
        Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20508(b)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph 
                (3);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
                (4) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(5) shall include a space for the applicant to provide 
        (at the applicant's option) an electronic mail address, 
        together with a statement that, if the applicant so requests, 
        instead of using regular mail the appropriate State and local 
        election officials shall provide to the applicant, through 
        electronic mail sent to that address, the same voting 
        information (as defined in section 302(b)(2) of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002) which the officials would provide to 
        the applicant through regular mail.''.
            (2) Prohibiting use for purposes unrelated to official 
        duties of election officials.--Section 9 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
        20508) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(c) 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 
(b)(5) is used only for purposes of carrying out official duties of 
election officials and is not transmitted by any State or local 
election official (or any agent of such an official, including a 
contractor) 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 official.''.
    (b) Requiring Provision of Information by Election Officials.--
Section 302(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
21082(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) 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 (as 
        described in section 9(b)(5) of the National Voter Registration 
        Act of 1993), the appropriate State or local election official, 
        through electronic mail transmitted not later than 7 days 
        before the date of the election for Federal office involved, 
        shall provide the individual with information on how to obtain 
        the following information by electronic means:
                    ``(A) The name and address of the polling place at 
                which the individual is assigned to vote in the 
                election.
                    ``(B) The hours of operation for the polling place.
                    ``(C) A description of any identification or other 
                information the individual may be required to present 
                at the polling place.''.

SEC. 104. CLARIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT REGARDING NECESSARY INFORMATION 
              TO SHOW ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE.

    Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
20507) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(j) Requirement for State To Register Applicants Providing 
Necessary Information To Show Eligibility To Vote.--For purposes 
meeting the requirement of subsection (a)(1) that an eligible applicant 
is registered to vote in an election for Federal office within the 
deadlines required under such subsection, the State shall consider an 
applicant to have provided a `valid voter registration form' if--
            ``(1) the applicant has substantially completed the 
        application form and attested to the statement required by 
        section 9(b)(2); and
            ``(2) in the case of an applicant who registers to vote 
        online in accordance with section 6A, the applicant provides a 
        signature in accordance with subsection (c) of such section.''.

SEC. 105. PROHIBITING STATE FROM REQUIRING APPLICANTS TO PROVIDE MORE 
              THAN LAST 4 DIGITS OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

    (a) Form Included With Application for Motor Vehicle Driver's 
License.--Section 5(c)(2)(B)(ii) of the National Voter Registration Act 
of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20504(c)(2)(B)(ii)) is amended by striking the 
semicolon at the end and inserting the following: ``, and to the extent 
that the application requires the applicant to provide a Social 
Security number, may not require the applicant to provide more than the 
last 4 digits of such number;''.
    (b) National Mail Voter Registration Form.--Section 9(b)(1) of such 
Act (52 U.S.C. 20508(b)(1)) is amended by striking the semicolon at the 
end and inserting the following: ``, and to the extent that the form 
requires the applicant to provide a Social Security number, the form 
may not require the applicant to provide more than the last 4 digits of 
such number;''.

SEC. 106. APPLICATION OF RULES TO CERTAIN EXEMPT STATES.

    Section 4 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
20503) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Application of Internet Voter Registration Rules.--
Notwithstanding subsection (b), the following provisions shall apply to 
a State described in paragraph (2) thereof:
            ``(1) Section 6A (as added by section 1001(a) of the Voter 
        Registration Modernization Act of 2021).
            ``(2) Section 8(a)(1)(D) (as added by section 1001(c)(1) of 
        the Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2021).
            ``(3) Section 8(a)(5) (as amended by section 1001(c)(2) of 
        Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2021), but only to the 
        extent such provision relates to section 6A.
            ``(4) Section 8(j) (as added by section 1004 of the Voter 
        Registration Modernization Act of 2021), but only to the extent 
        such provision relates to section 6A.''.

SEC. 107. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
amendments made by this subtitle (other than the amendments made by 
section 104) shall take effect January 1, 2022.
    (b) Waiver.--Subject to the approval of the Election Assistance 
Commission, if a State certifies to the Election Assistance Commission 
that the State will not meet the deadline referred to in subsection (a) 
because of extraordinary circumstances and includes in the 
certification the reasons for the failure to meet the deadline, 
subsection (a) shall apply to the State as if the reference in such 
subsection to ``January 1, 2022'' were a reference to ``January 1, 
2024''.

                Subtitle B--Automatic Voter Registration

SEC. 111. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the ``Automatic 
Voter Registration Act of 2021''.
    (b) Findings and Purpose.--
            (1) Findings.--Congress finds that--
                    (A) the right to vote is a fundamental right of 
                citizens of the United States;
                    (B) it is the responsibility of the State and 
                Federal Governments to ensure that every eligible 
                citizen is registered to vote;
                    (C) existing voter registration systems can be 
                inaccurate, costly, inaccessible and confusing, with 
                damaging effects on voter participation in elections 
                for Federal office and disproportionate impacts on 
                young people, persons with disabilities, and racial and 
                ethnic minorities; and
                    (D) voter registration systems must be updated with 
                21st century technologies and procedures to maintain 
                their security.
            (2) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this subtitle--
                    (A) to establish that it is the responsibility of 
                government at every level to ensure that all eligible 
                citizens are registered to vote in elections for 
                Federal office;
                    (B) to enable the State and Federal Governments to 
                register all eligible citizens to vote with accurate, 
                cost-efficient, and up-to-date procedures;
                    (C) to modernize voter registration and list 
                maintenance procedures with electronic and internet 
                capabilities; and
                    (D) to protect and enhance the integrity, accuracy, 
                efficiency, and accessibility of the electoral process 
                for all eligible citizens.

SEC. 112. AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION OF ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) Requiring States To Establish and Operate Automatic 
Registration System.--
            (1) 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 State, in 
        accordance with the provisions of this subtitle.
            (2) Definition.--The term ``automatic registration'' means 
        a system that registers an individual to vote in elections for 
        Federal office in a State, if eligible, by electronically 
        transferring the information necessary for registration from 
        government agencies to election officials of the State so that, 
        unless the individual affirmatively declines to be registered, 
        the individual will be registered to vote in such elections.
    (b) Registration of Voters Based on New Agency Records.--The chief 
State election official shall--
            (1) not later than 15 days after a contributing agency has 
        transmitted information with respect to an individual pursuant 
        to section 113, 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 
        elections; and
            (2) not later than 120 days after a contributing agency has 
        transmitted such information with respect to the individual, 
        send written notice to the individual, in addition to other 
        means of notice established by this subtitle, of the 
        individual's voter registration status.
    (c) One-Time Registration of Voters Based on Existing Contributing 
Agency Records.--The chief State election official shall--
            (1) identify all individuals whose information is 
        transmitted by a contributing agency pursuant to section 114 
        and who are eligible to be, but are not currently, registered 
        to vote in that State;
            (2) promptly send each such individual written notice, in 
        addition to other means of notice established by this subtitle, 
        which shall not identify the contributing agency that 
        transmitted the information but shall include--
                    (A) an explanation that voter registration is 
                voluntary, but if the individual does not decline 
                registration, the individual will be registered to 
                vote;
                    (B) a statement offering the opportunity to decline 
                voter registration through means consistent with the 
                requirements of this subtitle;
                    (C) 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 office, 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 party, 
                through means consistent with the requirements of this 
                subtitle;
                    (D) 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 9 of the National Voter 
                Registration Act of 1993, the consequences of false 
                registration, and a statement that the individual 
                should decline to register if the individual does not 
                meet all those qualifications;
                    (E) instructions for correcting any erroneous 
                information; and
                    (F) 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 9 of the National 
                Voter Registration Act of 1993;
            (3) 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 45 days after the 
        official sends the individual the written notice under 
        paragraph (2), unless, during the 30-day period which begins on 
        the date the election official sends the individual such 
        written notice, the individual declines registration in 
        writing, through a communication made over the internet, or by 
        an officially-logged telephone communication; and
            (4) send written notice to each such individual, in 
        addition to other means of notice established by this subtitle, 
        of the individual's voter registration status.
    (d) Treatment of Individuals Under 18 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 18 years of age at the time a contributing agency receives 
information with respect to the individual, so long as the individual 
is at least 16 years of age at such time. Nothing in the previous 
sentence may be construed to require a State to permit an individual 
who is under 18 years of age at the time of an election for Federal 
office to vote in the election.
    (e) Contributing Agency Defined.--In this subtitle, the term 
``contributing agency'' means, with respect to a State, an agency 
listed in section 113(e).

SEC. 113. CONTRIBUTING AGENCY ASSISTANCE IN REGISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--In accordance with this subtitle, each 
contributing agency in a State shall assist the State's chief election 
official in registering to vote all eligible individuals served by that 
agency.
    (b) Requirements for Contributing Agencies.--
            (1) Instructions on automatic registration.--Except as 
        otherwise provided in this section, with each application for 
        service or assistance, and with each related recertification, 
        renewal, or change of address, or, in the case of a covered 
        institution of higher education, upon initial enrollment of an 
        in-State student, each contributing agency (other than a 
        contributing agency described in subsection (e)(1)(B)(ii)) that 
        (in the normal course of its operations) requests individuals 
        to affirm United States citizenship (either directly or as part 
        of the overall application for service or assistance or 
        enrollment) shall inform each such individual who is a citizen 
        of the United States of the following:
                    (A) Unless that individual declines to register to 
                vote, or is found ineligible to vote, the individual 
                will be registered to vote or, if applicable, the 
                individual's registration will be updated.
                    (B) 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 9 of the National Voter 
                Registration Act of 1993, the consequences of false 
                registration, and the individual should decline to 
                register if the individual does not meet all those 
                qualifications.
                    (C) 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 office, the 
                requirement that the individual must affiliate or 
                enroll with a political party in order to participate 
                in such an election.
                    (D) Voter registration is voluntary, and neither 
                registering nor declining to register to vote will in 
                any way affect the availability of services or 
                benefits, nor be used for other purposes.
            (2) Opportunity to decline registration required.--Except 
        as otherwise provided in this section, each contributing agency 
        shall ensure that each application for service or assistance, 
        and each related recertification, renewal, or change of 
        address, cannot be completed until the individual is given the 
        opportunity to decline to be registered to vote.
            (3) Information transmittal.--Upon the expiration of the 
        30-day period which begins on the date a contributing agency as 
        described in paragraph (1) informs an individual of the 
        information described in such paragraph, unless the individual 
        has declined to be registered to vote or informs the agency 
        that they are already registered to vote, each contributing 
        agency shall electronically transmit to the appropriate State 
        election official, in a format compatible with the statewide 
        voter database maintained under section 303 of the Help America 
        Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083), the following information:
                    (A) The individual's given name(s) and surname(s).
                    (B) The individual's date of birth.
                    (C) The individual's residential address.
                    (D) Information showing that the individual is a 
                citizen of the United States.
                    (E) The date on which information pertaining to 
                that individual was collected or last updated.
                    (F) If available, the individual's signature in 
                electronic form.
                    (G) Except in the case in which the contributing 
                agency is a covered institution of higher education, 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 office, 
                information regarding the individual's affiliation or 
                enrollment with a political party, but only if the 
                individual provides such information.
                    (H) Any additional information listed in the mail 
                voter registration application form for elections for 
                Federal office prescribed pursuant to section 9 of the 
                National Voter Registration Act of 1993, including any 
                valid driver's license number or the last 4 digits of 
                the individual's Social Security number, if the 
                individual provided such information.
    (c) Alternate Procedure for Certain Contributing Agencies.--
            (1) In general.--With each application for service or 
        assistance, and with each related recertification, renewal, or 
        change of address, a contributing agency described in paragraph 
        (2) shall--
                    (A) complete the requirements of section 7(a)(6) of 
                the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
                20506(a)(6));
                    (B) 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 State; and
                    (C) for each individual who wishes to register to 
                vote, transmit that individual's information in 
                accordance with subsection (b)(3).
            (2) Contributing agencies described.--The following 
        contributing agencies are described in this paragraph:
                    (A) Any contributing agency (other than a 
                contributing agency that is a covered institution of 
                higher education) that in the normal course of its 
                operations does not request individuals applying for 
                service or assistance to affirm United States 
                citizenship (either directly or as part of the overall 
                application for service or assistance).
                    (B) A contributing agency described in subsection 
                (e)(1)(B)(ii).
    (d) Required Availability of Automatic Registration Opportunity 
With Each Application for Service or Assistance.--Each contributing 
agency shall offer each individual, with each application for service 
or assistance, and with each related recertification, renewal, or 
change of address, or in the case of an institution of higher 
education, upon initial enrollment of a student, the opportunity to 
register to vote as prescribed by this section without regard to 
whether the individual previously declined a registration opportunity.
    (e) Contributing Agencies.--
            (1) State agencies.--In each State, each of the following 
        agencies shall be treated as a contributing agency:
                    (A) Each agency in a State that is required by 
                Federal law to provide voter registration services, 
                including the State motor vehicle authority and other 
                voter registration agencies under the National Voter 
                Registration Act of 1993.
                    (B) Each agency in a State that administers a 
                program pursuant to--
                            (i) title III of the Social Security Act 
                        (42 U.S.C. 501 et seq.);
                            (ii) title XIX of the Social Security Act 
                        (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.); or
                            (iii) the Patient Protection and Affordable 
                        Care Act (Public Law 111-148).
                    (C) Each State agency primarily responsible for 
                regulating the private possession of firearms.
                    (D) Each State agency primarily responsible for 
                maintaining identifying information for students 
                enrolled at public secondary schools, including, where 
                applicable, the State agency responsible for 
                maintaining the education data system described in 
                section 6201(e)(2) of the America COMPETES Act (20 
                U.S.C. 9871(e)(2)).
                    (E) 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 thereof, or upon formal restoration of 
                rights, the State agency responsible for administering 
                that sentence, or part thereof, or that restoration of 
                rights.
                    (F) Any other agency of the State which is 
                designated by the State as a contributing agency.
            (2) Federal agencies.--In each State, 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 (except as provided in subparagraph 
        (C)):
                    (A) The Social Security Administration, the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs, the Defense Manpower 
                Data Center of the Department of Defense, the Employee 
                and Training Administration of the Department of Labor, 
                and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the 
                Department of Health and Human Services.
                    (B) The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration 
                Services, but only with respect to individuals who have 
                completed the naturalization process.
                    (C) 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 thereof, or upon formal restoration of 
                rights, the Federal agency responsible for 
                administering that sentence or part thereof (without 
                regard to whether the agency is located in the same 
                State in which the individual is a resident), but only 
                with respect to individuals who have completed the 
                criminal sentence or any part thereof.
                    (D) Any other agency of the Federal government 
                which the State designates as a contributing agency, 
                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 section.
            (3) Institutions of higher education.--
                    (A) In general.--Each covered institution of higher 
                education shall be treated as a contributing agency in 
                the State in which the institution is located with 
                respect to in-State students.
                    (B) Procedures for institutions of higher 
                education.--Notwithstanding section 444 of the General 
                Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g; commonly 
                referred to as the ``Family Educational Rights and 
                Privacy Act of 1974'') or any other provision of law, 
                each covered institution of higher education shall 
                comply with the requirements of subsection (b) with 
                respect to each in-State student. In complying with 
                such requirements, an institution of higher education--
                            (i) may use information provided in the 
                        Free Application for Federal Student Aid 
                        described in section 483 of the Higher 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.1090) to 
                        collect information described in paragraph (3) 
                        of such subsection (b) for purposes of 
                        transmitting such information to the 
                        appropriate State election official pursuant to 
                        such paragraph;
                            (ii) shall not be required to prevent or 
                        delay students from enrolling in a course of 
                        study or otherwise impede the completion of the 
                        enrollment process;
                            (iii) shall not request information on the 
                        affiliation or enrollment with a political 
                        party of a student in accordance with 
                        subsection (b)(3)(G); and
                            (iv) shall not withhold, delay, or impede 
                        the provision of Federal financial aid provided 
                        under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 
                        1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
                    (C) Clarification.--Nothing in this subtitle shall 
                be construed to require an institution of higher 
                education to request each student affirm whether or not 
                the student is a United States citizen or otherwise 
                collect information with respect to citizenship.
            (4) Publication.--Not later than 180 days prior to the date 
        of each election for Federal office held in the State, the 
        chief State election official shall publish on the public 
        website of the official an updated list of all contributing 
        agencies in that State.
            (5) Public education.--The chief State election official of 
        each State, in collaboration with each contributing agency, 
        shall take appropriate measures to educate the public about 
        voter registration under this section.
            (6) Permitting state medicaid agencies to share information 
        with election officials for voter registration purposes.--
        Section 1902(a)(7)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
        1396a(a)(7)(A)) is amended--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new clause:
                            ``(iii) the provision to an appropriate 
                        State election official, in accordance with 
                        subsection (c) of section 113 of the Automatic 
                        Voter Registration Act of 2021, of information 
                        described in subsection (b)(3) of such section 
                        with respect to an applicant or recipient; 
                        and''.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Covered institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``covered institution of higher education'' means an 
        institution of higher education that--
                    (A) has a program participation agreement in effect 
                with the Secretary of Education under section 487 of 
                the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094);
                    (B) is located in a State to which section 4(b)(1) 
                of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 
                U.S.C. 20503(b)(1)) does not apply.
            (2) In-state student.--The term ``in-State student''--
                    (A) means a student enrolled in a covered 
                institution of higher education who, for purposes 
                related to in-State tuition, financial aid eligibility, 
                or other similar purposes, resides in the State; and
                    (B) includes a student described in subparagraph 
                (A) who is enrolled in a program of distance education, 
                as defined in section 103 of the Higher Education Act 
                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003).

SEC. 114. ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTING AGENCY ASSISTANCE IN REGISTRATION OF 
              ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN EXISTING RECORDS.

    (a) Initial Transmittal of Information.--For each individual 
already listed in a contributing agency's records as of the date of 
enactment of this Act, and for whom the agency has the information 
listed in section 113(b)(3), the agency shall promptly transmit that 
information to the appropriate State election official in accordance 
with section 113(b)(3) not later than the effective date described in 
section 121(a).
    (b) Transition.--For each individual listed in a contributing 
agency's records as of the effective date described in section 121(a) 
(but who was not listed in a contributing agency's records as of the 
date of enactment of this Act), and for whom the agency has the 
information listed in section 113(b)(3), the Agency shall promptly 
transmit that information to the appropriate State election official in 
accordance with section 113(b)(3) not later than 6 months after the 
effective date described in section 121(a).

SEC. 115. VOTER PROTECTION AND SECURITY IN AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION.

    (a) Protections for Errors in Registration.--An individual shall 
not be prosecuted under any Federal or State law, adversely affected in 
any civil adjudication concerning immigration status or naturalization, 
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 grounds:
            (1) The individual notified an election office of the 
        individual's automatic registration to vote under this 
        subtitle.
            (2) The individual is not eligible to vote in elections for 
        Federal office but was automatically registered to vote under 
        this subtitle.
            (3) The individual was automatically registered to vote 
        under this subtitle at an incorrect address.
            (4) The individual declined the opportunity to register to 
        vote or did not make an affirmation of citizenship, including 
        through automatic registration, under this subtitle.
    (b) 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 (including through automatic registration) under this 
subtitle may not be used as evidence against that individual in any 
State or Federal law enforcement proceeding, and an individual's lack 
of knowledge or willfulness of such registration may be demonstrated by 
the individual's testimony alone.
    (c) Protection of Election Integrity.--Nothing in subsections (a) 
or (b) may be construed to prohibit or restrict any action under color 
of law against an individual who--
            (1) knowingly and willfully makes a false statement to 
        effectuate or perpetuate automatic voter registration by any 
        individual; or
            (2) casts a ballot knowingly and willfully in violation of 
        State law or the laws of the United States.
    (d) Contributing Agencies' Protection of Information.--Nothing in 
this subtitle authorizes a contributing agency to collect, retain, 
transmit, or publicly disclose any of the following:
            (1) An individual's decision to decline to register to vote 
        or not to register to vote.
            (2) An individual's decision not to affirm his or her 
        citizenship.
            (3) Any information that a contributing agency transmits 
        pursuant to section 113(b)(3), except in pursuing the agency's 
        ordinary course of business.
    (e) Election Officials' Protection of Information.--
            (1) Public disclosure prohibited.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), with 
                respect to any individual for whom any State election 
                official receives information from a contributing 
                agency, the State election officials shall not publicly 
                disclose any of the following:
                            (i) The identity of the contributing 
                        agency.
                            (ii) Any information not necessary to voter 
                        registration.
                            (iii) Any voter information otherwise 
                        shielded from disclosure under State law or 
                        section 8(a) of the National Voter Registration 
                        Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)).
                            (iv) Any portion of the individual's Social 
                        Security number.
                            (v) Any portion of the individual's motor 
                        vehicle driver's license number.
                            (vi) The individual's signature.
                            (vii) The individual's telephone number.
                            (viii) The individual's email address.
                    (B) 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 who, on the basis of such 
                information, is registered to vote in the State under 
                this subtitle, the State election officials shall not 
                publicly disclose any of the following:
                            (i) The identity of the contributing 
                        agency.
                            (ii) Any information not necessary to voter 
                        registration.
                            (iii) Any voter information otherwise 
                        shielded from disclosure under State law or 
                        section 8(a) of the National Voter Registration 
                        Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)).
                            (iv) Any portion of the individual's Social 
                        Security number.
                            (v) Any portion of the individual's motor 
                        vehicle driver's license number.
                            (vi) The individual's signature.
            (2) Voter record changes.--Each State shall maintain for at 
        least 2 years and shall make available for public inspection 
        (and, where available, photocopying at a reasonable cost), 
        including in electronic form and through electronic methods, 
        all records of changes to voter records, including removals, 
        the reasons for removals, and updates.
            (3) Database management standards.--The Director of the 
        National Institute of Standards and Technology shall, after 
        providing the public with notice and the opportunity to 
        comment--
                    (A) establish standards governing the comparison of 
                data for voter registration list maintenance purposes, 
                identifying as part of such standards the specific data 
                elements, the matching rules used, and how a State may 
                use the data to determine and deem that an individual 
                is ineligible under State law to vote in an election, 
                or to deem a record to be a duplicate or outdated;
                    (B) ensure that the standards developed pursuant to 
                this paragraph are uniform and nondiscriminatory and 
                are applied in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner; 
                and
                    (C) not later than 45 days after the deadline for 
                public notice and comment, publish the standards 
                developed pursuant to this paragraph on the Director's 
                website and make those standards available in written 
                form upon request.
            (4) Security policy.--The Director of the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology shall, after providing 
        the public with notice and the opportunity to comment, publish 
        privacy and security standards for voter registration 
        information not later than 45 days after the deadline for 
        public notice and comment. The standards shall require the 
        chief State election official of each State to adopt a policy 
        that shall specify--
                    (A) each class of users who shall have authorized 
                access to the computerized statewide voter registration 
                list, specifying for each class the permission and 
                levels of access to be granted, and setting forth other 
                safeguards to protect the privacy, security, and 
                accuracy of the information on the list; and
                    (B) security safeguards to protect personal 
                information transmitted through the information 
                transmittal processes of section 113 or section 114, 
                the online system used pursuant to section 6A of the 
                National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (as added by 
                section 101), any telephone interface, the maintenance 
                of the voter registration database, and any audit 
                procedure to track access to the system.
            (5) State compliance with national standards.--
                    (A) 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 (3) and (4). A 
                State may meet the requirement of the previous sentence 
                by filing with the Commission a statement which reads 
                as follows: ``_____ hereby certifies that it is in 
                compliance with the standards referred to in paragraphs 
                (3) and (4) of section 115(e) of the Automatic Voter 
                Registration Act of 2021.'' (with the blank to be 
                filled in with the name of the State involved).
                    (B) 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 section, and shall make those 
                policies and procedures available in written form upon 
                public request.
                    (C) Funding dependent on certification.--If a State 
                does not timely file the certification required under 
                this paragraph, it shall not receive any payment under 
                this subtitle for the upcoming fiscal year.
                    (D) 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 paragraph, for a 
                period of not more than 2 years the State shall be 
                permitted to make the certification notwithstanding 
                that the legislation has not been enacted at the time 
                the certification is submitted, and such State shall 
                submit an additional certification once such 
                legislation is enacted.
    (f) Restrictions on Use of Information.--No person acting under 
color of law may discriminate against any individual based on, or use 
for any purpose other than voter registration, election administration, 
or enforcement relating to election crimes, any of the following:
            (1) Voter registration records.
            (2) An individual's declination to register to vote or 
        complete an affirmation of citizenship under section 113(b).
            (3) An individual's voter registration status.
    (g) Prohibition on the Use of Voter Registration Information for 
Commercial Purposes.--Information collected under this subtitle shall 
not be used for commercial purposes. Nothing in this subsection may be 
construed to prohibit the transmission, exchange, or dissemination of 
information for political purposes, including the support of campaigns 
for election for Federal, State, or local public office or the 
activities of political committees (including committees of political 
parties) under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.

SEC. 116. REGISTRATION PORTABILITY AND CORRECTION.

    (a) Correcting Registration Information at Polling Place.--
Notwithstanding section 302(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
U.S.C. 21082(a)), if an individual is registered to vote in elections 
for Federal office held in a State, the appropriate election official 
at the polling place for any such election (including a location used 
as a polling place on a date other than the date of the election) shall 
permit the individual to--
            (1) update the individual's address for purposes of the 
        records of the election official;
            (2) correct any incorrect information relating to the 
        individual, including the individual's name and political party 
        affiliation, in the records of the election official; and
            (3) cast a ballot in the election on the basis of the 
        updated address or corrected information, and to have the 
        ballot treated as a regular ballot and not as a provisional 
        ballot under section 302(a) of such Act.
    (b) 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 (a), the 
official shall ensure that the address or information is promptly 
entered into the computerized Statewide voter registration list in 
accordance with section 303(a)(1)(A)(vi) of the Help America Vote Act 
of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(a)(1)(A)(vi)).

SEC. 117. PAYMENTS AND GRANTS.

    (a) In General.--The Election Assistance Commission shall make 
grants to each eligible State to assist the State in implementing the 
requirements of this subtitle (or, in the case of an exempt State, in 
implementing its existing automatic voter registration program).
    (b) Eligibility; Application.--A State is eligible to receive a 
grant under this section if the State submits to the Commission, at 
such time and in such form as the Commission may require, an 
application containing--
            (1) a description of the activities the State will carry 
        out with the grant;
            (2) an assurance that the State shall carry out such 
        activities without partisan bias and without promoting any 
        particular point of view regarding any issue; and
            (3) such other information and assurances as the Commission 
        may require.
    (c) Amount of Grant; Priorities.--The Commission shall determine 
the amount of a grant made to an eligible State under this section. In 
determining the amounts of the grants, the Commission shall give 
priority to providing funds for those activities which are most likely 
to accelerate compliance with the requirements of this subtitle (or, in 
the case of an exempt State, which are most likely to enhance the 
ability of the State to automatically register individuals to vote 
through its existing automatic voter registration program), including--
            (1) investments supporting electronic information transfer, 
        including electronic collection and transfer of signatures, 
        between contributing agencies and the appropriate State 
        election officials;
            (2) updates to online or electronic voter registration 
        systems already operating as of the date of the enactment of 
        this Act;
            (3) introduction of online voter registration systems in 
        jurisdictions in which those systems did not previously exist; 
        and
            (4) public education on the availability of new methods of 
        registering to vote, updating registration, and correcting 
        registration.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        to carry out this section--
                    (A) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; and
                    (B) such sums as may be necessary for each 
                succeeding fiscal year.
            (2) Continuing availability of funds.--Any amounts 
        appropriated pursuant to the authority of this subsection shall 
        remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended.

SEC. 118. TREATMENT OF EXEMPT STATES.

    (a) Waiver of Requirements.--Except as provided in subsection (b), 
this subtitle does not apply with respect to an exempt State.
    (b) Exceptions.--The following provisions of this subtitle apply 
with respect to an exempt State:
            (1) Section 116 (relating to registration portability and 
        correction).
            (2) Section 117 (relating to payments and grants).
            (3) Section 119(e) (relating to enforcement).
            (4) Section 119(f) (relating to relation to other laws).

SEC. 119. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

    (a) 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 individuals.
    (b) 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 subtitle, so long as the 
data transmittal complies with the applicable requirements of this 
subtitle, including the privacy and security provisions of section 115.
    (c) Nonpartisan, Nondiscriminatory Provision of Services.--The 
services made available by contributing agencies under this subtitle 
and by the State under sections 115 and 116 shall be made in a manner 
consistent with paragraphs (4), (5), and (6)(C) of section 7(a) of the 
National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20506(a)).
    (d) 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 materials. 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 individual.
    (e) Enforcement.--Section 11 of the National Voter Registration Act 
of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20510), relating to civil enforcement and the 
availability of private rights of action, shall apply with respect to 
this subtitle in the same manner as such section applies to such Act.
    (f) Relation to Other Laws.--Except as provided, nothing in this 
subtitle may be construed to authorize or require conduct prohibited 
under, or to supersede, restrict, or limit the application of any of 
the following:
            (1) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et 
        seq.).
            (2) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 
        (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
            (3) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
        20501 et seq.).
            (4) The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et 
        seq.).

SEC. 120. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle, the following definitions apply:
            (1) The term ``chief State election official'' means, with 
        respect to a State, the individual designated by the State 
        under section 10 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 
        (52 U.S.C. 20509) to be responsible for coordination of the 
        State's responsibilities under such Act.
            (2) The term ``Commission'' means the Election Assistance 
        Commission.
            (3) The term ``exempt State'' means a State which, under 
        law which is in effect continuously on and after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, operates a system of automatic 
        registration (as defined in section 112(a)(2)) at the motor 
        vehicle authority of the State or a Permanent Dividend Fund of 
        the State under which an individual is provided the opportunity 
        to decline registration during the transaction or by way of a 
        notice sent by mail or electronically after the transaction.
            (4) The term ``State'' means each of the several States and 
        the District of Columbia.

SEC. 121. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), this 
subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with 
respect to a State beginning January 1, 2023.
    (b) Waiver.--Subject to the approval of the Commission, if a State 
certifies to the Commission that the State will not meet the deadline 
referred to in subsection (a) because of extraordinary circumstances 
and includes in the certification the reasons for the failure to meet 
the deadline, subsection (a) shall apply to the State as if the 
reference in such subsection to ``January 1, 2023'' were a reference to 
``January 1, 2025''.

                Subtitle C--Same Day Voter Registration

SEC. 131. SAME DAY REGISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 304 and 305 as sections 305 
        and 306, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 303 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 304. SAME DAY REGISTRATION.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Registration.--Each State shall permit any eligible 
        individual on the day of a Federal election and on any day when 
        voting, including early voting, is permitted for a Federal 
        election--
                    ``(A) to register to vote in such election at the 
                polling place using a form that meets the requirements 
                under section 9(b) of the National Voter Registration 
                Act of 1993 (or, if the individual is already 
                registered to vote, to revise any of the individual's 
                voter registration information); and
                    ``(B) to cast a vote in such election.
            ``(2) Exception.--The requirements under paragraph (1) 
        shall not apply to a State in which, under a State law in 
        effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of 
        this section, there is no voter registration requirement for 
        individuals in the State with respect to elections for Federal 
        office.
    ``(b) Eligible Individual.--For purposes of this section, the term 
`eligible individual' means, with respect to any election for Federal 
office, an individual who is otherwise qualified to vote in that 
election.
    ``(c) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of subsection (a) for the regularly scheduled general 
election for Federal office occurring in November 2022 and for any 
subsequent election for Federal office.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Enforcement.--Section 401 of 
such Act (52 U.S.C. 21111) is amended by striking ``sections 301, 302, 
and 303'' and inserting ``subtitle A of title III''.
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 304 and 
        305 as relating to sections 305 and 306, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the 
        following new item:

``Sec. 304. Same day registration.''.

 Subtitle D--Conditions on Removal on Basis of Interstate Cross-Checks

SEC. 141. CONDITIONS ON REMOVAL OF REGISTRANTS FROM OFFICIAL LIST OF 
              ELIGIBLE VOTERS ON BASIS OF INTERSTATE CROSS-CHECKS.

    (a) Minimum Information Required for Removal Under Cross-check.--
Section 8(c)(2) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 
U.S.C. 20507(c)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D); 
        and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
        subparagraphs:
    ``(B) To the extent that the program carried out by a State under 
subparagraph (A) to systematically remove the names of ineligible 
voters from the official lists of eligible voters uses information 
obtained in an interstate cross-check, in addition to any other 
conditions imposed under this Act on the authority of the State to 
remove the name of the voter from such a list, the State may not remove 
the name of the voter from such a list unless--
            ``(i) the State obtained the voter's full name (including 
        the voter's middle name, if any) and date of birth, and the 
        last 4 digits of the voter's Social Security number, in the 
        interstate cross-check; or
            ``(ii) the State obtained documentation from the ERIC 
        system that the voter is no longer a resident of the State.
    ``(C) In this paragraph--
            ``(i) the term `interstate cross-check' means the 
        transmission of information from an election official in one 
        State to an election official of another State; and
            ``(ii) 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 States.''.
    (b) Requiring Completion of Cross-Checks Not Later Than 6 Months 
Prior to Election.--Subparagraph (A) of section 8(c)(2) of such Act (52 
U.S.C. 20507(c)(2)) is amended by striking ``not later than 90 days'' 
and inserting the following: ``not later than 90 days (or, in the case 
of a program in which the State uses interstate cross-checks, not later 
than 6 months)''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Subparagraph (D) of section 8(c)(2) of 
such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(c)(2)), as redesignated by subsection (a)(1), 
is amended by striking ``Subparagraph (A)'' and inserting ``This 
paragraph''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall apply 
with respect to elections held on or after the expiration of the 6-
month period which begins on the date of the enactment of this Act.

      Subtitle E--Other Initiatives To Promote Voter Registration

SEC. 151. BIENNIAL REPORTS ON VOTER REGISTRATION STATISTICS.

    (a) Annual Report.--Not later than 90 days after the end of each 
even-numbered year, each State shall submit to the Election Assistance 
Commission a report containing the following categories of information 
for the preceding 2 years:
            (1) The number of individuals who were registered under 
        subtitle B.
            (2) The number of voter registration application forms 
        completed by individuals that were transmitted by motor vehicle 
        authorities in the State (pursuant to section 5(d) of the 
        National Voter Registration Act of 1993) and voter registration 
        agencies in the State (as designated under section 7 of such 
        Act) to the chief State election official of the State, broken 
        down by each such authority and agency.
            (3) 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 State, 
        broken down by each such authority and agency.
            (4) 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 State, broken down by 
        each such authority and agency and the type of form 
        transmitted.
            (5) The number of individuals on the Statewide computerized 
        voter registration list (as established and maintained under 
        section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002) 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 (as described in paragraph (3)), broken 
        down by each such authority and agency and the type of form 
        transmitted.
            (6) The number of individuals who requested the chief State 
        election official to revise voter registration information on 
        such list, and the number of individuals whose information was 
        revised as a result of such a request.
    (b) Breakdown of Information.--In preparing the report under this 
section, the State shall, for each category of information described in 
subsection (a), include a breakdown by race, ethnicity, age, and gender 
of the individuals whose information is included in the category, to 
the extent that information on the race, ethnicity, age, and gender of 
such individuals is available to the State.
    (c) Confidentiality of Information.--In preparing and submitting a 
report under this section, the chief State election official shall 
ensure that no information regarding the identification of any 
individual is revealed.
    (d) Submission to Congress.--Not later than 10 days after receiving 
a report under subsection (a), the Election Assistance Commission shall 
transmit such report to Congress.
    (e) State Defined.--In this section, a ``State'' includes the 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United 
States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands, but does not include any State in which, 
under a State law in effect continuously on and after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, there is no voter registration requirement for 
individuals in the State with respect to elections for Federal office.
    (f) Sense of Congress.--It is the Sense of Congress that for any 
State participating in the Election Administration and Voting Survey 
administered by the Election Assistance Commission, the Commission 
should use the information submitted in the report under subsection (a) 
as part of the State's participation in the survey.

SEC. 152. ENSURING PRE-ELECTION REGISTRATION DEADLINES ARE CONSISTENT 
              WITH TIMING OF LEGAL PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

    (a) In General.--Section 8(a)(1) of the National Voter Registration 
Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``30 days'' 
each place it appears and inserting ``28 days''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to elections held in 2022 or any succeeding year.

SEC. 153. USE OF POSTAL SERVICE HARD COPY CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM TO 
              REMIND INDIVIDUALS TO UPDATE VOTER REGISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Postmaster General shall modify any hard 
copy change of address form used by the United States Postal Service so 
that such form contains a reminder that any individual using such form 
should update the individual's voter registration as a result of any 
change in address.
    (b) Application.--The requirement in subsection (a) shall not apply 
to any electronic version of a change of address form used by the 
United States Postal Service.

SEC. 154. GRANTS TO STATES FOR ACTIVITIES TO ENCOURAGE INVOLVEMENT OF 
              MINORS IN ELECTION ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Grants.--
            (1) In general.--The Election Assistance Commission 
        (hereafter in this section referred to as the ``Commission'') 
        shall make grants to eligible States to enable such States to 
        carry out a plan to increase the involvement of individuals 
        under 18 years of age in public election activities in the 
        State.
            (2) Contents of plans.--A State's plan under this 
        subsection shall include--
                    (A) methods to promote the use of pre-registration 
                processes;
                    (B) modifications to the curriculum of secondary 
                schools in the State to promote civic engagement; and
                    (C) such other activities to encourage the 
                involvement of young people in the electoral process as 
                the State considers appropriate.
    (b) Eligibility.--A State is eligible to receive a grant under this 
section if the State submits to the Commission, at such time and in 
such form as the Commission may require, an application containing--
            (1) a description of the State's plan under subsection (a);
            (2) a description of the performance measures and targets 
        the State will use to determine its success in carrying out the 
        plan; and
            (3) such other information and assurances as the Commission 
        may require.
    (c) Period of Grant; Report.--
            (1) Period of grant.--A State receiving a grant under this 
        section shall use the funds provided by the grant over a 2-year 
        period agreed to between the State and the Commission.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the end of the 
        2-year period agreed to under paragraph (1), the State shall 
        submit to the Commission a report on the activities the State 
        carried out with the funds provided by the grant, and shall 
        include in the report an analysis of the extent to which the 
        State met the performance measures and targets included in its 
        application under subsection (b)(2).
    (d) State Defined.--In this section, the term ``State'' means each 
of the several States and the District of Columbia.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated for grants under this section $25,000,000, to remain 
available until expended.

         Subtitle F--Availability of HAVA Requirements Payments

SEC. 161. AVAILABILITY OF REQUIREMENTS PAYMENTS UNDER HAVA TO COVER 
              COSTS OF COMPLIANCE WITH NEW REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 251(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 
2002 (52 U.S.C. 21001(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``as provided in 
        paragraphs (2) and (3)'' and inserting ``as otherwise provided 
        in this subsection''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) Certain voter registration activities.--
        Notwithstanding paragraph (3), a State may use a requirements 
        payment to carry out any of the requirements of the Voter 
        Registration Modernization Act of 2021, including the 
        requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 
        which are imposed pursuant to the amendments made to such Act 
        by the Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2021.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 254(a)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21004(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``section 251(a)(2)'' and inserting 
``section 251(b)(2)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to fiscal year 2022 and each succeeding fiscal year.

      Subtitle G--Prohibiting Interference With Voter Registration

SEC. 171. PROHIBITING HINDERING, INTERFERING WITH, OR PREVENTING VOTER 
              REGISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 612. Hindering, interfering with, or preventing registering to 
              vote
    ``(a) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any person, whether 
acting under color of law or otherwise, to corruptly hinder, interfere 
with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or to 
corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from aiding 
another person in registering to vote.
    ``(b) Attempt.--Any person who attempts to commit any offense 
described in subsection (a) shall be subject to the same penalties as 
those prescribed for the offense that the person attempted to commit.
    ``(c) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be 
fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 29 of 
title 18, United States Code is amended by adding at the end the 
following new item:

``612. Hindering, interfering with, or preventing registering to 
                            vote.''.
    (c) 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 Act, except that no person may be found to have 
violated section 612 of title 18, United States Code (as added by 
subsection (a)), on the basis of any act occurring prior to the date of 
the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 172. ESTABLISHMENT OF BEST PRACTICES.

    (a) Best Practices.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Election Assistance Commission shall develop 
and publish recommendations for best practices for States to use to 
deter and prevent violations of section 612 of title 18, United States 
Code (as added by section 171), and section 12 of the National Voter 
Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20511) (relating to the unlawful 
interference with registering to vote, or voting, or attempting to 
register to vote or vote), including practices to provide for the 
posting of relevant information at polling places and voter 
registration agencies under such Act, the training of poll workers and 
election officials, and relevant educational materials. For purposes of 
this subsection, the term ``State'' includes the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United 
States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands.
    (b) Inclusion in Voter Information Requirements.--Section 302(b)(2) 
of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21082(b)(2)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (E);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F) 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(G) information relating to the prohibitions of 
                section 612 of title 18, United States Code, and 
                section 12 of the National Voter Registration Act of 
                1993 (52 U.S.C. 20511) (relating to the unlawful 
                interference with registering to vote, or voting, or 
                attempting to register to vote or vote), including 
                information on how individuals may report allegations 
                of violations of such prohibitions.''.

             Subtitle H--Voter Registration Efficiency Act

SEC. 181. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Voter Registration Efficiency 
Act''.

SEC. 182. REQUIRING APPLICANTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVER'S LICENSES IN 
              NEW STATE TO INDICATE WHETHER STATE SERVES AS RESIDENCE 
              FOR VOTER REGISTRATION PURPOSES.

    (a) Requirements for Applicants for Licenses.--Section 5(d) of the 
National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20504(d)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``Any change'' and inserting ``(1) Any 
        change''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(2)(A) A State motor vehicle authority shall require each 
        individual applying for a motor vehicle driver's license in the 
        State--
                            ``(i) to indicate whether the individual 
                        resides in another State or resided in another 
                        State prior to applying for the license, and, 
                        if so, to identify the State involved; and
                            ``(ii) to indicate whether the individual 
                        intends for the State to serve as the 
                        individual's residence for purposes of 
                        registering to vote in elections for Federal 
                        office.
                    ``(B) If pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) an 
                individual indicates to the State motor vehicle 
                authority that the individual intends for the State to 
                serve as the individual's residence for purposes of 
                registering to vote in elections for Federal office, 
                the authority shall notify the motor vehicle authority 
                of the State identified by the individual pursuant to 
                subparagraph (A)(i), who shall notify the chief State 
                election official of such State that the individual no 
                longer intends for that State to serve as the 
                individual's residence for purposes of registering to 
                vote in elections for Federal office.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect with respect to elections occurring in 2021 or any 
succeeding year.

   Subtitle I--Providing Voter Registration Information to Secondary 
                            School Students

SEC. 191. PILOT PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION TO 
              SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PRIOR TO GRADUATION.

    (a) Pilot Program.--The Election Assistance Commission (hereafter 
in this subtitle referred to as the ``Commission'') shall carry out a 
pilot program under which the Commission shall provide funds during the 
one-year period beginning after the date of the enactment of this 
subtitle to eligible local educational agencies for initiatives to 
provide information on registering to vote in elections for public 
office to secondary school students in the 12th grade.
    (b) Eligibility.--A local educational agency is eligible to receive 
funds under the pilot program under this subtitle if the agency submits 
to the Commission, at such time and in such form as the Commission may 
require, an application containing--
            (1) a description of the initiatives the agency intends to 
        carry out with the funds;
            (2) an estimate of the costs associated with such 
        initiatives; and
            (3) such other information and assurances as the Commission 
        may require.
    (c) Consultation With Election Officials.--A local educational 
agency receiving funds under the pilot program shall consult with the 
State and local election officials who are responsible for 
administering elections for public office in the area served by the 
agency in developing the initiatives the agency will carry out with the 
funds.
    (d) Definitions.--In this subtitle, the terms ``local educational 
agency'' and ``secondary school'' have the meanings given such terms in 
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 7801).

SEC. 192. REPORTS.

    (a) Reports by Recipients of Funds.--Not later than the expiration 
of the 90-day period which begins on the date of the receipt of the 
funds, each local educational agency receiving funds under the pilot 
program under this subtitle shall submit a report to the Commission 
describing the initiatives carried out with the funds and analyzing 
their effectiveness.
    (b) Report by Commission.--Not later than the expiration of the 60-
day period which begins on the date the Commission receives the final 
report submitted by a local educational agency under subsection (a), 
the Commission shall submit a report to Congress on the pilot program 
under this subtitle.

SEC. 193. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out this subtitle.

                Subtitle J--Voter Registration of Minors

SEC. 194. ACCEPTANCE OF VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS FROM 
              INDIVIDUALS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE.

    (a) Acceptance of Applications.--Section 8 of the National Voter 
Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507), as amended by section 104, 
is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(k) Acceptance of Applications From Individuals Under 18 Years of 
Age.--
            ``(1) 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 18 years of age at the time the individual submits the 
        application, so long as the individual is at least 16 years of 
        age at such time.
            ``(2) No effect on state voting age requirements.--Nothing 
        in paragraph (1) may be construed to require a State to permit 
        an individual who is under 18 years of age at the time of an 
        election for Federal office to vote in the election.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to elections occurring on or after January 1, 2022.

      TITLE II--ACCESS TO VOTING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

SEC. 201. REQUIREMENTS FOR STATES TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO VOTER 
              REGISTRATION AND VOTING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH 
              DISABILITIES.

    (a) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 131(a), is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 305 and 306 as sections 306 
        and 307, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 304 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 305. ACCESS TO VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTING FOR INDIVIDUALS 
              WITH DISABILITIES.

    ``(a) Treatment of Applications and Ballots.--Each State shall--
            ``(1) ensure that absentee registration forms, absentee 
        ballot applications, and absentee ballots that are available 
        electronically are accessible (as defined in section 306);
            ``(2) permit individuals with disabilities to use absentee 
        registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in 
        elections for Federal office;
            ``(3) accept and process, with respect to any election for 
        Federal office, 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 within the deadline for the 
        election which is applicable under Federal law;
            ``(4) in addition to any other method of registering to 
        vote or applying for an absentee ballot in the State, establish 
        procedures--
                    ``(A) 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 (c);
                    ``(B) for States to send by mail and electronically 
                (in accordance with the preferred method of 
                transmission designated by the individual under 
                subparagraph (C)) voter registration applications and 
                absentee ballot applications requested under 
                subparagraph (A) in accordance with subsection (c); and
                    ``(C) 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 electronically;
            ``(5) in addition to any other method of transmitting blank 
        absentee ballots in the State, 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 (d);
            ``(6) transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an 
        individual with a disability--
                    ``(A) except as provided in subsection (e), in the 
                case in which the request is received at least 45 days 
                before an election for Federal office, not later than 
                45 days before the election; and
                    ``(B) in the case in which the request is received 
                less than 45 days before an election for Federal 
                office--
                            ``(i) in accordance with State law; and
                            ``(ii) if practicable and as determined 
                        appropriate by the State, in a manner that 
                        expedites the transmission of such absentee 
                        ballot; and
            ``(7) if the State declares or otherwise holds a runoff 
        election for Federal office, 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 election.
    ``(b) Designation of Single State Office To Provide Information on 
Registration and Absentee Ballot Procedures for Voters With 
Disabilities in State.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each State shall designate a single 
        office which shall be responsible for providing information 
        regarding voter registration procedures, absentee ballot 
        procedures, and in-person voting 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 State.
            ``(2) Responsibilities.--Each State shall, through the 
        office designated in paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) provide information to election officials--
                            ``(i) on how to set up and operate 
                        accessible voting systems; and
                            ``(ii) regarding the accessibility of 
                        voting procedures, including guidance on 
                        compatibility with assistive technologies such 
                        as screen readers and ballot marking devices;
                    ``(B) integrate information on accessibility, 
                accommodations, disability, and older individuals into 
                regular training materials for poll workers and 
                election administration officials;
                    ``(C) train poll workers on how to make polling 
                places accessible for individuals with disabilities and 
                older individuals;
                    ``(D) promote the hiring of individuals with 
                disabilities and older individuals as poll workers and 
                election staff; and
                    ``(E) publicly post the results of any audits to 
                determine the accessibility of polling places no later 
                than 6 months after the completion of the audit.
    ``(c) Designation of Means of Electronic Communication for 
Individuals With Disabilities To Request and for States To Send Voter 
Registration Applications and Absentee Ballot Applications, and for 
Other Purposes Related to Voting Information.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each State shall, in addition to the 
        designation of a single State office under subsection (b), 
        designate not less than 1 means of accessible electronic 
        communication--
                    ``(A) 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 
                (a)(4);
                    ``(B) for use by States to send voter registration 
                applications and absentee ballot applications requested 
                under such subsection; and
                    ``(C) for the purpose of providing related voting, 
                balloting, and election information to individuals with 
                disabilities.
            ``(2) Clarification regarding provision of multiple means 
        of electronic communication.--A State may, in addition to the 
        means of electronic communication so designated, provide 
        multiple means of electronic communication to individuals with 
        disabilities, including a means of electronic communication for 
        the appropriate jurisdiction of the State.
            ``(3) 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 
        disabilities.
            ``(4) Transmission if no preference indicated.--In the case 
        where an individual with a disability does not designate a 
        preference under subsection (a)(4)(C), the State shall transmit 
        the voter registration application or absentee ballot 
        application by any delivery method allowable in accordance with 
        applicable State law, or if there is no applicable State law, 
        by mail.
    ``(d) Transmission of Blank Absentee Ballots by Mail and 
Electronically.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each State shall establish procedures--
                    ``(A) to securely transmit blank absentee ballots 
                by mail and electronically (in accordance with the 
                preferred method of transmission designated by the 
                individual with a disability under subparagraph (B)) to 
                individuals with disabilities for an election for 
                Federal office; and
                    ``(B) by which the individual with a disability can 
                designate whether the individual prefers that such 
                blank absentee ballot be transmitted by mail or 
                electronically.
            ``(2) Transmission if no preference indicated.--In the case 
        where an individual with a disability does not designate a 
        preference under paragraph (1)(B), the State shall transmit the 
        ballot by any delivery method allowable in accordance with 
        applicable State law, or if there is no applicable State law, 
        by mail.
            ``(3) Application of methods to track delivery to and 
        return of ballot by individual requesting ballot.--Under the 
        procedures established under paragraph (1), the State shall 
        apply such methods as the State considers appropriate, such as 
        assigning a unique identifier to the ballot, 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 subsection, the voted absentee ballot which is returned by 
        the individual is the same blank absentee ballot which the 
        State transmitted to the individual.
    ``(e) Hardship Exemption.--
            ``(1) In general.--If the chief State election official 
        determines that the State is unable to meet the requirement 
        under subsection (a)(6)(A) with respect to an election for 
        Federal office due to an undue hardship described in paragraph 
        (2)(B), the chief State election official shall request that 
        the Attorney General grant a waiver to the State of the 
        application of such subsection. Such request shall include--
                    ``(A) a recognition that the purpose of such 
                subsection is to individuals with disabilities enough 
                time to vote in an election for Federal office;
                    ``(B) an explanation of the hardship that indicates 
                why the State is unable to transmit such individuals an 
                absentee ballot in accordance with such subsection;
                    ``(C) the number of days prior to the election for 
                Federal office that the State requires absentee ballots 
                be transmitted to such individuals; and
                    ``(D) 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 
                office, which includes--
                            ``(i) the steps the State will undertake to 
                        ensure that such individuals have time to 
                        receive, mark, and submit their ballots in time 
                        to have those ballots counted in the election;
                            ``(ii) why the plan provides such 
                        individuals sufficient time to vote as a 
                        substitute for the requirements under such 
                        subsection; and
                            ``(iii) the underlying factual information 
                        which explains how the plan provides such 
                        sufficient time to vote as a substitute for 
                        such requirements.
            ``(2) Approval of waiver request.--The Attorney General 
        shall approve a waiver request under paragraph (1) if the 
        Attorney General determines each of the following requirements 
        are met:
                    ``(A) The comprehensive plan under subparagraph (D) 
                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 office.
                    ``(B) One or more of the following issues creates 
                an undue hardship for the State:
                            ``(i) The State's primary election date 
                        prohibits the State from complying with 
                        subsection (a)(6)(A).
                            ``(ii) The State has suffered a delay in 
                        generating ballots due to a legal contest.
                            ``(iii) The State Constitution prohibits 
                        the State from complying with such subsection.
            ``(3) Timing of waiver.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided under 
                subparagraph (B), a State that requests a waiver under 
                paragraph (1) shall submit to the Attorney General the 
                written waiver request not later than 90 days before 
                the election for Federal office with respect to which 
                the request is submitted. The Attorney General shall 
                approve or deny the waiver request not later than 65 
                days before such election.
                    ``(B) Exception.--If a State requests a waiver 
                under paragraph (1) as the result of an undue hardship 
                described in paragraph (2)(B)(ii), the State shall 
                submit to the Attorney General the written waiver 
                request as soon as practicable. The Attorney General 
                shall approve or deny the waiver request not later than 
                5 business days after the date on which the request is 
                received.
            ``(4) Application of waiver.--A waiver approved under 
        paragraph (2) shall only apply with respect to the election for 
        Federal office for which the request was submitted. For each 
        subsequent election for Federal office, the Attorney General 
        shall only approve a waiver if the State has submitted a 
        request under paragraph (1) with respect to such election.
    ``(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
construed to allow a voter's ballot selections to be transmitted over 
the internet or to allow for the electronic submission of a marked 
ballot.
    ``(g) Individual With a Disability Defined.--In this section, 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 office.
    ``(h) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to 
elections for Federal office held on or after January 1, 2022.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Issuance of Voluntary Guidance 
by Election Assistance Commission.--
            (1) Timing of issuance.--Section 311(b) of such Act (52 
        U.S.C. 21101(b)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph 
                (2);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
                (3) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(4) in the case of the recommendations with respect to 
        section 305, January 1, 2022.''.
            (2) Redesignation.--Title III of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21081 
        et seq.) is amended by redesignating sections 311 and 312 as 
        sections 321 and 322, respectively.
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 131(c)), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 305 and 
        306 as relating to sections 306 and 307, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 304 the 
        following new item:

``Sec. 305. Access to voter registration and voting for individuals 
                            with disabilities.''.

SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE ACCESSIBLE ELECTION 
              WEBSITES.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 131(a) and 
section 201(a), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 306 and 307 as sections 307 
        and 308, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 305 the following:

``SEC. 306. ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ACCESSIBLE ELECTION 
              WEBSITES.

    ``(a) In General.--Each State shall establish a single election 
website that is accessible and meets the following requirements:
            ``(1) Local election officials.--The website shall provide 
        local election officials, poll workers, and volunteers with--
                    ``(A) guidance to ensure that polling places are 
                accessible for individuals with disabilities and older 
                individuals in a manner that provides the same 
                opportunity for access and participation (including 
                privacy and independence) as for other voters; and
                    ``(B) online training and resources on--
                            ``(i) how best to promote the access and 
                        participation of individuals with disabilities 
                        and older individuals in elections for public 
                        office; and
                            ``(ii) the voting rights and protections 
                        for individuals with disabilities and older 
                        individuals under State and Federal law.
            ``(2) Voters.--The website shall provide information about 
        voting, including--
                    ``(A) the accessibility of all polling places 
                within the State, including outreach programs to inform 
                individuals about the availability of accessible 
                polling places;
                    ``(B) how to register to vote and confirm voter 
                registration in the State;
                    ``(C) the location and operating hours of all 
                polling places in the State;
                    ``(D) the availability of aid or assistance for 
                individuals with disabilities and older individuals to 
                cast their vote in a manner that provides the same 
                opportunity for access and participation (including 
                privacy and independence) as for other voters at 
                polling places;
                    ``(E) the availability of transportation aid or 
                assistance to the polling place for individuals with 
                disabilities or older individuals;
                    ``(F) the rights and protections under State and 
                Federal law for individuals with disabilities and older 
                individuals to participate in elections; and
                    ``(G) how to contact State, local, and Federal 
                officials with complaints or grievances if individuals 
                with disabilities, older individuals, Native Americans, 
                Alaska Natives, and individuals with limited 
                proficiency in the English language feel their ability 
                to register to vote or vote has been blocked or 
                delayed.
    ``(b) Partnership With Outside Technical Organization.--The chief 
State election official of each State, through the committee of 
appropriate individuals under subsection (c)(2), shall partner with an 
outside technical organization with demonstrated experience in 
establishing accessible and easy to use accessible election websites 
to--
            ``(1) update an existing election website to make it fully 
        accessible in accordance with this section; or
            ``(2) develop an election website that is fully accessible 
        in accordance with this section.
    ``(c) State Plan.--
            ``(1) Development.--The chief State election official of 
        each State shall, through a committee of appropriate 
        individuals as described in paragraph (2), develop a State plan 
        that describes how the State and local governments will meet 
        the requirements under this section.
            ``(2) Committee membership.--The committee shall comprise 
        at least the following individuals:
                    ``(A) The chief election officials of the four most 
                populous jurisdictions within the State.
                    ``(B) The chief election officials of the four 
                least populous jurisdictions within the State.
                    ``(C) Representatives from two disability advocacy 
                groups, including at least one such representative who 
                is an individual with a disability.
                    ``(D) Representatives from two older individual 
                advocacy groups, including at least one such 
                representative who is an older individual.
                    ``(E) Representatives from two independent non-
                governmental organizations with expertise in 
                establishing and maintaining accessible websites.
                    ``(F) Representatives from two independent non-
                governmental voting rights organizations.
                    ``(G) Representatives from State protection and 
                advocacy systems as defined in section 102 of the 
                Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of 
                Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15002).
    ``(d) Partnership To Monitor and Verify Accessibility.--The chief 
State election official of each eligible State, through the committee 
of appropriate individuals under subsection (c)(2), shall partner with 
at least two of the following organizations to monitor and verify the 
accessibility of the election website and the completeness of the 
election information and the accuracy of the disability information 
provided on such website:
            ``(1) University Centers for Excellence in Developmental 
        Disabilities Education, Research, and Services designated under 
        section 151(a) of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and 
        Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15061(a)).
            ``(2) Centers for Independent Living, as described in part 
        C of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 
        796f et seq.).
            ``(3) A State Council on Developmental Disabilities 
        described in section 125 of the Developmental Disabilities 
        Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15025).
            ``(4) State protection and advocacy systems as defined in 
        section 102 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and 
        Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15002).
            ``(5) Statewide Independent Living Councils established 
        under section 705 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 
        796d).
            ``(6) State Assistive Technology Act Programs.
            ``(7) A visual access advocacy organization.
            ``(8) An organization for the deaf.
            ``(9) A mental health organization.
    ``(e) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, section 305, and 
section 307:
            ``(1) Accessible.--The term `accessible' means--
                    ``(A) in the case of the election website under 
                subsection (a) or an electronic communication under 
                section 305--
                            ``(i) that the functions and content of the 
                        website or electronic communication, including 
                        all text, visual, and aural content, are as 
                        accessible to people with disabilities as to 
                        those without disabilities;
                            ``(ii) that the functions and content of 
                        the website or electronic communication are 
                        accessible to individuals with limited 
                        proficiency in the English language; and
                            ``(iii) that the website or electronic 
                        communication meets, at a minimum, conformance 
                        to Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility 
                        Guidelines 2.0 of the Web Accessibility 
                        Initiative (or any successor guidelines); and
                    ``(B) in the case of a facility (including a 
                polling place), that the facility is readily accessible 
                to and usable by individuals with disabilities and 
                older individuals, as determined under the 2010 ADA 
                Standards for Accessible Design adopted by the 
                Department of Justice (or any successor standards).
            ``(2) Individual with a disability.--The term `individual 
        with a disability' means an individual with a disability, as 
        defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 
        1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102), and who is otherwise qualified to vote 
        in elections for Federal office.
            ``(3) Older individual.--The term `older individual' means 
        an individual who is 60 years of age or older and who is 
        otherwise qualified to vote in elections for Federal office.
            ``(4) State.--The term `State' means a State of the United 
        States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
        Rico, and any territory or possession of the United States.
    ``(f) Effective Date.--This section shall apply on or after January 
1, 2022.''.
    (b) Voluntary Guidance.--Section 321(b)(4) such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21101(b)), as added and redesignated by section 201(b), is amended by 
striking ``section 305'' and inserting ``sections 305 and 306''.
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 131(c) and section 201(c), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 306 and 
        307 as relating to sections 307 and 308, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 305 the 
        following new item:

``Sec. 306. Establishment and maintenance of accessible election 
                            websites.''.

SEC. 203. PROTECTIONS FOR IN-PERSON VOTING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH 
              DISABILITIES AND OLDER INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) Requirement.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended 
        by section 131(a), section 201(a), and section 202(a), is 
        amended--
                    (A) by redesignating sections 307 and 308 as 
                sections 308 and 309, respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after section 306 the following:

``SEC. 307. ACCESS TO VOTING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND 
              OLDER INDIVIDUALS.

    ``(a) In General.--Each State shall--
            ``(1) ensure all polling places within the State are 
        accessible, as defined in section 306;
            ``(2) consider procedures to address long wait times at 
        polling places that allow individuals with disabilities and 
        older individuals alternate options to cast a ballot in person 
        in an election for Federal office, such as the option to cast a 
        ballot outside of the polling place or from a vehicle, or 
        providing an expedited voting line; and
            ``(3) consider options to establish `mobile polling sites' 
        to allow election officials or volunteers to travel to long-
        term care facilities and assist residents who request 
        assistance in casting a ballot in order to maintain the privacy 
        and independence of voters in these facilities.
    ``(b) Clarification.--Nothing in this section may be construed to 
alter the requirements under Federal law that all polling places for 
Federal elections are accessible to individuals with disabilities and 
older individuals.
    ``(c) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to 
elections for Federal office held on or after January 1, 2024.''.
            (2) Voluntary guidance.--Section 321(b)(4) such Act (52 
        U.S.C. 21101(b)), as added and redesignated by section 201(b) 
        and as amended by section 202, is amended by striking ``and 
        306'' and inserting ``, 306, and 307''.
            (3) Clerical amendments.--The table of contents of such 
        Act, as amended by section 131(c), section 201(c), and section 
        202(c), is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating the items relating to sections 
                307 and 308 as relating to sections 308 and 309, 
                respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 
                306 the following new item:

``Sec. 307. Access to voting for individuals with disabilities and 
                            older individuals.''.
    (b) Revisions to Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and 
Handicapped Act.--
            (1) Reports to election assistance commission.--Section 
        3(c) of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and 
        Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20102(c)) is amended--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
                ``Federal Election Commission'' and inserting 
                ``Election Assistance Commission'';
                    (B) in each of paragraphs (1) and (2), by striking 
                ``Federal Election Commission'' and inserting 
                ``Election Assistance Commission''; and
                    (C) by striking paragraph (3).
            (2) Conforming amendments relating to references.--The 
        Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (52 
        U.S.C. 20101 et seq.), as amended by paragraph (1), is 
        amended--
                    (A) by striking ``handicapped and elderly 
                individuals'' each place it appears and inserting 
                ``individuals with disabilities and older 
                individuals'';
                    (B) by striking ``handicapped and elderly voters'' 
                each place it appears and inserting ``individuals with 
                disabilities and older individuals'';
                    (C) in section 3(b)(2)(B), by striking 
                ``handicapped or elderly voter'' and inserting 
                ``individual with a disability or older individual'';
                    (D) in section 5(b), by striking ``handicapped 
                voter'' and inserting ``individual with a disability''; 
                and
                    (E) in section 8--
                            (i) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and 
                        inserting the following:
            ``(1) `accessible' has the meaning given that term in 
        section 306 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added by 
        section 202(a) of the Voter Empowerment Act of 2021;
            ``(2) `older individual' has the meaning given that term in 
        such section 306;''; and
                            (ii) by striking paragraph (4), and 
                        inserting the following:
            ``(4) `individual with a disability' has the meaning given 
        that term in such section 306; and''.
            (3) Short title amendment.--
                    (A) In general.--Section 1 of the ``Voting 
                Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act'' 
                (Public Law 98-435; 42 U.S.C. 1973ee note) is amended 
                by striking ``for the Elderly and Handicapped'' and 
                inserting ``for Individuals with Disabilities and Older 
                Individuals''.
                    (B) References.--Any reference in any other 
                provision of law, regulation, document, paper, or other 
                record of the United States to the ``Voting 
                Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act'' 
                shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Voting 
                Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities and 
                Older Individuals Act''.
            (4) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall take effect on January 1, 2024, and apply to with respect 
        to elections for Federal office held on or after that date.

SEC. 204. PROTECTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS SUBJECT TO GUARDIANSHIP.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 131(a), 
section 201(a), section 202(a), and section 203(a)(1), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 308 and 309 as sections 309 
        and 310, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 307 the following:

``SEC. 308. PROTECTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS SUBJECT TO GUARDIANSHIP.

    ``(a) In General.--A State shall not determine that an individual 
lacks the capacity to vote in an election for Federal office on the 
ground that the individual is subject to guardianship, unless a court 
of competent jurisdiction issues a court order finding by clear and 
convincing evidence that the individual cannot communicate, with or 
without accommodations, a desire to participate in the voting process.
    ``(b) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to 
elections for Federal office held on or after January 1, 2022.''.
    (b) Voluntary Guidance.--Section 321(b)(4) such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21101(b)), as added and redesignated by section 201(b) and as amended 
by sections 202 and 203, is amended by striking ``and 307'' and 
inserting ``307, and 308''.
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 131(c), section 201(c), section 202(c), and section 
203(a)(3), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 308 and 
        309 as relating to sections 309 and 310, respectively; and
                    (A) by inserting after the item relating to section 
                307 the following new item:

``Sec. 308. Protections for individuals subject to guardianship.''.

SEC. 205. EXPANSION AND REAUTHORIZATION OF GRANT PROGRAM TO ASSURE 
              VOTING ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

    (a) Purposes of Payments.--Section 261(b) of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21021(b)) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) 
and (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) making absentee voting and voting at home accessible 
        to individuals with the full range of disabilities (including 
        impairments involving vision, hearing, mobility, or dexterity) 
        through the implementation of accessible absentee voting 
        systems that work in conjunction with assistive technologies 
        for which individuals have access at their homes, independent 
        living centers, or other facilities;
            ``(2) making polling places, including the path of travel, 
        entrances, exits, and voting areas of each polling facility, 
        accessible to individuals with disabilities, including the 
        blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same 
        opportunity for access and participation (including privacy and 
        independence) as for other voters; and
            ``(3) 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 disabilities.''.
    (b) Reauthorization.--Section 264(a) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21024(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) For fiscal year 2022 and each succeeding fiscal year, 
        such sums as may be necessary to carry out this part.''.
    (c) Period of Availability of Funds.--Section 264 of such Act (52 
U.S.C. 21024) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``Any amounts'' and 
        inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (b), any 
        amounts''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Return and Transfer of Certain Funds.--
            ``(1) Deadline for obligation and expenditure.--In the case 
        of any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of 
        subsection (a) for a payment to a State or unit of local 
        government for fiscal year 2022 or any succeeding fiscal year, 
        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 4-year period which begins on the date the 
        State or unit of local government first received the amounts 
        shall be transferred to the Commission.
            ``(2) Reallocation of transferred amounts.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Commission shall use the 
                amounts transferred under paragraph (1) to make 
                payments on a pro rata basis to each covered payment 
                recipient described in subparagraph (B), which may 
                obligate and expend such payment for the purposes 
                described in section 261(b) during the 1-year period 
                which begins on the date of receipt.
                    ``(B) Covered payment recipients described.--In 
                subparagraph (A), a `covered payment recipient' is a 
                State or unit of local government with respect to 
                which--
                            ``(i) amounts were appropriated pursuant to 
                        the authority of subsection (a); and
                            ``(ii) no amounts were transferred to the 
                        Commission under paragraph (1).''.

SEC. 206. APPOINTMENTS TO EAC BOARD OF ADVISORS.

    (a) In General.--Section 214(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 
2002 (52 U.S.C. 20944(a)) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``37'' and inserting ``49''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(17) Two members appointed by the National Council on 
        Disability.
            ``(18) Two members appointed by the Assistant Secretary of 
        Health and Human Services for Aging.
            ``(19) Four members from organizations, whose executive 
        leadership team consists of fifty-one percent of individuals 
        with disabilities, representing the interests of voters with 
        disabilities, of whom--
                    ``(A) two members shall be appointed by the 
                Committee on Education and Labor of the House of 
                Representatives, of whom one shall be appointed by the 
                chair and one shall be appointed by the ranking 
                minority member; and
                    ``(B) two members shall be appointed by the 
                Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
                the Senate, of whom one shall be appointed by the chair 
                and one shall be appointed by the ranking minority 
                member.
            ``(20) Four members from organizations representing the 
        interests of older voters, of whom--
                    ``(A) two members shall be appointed by the 
                Committee on Education and Labor of the House of 
                Representatives, of whom one shall be appointed by the 
                chair and one shall be appointed by the ranking 
                minority member; and
                    ``(B) two members shall be appointed by the Special 
                Committee on Aging of the Senate, of whom one shall be 
                appointed by the chair and one shall be appointed by 
                the ranking minority member.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on January 1, 2022.

SEC. 207. FUNDING FOR PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SYSTEMS.

    (a) Inclusion of System Serving American Indian Consortium.--
Section 291(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
21061(a)) is amended by striking ``of each State'' and inserting ``of 
each State and the eligible system serving the American Indian 
consortium (within the meaning of section 509(c)(1)(B) of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794e(c)(1)(B)))''.
    (b) Grant Amount.--Section 291(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 
2002 (52 U.S.C. 21061(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``as set forth in subsections (c)(3)'' and 
        inserting ``as set forth in subsections (c)(1)(B) (regardless 
        of the fiscal year), (c)(3)''; and
            (2) by striking ``except that'' and all that follows and 
        inserting ``except that the amount of the grants to systems 
        referred to in subsection (c)(3)(B) of that section shall not 
        be less than $70,000 and the amount of the grants to systems 
        referred to in subsections (c)(1)(B) and (c)(4)(B) of that 
        section shall not be less than $35,000.''.
    (c) Definition.--Section 291 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(52 U.S.C. 21061) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) State.--In this section, the term `State' means--
            ``(1) a State as defined in section 901; and
            ``(2) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.''.

SEC. 208. PILOT PROGRAMS FOR ENABLING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO 
              REGISTER TO VOTE PRIVATELY AND INDEPENDENTLY AT 
              RESIDENCES.

    (a) Establishment of Pilot Programs.--The Election Assistance 
Commission (hereafter referred to as the ``Commission'') shall, subject 
to the availability of appropriations to carry out this section, make 
grants to eligible States to conduct pilot programs under which 
individuals with disabilities may use electronic means (including the 
internet and telephones utilizing assistive devices) to register to 
vote and to request and receive absentee ballots in a manner which 
permits such individuals to do so privately and independently at their 
own residences.
    (b) Reports.--
            (1) 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 year.
            (2) Deadline.--A State shall submit a report under 
        paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after the last election 
        for public office held in the State during the year.
    (c) Eligibility.--A State is eligible to receive a grant under this 
section if the State submits to the Commission, at such time and in 
such form as the Commission may require, an application containing such 
information and assurances as the Commission may require.
    (d) 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 2022, or, at the option of a 
State, with respect to other elections for public office held in the 
State in 2022.
    (e) State Defined.--In this section, the term ``State'' includes 
the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, 
American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands.

SEC. 209. GAO ANALYSIS AND REPORT ON VOTING ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH 
              DISABILITIES.

    (a) Analysis.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct an analysis after each regularly scheduled general election for 
Federal office with respect to the following:
            (1) In relation to polling places located in houses of 
        worship or other facilities that may be exempt from 
        accessibility requirements under the Americans with 
        Disabilities Act--
                    (A) efforts to overcome accessibility challenges 
                posed by such facilities; and
                    (B) the extent to which such facilities are used as 
                polling places in elections for Federal office.
            (2) Assistance provided by the Election Assistance 
        Commission, Department of Justice, or other Federal agencies to 
        help State and local officials improve voting access for 
        individuals with disabilities during elections for Federal 
        office.
            (3) When accessible voting machines are available at a 
        polling place, the extent to which such machines--
                    (A) are located in places that are difficult to 
                access;
                    (B) malfunction; or
                    (C) fail to provide sufficient privacy to ensure 
                that the ballot of the individual cannot be seen by 
                another individual.
            (4) The process by which Federal, State, and local 
        governments track compliance with accessibility requirements 
        related to voting access, including methods to receive and 
        address complaints.
            (5) The extent to which poll workers receive training on 
        how to assist individuals with disabilities, including the 
        receipt by such poll workers of information on legal 
        requirements related to voting rights for individuals with 
        disabilities.
            (6) The extent and effectiveness of training provided to 
        poll workers on the operation of accessible voting machines.
            (7) The extent to which individuals with a developmental or 
        psychiatric disability experience greater barriers to voting, 
        and whether poll worker training adequately addresses the needs 
        of such individuals.
            (8) The extent to which State or local governments employ, 
        or attempt to employ, individuals with disabilities to work at 
        polling sites.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 9 months after the date of 
        a regularly scheduled general election for Federal office, the 
        Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate 
        congressional committees a report with respect to the most 
        recent regularly scheduled general election for Federal office 
        that contains the following:
                    (A) The analysis required by subsection (a).
                    (B) Recommendations, as appropriate, to promote the 
                use of best practices used by State and local officials 
                to address barriers to accessibility and privacy 
                concerns for individuals with disabilities in elections 
                for Federal office.
            (2) Appropriate congressional committees.--For purposes of 
        this subsection, the term ``appropriate congressional 
        committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on House Administration of the 
                House of Representatives;
                    (B) the Committee on Rules and Administration of 
                the Senate;
                    (C) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
                Representatives; and
                    (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

                  TITLE III--PROHIBITING VOTER CAGING

SEC. 301. VOTER CAGING AND OTHER QUESTIONABLE CHALLENGES PROHIBITED.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, as 
amended by section 171(a), is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
``Sec. 613. Voter caging and other questionable challenges
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `voter caging document' means--
                    ``(A) 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 
                applicant; or
                    ``(B) any document with instructions to an 
                addressee that the document be returned to the sender 
                or a third party but is not so returned, despite an 
                attempt to deliver such document to the address of a 
                registered voter or applicant, unless at least two 
                Federal election cycles have passed since the date of 
                the attempted delivery;
            ``(2) the term `voter caging list' means a list of 
        individuals compiled from voter caging documents; and
            ``(3) 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 jurisdiction, by 
        virtue of death, conviction, change of address, or otherwise; 
        unless one of the pieces of information matched includes a 
        signature, photograph, or unique identifying number ensuring 
        that the information from each source refers to the same 
        individual.
    ``(b) Prohibition Against Voter Caging.--No State or local election 
official shall prevent an individual from registering or voting in any 
election for Federal office, 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 vote, if the basis 
for such decision is evidence consisting of--
            ``(1) a voter caging document or voter caging list;
            ``(2) an unverified match list;
            ``(3) an error or omission on any record or paper relating 
        to any application, registration, or other act requisite to 
        voting, if such error or omission is not material to an 
        individual's eligibility to vote under section 2004(a)(2)(B) of 
        the Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(a)(2)(B)); or
            ``(4) any other evidence so designated for purposes of this 
        section by the Election Assistance Commission,
except that the election official may use such evidence if it is 
corroborated by independent evidence of the individual's ineligibility 
to register or vote.
    ``(c) Requirements for Challenges by Persons Other Than Election 
Officials.--
            ``(1) Requirements for challenges.--No person, other than a 
        State or local election official, 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--
                    ``(A) documented in writing; and
                    ``(B) 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 election, except a challenge which 
                is based on the race, ethnicity, 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 paragraph.
            ``(2) Prohibition on challenges on or near date of 
        election.--No person, other than a State or local election 
        official, shall be permitted--
                    ``(A) to challenge an individual's eligibility to 
                vote in an election for Federal office on Election Day, 
                or
                    ``(B) to challenge an individual's eligibility to 
                register to vote in an election for Federal office or 
                to vote in an election for Federal office less than 10 
                days before the election unless the individual 
                registered to vote less than 20 days before the 
                election.
    ``(d) 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 disqualified, shall be fined under this title 
or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both, for each such violation. 
Each violation shall be a separate offense.
    ``(e) No Effect on Related Laws.--Nothing in this section is 
intended to override the protections of the National Voter Registration 
Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.) or to affect the Voting Rights 
Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.).''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 29 of 
title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 171(b), is amended 
by adding at the end the following:

``613. Voter caging and other questionable challenges.''.

SEC. 302. DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION OF BEST PRACTICES FOR PREVENTING 
              VOTER CAGING.

    (a) Best Practices.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Election Assistance Commission shall develop 
and publish for the use of States recommendations for best practices to 
deter and prevent violations of section 613 of title 18, United States 
Code, as added by section 301(a), including practices to provide for 
the posting of relevant information at polling places and voter 
registration agencies, the training of poll workers and election 
officials, and relevant educational measures. For purposes of this 
subsection, the term ``State'' includes the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States 
Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    (b) Inclusion in Voting Information Requirements.--Section 
302(b)(2) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21082(b)(2)), 
as amended by section 172(b), is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (F);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (G) 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(H) information relating to the prohibition 
                against voter caging and other questionable challenges 
                (as set forth in section 613 of title 18, United States 
                Code), including information on how individuals may 
                report allegations of violations of such 
                prohibition.''.

    TITLE IV--PROHIBITING DECEPTIVE PRACTICES AND PREVENTING VOTER 
                              INTIMIDATION

SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Deceptive Practices and Voter 
Intimidation Prevention Act of 2021''.

SEC. 402. PROHIBITION ON DECEPTIVE PRACTICES IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

    (a) Prohibition.--Subsection (b) of section 2004 of the Revised 
Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``No person'' and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--No person''; and
            (2) by inserting at the end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(2) False statements regarding federal elections.--
                    ``(A) Prohibition.--No person, whether acting under 
                color of law or otherwise, shall, within 60 days before 
                an election described in paragraph (5), by any means, 
                including by means of written, electronic, or 
                telephonic communications, communicate or cause to be 
                communicated information described in subparagraph (B), 
                or produce information described in subparagraph (B) 
                with the intent that such information be communicated, 
                if such person--
                            ``(i) knows such information to be 
                        materially false; and
                            ``(ii) has the intent to impede or prevent 
                        another person from exercising the right to 
                        vote in an election described in paragraph (5).
                    ``(B) Information described.--Information is 
                described in this subparagraph if such information is 
                regarding--
                            ``(i) the time, place, or manner of holding 
                        any election described in paragraph (5); or
                            ``(ii) the qualifications for or 
                        restrictions on voter eligibility for any such 
                        election, including--
                                    ``(I) any criminal penalties 
                                associated with voting in any such 
                                election; or
                                    ``(II) information regarding a 
                                voter's registration status or 
                                eligibility.
            ``(3) False statements regarding public endorsements.--
                    ``(A) Prohibition.--No person, whether acting under 
                color of law or otherwise, shall, within 60 days before 
                an election described in paragraph (5), by any means, 
                including by means of written, electronic, or 
                telephonic communications, communicate, or cause to be 
                communicated, a materially false statement about an 
                endorsement, if such person--
                            ``(i) knows such statement to be false; and
                            ``(ii) has the intent to impede or prevent 
                        another person from exercising the right to 
                        vote in an election described in paragraph (5).
                    ``(B) Definition of `materially false'.--For 
                purposes of subparagraph (A), a statement about an 
                endorsement is `materially false' if, with respect to 
                an upcoming election described in paragraph (5)--
                            ``(i) the statement states that a 
                        specifically named person, political party, or 
                        organization has endorsed the election of a 
                        specific candidate for a Federal office 
                        described in such paragraph; and
                            ``(ii) such person, political party, or 
                        organization has not endorsed the election of 
                        such candidate.
            ``(4) Hindering, interfering with, or preventing voting or 
        registering to vote.--No person, whether acting under color of 
        law or otherwise, shall intentionally hinder, interfere with, 
        or prevent another person from voting, registering to vote, or 
        aiding another person to vote or register to vote in an 
        election described in paragraph (5).
            ``(5) Election described.--An election described in this 
        paragraph is any general, primary, run-off, or special election 
        held solely or in part for the purpose of nominating or 
        electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice 
        President, Presidential elector, Member of the Senate, Member 
        of the House of Representatives, or Delegate or Commissioner 
        from a Territory or possession.''.
    (b) Private Right of Action.--
            (1) In general.--Subsection (c) of section 2004 of the 
        Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(c)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``Whenever any person'' and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Whenever any person''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(2) Civil action.--Any person aggrieved by a violation of 
        subsection (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b)(4) may institute a civil 
        action for preventive relief, including an application in a 
        United States district court for a permanent or temporary 
        injunction, restraining order, or other order. In any such 
        action, the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing 
        party a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the costs.''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 2004 of the Revised 
        Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (e), by striking ``subsection 
                (c)'' and inserting ``subsection (c)(1)''; and
                    (B) in subsection (g), by striking ``subsection 
                (c)'' and inserting ``subsection (c)(1)''.
    (c) Criminal Penalties.--
            (1) Deceptive acts.--Section 594 of title 18, United States 
        Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``Whoever'' and inserting the 
                following:
    ``(a) Intimidation.--Whoever'';
                    (B) in subsection (a), as inserted by subparagraph 
                (A), by striking ``at any election'' and inserting ``at 
                any general, primary, run-off, or special election''; 
                and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                subsections:
    ``(b) Deceptive Acts.--
            ``(1) False statements regarding federal elections.--
                    ``(A) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any 
                person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, 
                within 60 days before an election described in 
                subsection (e), by any means, including by means of 
                written, electronic, or telephonic communications, to 
                communicate or cause to be communicated information 
                described in subparagraph (B), or produce information 
                described in subparagraph (B) with the intent that such 
                information be communicated, if such person--
                            ``(i) knows such information to be 
                        materially false; and
                            ``(ii) has the intent to mislead voters, or 
                        the intent to impede or prevent another person 
                        from exercising the right to vote in an 
                        election described in subsection (e).
                    ``(B) Information described.--Information is 
                described in this subparagraph if such information is 
                regarding--
                            ``(i) the time or place of holding any 
                        election described in subsection (e); or
                            ``(ii) the qualifications for or 
                        restrictions on voter eligibility for any such 
                        election, including--
                                    ``(I) any criminal penalties 
                                associated with voting in any such 
                                election; or
                                    ``(II) information regarding a 
                                voter's registration status or 
                                eligibility.
            ``(2) Penalty.--Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall 
        be fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned for not more than 5 
        years, or both.
    ``(c) Hindering, Interfering With, or Preventing Voting or 
Registering To Vote.--
            ``(1) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any person, 
        whether acting under color of law or otherwise, to 
        intentionally hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person 
        from voting, registering to vote, or aiding another person to 
        vote or register to vote in an election described in subsection 
        (e).
            ``(2) Penalty.--Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall 
        be fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned for not more than 5 
        years, or both.
    ``(d) Attempt.--Any person who attempts to commit any offense 
described in subsection (a), (b)(1), or (c)(1) shall be subject to the 
same penalties as those prescribed for the offense that the person 
attempted to commit.
    ``(e) Election Described.--An election described in this subsection 
is any general, primary, run-off, or special election held solely or in 
part for the purpose of nominating or electing a candidate for the 
office of President, Vice President, Presidential elector, Senator, 
Member of the House of Representatives, or Delegate or Resident 
Commissioner to the Congress.''.
            (2) Modification of penalty for voter intimidation.--
        Section 594(a) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by 
        paragraph (1), is amended by striking ``fined under this title 
        or imprisoned not more than one year'' and inserting ``fined 
        not more than $100,000, imprisoned for not more than 5 years''.
            (3) Sentencing guidelines.--
                    (A) Review and amendment.--Not later than 180 days 
                after the date of enactment of this Act, the United 
                States Sentencing Commission, pursuant to its authority 
                under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, and 
                in accordance with this section, shall review and, if 
                appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines 
                and policy statements applicable to persons convicted 
                of any offense under section 594 of title 18, United 
                States Code, as amended by this section.
                    (B) Authorization.--The United States Sentencing 
                Commission may amend the Federal Sentencing Guidelines 
                in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 
                21(a) of the Sentencing Act of 1987 (28 U.S.C. 994 
                note) as though the authority under that section had 
                not expired.
            (4) Payments for refraining from voting.--Subsection (c) of 
        section 11 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10307) 
        is amended by striking ``either for registration to vote or for 
        voting'' and inserting ``for registration to vote, for voting, 
        or for not voting''.

SEC. 403. CORRECTIVE ACTION.

    (a) Corrective Action.--
            (1) In general.--If the Attorney General receives a 
        credible report that materially false information has been or 
        is being communicated in violation of paragraphs (2) and (3) of 
        section 2004(b) of the Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(b)), 
        as added by section 402(a), 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 information, the 
        Attorney General shall, pursuant to the written procedures and 
        standards under subsection (b), communicate to the public, by 
        any means, including by means of written, electronic, or 
        telephonic communications, accurate information designed to 
        correct the materially false information.
            (2) Communication of corrective information.--Any 
        information communicated by the Attorney General under 
        paragraph (1)--
                    (A) shall--
                            (i) be accurate and objective;
                            (ii) consist of only the information 
                        necessary to correct the materially false 
                        information that has been or is being 
                        communicated; and
                            (iii) to the extent practicable, be by a 
                        means that the Attorney General determines will 
                        reach the persons to whom the materially false 
                        information has been or is being communicated; 
                        and
                    (B) shall not be designed to favor or disfavor any 
                particular candidate, organization, or political party.
    (b) Written Procedures and Standards for Taking Corrective 
Action.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall publish 
        written procedures and standards for determining when and how 
        corrective action will be taken under this section.
            (2) Inclusion of appropriate deadlines.--The procedures and 
        standards under paragraph (1) shall include appropriate 
        deadlines, based in part on the number of days remaining before 
        the upcoming election.
            (3) Consultation.--In developing the procedures and 
        standards under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall 
        consult with the Election Assistance Commission, State and 
        local election officials, civil rights organizations, voting 
        rights groups, voter protection groups, and other interested 
        community organizations.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Attorney General such sums as may be necessary to 
carry out this title.

SEC. 404. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after each general 
election for Federal office, the Attorney General shall submit to 
Congress a report compiling all allegations received by the Attorney 
General of deceptive practices described in paragraphs (2), (3), and 
(4) of section 2004(b) of the Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(b)), as 
added by section 402(a), relating to the general election for Federal 
office and any primary, run-off, or a special election for Federal 
office held in the 2 years preceding the general election.
    (b) Contents.--
            (1) In general.--Each report submitted under subsection (a) 
        shall include--
                    (A) a description of each allegation of a deceptive 
                practice described in subsection (a), including the 
                geographic location, racial and ethnic composition, and 
                language minority-group membership of the persons 
                toward whom the alleged deceptive practice was 
                directed;
                    (B) the status of the investigation of each 
                allegation described in subparagraph (A);
                    (C) a description of each corrective action taken 
                by the Attorney General under section 403(a) in 
                response to an allegation described in subparagraph 
                (A);
                    (D) a description of each referral of an allegation 
                described in subparagraph (A) to other Federal, State, 
                or local agencies;
                    (E) to the extent information is available, a 
                description of any civil action instituted under 
                section 2004(c)(2) of the Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 
                10101(c)(2)), as added by section 402(b), in connection 
                with an allegation described in subparagraph (A); and
                    (F) a description of any criminal prosecution 
                instituted under section 594 of title 18, United States 
                Code, as amended by section 402(c), in connection with 
                the receipt of an allegation described in subparagraph 
                (A) by the Attorney General.
            (2) Exclusion of certain information.--
                    (A) In general.--The Attorney General shall not 
                include in a report submitted under subsection (a) any 
                information protected from disclosure by rule 6(e) of 
                the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure or any Federal 
                criminal statute.
                    (B) Exclusion of certain other information.--The 
                Attorney General may determine that the following 
                information shall not be included in a report submitted 
                under subsection (a):
                            (i) Any information that is privileged.
                            (ii) Any information concerning an ongoing 
                        investigation.
                            (iii) Any information concerning a criminal 
                        or civil proceeding conducted under seal.
                            (iv) 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 investigation.
    (c) Report Made Public.--On the date that the Attorney General 
submits the report under subsection (a), the Attorney General shall 
also make the report publicly available through the internet and other 
appropriate means.

                     TITLE V--DEMOCRACY RESTORATION

SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Democracy Restoration Act of 
2021''.

SEC. 502. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The right to vote is the most basic constitutive act of 
        citizenship. Regaining the right to vote reintegrates 
        individuals with criminal convictions into free society, 
        helping to enhance public safety.
            (2) Article I, section 4, of the Constitution grants 
        Congress ultimate supervisory power over Federal elections, an 
        authority which has repeatedly been upheld by the United States 
        Supreme Court.
            (3) Basic constitutional principles of fairness and equal 
        protection require an equal opportunity for citizens of the 
        United States to vote in Federal elections. The right to vote 
        may not be abridged or denied by the United States or by any 
        State on account of race, color, gender, or previous condition 
        of servitude. The 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th 
        Amendments to the Constitution empower Congress to enact 
        measures to protect the right to vote in Federal elections. The 
        8th Amendment to the Constitution provides for no excessive 
        bail to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and 
        unusual punishments inflicted.
            (4) There are 3 areas in which discrepancies in State laws 
        regarding criminal convictions lead to unfairness in Federal 
        elections--
                    (A) the lack of a uniform standard for voting in 
                Federal elections leads to an unfair disparity and 
                unequal participation in Federal elections based solely 
                on where a person lives;
                    (B) laws governing the restoration of voting rights 
                after a criminal conviction vary throughout the country 
                and persons in some States can easily regain their 
                voting rights while in other States persons effectively 
                lose their right to vote permanently; and
                    (C) State disenfranchisement laws 
                disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minorities.
            (5) State disenfranchisement laws vary widely. Two States 
        (Maine and Vermont) and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico do not 
        disenfranchise individuals with criminal convictions at all. In 
        2020, the District of Columbia re-enfranchised its citizens who 
        are under the supervision of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In 
        30 States, individuals with convictions may not vote while they 
        are on parole and 28 of those States disenfranchise individuals 
        on felony probation as well. In 11 States, a conviction can 
        result in lifetime disenfranchisement.
            (6) Several States deny the right to vote to individuals 
        convicted of certain misdemeanors.
            (7) In 2020, an estimated 5,200,000 citizens of the United 
        States, or about 1 in 44 adults in the United States, could not 
        vote as a result of a felony conviction. Of the 5,200,000 
        citizens barred from voting then, only 24 percent were in 
        prison. By contrast, 75 percent of persons disenfranchised then 
        resided in their communities while on probation or parole or 
        after having completed their sentences. Approximately 2,200,000 
        citizens who had completed their sentences were disenfranchised 
        due to restrictive State laws. As of November 2018, the 
        lifetime ban for persons with certain felony convictions was 
        eliminated through a Florida ballot initiative. As a result, as 
        many as 1,400,000 people are now eligible to have their voting 
        rights restored. In 4 States--Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, 
        and Tennessee--more than 7 percent of the total population is 
        disenfranchised.
            (8) In those States that disenfranchise individuals post-
        sentence, the right to vote can be regained in theory, but in 
        practice this possibility is often granted in a non-uniform and 
        potentially discriminatory manner. Disenfranchised individuals 
        sometimes must either obtain a pardon or an order from the 
        Governor or an action by the parole or pardon board, depending 
        on the offense and State. Individuals convicted of a Federal 
        offense often have additional barriers to regaining voting 
        rights.
            (9) State disenfranchisement laws disproportionately impact 
        racial and ethnic minorities. In recent years, African 
        Americans have been imprisoned at over 5 times the rate of 
        Whites. More than 6 percent of the voting-age African-American 
        population, or 1,800,000 African Americans, are disenfranchised 
        due to a felony conviction. In 9 States--Alabama (16 percent), 
        Arizona (13 percent), Florida (15 percent), Kentucky (15 
        percent), Mississippi (16 percent), South Dakota (14 percent), 
        Tennessee (21 percent), Virginia (16 percent), and Wyoming (36 
        percent)--more than 1 in 8 African Americans are unable to vote 
        because of a felony conviction, twice the national average for 
        African Americans.
            (10) Latino citizens are also disproportionately 
        disenfranchised based upon their disproportionate 
        representation in the criminal justice system. In recent years, 
        Latinos have been imprisoned at 2.5 times the rate of Whites. 
        More than 2 percent of the voting-age Latino population, or 
        560,000 Latinos, are disenfranchised due to a felony 
        conviction. In 34 states Latinos are disenfranchised at a 
        higher rate than the general population. In 11 states 4 percent 
        or more of Latino adults are disenfranchised due to a felony 
        conviction (Alabama, 4 percent; Arizona, 7 percent; Arkansas, 4 
        percent; Idaho, 4 percent; Iowa, 4 percent; Kentucky, 6 
        percent; Minnesota, 4 percent; Mississippi, 5 percent; 
        Nebraska, 6 percent; Tennessee, 11 percent, Wyoming, 4 
        percent), twice the national average for Latinos.
            (11) Disenfranchising citizens who have been convicted of a 
        criminal offense and who are living and working in the 
        community serves no compelling State interest and hinders their 
        rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
            (12) State disenfranchisement laws can suppress electoral 
        participation among eligible voters by discouraging voting 
        among family and community members of disenfranchised persons. 
        Future electoral participation by the children of 
        disenfranchised parents may be impacted as well.
            (13) The United States is one of the only Western 
        democracies that permits the permanent denial of voting rights 
        for individuals with felony convictions.

SEC. 503. 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 election.

SEC. 504. ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) Attorney General.--The Attorney General may, in a civil action, 
obtain such declaratory or injunctive relief as is necessary to remedy 
a violation of this title.
    (b) Private Right of Action.--
            (1) 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 involved.
            (2) Relief.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), if the 
        violation is not corrected within 90 days after receipt of a 
        notice under paragraph (1), or within 20 days after receipt of 
        the notice if the violation occurred within 120 days before the 
        date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person 
        may, in a civil action, obtain declaratory or injunctive relief 
        with respect to the violation.
            (3) Exception.--If the violation occurred within 30 days 
        before the date of an election for Federal office, the 
        aggrieved person need not provide notice to the chief election 
        official of the State under paragraph (1) before bringing a 
        civil action to obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with 
        respect to the violation.

SEC. 505. NOTIFICATION OF RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS.

    (a) State Notification.--
            (1) Notification.--On the date determined under paragraph 
        (2), each State shall--
                    (A) notify in writing any individual who has been 
                convicted of a criminal offense under the law of that 
                State that such individual--
                            (i) has the right to vote in an election 
                        for Federal office pursuant to the Democracy 
                        Restoration Act of 2021; and
                            (ii) may register to vote in any such 
                        election; and
                    (B) provide such individual with any materials that 
                are necessary to register to vote in any such election.
            (2) Date of notification.--
                    (A) Felony conviction.--In the case of such an 
                individual who has been convicted of a felony, the 
                notification required under paragraph (1) shall be 
                given on the date on which the individual--
                            (i) is sentenced to serve only a term of 
                        probation; or
                            (ii) is released from the custody of that 
                        State (other than to the custody of another 
                        State or the Federal Government to serve a term 
                        of imprisonment for a felony conviction).
                    (B) Misdemeanor conviction.--In the case of such an 
                individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the 
                notification required under paragraph (1) shall be 
                given on the date on which such individual is sentenced 
                by a State court.
    (b) Federal Notification.--
            (1) Notification.--Any individual who has been convicted of 
        a criminal offense under Federal law--
                    (A) shall be notified in accordance with paragraph 
                (2) that such individual--
                            (i) has the right to vote in an election 
                        for Federal office pursuant to the Democracy 
                        Restoration Act of 2021; and
                            (ii) may register to vote in any such 
                        election; and
                    (B) shall be provided with any materials that are 
                necessary to register to vote in any such election.
            (2) Date of notification.--
                    (A) Felony conviction.--In the case of such an 
                individual who has been convicted of a felony, the 
                notification required under paragraph (1) shall be 
                given--
                            (i) in the case of an individual who is 
                        sentenced to serve only a term of probation, 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 
                        sentenced; or
                            (ii) in the case of any individual 
                        committed to the custody of the Bureau of 
                        Prisons, by the Director of the Bureau of 
                        Prisons, during the period beginning on the 
                        date that is 6 months before such individual is 
                        released and ending on the date such individual 
                        is released from the custody of the Bureau of 
                        Prisons.
                    (B) Misdemeanor conviction.--In the case of such an 
                individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the 
                notification required under paragraph (1) shall be 
                given on the date on which such individual is sentenced 
                by a court established by an Act of Congress.

SEC. 506. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this title:
            (1) Correctional institution or facility.--The term 
        ``correctional institution or facility'' means any prison, 
        penitentiary, jail, or other institution or facility for the 
        confinement of individuals convicted of criminal offenses, 
        whether publicly or privately operated, except that such term 
        does not include any residential community treatment center (or 
        similar public or private facility).
            (2) Election.--The term ``election'' means--
                    (A) a general, special, primary, or runoff 
                election;
                    (B) a convention or caucus of a political party 
                held to nominate a candidate;
                    (C) a primary election held for the selection of 
                delegates to a national nominating convention of a 
                political party; or
                    (D) a primary election held for the expression of a 
                preference for the nomination of persons for election 
                to the office of President.
            (3) Federal office.--The term ``Federal office'' means the 
        office of President or Vice President of the United States, or 
        of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident 
        Commissioner to, the Congress of the United States.
            (4) Probation.--The term ``probation'' means probation, 
        imposed by a Federal, State, or local court, with or without a 
        condition on the individual involved concerning--
                    (A) the individual's freedom of movement;
                    (B) the payment of damages by the individual;
                    (C) periodic reporting by the individual to an 
                officer of the court; or
                    (D) supervision of the individual by an officer of 
                the court.

SEC. 507. RELATION TO OTHER LAWS.

    (a) 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 title.
    (b) Certain Federal Acts.--The rights and remedies established by 
this title--
            (1) are in addition to all other rights and remedies 
        provided by law, and
            (2) shall not supersede, restrict, or limit the application 
        of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.) or 
        the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et 
        seq.).

SEC. 508. FEDERAL PRISON FUNDS.

    No State, unit of local government, or other person may receive or 
use, to construct or otherwise improve a prison, jail, or other place 
of incarceration, 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 notified, upon 
release from such incarceration, of that individual's rights under 
section 503.

SEC. 509. 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 Act.

  TITLE VI--PROMOTING ACCURACY, INTEGRITY, AND SECURITY THROUGH VOTER-
                    VERIFIED PERMANENT PAPER BALLOT

SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Voter Confidence and Increased 
Accessibility Act of 2021''.

SEC. 602. PAPER BALLOT AND MANUAL COUNTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 301(a)(2) of the Help America Vote Act of 
2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(2) Paper ballot requirement.--
                    ``(A) Voter-verified paper ballots.--
                            ``(i) Paper ballot requirement.--(I) The 
                        voting system shall require the use of an 
                        individual, durable, voter-verified 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 counted, and which shall be 
                        counted by hand or read by an optical character 
                        recognition device or other counting device. 
                        For purposes of this subclause, the term 
                        `individual, durable, voter-verified 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 system, so long as the voter shall 
                        have the option to mark his or her ballot by 
                        hand.
                            ``(II) 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 (ii).
                            ``(III) The voting system shall not 
                        preserve the voter-verified paper ballots in 
                        any manner that makes it possible, at any time 
                        after the ballot has been cast, to associate a 
                        voter with the record of the voter's vote 
                        without the voter's consent.
                            ``(IV) The voting system shall prevent, 
                        through mechanical means or through 
                        independently verified protections, the 
                        modification or addition of vote selections on 
                        a printed or marked ballot at any time after 
                        the voter has been provided an opportunity to 
                        correct errors on the ballot pursuant to 
                        subclause (II).
                            ``(ii) Preservation as official record.--
                        The individual, durable, voter-verified paper 
                        ballot used in accordance with clause (i) 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 used.
                            ``(iii) Manual counting requirements for 
                        recounts and audits.--(I) Each paper ballot 
                        used pursuant to clause (i) shall be suitable 
                        for a manual audit, and shall be counted by 
                        hand in any recount or audit conducted with 
                        respect to any election for Federal office.
                            ``(II) In the event of any inconsistencies 
                        or irregularities between any electronic vote 
                        tallies and the vote tallies determined by 
                        counting by hand the individual, durable, 
                        voter-verified paper ballots used pursuant to 
                        clause (i), and subject to subparagraph (B), 
                        the individual, durable, voter-verified paper 
                        ballots shall be the true and correct record of 
                        the votes cast.
                            ``(iv) Application to all ballots.--The 
                        requirements of this subparagraph shall apply 
                        to all ballots cast in elections for Federal 
                        office, including ballots cast by absent 
                        uniformed services voters and overseas voters 
                        under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 
                        Absentee Voting Act and other absentee voters.
                    ``(B) Special rule for treatment of disputes when 
                paper ballots have been shown to be compromised.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In the event that--
                                    ``(I) there is any inconsistency 
                                between any electronic vote tallies and 
                                the vote tallies determined by counting 
                                by hand the individual, durable, voter-
                                verified paper ballots used pursuant to 
                                subparagraph (A)(i) with respect to any 
                                election for Federal office; and
                                    ``(II) it is demonstrated by clear 
                                and convincing evidence (as determined 
                                in accordance with the applicable 
                                standards in the jurisdiction involved) 
                                in any recount, audit, or contest of 
                                the result of the election that the 
                                paper ballots have been compromised (by 
                                damage or mischief or otherwise) and 
                                that a sufficient number of the ballots 
                                have been so compromised that the 
                                result of the election could be 
                                changed,
                        the determination of the appropriate remedy 
                        with respect to the election shall be made in 
                        accordance with applicable State law, except 
                        that the electronic tally shall not be used as 
                        the exclusive basis for determining the 
                        official certified result.
                            ``(ii) Rule for consideration of ballots 
                        associated with each voting machine.--For 
                        purposes of clause (i), only the paper ballots 
                        deemed compromised, if any, shall be considered 
                        in the calculation of whether or not the result 
                        of the election could be changed due to the 
                        compromised paper ballots.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment Clarifying Applicability of Alternative 
Language Accessibility.--Section 301(a)(4) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21081(a)(4)) is amended by inserting ``(including the paper ballots 
required to be used under paragraph (2))'' after ``voting system''.
    (c) Other Conforming Amendments.--Section 301(a)(1) of such Act (52 
U.S.C. 21081(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``counted'' and 
        inserting ``counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and 
        (3)'';
            (2) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ``counted'' and 
        inserting ``counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and 
        (3)'';
            (3) in subparagraph (A)(iii), by striking ``counted'' each 
        place it appears and inserting ``counted, in accordance with 
        paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
            (4) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking ``counted'' and 
        inserting ``counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and 
        (3)''.

SEC. 603. ACCESSIBILITY AND BALLOT VERIFICATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH 
              DISABILITIES.

    (a) In General.--Section 301(a)(3)(B) of the Help America Vote Act 
of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(3)(B)) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B)(i) ensure that individuals with disabilities 
                and others are given an equivalent opportunity to vote, 
                including with privacy and independence, in a manner 
                that produces a voter-verified paper ballot;
                    ``(ii) satisfy the requirement of subparagraph (A) 
                through the use of at least one voting system equipped 
                for individuals with disabilities, including nonvisual 
                and enhanced visual accessibility for the blind and 
                visually impaired, and nonmanual and enhanced manual 
                accessibility for the mobility and dexterity impaired, 
                at each polling place; and
                    ``(iii) meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) 
                and paragraph (2)(A) by using a system that--
                            ``(I) allows the voter to privately and 
                        independently verify the permanent paper ballot 
                        through the presentation, in accessible form, 
                        of the printed or marked vote selections from 
                        the same printed or marked information that 
                        would be used for any vote counting or 
                        auditing; and
                            ``(II) allows the voter to privately and 
                        independently verify and cast the permanent 
                        paper ballot without requiring the voter to 
                        manually handle the paper ballot;''.
    (b) Specific Requirement of Study, Testing, and Development of 
Accessible Voting Options.--
            (1) Study and reporting.--Subtitle C of title II of such 
        Act (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating section 247 as section 248; 
                and
                    (B) by inserting after section 246 the following 
                new section:

``SEC. 247. STUDY AND REPORT ON ACCESSIBLE VOTING OPTIONS.

    ``(a) Grants To Study and Report.--The Commission, in coordination 
with the Access Board and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security 
Agency, shall make grants to not fewer than 3 eligible entities to 
study, test, and develop accessible and secure remote voting systems 
and voting, verification, and casting devices to enhance the 
accessibility of voting and verification for individuals with 
disabilities.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--An entity is eligible to receive a grant under 
this part if it submits to the Commission (at such time and in such 
form as the Commission may require) an application containing--
            ``(1) a certification that the entity shall complete the 
        activities carried out with the grant not later than January 1, 
        2024; and
            ``(2) such other information and certifications as the 
        Commission may require.
    ``(c) 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 public, including to manufacturers 
of voting systems.
    ``(d) Coordination With Grants for Technology Improvements.--The 
Commission shall carry out this section so that the activities carried 
out with the grants made under subsection (a) are coordinated with the 
research conducted under the grant program carried out by the 
Commission under section 271, to the extent that the Commission 
determine necessary to provide for the advancement of accessible voting 
technology.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out subsection (a) $10,000,000, to remain 
available until expended.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents of such Act 
        is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating the item relating to section 
                247 as relating to section 248; and
                    (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 
                246 the following new item:

``Sec. 247. Study and report on accessible voting options.''.
    (c) 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 disabilities, the Election Assistance Commission shall 
include and apply the same accessibility standards applicable under the 
voluntary guidance adopted for accessible voting systems under such 
subtitle.
    (d) Permitting Use of Funds for Protection and Advocacy Systems To 
Support Actions To Enforce Election-Related Disability Access.--Section 
292(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21062(a)) is 
amended by striking ``; except that'' and all that follows and 
inserting a period.

SEC. 604. DURABILITY AND READABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR BALLOTS.

    Section 301(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
21081(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(7) Durability and readability requirements for 
        ballots.--
                    ``(A) Durability requirements for paper ballots.--
                            ``(i) In general.--All voter-verified paper 
                        ballots required to be used under this Act 
                        shall be marked or printed on durable paper.
                            ``(ii) Definition.--For purposes of this 
                        Act, paper is `durable' if it is capable of 
                        withstanding multiple counts and recounts by 
                        hand without compromising the fundamental 
                        integrity of the ballots, and capable of 
                        retaining the information marked or printed on 
                        them for the full duration of a retention and 
                        preservation period of 22 months.
                    ``(B) 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 (other than eyeglasses or 
                other personal vision enhancing devices) and by an 
                optical character recognition device or other device 
                equipped for individuals with disabilities.''.

SEC. 605. STUDY AND REPORT ON OPTIMAL BALLOT DESIGN.

    (a) Study.--The Election Assistance Commission shall conduct a 
study of the best ways to design ballots used in elections for public 
office, including paper ballots and electronic or digital ballots, to 
minimize confusion and user errors.
    (b) Report.--Not later than January 1, 2022, the Election 
Assistance Commission shall submit to Congress a report on the study 
conducted under subsection (a).

SEC. 606. PAPER BALLOT PRINTING REQUIREMENTS.

    Section 301(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
21081(a)), as amended by section 604, is further amended by adding at 
the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(8) Printing requirements for ballots.--All paper ballots 
        used in an election for Federal office shall be printed in the 
        United States on paper manufactured in the United States.''.

SEC. 607. EFFECTIVE DATE FOR NEW REQUIREMENTS.

    Section 301(d) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
21081(d)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Effective Date.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        each State and jurisdiction shall be required to comply with 
        the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2006.
            ``(2) Special rule for certain requirements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraphs (B) and (C), 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 
                2021 shall apply with respect to voting systems used 
                for any election for Federal office held in 2022 or any 
                succeeding year.
                    ``(B) Delay for jurisdictions using certain paper 
                record printers or certain systems using or producing 
                voter-verifiable paper records in 2020.--
                            ``(i) Delay.--In the case of a jurisdiction 
                        described in clause (ii), subparagraph (A) 
                        shall apply to a voting system in the 
                        jurisdiction as if the reference in such 
                        subparagraph to `2022' were a reference to 
                        `2024', but only with respect to the following 
                        requirements of this section:
                                    ``(I) Paragraph (2)(A)(i)(I) of 
                                subsection (a) (relating to the use of 
                                voter-verified paper ballots).
                                    ``(II) Paragraph (3)(B)(iii)(I) and 
                                (II) of subsection (a) (relating to 
                                access to verification from and casting 
                                of the durable paper ballot).
                                    ``(III) Paragraph (7) of subsection 
                                (a) (relating to durability and 
                                readability requirements for ballots).
                            ``(ii) Jurisdictions described.--A 
                        jurisdiction described in this clause is a 
                        jurisdiction--
                                    ``(I) which used voter verifiable 
                                paper record printers attached to 
                                direct recording electronic voting 
                                machines, 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 (2)(A)(i)(I), 
                                (3)(B)(iii)(i) and (II), and (7) of 
                                subsection (a) (as amended or added by 
                                the Voter Confidence and Increased 
                                Accessibility Act of 2021), for the 
                                administration of the regularly 
                                scheduled general election for Federal 
                                office held in November 2020; and
                                    ``(II) which will continue to use 
                                such printers or systems for the 
                                administration of elections for Federal 
                                office held in years before 2024.
                            ``(iii) Mandatory availability of paper 
                        ballots at polling places using grandfathered 
                        printers and systems.--
                                    ``(I) Requiring ballots to be 
                                offered and provided.--The appropriate 
                                election official at each polling place 
                                that uses a printer or system described 
                                in clause (ii)(I) 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 system. The official shall 
                                provide the individual with the ballot 
                                and the supplies necessary to mark the 
                                ballot, and shall ensure (to the 
                                greatest extent practicable) that the 
                                waiting period for the individual to 
                                cast a vote is the lesser of 30 minutes 
                                or the average waiting period for an 
                                individual who does not agree to cast 
                                the vote using such a paper ballot 
                                under this clause.
                                    ``(II) 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 
                                (including by incorporating it into the 
                                final unofficial vote count (as defined 
                                by the State) for the precinct) and not 
                                as a provisional ballot, unless the 
                                individual casting the ballot would 
                                have otherwise been required to cast a 
                                provisional ballot.
                                    ``(III) 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 ballot.
                                    ``(IV) 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 clause, including the requirement 
                                to display a notice under subclause 
                                (III), 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 ballot.
                                    ``(V) Period of applicability.--The 
                                requirements of this clause apply only 
                                during the period in which the delay is 
                                in effect under clause (i).
                    ``(C) 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 sleeve, subparagraph (A) shall apply to a 
                voting system in the jurisdiction as if the reference 
                in such subparagraph to `any election for Federal 
                office held in 2022 or any succeeding year' were a 
                reference to `elections for Federal office occurring 
                held in 2024 or each succeeding year', but only with 
                respect to paragraph (3)(B)(iii)(II) of subsection (a) 
                (relating to nonmanual casting of the durable paper 
                ballot).''.

                     TITLE VII--PROVISIONAL BALLOTS

SEC. 701. REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTING PROVISIONAL BALLOTS; ESTABLISHMENT 
              OF UNIFORM AND NONDISCRIMINATORY STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(52 U.S.C. 21082) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (f); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
        subsections:
    ``(d) Statewide Counting of Provisional Ballots.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of subsection (a)(4), 
        notwithstanding the precinct or polling place at which a 
        provisional ballot is cast within the State, the appropriate 
        election official of the jurisdiction in which the individual 
        is registered shall count each vote on such ballot for each 
        election in which the individual who cast such ballot is 
        eligible to vote.
            ``(2) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply with 
        respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2022.
    ``(e) Uniform and Nondiscriminatory Standards.--
            ``(1) In general.--Consistent with the requirements of this 
        section, each State shall establish uniform and 
        nondiscriminatory standards for the issuance, handling, and 
        counting of provisional ballots.
            ``(2) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply with 
        respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2022.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 302(f) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21082(f)), as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by striking 
``Each State'' and inserting ``Except as provided in subsections (d)(2) 
and (e)(2), each State''.

                        TITLE VIII--EARLY VOTING

SEC. 801. EARLY VOTING.

    (a) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 131(a), 
section 201(a), section 202(a), section 203(a)(1), and section 204(a), 
is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 309 and 310 as sections 310 
        and 311, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 308 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 309. EARLY VOTING.

    ``(a) Requiring Voting Prior to Date of Election.--
            ``(1) 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 election, in the 
        same manner as voting is allowed on such date.
            ``(2) Length of period.--The early voting period required 
        under this subsection with respect to an election shall consist 
        of a period of consecutive days (including weekends) which 
        begins on the 15th day before the date of the election (or, at 
        the option of the State, on a day prior to the 15th day before 
        the date of the election) and ends on the date of the election.
    ``(b) Minimum Early Voting Requirements.--Each polling place which 
allows voting during an early voting period under subsection (a) 
shall--
            ``(1) allow such voting for no less than 10 hours on each 
        day;
            ``(2) have uniform hours each day for which such voting 
        occurs; and
            ``(3) allow such voting to be held for some period of time 
        prior to 9:00 a.m (local time) and some period of time after 
        5:00 p.m. (local time).
    ``(c) Location of Polling Places.--
            ``(1) Proximity to public transportation.--To the greatest 
        extent practicable, a State shall ensure that each polling 
        place which allows voting during an early voting period under 
        subsection (a) is located within walking distance of a stop on 
        a public transportation route.
            ``(2) Availability in rural areas.--The State shall ensure 
        that polling places which allow voting during an early voting 
        period under subsection (a) will be located in rural areas of 
        the State, and shall ensure that such polling places are 
        located in communities which will provide the greatest 
        opportunity for residents of rural areas to vote during the 
        early voting period.
    ``(d) Standards.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall issue standards for 
        the administration of voting prior to the day scheduled for a 
        Federal election. Such standards shall include the 
        nondiscriminatory geographic placement of polling places at 
        which such voting occurs.
            ``(2) Deviation.--The standards described in paragraph (1) 
        shall permit States, upon providing adequate public notice, to 
        deviate from any requirement in the case of unforeseen 
        circumstances such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or 
        a change in voter turnout.
    ``(e) Ballot Processing and Scanning Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--The State shall begin processing and 
        scanning ballots cast during in-person early voting for 
        tabulation at least 14 days prior to the date of the election 
        involved.
            ``(2) Limitation.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
        construed to permit a State to tabulate ballots in an election 
        before the closing of the polls on the date of the election.
    ``(f) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the 
regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in 
November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments Relating to Issuance of Voluntary 
Guidance by Election Assistance Commission.--Section 321(b) of such Act 
(52 U.S.C. 21101(b)), as redesignated and amended by section 201(b), is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) except as provided in paragraph (4), in the case of 
        the recommendations with respect to any section added by the 
        Voter Empowerment Act of 2021, June 30, 2022.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 131(c), section 201(d), section 202(c), section 
203(a)(3), and section 204(c), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 309 and 
        310 as relating to sections 310 and 311, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 308 the 
        following new item:

``Sec. 309. Early voting.''.

                        TITLE IX--VOTING BY MAIL

SEC. 901. VOTING BY MAIL.

    (a) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 131(a), 
section 201(a), section 202(a), section 203(a)(1), section 204(a), and 
section 801(a), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 310 and 311 as sections 311 
        and 312, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 309 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 310. PROMOTING ABILITY OF VOTERS TO VOTE BY MAIL.

    ``(a) Uniform Availability of Absentee Voting to All Voters.--
            ``(1) In general.--If an individual in a State is eligible 
        to cast a vote in an election for Federal office, 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 mail.
            ``(2) Administration of voting by mail.--
                    ``(A) Prohibiting identification requirement as 
                condition of obtaining ballot.--A State may not require 
                an individual to provide any form of identification as 
                a condition of obtaining an absentee ballot, except 
                that nothing in this paragraph may be construed to 
                prevent a State from requiring a signature of the 
                individual or similar affirmation as a condition of 
                obtaining an absentee ballot.
                    ``(B) Prohibiting requirement to provide 
                notarization or witness signature as condition of 
                obtaining or casting ballot.--A State may not require 
                notarization or witness signature or other formal 
                authentication (other than voter attestation) as a 
                condition of obtaining or casting an absentee ballot.
                    ``(C) Deadline for returning ballot.--A State may 
                impose a reasonable deadline for requesting the 
                absentee ballot and related voting materials from the 
                appropriate State or local election official and for 
                returning the ballot to the appropriate State or local 
                election official.
            ``(3) No effect on identification requirements for first-
        time voters registering by mail.--Nothing in this subsection 
        may be construed to exempt any individual described in 
        paragraph (1) of section 303(b) from meeting the requirements 
        of paragraph (2) of such section.
    ``(b) Due Process Requirements for States Requiring Signature 
Verification.--
            ``(1) Requirement.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A State may not impose a 
                signature verification requirement as a condition of 
                accepting and counting an absentee ballot submitted by 
                any individual with respect to an election for Federal 
                office unless the State meets the due process 
                requirements described in paragraph (2).
                    ``(B) Signature verification requirement 
                described.--In this subsection, a `signature 
                verification requirement' is a requirement that an 
                election official verify the identification of an 
                individual by comparing the individual's signature on 
                the absentee ballot with the individual's signature on 
                the official list of registered voters in the State or 
                another official record or other document used by the 
                State to verify the signatures of voters.
            ``(2) Due process requirements.--
                    ``(A) Notice and opportunity to cure discrepancy in 
                signatures.--If an individual submits an absentee 
                ballot and the appropriate State or local election 
                official determines that a discrepancy exists between 
                the signature on such ballot and the signature of such 
                individual on the official list of registered voters in 
                the State or other official record or document used by 
                the State to verify the signatures of voters, such 
                election official, prior to making a final 
                determination as to the validity of such ballot, 
                shall--
                            ``(i) make a good faith effort to 
                        immediately notify the individual by mail, 
                        telephone, and (if available) text message and 
                        electronic mail that--
                                    ``(I) a discrepancy exists between 
                                the signature on such ballot and the 
                                signature of the individual on the 
                                official list of registered voters in 
                                the State or other official record or 
                                document used by the State to verify 
                                the signatures of voters; and
                                    ``(II) if such discrepancy is not 
                                cured prior to the expiration of the 
                                10-day period which begins on the date 
                                the official notifies the individual of 
                                the discrepancy, such ballot will not 
                                be counted; and
                            ``(ii) cure such discrepancy and count the 
                        ballot if, prior to the expiration of the 10-
                        day period described in clause (i)(II), the 
                        individual provides the official with 
                        information to cure such discrepancy, either in 
                        person, by telephone, or by electronic methods.
                    ``(B) Notice and opportunity to cure missing 
                signature or other defect.--If an individual submits an 
                absentee ballot without a signature or submits an 
                absentee ballot with another defect which, if left 
                uncured, would cause the ballot to not be counted, the 
                appropriate State or local election official, prior to 
                making a final determination as to the validity of the 
                ballot, shall--
                            ``(i) make a good faith effort to 
                        immediately notify the individual by mail, 
                        telephone, and (if available) text message and 
                        electronic mail that--
                                    ``(I) the ballot did not include a 
                                signature or has some other defect; and
                                    ``(II) if the individual does not 
                                provide the missing signature or cure 
                                the other defect prior to the 
                                expiration of the 10-day period which 
                                begins on the date the official 
                                notifies the individual that the ballot 
                                did not include a signature or has some 
                                other defect, such ballot will not be 
                                counted; and
                            ``(ii) count the ballot if, prior to the 
                        expiration of the 10-day period described in 
                        clause (i)(II), the individual provides the 
                        official with the missing signature on a form 
                        proscribed by the State or cures the other 
                        defect.
                This subparagraph does not apply with respect to a 
                defect consisting of the failure of a ballot to meet 
                the applicable deadline for the acceptance of the 
                ballot, as described in subsection (e).
                    ``(C) Other requirements.--An election official may 
                not make a determination that a discrepancy exists 
                between the signature on an absentee ballot and the 
                signature of the individual who submits the ballot on 
                the official list of registered voters in the State or 
                other official record or other document used by the 
                State to verify the signatures of voters unless--
                            ``(i) at least 2 election officials make 
                        the determination;
                            ``(ii) each official who makes the 
                        determination has received training in 
                        procedures used to verify signatures; and
                            ``(iii) of the officials who make the 
                        determination, at least one is affiliated with 
                        the political party whose candidate received 
                        the most votes in the most recent statewide 
                        election for Federal office held in the State 
                        and at least one is affiliated with the 
                        political party whose candidate received the 
                        second most votes in the most recent statewide 
                        election for Federal office held in the State.
            ``(3) Report.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after 
                the end of a Federal election cycle, each chief State 
                election official shall submit to the Commission a 
                report containing the following information for the 
                applicable Federal election cycle in the State:
                            ``(i) The number of ballots invalidated due 
                        to a discrepancy under this subsection.
                            ``(ii) Description of attempts to contact 
                        voters to provide notice as required by this 
                        subsection.
                            ``(iii) Description of the cure process 
                        developed by such State pursuant to this 
                        subsection, including the number of ballots 
                        determined valid as a result of such process.
                    ``(B) Submission to congress.--Not later than 10 
                days after receiving a report under subparagraph (A), 
                the Commission shall transmit such report to Congress.
                    ``(C) Federal election cycle defined.--For purposes 
                of this subsection, the term `Federal election cycle' 
                means the period beginning on January 1 of any odd 
                numbered year and ending on December 31 of the 
                following year.
            ``(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
        shall be construed--
                    ``(A) to prohibit a State from rejecting a ballot 
                attempted to be cast in an election for Federal office 
                by an individual who is not eligible to vote in the 
                election; or
                    ``(B) to prohibit a State from providing an 
                individual with more time and more methods for curing a 
                discrepancy in the individual's signature, providing a 
                missing signature, or curing any other defect than the 
                State is required to provide under this subsection.
    ``(c) Online Applications for Absentee Ballots.--
            ``(1) In general.--In addition to such other methods as the 
        State may establish for an individual to apply for an absentee 
        ballot, the State shall permit an individual to submit an 
        application for an absentee ballot online.
            ``(2) Treatment of websites.--The State shall be considered 
        to meet the requirements of paragraph (1) if the website of the 
        appropriate State or local election official allows an 
        application for an absentee ballot to be completed and 
        submitted online and if the website permits the individual--
                    ``(A) to print the application so that the 
                individual may complete the application and return it 
                to the official; or
                    ``(B) to request that a paper copy of the 
                application be transmitted to the individual by mail or 
                electronic mail so that the individual may complete the 
                application and return it to the official.
            ``(3) Ensuring delivery prior to election.--If an 
        individual who is eligible to vote in an election for Federal 
        office submits an application for an absentee ballot in the 
        election, the appropriate State or local election official 
        shall ensure that the ballot and relating voting materials are 
        received by the individual prior to the date of the election so 
        long as the individual's application is received by the 
        official not later than 5 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, 
        and legal public holidays) before the date of the election, 
        except that nothing in this paragraph shall preclude a State or 
        local jurisdiction from allowing for the acceptance and 
        processing of absentee ballot applications submitted or 
        received after such required period.
            ``(4) Application for all future elections.--At the option 
        of an individual, a State shall treat the individual's 
        application to vote by absentee ballot by mail in an election 
        for Federal office as an application for an absentee ballot by 
        mail in all subsequent Federal elections held in the State.
    ``(d) Accessibility for Individuals With Disabilities.--The State 
shall ensure that all absentee ballot applications, 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 (including with 
privacy and independence) as for other voters.
    ``(e) Uniform Deadline for Acceptance of Mailed Ballots.--
            ``(1) In general.--A State may not refuse to accept or 
        process a ballot submitted by an individual by mail with 
        respect to an election for Federal office in the State on the 
        grounds that the individual did not meet a deadline for 
        returning the ballot to the appropriate State or local election 
        official if--
                    ``(A) the ballot is postmarked or otherwise 
                indicated by the United States Postal Service to have 
                been mailed on or before the date of the election, or 
                has been signed by the voter on or before the date of 
                the election; and
                    ``(B) the ballot is received by the appropriate 
                election official prior to the expiration of the 10-day 
                period which begins on the date of the election.
            ``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
        shall be construed to prohibit a State from having a law that 
        allows for counting of ballots in an election for Federal 
        office that are received through the mail after the date that 
        is 10 days after the date of the election.
    ``(f) Alternative Methods of Returning Ballots.--
            ``(1) In general.--In addition to permitting an individual 
        to whom a ballot in an election was provided under this section 
        to return the ballot to an election official by mail, the State 
        shall permit the individual to cast the ballot by delivering 
        the ballot at such times and to such locations as the State may 
        establish, including--
                    ``(A) permitting the individual to deliver the 
                ballot to a polling place on any date on which voting 
                in the election is held at the polling place; and
                    ``(B) permitting the individual to deliver the 
                ballot to a designated ballot drop-off location, a 
                tribally-designated building, or the office of a State 
                or local election official.
            ``(2) Permitting voters to designate other person to return 
        ballot.--The State--
                    ``(A) shall permit a voter to designate any person 
                to return a voted and sealed absentee ballot to the 
                post office, a ballot drop-off location, tribally 
                designated building, or election office so long as the 
                person designated to return the ballot does not receive 
                any form of compensation based on the number of ballots 
                that the person has returned and no individual, group, 
                or organization provides compensation on this basis; 
                and
                    ``(B) may not put any limit on how many voted and 
                sealed absentee ballots any designated person can 
                return to the post office, a ballot drop off location, 
                tribally designated building, or election office.
    ``(g) Ballot Processing and Scanning Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--The State shall begin processing and 
        scanning ballots cast by mail for tabulation at least 14 days 
        prior to the date of the election involved.
            ``(2) Limitation.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
        construed to permit a State to tabulate ballots in an election 
        before the closing of the polls on the date of the election.
    ``(h) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to affect the authority of States to conduct elections for 
Federal office through the use of polling places at which individuals 
cast ballots.
    ``(i) 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 (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
    ``(j) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the 
regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in 
November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 131(c), section 201(d), section 202(c), section 
203(a)(3), section 204(c), and section 801(c), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 310 and 
        311 as relating to sections 311 and 312, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 309 the 
        following new item:

``Sec. 310. Promoting ability of voters to vote by mail.''.
    (c) Development of Alternative Verification Methods.--
            (1) Development of standards.--The National Institute of 
        Standards, in consultation with the Election Assistance 
        Commission, shall develop standards for the use of alternative 
        methods which could be used in place of signature verification 
        requirements for purposes of verifying the identification of an 
        individual voting by absentee ballot in elections for Federal 
        office.
            (2) Public notice and comment.--The National Institute of 
        Standards shall solicit comments from the public in the 
        development of standards under paragraph (1).
            (3) Deadline.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the National Institute of Standards 
        shall publish the standards developed under paragraph (1).

SEC. 902. ABSENTEE BALLOT TRACKING PROGRAM.

    (a) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 131(a), 
section 201(a), section 202(a), section 203(a)(1), section 204(a), 
section 801(a), and section 901(a), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 311 and 312 as sections 312 
        and 313, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 310 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 311. ABSENTEE BALLOT TRACKING PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Requirement.--Each State shall carry out a program to track 
and confirm the receipt of absentee ballots in an election for Federal 
office under which the State or local election official responsible for 
the receipt of voted absentee ballots in the election carries out 
procedures to track and confirm the receipt of such ballots, and makes 
information on the receipt of such ballots available to the individual 
who cast the ballot, by means of online access using the Internet site 
of the official's office.
    ``(b) Information on Whether Vote Was Accepted.--The information 
referred to under subsection (a) with respect to the receipt of an 
absentee ballot shall include information regarding whether the vote 
cast on the ballot was accepted, and, in the case of a vote which was 
rejected, the reasons therefor.
    ``(c) Use of Toll-Free Telephone Number by Officials Without 
Internet Site.--A program established by a State or local election 
official whose office does not have an Internet site may meet the 
requirements of subsection (a) 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 subsection.
    ``(d) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the 
regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in 
November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.''.
    (b) Reimbursement for Costs Incurred by States in Establishing 
Program.--Subtitle D of title II of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(42 U.S.C. 15401 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new part:

     ``PART 7--PAYMENTS TO REIMBURSE STATES FOR COSTS INCURRED IN 
 ESTABLISHING PROGRAM TO TRACK AND CONFIRM RECEIPT OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS

``SEC. 297. PAYMENTS TO STATES.

    ``(a) Payments for Costs of Program.--In accordance with this 
section, the Commission shall make a payment to a State to reimburse 
the State for the costs incurred in establishing the absentee ballot 
tracking program under section 311 (including costs incurred prior to 
the date of the enactment of this part).
    ``(b) Certification of Compliance and Costs.--
            ``(1) Certification required.--In order to receive a 
        payment under this section, a State shall submit to the 
        Commission a statement containing--
                    ``(A) a certification that the State has 
                established an absentee ballot tracking program with 
                respect to elections for Federal office held in the 
                State; and
                    ``(B) a statement of the costs incurred by the 
                State in establishing the program.
            ``(2) 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 
        program, as set forth in the statement submitted under 
        paragraph (1), except that such amount may not exceed the 
        product of--
                    ``(A) the number of jurisdictions in the State 
                which are responsible for operating the program; and
                    ``(B) $3,000.
            ``(3) Limit on number of payments received.--A State may 
        not receive more than one payment under this part.

``SEC. 297A. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Commission for fiscal year 2022 and each succeeding fiscal year 
such sums as may be necessary for payments under this part.
    ``(b) Continuing Availability of Funds.--Any amounts appropriated 
pursuant to the authorization under this section shall remain available 
until expended.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 131(c), section 201(d), section 202(c), section 
203(a)(3), section 204(c), section 801(c), and section 901(b), is 
amended--
            (1) by adding at the end of the items relating to subtitle 
        D of title II the following:

     ``Part 7--Payments To Reimburse States for Costs Incurred in 
 Establishing Program To Track and Confirm Receipt of Absentee Ballots

``Sec. 297. Payments to States.
``Sec. 297A. Authorization of appropriations.'';
            (2) by redesignating the items relating to sections 311 and 
        312 as relating to sections 312 and 313, respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after the item relating to section 310 the 
        following new item:

``Sec. 311. Absentee ballot tracking program.''.

SEC. 903. ELECTION MAIL AND DELIVERY IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) Postmark Required for Ballots.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 34 of title 39, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 3407. Postmark required for ballots
    ``(a) In General.--In the case of any absentee ballot carried by 
the Postal Service, the Postal Service shall indicate on the ballot 
envelope, using a postmark or otherwise--
            ``(1) the fact that the ballot was carried by the Postal 
        Service; and
            ``(2) the date on which the ballot was mailed.
    ``(b) Definitions.--As used in this section--
            ``(1) the term `absentee ballot' means any ballot 
        transmitted by a voter by mail in an election for Federal 
        office, but does not include any ballot covered by section 
        3406; and
            ``(2) the term `election for Federal office' means a 
        general, special, primary, or runoff election for the office of 
        President or Vice President, or of Senator or Representative 
        in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.''.
            (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of 
        sections for chapter 34 of title 39, United States Code, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following:

``3407. Postmark required for ballots.''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply to absentee ballots relating to an election for 
        Federal office occurring on or after January 1, 2022.
    (b) Greater Visibility for Ballots.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended 
        by section 131(a), section 201(a), section 202(a), section 
        203(a)(1), section 204(a), section 801(a), section 901(a), and 
        section 902(a), is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating sections 312 and 313 as 
                sections 313 and 314, respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after section 311 the following 
                new section:

``SEC. 312. BALLOT VISIBILITY.

    ``(a) In General.--Each State or local election official shall--
            ``(1) affix Tag 191, Domestic and International Mail-In 
        Ballots (or any successor tag designated by the United States 
        Postal Service), to any tray or sack of ballot mail relating to 
        an election for Federal office that is destined for a domestic 
        or international address;
            ``(2) use the Official Election Mail logo to designate mail 
        pieces relating to an election for Federal office that is 
        destined for a domestic or international address; and
            ``(3) if an intelligent mail barcode is utilized for any 
        mail relating to an election for Federal office that is 
        destined for a domestic or international address, ensure the 
        specific ballot service type identifier for such mail is 
        visible.
    ``(b) Effective Date.--The requirements of this section shall apply 
to elections for Federal office occurring on and after January 1, 
2022.''.
            (2) Clerical amendments.--The table of contents of such 
        Act, as amended by section 131(c), section 201(d), section 
        202(c), section 203(a)(3), section 204(c), section 801(c), 
        section 901(b) and section 902(c), is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating the items relating to sections 
                312 and 313 as relating to sections 313 and 314; and
                    (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 
                311 the following new item:

``Sec. 312. Ballot visibility.''.

SEC. 904. VOTING MATERIALS POSTAGE.

    (a) Prepayment of Postage on Return Envelopes.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended 
        by section 131(a), section 201(a), section 202(a), section 
        203(a)(1), section 204(a), section 801(a), section 901(a), 
        section 902(a), and section 903(b), is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating sections 313 and 314 as 
                sections 314 and 315, respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after section 312 the following 
                new section:

``SEC. 313. PREPAYMENT OF POSTAGE ON RETURN ENVELOPES FOR VOTING 
              MATERIALS.

    ``(a) Provision of Return Envelopes.--
            ``(1) In general.--The appropriate State or local election 
        official shall provide a self-sealing return envelope with--
                    ``(A) any voter registration application form 
                transmitted to a registrant by mail;
                    ``(B) any application for an absentee ballot 
                transmitted to an applicant by mail; and
                    ``(C) any blank absentee ballot transmitted to a 
                voter by mail.
            ``(2) Reasonable efforts.--A State shall be treated as 
        meeting the requirements of paragraph (1) if the State makes 
        all reasonable efforts to provide self-sealing return envelopes 
        as provided in such paragraph.
    ``(b) Prepayment of Postage.--Consistent with regulations of the 
United States Postal Service, the State or the unit of local government 
responsible for the administration of the election involved shall 
prepay the postage on any envelope provided under subsection (a).
    ``(c) No Effect on Ballots or Balloting Materials Transmitted to 
Absent Military and Overseas Voters.--Nothing in this section may be 
construed to affect the treatment of any ballot or balloting materials 
transmitted to an individual who is entitled to vote by absentee ballot 
under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 
U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
    ``(d) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, except 
that State and local jurisdictions shall make arrangements with the 
United States Postal Service to pay for all postage costs that such 
jurisdictions would be required to pay under this section if this 
section took effect on the date of enactment.''.
            (2) Clerical amendments.--The table of contents of such 
        Act, as amended by section 131(c), section 201(d), section 
        202(c), section 203(a)(3), section 204(c), section 801(c), 
        section 901(b), section 902(c), and section 903(b), is 
        amended--
                    (A) by redesignating the items relating to sections 
                313 and 314 as relating to sections 314 and 315, 
                respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 
                312 the following new item:

``Sec. 313. Prepayment of postage on return envelopes for voting 
                            materials.''.
    (b) Role of United States Postal Service.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 34 of title 39, United States 
        Code, as amended by section 903(a), is amended by inserting 
        after section 3407 the following:
``Sec. 3408. Carriage of voting materials
    ``(a) Treatment as First-Class Mail.--Any voter registration 
application, absentee ballot application, or absentee ballot with 
respect to any election for Federal office shall be carried in 
accordance with the service standards established for first-class mail, 
regardless of the class of postage prepaid.
    ``(b) Definitions.--As used in this section, the terms `absentee 
ballot' and `election for Federal office' have the meanings given those 
terms in section 3407.
    ``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
construed to affect the treatment of any ballot or balloting materials 
transmitted to an individual who is entitled to vote by absentee ballot 
under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 
U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
        34 of such title, as amended by section 903(a), is amended by 
        inserting after the item relating to section 3407 the 
        following:

``3408. Carriage of voting materials.''.

     TITLE X--ABSENT UNIFORMED SERVICES VOTERS AND OVERSEAS VOTERS

SEC. 1001. PRE-ELECTION REPORTS ON AVAILABILITY AND TRANSMISSION OF 
              ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

    Section 102(c) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee 
Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302(c)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Reports on Availability, Transmission, and Receipt of 
Absentee Ballots.--
            ``(1) Pre-election report on absentee ballot 
        availability.--Not later than 55 days before any regularly 
        scheduled general election for Federal office, each State shall 
        submit a report to the Attorney General, the Election 
        Assistance Commission (hereafter in this subsection referred to 
        as the `Commission'), and the Presidential Designee, and make 
        that report publicly available that same day, 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 45 days before the election. 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 
        election.
            ``(2) Pre-election report on absentee ballot 
        transmission.--Not later than 43 days before any regularly 
        scheduled general election for Federal office, each State shall 
        submit a report to the Attorney General, the Commission, and 
        the Presidential Designee, and make that report publicly 
        available that same day, certifying whether all absentee 
        ballots have been transmitted by not later than 45 days before 
        the election to all qualified absent uniformed services and 
        overseas voters whose requests were received at least 45 days 
        before the election. 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 
        transmission, including the total numbers of ballot requests 
        received and ballots transmitted, from each unit of local 
        government which will administer the election.
            ``(3) Post-election report on number of absentee ballots 
        transmitted and received.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of each regularly scheduled general election for Federal 
        office, each State and unit of local government which 
        administered the election shall (through the State, in the case 
        of a unit of local government) submit a report to the Attorney 
        General, the Commission, 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 election, and shall make such 
        report available to the general public that same day.''.

SEC. 1002. ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) Availability of Civil Penalties and Private Rights of Action.--
Section 105 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 
(52 U.S.C. 20307) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 105. ENFORCEMENT.

    ``(a) Action by Attorney General.--
            ``(1) 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 title.
            ``(2) Penalty.--In a civil action brought under paragraph 
        (1), if the court finds that the State violated any provision 
        of this title, it may, to vindicate the public interest, assess 
        a civil penalty against the State--
                    ``(A) in an amount not to exceed $110,000 for each 
                such violation, in the case of a first violation; or
                    ``(B) in an amount not to exceed $220,000 for each 
                such violation, for any subsequent violation.
            ``(3) Report to congress.--Not later than December 31 of 
        each year, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress an 
        annual report on any civil action brought under paragraph (1) 
        during the preceding year.
    ``(b) 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 title.
    ``(c) State as Only Necessary Defendant.--In any action brought 
under this section, the only necessary party defendant is the State, 
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 defendant, 
notwithstanding that a State has exercised the authority described in 
section 576 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 
section.''.
    (b) 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 Act.

SEC. 1003. REVISIONS TO 45-DAY ABSENTEE BALLOT TRANSMISSION RULE.

    (a) Repeal of Waiver Authority.--
            (1) In general.--Section 102 of the Uniformed and Overseas 
        Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302) is amended by 
        striking subsection (g).
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 102(a)(8)(A) of such Act 
        (52 U.S.C. 20302(a)(8)(A)) is amended by striking ``except as 
        provided in subsection (g),''.
    (b) Requiring Use of Express Delivery in Case of Failure To Meet 
Requirement.--Section 102 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20302), as amended by 
subsection (a), is amended by inserting after subsection (f) the 
following new subsection:
    ``(g) Requiring Use of Express Delivery in Case of Failure To 
Transmit Ballots Within Deadlines.--
            ``(1) Transmission of ballot by express delivery.--If a 
        State fails to meet the requirement of subsection (a)(8)(A) to 
        transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent 
        uniformed services voter or overseas voter not later than 45 
        days before the election (in the case in which the request is 
        received at least 45 days before the election)--
                    ``(A) the State shall transmit the ballot to the 
                voter by express delivery; or
                    ``(B) in the case of a voter who has designated 
                that absentee ballots be transmitted electronically in 
                accordance with subsection (f)(1), the State shall 
                transmit the ballot to the voter electronically.
            ``(2) Special rule for transmission fewer than 40 days 
        before the election.--If, in carrying out paragraph (1), a 
        State transmits an absentee ballot to an absent uniformed 
        services voter or overseas voter fewer than 40 days before the 
        election, the State shall enable the ballot to be returned by 
        the voter by express delivery, except that in the case of an 
        absentee ballot of an absent uniformed services voter for a 
        regularly scheduled general election for Federal office, 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 103A.
            ``(3) Payment for use of express delivery.--The State shall 
        be responsible for the payment of the costs associated with the 
        use of express delivery for the transmittal of ballots under 
        this subsection.''.
    (c) Clarification of Treatment of Weekends.--Section 102(a)(8)(A) 
of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20302(a)(8)(A)) is amended by striking ``the 
election;'' and inserting the following: ``the election (or, if the 
45th day preceding the election is a weekend or legal public holiday, 
not later than the most recent weekday which precedes such 45th day and 
which is not a legal public holiday, but only if the request is 
received by at least such most recent weekday);''.

SEC. 1004. USE OF SINGLE ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION FOR SUBSEQUENT 
              ELECTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 104 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 
Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20306) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 104. USE OF SINGLE APPLICATION FOR SUBSEQUENT ELECTIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--If a State accepts and processes an official 
post card form (prescribed under section 101) submitted by an absent 
uniformed services voter or overseas voter for simultaneous voter 
registration and absentee ballot application (in accordance with 
section 102(a)(4)) 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 (including any 
runoff elections which may occur as a result of the outcome of such 
general election), the State shall provide an absentee ballot to the 
voter for each such subsequent election.
    ``(b) Exception for Voters Changing Registration.--Subsection (a) 
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 State.
    ``(c) Prohibition of Refusal of Application on Grounds of Early 
Submission.--A State may not refuse to accept or to process, with 
respect to any election for Federal office, any otherwise valid voter 
registration application or absentee ballot application (including the 
postcard form prescribed under section 101) 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 citizens.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 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 Act.

SEC. 1005. EXTENDING GUARANTEE OF RESIDENCY FOR VOTING PURPOSES TO 
              FAMILY MEMBERS OF ABSENT MILITARY PERSONNEL.

    Section 102 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting 
Act (52 U.S.C. 20302) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(j) Guarantee of Residency for Spouses and Dependents of Absent 
Members of Uniformed Service.--For the purposes of voting for in any 
election for any Federal office or any State or local office, a spouse 
or dependent of an individual who is an absent uniformed services voter 
described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 107(1) shall not, 
solely by reason of that individual's absence and without regard to 
whether or not such spouse or dependent is accompanying that 
individual--
            ``(1) be deemed to have lost a residence or domicile in 
        that State, without regard to whether or not that individual 
        intends to return to that State;
            ``(2) be deemed to have acquired a residence or domicile in 
        any other State; or
            ``(3) be deemed to have become a resident in or a resident 
        of any other State.''.

SEC. 1006. REQUIRING TRANSMISSION OF BLANK ABSENTEE BALLOTS UNDER 
              UOCAVA TO CERTAIN VOTERS.

    (a) In General.--The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee 
Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
section 103B the following new section:

``SEC. 103C. TRANSMISSION OF BLANK ABSENTEE BALLOTS TO CERTAIN OTHER 
              VOTERS.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) State responsibilities.--Subject to the provisions of 
        this section, each State shall transmit blank absentee ballots 
        electronically to qualified individuals who request such 
        ballots in the same manner and under the same terms and 
        conditions under which the State transmits such ballots 
        electronically to absent uniformed services voters and overseas 
        voters under the provisions of section 102(f), except that no 
        such marked ballots shall be returned electronically.
            ``(2) Requirements.--Any blank absentee ballot transmitted 
        to a qualified individual under this section--
                    ``(A) must comply with the language requirements 
                under section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 
                U.S.C. 10503); and
                    ``(B) must comply with the disability requirements 
                under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 
                U.S.C. 794d).
            ``(3) Affirmation.--The State may not transmit a ballot to 
        a qualified individual under this section unless the individual 
        provides the State with a signed affirmation in electronic form 
        that--
                    ``(A) the individual is a qualified individual (as 
                defined in subsection (b));
                    ``(B) the individual has not and will not cast 
                another ballot with respect to the election; and
                    ``(C) acknowledges that a material misstatement of 
                fact in completing the ballot may constitute grounds 
                for conviction of perjury.
            ``(4) Clarification regarding free postage.--An absentee 
        ballot obtained by a qualified individual under this section 
        shall be considered balloting materials as defined in section 
        107 for purposes of section 3406 of title 39, United States 
        Code.
            ``(5) Prohibiting refusal to accept ballot for failure to 
        meet certain requirements.--A State shall not refuse to accept 
        and process any otherwise valid blank absentee ballot which was 
        transmitted to a qualified individual under this section and 
        used by the individual to vote in the election solely on the 
        basis of the following:
                    ``(A) Notarization or witness signature 
                requirements.
                    ``(B) Restrictions on paper type, including weight 
                and size.
                    ``(C) Restrictions on envelope type, including 
                weight and size.
    ``(b) Qualified Individual.--
            ``(1) In general.--In this section, except as provided in 
        paragraph (2), the term `qualified individual' means any 
        individual who is otherwise qualified to vote in an election 
        for Federal office and who meets any of the following 
        requirements:
                    ``(A) The individual--
                            ``(i) has previously requested an absentee 
                        ballot from the State or jurisdiction in which 
                        such individual is registered to vote; and
                            ``(ii) has not received such absentee 
                        ballot at least 2 days before the date of the 
                        election.
                    ``(B) The individual--
                            ``(i) resides in an area of a State with 
                        respect to which an emergency or public health 
                        emergency has been declared by the chief 
                        executive of the State or of the area involved 
                        within 5 days of the date of the election under 
                        the laws of the State due to reasons including 
                        a natural disaster, including severe weather, 
                        or an infectious disease; and
                            ``(ii) has not previously requested an 
                        absentee ballot.
                    ``(C) The individual expects to be absent from such 
                individual's jurisdiction on the date of the election 
                due to professional or volunteer service in response to 
                a natural disaster or emergency as described in 
                subparagraph (B).
                    ``(D) The individual is hospitalized or expects to 
                be hospitalized on the date of the election.
                    ``(E) The individual is an individual with a 
                disability (as defined in section 3 of the Americans 
                with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102)) and 
                resides in a State which does not offer voters the 
                ability to use secure and accessible remote ballot 
                marking. For purposes of this subparagraph, a State 
                shall permit an individual to self-certify that the 
                individual is an individual with a disability.
            ``(2) Exclusion of absent uniformed services and overseas 
        voters.--The term `qualified individual' shall not include an 
        absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter.
    ``(c) State.--For purposes of this section, the term `State' 
includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    ``(d) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the 
regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in 
November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 102(a) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
20302(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (10);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (11) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(12) meet the requirements of section 103C with respect 
        to the provision of blank absentee ballots for the use of 
        qualified individuals described in such section.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended by inserting the following after section 103:

``Sec. 103A. Procedures for collection and delivery of marked absentee 
                            ballots of absent overseas uniformed 
                            services voters.
``Sec. 103B. Federal voting assistance program improvements.
``Sec. 103C. Transmission of blank absentee ballots to certain other 
                            voters.''.

SEC. 1007. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    Except as provided in section 1002(b) and section 1004(b), the 
amendments made by this title shall apply with respect to elections 
occurring on or after January 1, 2022.

             TITLE XI--POLL WORKER RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING

SEC. 1101. GRANTS TO STATES FOR POLL WORKER RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING.

    (a) Grants by Election Assistance Commission.--
            (1) In general.--The Election Assistance Commission 
        (hereafter referred to as the ``Commission'') shall, subject to 
        the availability of appropriations provided to carry out this 
        section, make a grant to each eligible State for recruiting and 
        training individuals to serve as poll workers on dates of 
        elections for public office.
            (2) Use of commission materials.--In carrying out 
        activities with a grant provided under this section, the 
        recipient of the grant shall use the manual prepared by the 
        Commission on successful practices for poll worker recruiting, 
        training, and retention as an interactive training tool, and 
        shall develop training programs with the participation and 
        input of experts in adult learning.
            (3) Access and cultural considerations.--The Commission 
        shall ensure that the manual described in paragraph (2) 
        provides training in methods that will enable poll workers to 
        provide access and delivery of services in a culturally 
        competent manner to all voters who use their services, 
        including those with limited English proficiency, diverse 
        cultural and ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, and regardless 
        of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. These 
        methods must ensure that each voter will have access to poll 
        worker services that are delivered in a manner that meets the 
        unique needs of the voter.
    (b) Requirements for Eligibility.--
            (1) 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 require.
            (2) Contents of application.--Each application submitted 
        under paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) describe the activities for which assistance 
                under this section is sought;
                    (B) provide assurances that the funds provided 
                under this section will be used to supplement and not 
                supplant other funds used to carry out the activities;
                    (C) 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 section; and
                    (D) provide such additional information and 
                certifications as the Commission determines to be 
                essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of 
                this section.
    (c) Amount of Grant.--
            (1) In general.--The amount of a grant made to a State 
        under this section shall be equal to the product of--
                    (A) the aggregate amount made available for grants 
                to States under this section; and
                    (B) the voting age population percentage for the 
                State.
            (2) Voting age population percentage defined.--In paragraph 
        (1), the ``voting age population percentage'' for a State is 
        the quotient of--
                    (A) the voting age population of the State (as 
                determined on the basis of the most recent information 
                available from the Bureau of the Census); and
                    (B) the total voting age population of all States 
                (as determined on the basis of the most recent 
                information available from the Bureau of the Census).
    (d) Reports to Congress.--
            (1) Reports by recipients of grants.--Not later than 6 
        months after the date on which the final grant is made under 
        this section, each recipient of a grant shall submit a report 
        to the Commission on the activities conducted with the funds 
        provided by the grant.
            (2) Reports by commission.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date on which the final grant is made under this section, the 
        Commission shall submit a report to Congress on the grants made 
        under this section and the activities carried out by recipients 
        with the grants, and shall include in the report such 
        recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate.
    (e) Funding.--
            (1) Continuing availability of amount appropriated.--Any 
        amount appropriated to carry out this section shall remain 
        available without fiscal year limitation until expended.
            (2) Administrative expenses.--Of the amount appropriated 
        for any fiscal year to carry out this section, not more than 3 
        percent shall be available for administrative expenses of the 
        Commission.

SEC. 1102. STATE DEFINED.

    In this title, the term ``State'' includes the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the 
United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands.

                 TITLE XII--ENHANCEMENT OF ENFORCEMENT

SEC. 1201. ENHANCEMENT OF ENFORCEMENT OF HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002.

    (a) Complaints; Availability of Private Right of Action.--Section 
401 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21111) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Attorney General'' and inserting 
        ``(a) In General.--The Attorney General''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(b) Filing of Complaints by Aggrieved Persons.--
            ``(1) In general.--A person who is aggrieved by a violation 
        of title III which has occurred, is occurring, or is about to 
        occur may file a written, signed, notarized complaint with the 
        Attorney General describing the violation and requesting the 
        Attorney General to take appropriate action under this section. 
        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 402(a) for the State 
        involved.
            ``(2) Response by attorney general.--The Attorney General 
        shall respond to each complaint filed under paragraph (1), in 
        accordance with procedures established by the Attorney General 
        that require responses and determinations to be made within the 
        same (or shorter) deadlines which apply to a State under the 
        State-based administrative complaint procedures described in 
        section 402(a)(2). 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 402(a) 
        for the State involved.
    ``(c) Availability of Private Right of Action.--Any person who is 
authorized to file a complaint under subsection (b)(1) (including any 
individual who seeks to enforce the individual's right to a voter-
verified paper ballot, the right to have the voter-verified paper 
ballot counted in accordance with this Act, or any other right under 
title III) may file an action under section 1979 of the Revised 
Statutes of the United States (42 U.S.C. 1983) to enforce the uniform 
and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration 
requirements under subtitle A of title III.
    ``(d) 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 402 to any 
person filing a complaint under this subsection.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to violations occurring with respect to elections 
for Federal office held in 2022 or any succeeding year.

                 TITLE XIII--FEDERAL ELECTION INTEGRITY

SEC. 1301. PROHIBITION ON CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES BY CHIEF STATE ELECTION 
              ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS.

    (a) In General.--Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 
319 the following new section:

 ``campaign activities by chief state election administration officials

    ``Sec. 319A.  (a) 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 
authority.
    ``(b) 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 law.
    ``(c) Active Part in Political Management or in a Political 
Campaign.--The term `active part in political management or in a 
political campaign' means--
            ``(1) holding any position (including any unpaid or 
        honorary position) with an authorized committee of a candidate, 
        or participating in any decision-making of an authorized 
        committee of a candidate;
            ``(2) the use of official authority or influence for the 
        purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an 
        election for Federal office;
            ``(3) the solicitation, acceptance, or receipt of a 
        contribution from any person on behalf of a candidate for 
        Federal office; and
            ``(4) any other act which would be prohibited under 
        paragraph (2) or (3) of section 7323(b) of title 5, United 
        States Code, if taken by an individual to whom such paragraph 
        applies (other than any prohibition on running for public 
        office).
    ``(d) Exception in Case of Recusal From Administration of Elections 
Involving Official or Immediate Family Member.--
            ``(1) 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 candidate, but 
        only if--
                    ``(A) such official recuses himself or herself from 
                all of the official's responsibilities for the 
                administration of such election; and
                    ``(B) the official who assumes responsibility for 
                supervising the administration of the election does not 
                report directly to such official.
            ``(2) Immediate family member defined.--In paragraph (1), 
        the term `immediate family member' means, with respect to a 
        candidate, a father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, 
        husband, wife, father-in-law, or mother-in-law.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to elections for Federal office held after December 
2021.

   TITLE XIV--PROMOTING VOTER ACCESS THROUGH ELECTION ADMINISTRATION 
                              IMPROVEMENTS

                   Subtitle A--Promoting Voter Access

SEC. 1401. TREATMENT OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

    (a) Treatment of Certain Institutions as Voter Registration 
Agencies Under National Voter Registration Act of 1993.--Section 7(a) 
of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20506(a)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
                (A);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of 
                subparagraph (B) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:
                    ``(C) each institution of higher education which 
                has a program participation agreement in effect with 
                the Secretary of Education under section 487 of the 
                Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094), other 
                than an institution which is treated as a contributing 
                agency under section 113 of the Automatic Voter 
                Registration Act of 2021.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (6)(A), by inserting ``or, in the case of 
        an institution of higher education, upon initial enrollment of 
        a student,'' after ``assistance,''.
    (b) Responsibilities of Institutions Under Higher Education Act of 
1965.--Section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1094(a)(23)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(23)(A) The institution will make every reasonable effort 
        to--
                    ``(i) distribute voter registration applications 
                for elections for Federal office using a form that 
                meets the requirements of section 9(b) of the National 
                Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20508), which 
                may include sharing a direct, guided link to such 
                application, to each student enrolled at the 
                institution who has not been automatically registered 
                to vote by the institution in accordance with section 
                113 of the Voter Empowerment Act of 2021, including 
                students who do not qualify as an in-State student as 
                defined in section 113(f)(2) of the Voter Empowerment 
                Act of 2021;
                    ``(ii) provide clear guidance that each student 
                enrolled at the institution should--
                            ``(I) register in the State in which the 
                        student is eligible to vote in the next 
                        election if registration is required, which may 
                        include informing students from another State 
                        of the ability to vote in the State of the 
                        institution in which the students are enrolled 
                        and physically in attendance, in accordance 
                        with applicable State law; and
                            ``(II) in the case of a student who has 
                        already registered to vote in a State described 
                        in subclause (I), update the student's existing 
                        voter registration if the student's address has 
                        changed recently or since the last election in 
                        which the student was eligible to vote;
                    ``(iii) periodically share credible, nonpartisan 
                resources (to be identified in consultation with the 
                Election Assistance Commission) to help students 
                determine where and how they are eligible to vote, 
                which may include resources from State and local 
                election officials on voter registration and voting 
                requirements, including voter registration deadlines, 
                residency requirements, voter identification 
                requirements, and absentee voting options, as 
                applicable; and
                    ``(iv) in distributing voting materials (as defined 
                in section 203(b)(3) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 
                (52 U.S.C. 10503(b)(3))) that are produced by a covered 
                State or political subdivision described in subsection 
                203(b)(2) of such Act, ensure to the greatest extent 
                practicable that--
                            ``(I) such voting materials are provided in 
                        accordance with section 203 of that Act (52 
                        U.S.C. 10503); and
                            ``(II) all materials and information made 
                        available electronically under this paragraph--
                                    ``(aa) are accessible to 
                                individuals with disabilities; and
                                    ``(bb) are compliant with the most 
                                recent Web Content Accessibility 
                                Guidelines, or successor guidelines.
            ``(B) An institution shall be considered to have satisfied 
        the requirements of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of 
        subparagraph (A) if--
                    ``(i) with respect to each student enrolled in the 
                institution who is not exclusively enrolled in distance 
                education at the institution and who has not already 
                been registered to vote by the institution in 
                accordance with section 113 of the Voter Empowerment 
                Act of 2021, including students who do not qualify as 
                an in-State student as defined in section 113(f)(2) of 
                such Act--
                            ``(I) the institution, not less than 30 
                        days in advance of the deadline for registering 
                        to vote within the State for the next scheduled 
                        statewide Federal or State primary election and 
                        not less than 30 days in advance of the 
                        deadline for registering to vote within the 
                        State for the next scheduled statewide Federal 
                        or State general election--
                                    ``(aa) distributes voter 
                                registration applications to such 
                                students; or
                                    ``(bb) electronically transmits a 
                                message to each such student that is 
                                devoted exclusively to voter 
                                registration and contains a voter 
                                registration application acceptable for 
                                use in the State in which the 
                                institution is located, or an internet 
                                address where such voter registration 
                                application can be accessed or 
                                downloaded;
                            ``(II) during a period that an institution 
                        requires or encourages such students to remain 
                        off-campus due to a national, State, or local 
                        public health or other emergency for an 
                        extended period of time, resulting in a 
                        significant disruption to such students' 
                        ability to vote in person, as applicable, the 
                        institution additionally--
                                    ``(aa) requests that the State 
                                provide the institution with absentee 
                                ballot applications, as applicable, or 
                                that the State share the official State 
                                website or online portal through which 
                                eligible voters can directly request an 
                                absentee ballot;
                                    ``(bb) distributes to each such 
                                student an absentee ballot application 
                                requested from the State under item 
                                (aa) or the official State website or 
                                online portal through which eligible 
                                voters can directly request an absentee 
                                ballot, with instructions that the 
                                form, website, or online portal should 
                                be used only by students eligible to 
                                vote in the State;
                                    ``(cc) notifies such students of--
                                            ``(AA) applicable deadlines 
                                        for requesting and submitting 
                                        an absentee ballot; and
                                            ``(BB) additional options 
                                        for early and in-person voting 
                                        and voting on Election Day, as 
                                        applicable; and
                                    ``(dd) shares credible, nonpartisan 
                                resources (to be identified in 
                                consultation with the Election 
                                Assistance Commission) to help students 
                                who are registered in another State to 
                                apply for absentee ballots in such 
                                State, which may include resources from 
                                State and local election officials; and
                            ``(III) the institution ensures that an 
                        appropriate staff person or office has been 
                        designated as a Campus Vote Coordinator, who 
                        shall--
                                    ``(aa) ensure compliance in 
                                accordance with this paragraph at the 
                                institution;
                                    ``(bb) be publicly designated as 
                                the Campus Vote Coordinator, including 
                                the Campus Vote Coordinator's contact 
                                information, on the website of the 
                                institution; and
                                    ``(cc) upon request, provide to 
                                students residency requirements for 
                                voting, including the ability of 
                                students from other States to vote in 
                                the State of the institution in which 
                                they are enrolled and physically in 
                                attendance, in accordance with 
                                applicable State law; and
                    ``(ii) with respect to each student enrolled 
                exclusively in distance education or correspondence 
                programs, the institution--
                            ``(I)(aa) transmits a message devoted 
                        exclusively to voter registration that refers 
                        such students to a centralized voter 
                        registration website or platform by providing 
                        the Internet address or other method to access 
                        such website or platform, that--
                                    ``(AA) provides applicable voter 
                                registration application and voting 
                                information for all States; and
                                    ``(BB) is hosted by a website 
                                operated by the Federal, State or local 
                                government;
                            ``(bb) transmits such message not less than 
                        twice in each calendar year; and
                            ``(cc) maintains information on the 
                        institution's website containing credible, 
                        nonpartisan resources to help students 
                        determine where and how they are eligible to 
                        vote, or a link to such resources; or
                            ``(II) provides information to such 
                        students in the same manner as the institution 
                        provides information to students not enrolled 
                        exclusively in distance education under clause 
                        (i)(I).
            ``(C) The institution will substantially comply with the 
        requirements that apply to the institution under section 7 of 
        the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20506) 
        or section 113 of the Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2021, 
        as the case may be.
            ``(D) In this paragraph--
                    ``(i) the term `voter registration application' 
                means the mail voter registration application form for 
                elections for Federal office prescribed pursuant to 
                section 9 of the National Voter Registration Act of 
                1993 (52 U.S.C. 20508);
                    ``(ii) the term `absentee ballot' means any ballot 
                cast by any means other than in person and for which 
                the State requires an application;
                    ``(iii) the term `distance education' has the 
                meaning given the term in section 103, except such term 
                shall not include distance education that is provided 
                due to a decision of an institution to require or 
                encourage students of the institution to remain off-
                campus due to a national, State, or local public health 
                or other emergency; and
                    ``(iv) the term `Federal office' has the meaning 
                given in section 301(3) of the Federal Election 
                Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(3)).''.
    (c) Grants to Institutions Demonstrating Excellence in Student 
Voter Registration.--
            (1) Grants authorized.--The Secretary of Education may 
        award competitive grants to public and private nonprofit 
        institutions of higher education that are subject to the 
        requirements of section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education Act 
        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(23)), as amended by subsection (b), 
        and that the Secretary determines have demonstrated excellence 
        in registering students to vote in elections for public office 
        beyond meeting the minimum requirements of such section.
            (2) Eligibility.--An institution of higher education is 
        eligible to receive a grant under this subsection if the 
        institution submits to the Secretary of Education, at such time 
        and in such form as the Secretary may require, an application 
        containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may 
        require to make the determination described in paragraph (1), 
        including information and assurances that the institution 
        carried out activities to promote voter registration by 
        students, such as the following:
                    (A) Sponsoring large on-campus voter mobilization 
                efforts.
                    (B) Engaging the surrounding community in 
                nonpartisan voter registration and get out the vote 
                efforts.
                    (C) Creating a website for students with 
                centralized information about voter registration and 
                election dates.
                    (D) Inviting candidates to speak on campus.
                    (E) Offering rides to students to the polls to 
                increase voter education, registration, and 
                mobilization.
            (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated for fiscal year 2022 and each succeeding 
        fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to award grants under 
        this subsection.
    (d) 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 that, as provided under existing 
law, 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 
domicile.

SEC. 1402. MINIMUM NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTERS AFFECTED BY 
              POLLING PLACE CHANGES.

    (a) Requirements.--Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(52 U.S.C. 21082), as amended by section 701(a), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(f) Minimum Notification Requirements for Voters Affected by 
Polling Place Changes.--
            ``(1) 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--
                    ``(A) the State shall notify the individual of the 
                location of the polling place not later than 7 days 
                before the date of the election or the first day of an 
                early voting period (whichever occurs first); or
                    ``(B) if the State makes such an assignment fewer 
                than 7 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 
                assigned, the State shall make every reasonable effort 
                to enable the individual to vote on the date of the 
                election.
            ``(2) Methods of notification.--The State shall notify an 
        individual under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) by mail, 
        telephone, and (if available) text message and electronic mail.
            ``(3) Placement of signs at closed polling places.--If a 
        location which served as a polling place in an election for 
        Federal office does not serve as a polling place in the next 
        election for Federal office held in the jurisdiction involved, 
        the State shall ensure that signs are posted at such location 
        on the date of the election and during any early voting period 
        for the election containing the following information:
                    ``(A) A statement that the location is not serving 
                as a polling place in the election.
                    ``(B) The locations serving as polling places in 
                the election in the jurisdiction involved.
                    ``(C) Contact information, including a telephone 
                number and website, for the appropriate State or local 
                election official through which an individual may find 
                the polling place to which the individual is assigned 
                for the election.
            ``(4) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply with 
        respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2022.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 302(g) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21082(g)), as redesignated by subsection (a) and as amended by section 
701(b), is amended by striking ``(d)(2) and (e)(2)'' and inserting 
``(d)(2), (e)(2), and (f)(4)''.

SEC. 1403. PERMITTING USE OF SWORN WRITTEN STATEMENT TO MEET 
              IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTING.

    (a) Permitting Use of Statement.--Title III of the Help America 
Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
after section 303 the following new section:

``SEC. 303A. PERMITTING USE OF SWORN WRITTEN STATEMENT OR STUDENT 
              IDENTIFICATION CARD TO MEET IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

    ``(a) Use of Statement or Student Identification Card.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in subsection (c), if 
        a State has in effect any requirement that an individual 
        present identification as a condition of receiving and casting 
        a ballot in an election for Federal office, the State shall 
        permit the individual to meet the requirement--
                    ``(A) in the case of an individual who desires to 
                vote in person, by presenting the appropriate State or 
                local election official with--
                            ``(i) a sworn written statement, signed by 
                        the individual under penalty of perjury, 
                        attesting to the individual's identity and 
                        attesting that the individual is eligible to 
                        vote in the election; or
                            ``(ii) if such individual is a student 
                        enrolled at an institution of higher education 
                        (as defined under section 102 of the Higher 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)), a 
                        student identification card assigned to the 
                        individual from an institution of higher 
                        education; or
                    ``(B) in the case of an individual who desires to 
                vote by mail, by submitting with the ballot--
                            ``(i) the statement described in 
                        subparagraph (A)(i); or
                            ``(ii) if such individual is a student 
                        enrolled at an institution of higher education 
                        (as so defined), a copy of the student 
                        identification card described in subparagraph 
                        (A)(ii).
            ``(2) Development of pre-printed version of statement by 
        commission.--The Commission shall develop a pre-printed version 
        of the statement described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) which 
        includes a blank space for an individual to provide a name and 
        signature for use by election officials in States which are 
        subject to paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Providing pre-printed copy of statement.--A State 
        which is subject to paragraph (1) shall--
                    ``(A) make copies of the pre-printed version of the 
                statement described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) which is 
                prepared by the Commission available at polling places 
                for election officials to distribute to individuals who 
                desire to vote in person; and
                    ``(B) include a copy of such pre-printed version of 
                the statement with each blank absentee or other ballot 
                transmitted to an individual who desires to vote by 
                mail.
    ``(b) Requiring Use of Ballot in Same Manner as Individuals 
Presenting Identification.--An individual who presents or submits a 
sworn written statement or presents a student identification card in 
accordance with subsection (a)(1) shall be permitted to cast a ballot 
in the election in the same manner as an individual who presents 
identification.
    ``(c) Exception for First-Time Voters Registering by Mail.--
Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply with respect to any individual 
described in paragraph (1) of section 303(b) who is required to meet 
the requirements of paragraph (2) of such section.''.
    (b) Requiring States To Include Information on Use of Sworn Written 
Statement and Student Identification Card in Voting Information 
Material Posted at Polling Places.--Section 302(b)(2) of such Act (52 
U.S.C. 21082(b)(2)), as amended by section 172(b) and section 302(b), 
is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (G);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (H) 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(I) in the case of a State that has in effect any 
                requirement that an individual present identification 
                as a condition of receiving and casting a ballot in an 
                election for Federal office, information on how an 
                individual may meet such requirement by presenting a 
                sworn written statement or student identification card 
                in accordance with section 303A.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the 
following new item:

``Sec. 303A. Permitting use of sworn written statement or student 
                            identification card to meet identification 
                            requirements.''.
    (d) 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 Act.

SEC. 1404. ACCOMMODATIONS FOR VOTERS RESIDING IN INDIAN LANDS.

    (a) Accommodations Described.--
            (1) Designation of ballot pickup and collection 
        locations.--Given the widespread lack of residential mail 
        delivery in Indian Country, an Indian Tribe may designate 
        buildings as ballot pickup and collection locations with 
        respect to an election for Federal office at no cost to the 
        Indian Tribe. An Indian Tribe may designate one building per 
        precinct located within Indian lands. The applicable State or 
        political subdivision shall collect ballots from those 
        locations. The applicable State or political subdivision shall 
        provide the Indian Tribe with accurate precinct maps for all 
        precincts located within Indian lands 60 days before the 
        election.
            (2) Provision of mail-in and absentee ballots.--The State 
        or political subdivision shall provide mail-in and absentee 
        ballots with respect to an election for Federal office to each 
        individual who is registered to vote in the election who 
        resides on Indian lands in the State or political subdivision 
        involved without requiring a residential address or a mail-in 
        or absentee ballot request.
            (3) Use of designated building as residential and mailing 
        address.--The address of a designated building that is a ballot 
        pickup and collection location with respect to an election for 
        Federal office may serve as the residential address and mailing 
        address for voters living on Indian lands if the tribally 
        designated building is in the same precinct as that voter. If 
        there is no tribally designated building within a voter's 
        precinct, the voter may use another tribally designated 
        building within the Indian lands where the voter is located. 
        Voters using a tribally designated building outside of the 
        voter's precinct may use the tribally designated building as a 
        mailing address and may separately designate the voter's 
        appropriate precinct through a description of the voter's 
        address, as specified in section 9428.4(a)(2) of title 11, Code 
        of Federal Regulations.
            (4) Language accessibility.--In the case of a State or 
        political subdivision that is a covered State or political 
        subdivision under section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 
        (52 U.S.C. 10503), that State or political subdivision shall 
        provide absentee or mail-in voting materials with respect to an 
        election for Federal office in the language of the applicable 
        minority group as well as in the English language, bilingual 
        election voting assistance, and written translations of all 
        voting materials in the language of the applicable minority 
        group, as required by section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 
        1965 (52 U.S.C. 10503), as amended by subsection (b).
            (5) Clarification.--Nothing in this section alters the 
        ability of an individual voter residing on Indian lands to 
        request a ballot in a manner available to all other voters in 
        the State.
            (6) Definitions.--In this section:
                    (A) Election for federal office.--The term 
                ``election for Federal office'' means a general, 
                special, primary or runoff election for the office of 
                President or Vice President, or of Senator or 
                Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner 
                to, the Congress.
                    (B) Indian.--The term ``Indian'' has the meaning 
                given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
                Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
                5304).
                    (C) Indian lands.--The term ``Indian lands'' 
                includes--
                            (i) any Indian country of an Indian Tribe, 
                        as defined under section 1151 of title 18, 
                        United States Code;
                            (ii) any land in Alaska owned, pursuant to 
                        the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 
                        U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), by an Indian Tribe that 
                        is a Native village (as defined in section 3 of 
                        that Act (43 U.S.C. 1602)) or by a Village 
                        Corporation that is associated with an Indian 
                        Tribe (as defined in section 3 of that Act (43 
                        U.S.C. 1602));
                            (iii) any land on which the seat of the 
                        Tribal Government is located; and
                            (iv) any land that is part or all of a 
                        Tribal designated statistical area associated 
                        with an Indian Tribe, or is part or all of an 
                        Alaska Native village statistical area 
                        associated with an Indian Tribe, as defined by 
                        the Census Bureau for the purposes of the most 
                        recent decennial census.
                    (D) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has 
                the meaning given the term ``Indian tribe'' in section 
                4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
                Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
                    (E) Tribal government.--The term ``Tribal 
                Government'' means the recognized governing body of an 
                Indian Tribe.
            (7) Enforcement.--
                    (A) Attorney general.--The Attorney General may 
                bring a civil action in an appropriate district court 
                for such declaratory or injunctive relief as is 
                necessary to carry out this subsection.
                    (B) Private right of action.--
                            (i) A person or Tribal Government who is 
                        aggrieved by a violation of this subsection may 
                        provide written notice of the violation to the 
                        chief election official of the State involved.
                            (ii) An aggrieved person or Tribal 
                        Government may bring a civil action in an 
                        appropriate district court for declaratory or 
                        injunctive relief with respect to a violation 
                        of this subsection, if--
                                    (I) that person or Tribal 
                                Government provides the notice 
                                described in clause (i); and
                                    (II)(aa) in the case of a violation 
                                that occurs more than 120 days before 
                                the date of an election for Federal 
                                office, the violation remains and 90 
                                days or more have passed since the date 
                                on which the chief election official of 
                                the State receives the notice under 
                                clause (i); or
                                    (bb) in the case of a violation 
                                that occurs 120 days or less before the 
                                date of an election for Federal office, 
                                the violation remains and 20 days or 
                                more have passed since the date on 
                                which the chief election official of 
                                the State receives the notice under 
                                clause (i).
                            (iii) In the case of a violation of this 
                        section that occurs 30 days or less before the 
                        date of an election for Federal office, an 
                        aggrieved person or Tribal Government may bring 
                        a civil action in an appropriate district court 
                        for declaratory or injunctive relief with 
                        respect to the violation without providing 
                        notice to the chief election official of the 
                        State under clause (i).
    (b) Bilingual Election Requirements.--Section 203 of the Voting 
Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10503) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(3)(C)), by striking ``1990'' and 
        inserting ``2010''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Provision of Voting Materials in the Language of a Minority 
Group.--
            ``(1) In general.--Whenever any State or political 
        subdivision subject to the prohibition of subsection (b) of 
        this section provides any registration or voting notices, 
        forms, instructions, assistance, or other materials or 
        information relating to the electoral process, including 
        ballots, it shall provide them in the language of the 
        applicable minority group as well as in the English language.
            ``(2) Exceptions.--
                    ``(A) In the case of a minority group that is not 
                American Indian or Alaska Native and the language of 
                that minority group is oral or unwritten, the State or 
                political subdivision shall only be required to 
                furnish, in the covered language, oral instructions, 
                assistance, translation of voting materials, or other 
                information relating to registration and voting.
                    ``(B) In the case of a minority group that is 
                American Indian or Alaska Native, the State or 
                political subdivision shall only be required to furnish 
                in the covered language oral instructions, assistance, 
                or other information relating to registration and 
                voting, including all voting materials, if the Tribal 
                Government of that minority group has certified that 
                the language of the applicable American Indian or 
                Alaska Native language is presently unwritten or the 
                Tribal Government does not want written translations in 
                the minority language.
            ``(3) Written translations for election workers.--
        Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the State or political division 
        may be required to provide written translations of voting 
        materials, with the consent of any applicable Indian Tribe, to 
        election workers to ensure that the translations from English 
        to the language of a minority group are complete, accurate, and 
        uniform.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made by this 
section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general 
election for Federal office held in November 2022 and each succeeding 
election for Federal office.

SEC. 1405. ENSURING EQUITABLE AND EFFICIENT OPERATION OF POLLING 
              PLACES.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 131(a), 
section 201(a), section 202(a), section 203(a)(1), section 204(a), 
section 801(a), section 901(a), section 902(a), section 903(b), and 
section 904(a), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 314 and 315 as sections 316 
        and 317, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 313 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 314. ENSURING EQUITABLE AND EFFICIENT OPERATION OF POLLING 
              PLACES.

    ``(a) Preventing Unreasonable Waiting Times for Voters.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each State shall provide a sufficient 
        number of voting systems, poll workers, and other election 
        resources (including physical resources) at a polling place 
        used in any election for Federal office, including a polling 
        place at which individuals may cast ballots prior to the date 
        of the election, to ensure--
                    ``(A) a fair and equitable waiting time for all 
                voters in the State; and
                    ``(B) that no individual will be required to wait 
                longer than 30 minutes to cast a ballot at the polling 
                place.
            ``(2) Criteria.--In determining the number of voting 
        systems, poll workers, and other election resources provided at 
        a polling place for purposes of paragraph (1), the State shall 
        take into account the following factors:
                    ``(A) The voting age population.
                    ``(B) Voter turnout in past elections.
                    ``(C) The number of voters registered.
                    ``(D) The number of voters who have registered 
                since the most recent Federal election.
                    ``(E) Census data for the population served by the 
                polling place, such as the proportion of the voting-age 
                population who are under 25 years of age or who are 
                naturalized citizens.
                    ``(F) The needs and numbers of voters with 
                disabilities and voters with limited English 
                proficiency.
                    ``(G) The type of voting systems used.
                    ``(H) The length and complexity of initiatives, 
                referenda, and other questions on the ballot.
                    ``(I) Such other factors, including relevant 
                demographic factors relating to the population served 
                by the polling place, as the State considers 
                appropriate.
            ``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
        be construed to authorize a State to meet the requirements of 
        this subsection by closing any polling place, prohibiting an 
        individual from entering a line at a polling place, or refusing 
        to permit an individual who has arrived at a polling place 
        prior to closing time from voting at the polling place.
            ``(4) Guidelines.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of the enactment of this section, the Commission shall 
        establish and publish guidelines to assist States in meeting 
        the requirements of this subsection.
            ``(5) Effective date.--This subsection shall take effect 
        upon the expiration of the 180-day period which begins on the 
        date of the enactment of this subsection, without regard to 
        whether or not the Commission has established and published 
        guidelines under paragraph (4).
    ``(b) Limiting Variations on Number of Hours of Operation of 
Polling Places Within a State.--
            ``(1) Limitation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B) and paragraph (2), each State shall 
                establish hours of operation for all polling places in 
                the State on the date of any election for Federal 
                office held in the State such that the polling place 
                with the greatest number of hours of operation on such 
                date is not in operation for more than 2 hours longer 
                than the polling place with the fewest number of hours 
                of operation on such date.
                    ``(B) Permitting variance on basis of population.--
                Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the extent that the 
                State establishes variations in the hours of operation 
                of polling places on the basis of the overall 
                population or the voting age population (as the State 
                may select) of the unit of local government in which 
                such polling places are located.
            ``(2) Exceptions for polling places with hours established 
        by units of local government.--Paragraph (1) does not apply in 
        the case of a polling place--
                    ``(A) whose hours of operation are established, in 
                accordance with State law, by the unit of local 
                government in which the polling place is located; or
                    ``(B) which is required pursuant to an order by a 
                court to extend its hours of operation beyond the hours 
                otherwise established.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 131(c), section 201(d), section 202(c), section 
203(a)(3), section 204(c), section 801(c), section 901(c), section 
902(c), section 903(b), and section 904(a), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 314 and 
        315 as relating to sections 315 and 316, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 313 the 
        following new item:

``Sec. 314. Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of polling 
                            places.''.

SEC. 1406. REQUIRING STATES TO PROVIDE SECURED DROP BOXES FOR VOTED 
              ABSENTEE BALLOTS IN ELECTIONS FOR FEDERAL OFFICE.

    (a) Requirement.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 131(a), 
section 201(a), section 202(a), section 203(a)(1), section 204(a), 
section 801(a), section 901(a), section 902(a), section 903(b), section 
904(a), and section 1405(a), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 315 and 316 as sections 316 
        and 317, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 314 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 315. USE OF SECURED DROP BOXES FOR VOTED ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

    ``(a) Requiring Use of Drop Boxes.--In each election jurisdiction 
in the State, each State shall provide in-person, secured, and clearly 
labeled drop boxes at which individuals may, at any time during the 
period described in subsection (b), drop off voted absentee ballots in 
an election for Federal office.
    ``(b) Minimum Period for Availability of Drop Boxes.--The period 
described in this subsection is, with respect to an election, the 
period which begins 45 days before the date of the election and which 
ends at the time the polls close for the election in the election 
jurisdiction involved.
    ``(c) Accessibility.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each State shall ensure that the drop 
        boxes provided under this section are accessible for use--
                    ``(A) by individuals with disabilities, as 
                determined in consultation with the protection and 
                advocacy systems (as defined in section 102 of the 
                Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of 
                Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15002)) of the State; and
                    ``(B) by individuals with limited proficiency in 
                the English language.
            ``(2) Determination of accessibility for individuals with 
        disabilities.--For purposes of this subsection, drop boxes 
        shall be considered to be accessible for use by individuals 
        with disabilities if the drop boxes meet such criteria as the 
        Attorney General may establish for such purposes.
            ``(3) Rule of construction.--If a State provides a drop box 
        under this section on the grounds of or inside a building or 
        facility which serves as a polling place for an election during 
        the period described in subsection (b), nothing in this 
        subsection may be construed to waive any requirements regarding 
        the accessibility of such polling place for the use of 
        individuals with disabilities or individuals with limited 
        proficiency in the English language.
    ``(d) Number of Drop Boxes.--
            ``(1) Formula for determination of number.--The number of 
        drop boxes provided under this section in an election 
        jurisdiction with respect to an election shall be determined as 
        follows:
                    ``(A) In the case of an election jurisdiction in 
                which the number of individuals who are residents of 
                the election jurisdiction and who are registered to 
                vote in the election is equal to or greater than 
                20,000, the number of drop boxes shall be a number 
                equal to or greater than the number of such individuals 
                divided by 20,000 (rounded to the nearest whole 
                number).
                    ``(B) In the case of any other election 
                jurisdiction, the number of drop boxes shall be equal 
                to or greater than one.
            ``(2) Timing.--For purposes of this subsection, the number 
        of individuals who reside in an election jurisdiction and who 
        are registered to vote in the election shall be determined as 
        of the 90th day before the date of the election.
    ``(e) Location of Drop Boxes.--The State shall determine the 
location of drop boxes provided under this section in an election 
jurisdiction on the basis of criteria which ensure that the drop boxes 
are--
            ``(1) available to all voters on a non-discriminatory 
        basis;
            ``(2) accessible to voters with disabilities (in accordance 
        with subsection (c));
            ``(3) accessible by public transportation to the greatest 
        extent possible;
            ``(4) available during all hours of the day; and
            ``(5) sufficiently available in all communities in the 
        election jurisdiction, including rural communities and on 
        Tribal lands within the election jurisdiction (subject to 
        subsection (f)).
    ``(f) Rules for Drop Boxes on Tribal Lands.--In making a 
determination of the number and location of drop boxes provided under 
this section on Tribal lands in an election jurisdiction, the 
appropriate State and local election officials shall--
            ``(1) consult with Tribal leaders prior to making the 
        determination; and
            ``(2) take into account criteria such as the availability 
        of direct-to-door residential mail delivery, the distance and 
        time necessary to travel to the drop box locations (including 
        in inclement weather), modes of transportation available, 
        conditions of roads, and the availability (if any) of public 
        transportation.
    ``(g) Timing of Scanning and Processing of Ballots.--For purposes 
of section 306(e) (relating to the timing of the processing and 
scanning of ballots for tabulation), a vote cast using a drop box 
provided under this section shall be treated in the same manner as any 
other vote cast during early voting.
    ``(h) Posting of Information.--On or adjacent to each drop box 
provided under this section, the State shall post information on the 
requirements that voted absentee ballots must meet in order to be 
counted and tabulated in the election.
    ``(i) Election Jurisdiction.--For purposes of this section, the 
term `election jurisdiction' has the same meaning given to the term 
`registrar's jurisdiction' under section 8(j) of the National Voter 
Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(j)).
    ``(j) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the 
regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in 
November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 131(c), section 201(d), section 202(c), section 
203(a)(3), section 204(c), section 801(c), section 901(c), section 
902(c), section 903(b), section 904(a), and section 1405(b), is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 315 and 
        316 as relating to sections 316 and 317, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 314 the 
        following new item:

``Sec. 315. Use of secured drop boxes for voted absentee ballots.''.

SEC. 1407. PROHIBITING STATES FROM RESTRICTING CURBSIDE VOTING.

    (a) Requirement.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 131(a), 
section 201(a), section 202(a), section 203(a)(1), section 204(a), 
section 801(a), section 901(a), section 902(a), section 903(b), section 
904(a), section 1405(a), and section 1406(a), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 316 and 317 as sections 317 
        and 318, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 315 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 316. PROHIBITING STATES FROM RESTRICTING CURBSIDE VOTING.

    ``(a) Prohibition.--A State may not--
            ``(1) prohibit any jurisdiction administering an election 
        for Federal office in the State from utilizing curbside voting 
        as a method by which individuals may cast ballots in the 
        election; or
            ``(2) impose any restrictions which would exclude any 
        individual who is eligible to vote in such an election in a 
        jurisdiction which utilizes curbside voting from casting a 
        ballot in the election by the method of curbside voting.
    ``(b) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the 
regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in 
November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 131(c), section 201(d), section 202(c), section 
203(a)(3), section 204(c), section 801(c), section 901(c), section 
902(c), section 903(b), section 904(a), section 1405(b), and section 
1406(b), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 316 and 
        317 as relating to sections 317 and 318, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 315 the 
        following new item:

``Sec. 316. Prohibiting States from restricting curbside voting.''.

          Subtitle B--Disaster and Emergency Contingency Plans

SEC. 1411. REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL ELECTION CONTINGENCY PLANS IN 
              RESPONSE TO NATURAL DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, each State and each jurisdiction 
        in a State which is responsible for administering elections for 
        Federal office shall establish and make publicly available a 
        contingency plan to enable individuals to vote in elections for 
        Federal office during a state of emergency, public health 
        emergency, or national emergency which has been declared for 
        reasons including--
                    (A) a natural disaster; or
                    (B) an infectious disease.
            (2) Updating.--Each State and jurisdiction shall update the 
        contingency plan established under this subsection not less 
        frequently than every 5 years.
    (b) Requirements Relating to Safety.--The contingency plan 
established under subsection (a) shall include initiatives to provide 
equipment and resources needed to protect the health and safety of poll 
workers and voters when voting in person.
    (c) Requirements Relating to Recruitment of Poll Workers.--The 
contingency plan established under subsection (a) shall include 
initiatives by the chief State election official and local election 
officials to recruit poll workers from resilient or unaffected 
populations, which may include--
            (1) employees of other State and local government offices; 
        and
            (2) in the case in which an infectious disease poses 
        significant increased health risks to elderly individuals, 
        students of secondary schools and institutions of higher 
        education in the State.
    (d) Enforcement.--
            (1) Attorney general.--The Attorney General may bring a 
        civil action against any State or jurisdiction in an 
        appropriate United States District Court for such declaratory 
        and injunctive relief (including a temporary restraining order, 
        a permanent or temporary injunction, or other order) as may be 
        necessary to carry out the requirements of this section.
            (2) Private right of action.--
                    (A) In general.--In the case of a violation of this 
                section, any person who is aggrieved by such violation 
                may provide written notice of the violation to the 
                chief election official of the State involved.
                    (B) Relief.--If the violation is not corrected 
                within 20 days after receipt of a notice under 
                subparagraph (A), or within 5 days after receipt of the 
                notice if the violation occurred within 120 days before 
                the date of an election for Federal office, the 
                aggrieved person may, in a civil action, obtain 
                declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the 
                violation.
                    (C) Special rule.--If the violation occurred within 
                5 days before the date of an election for Federal 
                office, the aggrieved person need not provide notice to 
                the chief election official of the State involved under 
                subparagraph (A) before bringing a civil action under 
                subparagraph (B).
    (e) Definitions.--
            (1) Election for federal office.--For purposes of this 
        section, the term ``election for Federal office'' means a 
        general, special, primary, or runoff election for the office of 
        President or Vice President, or of Senator or Representative 
        in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.
            (2) State.--For purposes of this section, the term 
        ``State'' includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 
        of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin 
        Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    (f) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the 
regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in 
November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.

Subtitle C--Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission

SEC. 1421. REAUTHORIZATION OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION.

    Section 210 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20930) 
is amended--
            (1) by striking ``for each of the fiscal years 2003 through 
        2005'' and inserting ``for fiscal year 2021 and each succeeding 
        fiscal year''; and
            (2) by striking ``(but not to exceed $10,000,000 for each 
        such year)''.

SEC. 1422. REQUIRING STATES TO PARTICIPATE IN POST-GENERAL ELECTION 
              SURVEYS.

    (a) Requirement.--Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 1403(a), is further 
amended by inserting after section 303A the following new section:

``SEC. 303B. REQUIRING PARTICIPATION IN POST-GENERAL ELECTION SURVEYS.

    ``(a) 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 
office.
    ``(b) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the 
regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in 
November 2022 and any succeeding election.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 1403(c), is further amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 303A the following new item:

``Sec. 303B. Requiring participation in post-general election 
                            surveys.''.

SEC. 1423. REPORTS BY NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY ON 
              USE OF FUNDS TRANSFERRED FROM ELECTION ASSISTANCE 
              COMMISSION.

    (a) Requiring Reports on Use Funds as Condition of Receipt.--
Section 231 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20971) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) 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 year, 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 
90 days after the end of the fiscal year detailing how the Director 
used such funds during the year.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to fiscal year 2022 and each succeeding fiscal year.

SEC. 1424. RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE 
              COMMISSION.

    (a) Assessment of Information Technology and Cybersecurity.--Not 
later than December 31, 2021, the Election Assistance Commission shall 
carry out an assessment of the security and effectiveness of the 
Commission's information technology systems, including the 
cybersecurity of such systems.
    (b) Improvements to Administrative Complaint Procedures.--
            (1) 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 402 of the 
        Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21112) for the 
        investigation and resolution of allegations of violations of 
        title III of such Act.
            (2) Recommendations to streamline procedures.--Not later 
        than December 31, 2021, the Commission shall submit to Congress 
        a report on the review carried out under paragraph (1), 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 review.

SEC. 1425. REPEAL OF EXEMPTION OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION FROM 
              CERTAIN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 205 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(52 U.S.C. 20925) is amended by striking subsection (e).
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to contracts entered into by the Election Assistance 
Commission on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

                  Subtitle D--Miscellaneous Provisions

SEC. 1431. APPLICATION OF LAWS TO COMMONWEALTH OF NORTHERN MARIANA 
              ISLANDS.

    (a) National Voter Registration Act of 1993.--Section 3(4) of the 
National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20502(4)) is amended 
by striking ``States and the District of Columbia'' and inserting 
``States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands''.
    (b) Help America Vote Act of 2002.--
            (1) Coverage of commonwealth of the northern mariana 
        islands.--Section 901 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
        U.S.C. 21141) is amended by striking ``and the United States 
        Virgin Islands'' and inserting ``the United States Virgin 
        Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
        Islands''.
            (2) Conforming amendments to help america vote act of 
        2002.--Such Act is further amended as follows:
                    (A) The second sentence of section 213(a)(2) (52 
                U.S.C. 20943(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``and 
                American Samoa'' and inserting ``American Samoa, and 
                the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands''.
                    (B) Section 252(c)(2) (52 U.S.C. 21002(c)(2)) is 
                amended by striking ``or the United States Virgin 
                Islands'' and inserting ``the United States Virgin 
                Islands, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
                Islands''.
            (3) Conforming amendment relating to consultation of help 
        america vote foundation with local election officials.--Section 
        90102(c) of title 36, United States Code, is amended by 
        striking ``and the United States Virgin Islands'' and inserting 
        ``the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the 
        Northern Mariana Islands''.

SEC. 1432. DEFINITION OF ELECTION FOR FEDERAL OFFICE.

    (a) Definition.--Title IX of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
U.S.C. 21141 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section:

``SEC. 907. ELECTION FOR FEDERAL OFFICE DEFINED.

    ``For purposes of titles I through III, the term `election for 
Federal office' means a general, special, primary, or runoff election 
for the office of President or Vice President, or of Senator or 
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the 
Congress.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title IX the 
following new item:

``Sec. 907. Election for Federal office defined.''.

SEC. 1433. NO EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.

    (a) In General.--Except as specifically provided, nothing in this 
title may be construed to authorize or require conduct prohibited under 
any of the following laws, or to supersede, restrict, or limit the 
application of such laws:
            (1) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et 
        seq.).
            (2) The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and 
        Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20101 et seq.).
            (3) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 
        (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
            (4) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
        20501 et seq.).
            (5) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
        12101 et seq.).
            (6) The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.).
    (b) No Effect on Preclearance or Other Requirements Under Voting 
Rights Act.--The approval by any person of a payment or grant 
application under this title, or any other action taken by any person 
under this title, shall not be considered to have any effect on 
requirements for preclearance under section 5 of the Voting Rights Act 
of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10304) or any other requirements of such Act.
    (c) No Effect on Authority of States To Provide Greater 
Opportunities for Voting.--Nothing in this title or the amendments made 
by this title may be construed to prohibit any State from enacting any 
law which provides greater opportunities for individuals to register to 
vote and to vote in elections for Federal office than are provided by 
this title and the amendments made by this title.

SEC. 1434. CLARIFICATION OF EXEMPTION FOR STATES WITHOUT VOTER 
              REGISTRATION.

    To the extent that any provision of this title or any amendment 
made by this title imposes a requirement on a State relating to 
registering individuals to vote in elections for Federal office, such 
provision shall not apply in the case of any State in which, under law 
that is in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, there is no voter registration requirement for any voter 
in the State with respect to an election for Federal office.

                         TITLE XV--SEVERABILITY

SEC. 1501. SEVERABILITY.

    If any provision of this Act or amendment made by this Act, or the 
application of a provision or amendment to any person or circumstance, 
is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and 
amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions and 
amendment to any person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the 
holding.
                                 <all>