For the People Act of 2021 (H.R. 1; 117th Congress)/Division A/Title I/Subtitle N

by John Sarbanes

Part 1 - Promoting Voter Access.

SEC. 1901. - 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 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, with each registration of a student for enrollment in a course of study, including enrollment in a program of distance education, as defined in section 103(7) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003(7)),” after “assistance,”.

(b) Responsibilities Of Institutions Under Higher Education Act Of 1965.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—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) (i) The institution will ensure that an appropriate staff person or office is designated publicly as a ‘Campus Vote Coordinator’ and will ensure that such person’s or office’s contact information is included on the institution’s website.

“(ii) Not fewer than twice during each calendar year (beginning with 2021), the Campus Vote Coordinator shall transmit electronically to each student enrolled in the institution (including students enrolled in distance education programs) a message containing the following information:

“(I) Information on the location of polling places in the jurisdiction in which the institution is located, together with information on available methods of transportation to and from such polling places.

“(II) A referral to a government-affiliated website or online platform which provides centralized voter registration information for all States, including access to applicable voter registration forms and information to assist individuals who are not registered to vote in registering to vote.

“(III) Any additional voter registration and voting information the Coordinator considers appropriate, in consultation with the appropriate State election official.

“(iii) In addition to transmitting the message described in clause (ii) not fewer than twice during each calendar year, the Campus Vote Coordinator shall transmit the message under such clause, and shall include on the institution's website and boost awareness on the institution's social media platforms, not fewer than 30 days prior to the deadline for registering to vote for any election for Federal, State, or local office in the State.

“(B) If the institution in its normal course of operations requests each student registering for enrollment in a course of study, including students registering for enrollment in a program of distance education, to affirm whether or not the student is a United States citizen, the institution will comply with the applicable requirements for a contributing agency under the Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2021.

“(C) If the institution is not described in subparagraph (B), the institution will comply with the requirements for a voter registration agency in the State in which it is located in accordance with section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20506).

“(D) This paragraph applies only with respect to an institution which is located in a State to which section 4(b) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20503(b)) does not apply.”.

(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this subsection shall apply with respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2022.

(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 (a), 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, including initiatives to facilitate the enfranchisement of groups of individuals that have historically faced barriers to voting.

(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. Of the funds appropriated, the Secretary shall ensure that 25 percent is reserved for Minority Institutions described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).

(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, without being subjected to intimidation or deceptive practices, in elections for Federal office in that jurisdiction or in the jurisdiction of their own domicile.

SEC. 1902. - 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 1601(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, taking into consideration factors which include the linguistic preferences of voters in the jurisdiction.

“(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, taking into consideration factors which include the linguistic preferences of voters in the jurisdiction:

“(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, 2021.”.

(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 1601(b), is amended by striking “(d)(2) and (e)(2)” and inserting “(d)(2), (e)(2), and (f)(4)”.

SEC. 1903. - 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 TO MEET IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

“(a) Use Of Statement.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (c), if a State has in effect a requirement that an individual present identification as a condition of receiving and casting a ballot in an election for Federal 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 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

“(B) in the case of an individual who desires to vote by mail, by submitting with the ballot the statement described in subparagraph (A).

“(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) 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) 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 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 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 1072(b) and section 1202(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 a 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 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 to meet identification requirements.”.

(e) 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. 1904. - 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. 1905. - Voter information response systems and hotline.

(a) Establishment And Operation Of Systems And Services.—

(1) STATE-BASED RESPONSE SYSTEMS.—The Attorney General shall coordinate the establishment of a State-based response system for responding to questions and complaints from individuals voting or seeking to vote, or registering to vote or seeking to register to vote, in elections for Federal office. Such system shall provide—

(A) State-specific, same-day, and immediate assistance to such individuals, including information on how to register to vote, the location and hours of operation of polling places, and how to obtain absentee ballots; and

(B) State-specific, same-day, and immediate assistance to individuals encountering problems with registering to vote or voting, including individuals encountering intimidation or deceptive practices.

(2) HOTLINE.—The Attorney General, in consultation with State election officials, shall establish and operate a toll-free telephone service, using a telephone number that is accessible throughout the United States and that uses easily identifiable numerals, through which individuals throughout the United States—

(A) may connect directly to the State-based response system described in paragraph (1) with respect to the State involved;

(B) may obtain information on voting in elections for Federal office, including information on how to register to vote in such elections, the locations and hours of operation of polling places, and how to obtain absentee ballots; and

(C) may report information to the Attorney General on problems encountered in registering to vote or voting, including incidences of voter intimidation or suppression.

(3) COLLABORATION WITH STATE AND LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS.—

(A) COLLECTION OF INFORMATION FROM STATES.—The Attorney General shall coordinate the collection of information on State and local election laws and policies, including information on the statewide computerized voter registration lists maintained under title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, so that individuals who contact the free telephone service established under paragraph (2) on the date of an election for Federal office may receive an immediate response on that day.

(B) FORWARDING QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS TO STATES.—If an individual contacts the free telephone service established under paragraph (2) on the date of an election for Federal office with a question or complaint with respect to a particular State or jurisdiction within a State, the Attorney General shall forward the question or complaint immediately to the appropriate election official of the State or jurisdiction so that the official may answer the question or remedy the complaint on that date.

(4) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SYSTEMS AND SERVICES.—The Attorney General shall ensure that the State-based response system under paragraph (1) and the free telephone service under paragraph (2) are each developed in consultation with civil rights organizations, voting rights groups, State and local election officials, voter protection groups, and other interested community organizations, especially those that have experience in the operation of similar systems and services.

(b) Use Of Service By Individuals With Disabilities And Individuals With Limited English Language Proficiency.—The Attorney General shall design and operate the telephone service established under this section in a manner that ensures that individuals with disabilities are fully able to use the service, and that assistance is provided in any language in which the State (or any jurisdiction in the State) is required to provide election materials under section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

(c) Voter Hotline Task Force.—

(1) APPOINTMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL.—The Attorney General shall appoint individuals (in such number as the Attorney General considers appropriate but in no event fewer than 3) to serve on a Voter Hotline Task Force to provide ongoing analysis and assessment of the operation of the telephone service established under this section, and shall give special consideration in making appointments to the Task Force to individuals who represent civil rights organizations. At least one member of the Task Force shall be a representative of an organization promoting voting rights or civil rights which has experience in the operation of similar telephone services or in protecting the rights of individuals to vote, especially individuals who are members of racial, ethnic, or linguistic minorities or of communities who have been adversely affected by efforts to suppress voting rights.

(2) ELIGIBILITY.—An individual shall be eligible to serve on the Task Force under this subsection if the individual meets such criteria as the Attorney General may establish, except that an individual may not serve on the task force if the individual has been convicted of any criminal offense relating to voter intimidation or voter suppression.

(3) TERM OF SERVICE.—An individual appointed to the Task Force shall serve a single term of 2 years, except that the initial terms of the members first appointed to the Task Force shall be staggered so that there are at least 3 individuals serving on the Task Force during each year. A vacancy in the membership of the Task Force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(4) NO COMPENSATION FOR SERVICE.—Members of the Task Force shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.

(d) Bi-Annual Report To Congress.—Not later than March 1 of each odd-numbered year, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress on the operation of the telephone service established under this section during the previous 2 years, and shall include in the report—

(1) an enumeration of the number and type of calls that were received by the service;

(2) a compilation and description of the reports made to the service by individuals citing instances of voter intimidation or suppression, together with a description of any actions taken in response to such instances of voter intimidation or suppression;

(3) an assessment of the effectiveness of the service in making information available to all households in the United States with telephone service;

(4) any recommendations developed by the Task Force established under subsection (c) with respect to how voting systems may be maintained or upgraded to better accommodate voters and better ensure the integrity of elections, including but not limited to identifying how to eliminate coordinated voter suppression efforts and how to establish effective mechanisms for distributing updates on changes to voting requirements; and

(5) any recommendations on best practices for the State-based response systems established under subsection (a)(1).

(e) Authorization Of Appropriations.—

(1) AUTHORIZATION.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General for fiscal year 2021 and each succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

(2) SET-ASIDE FOR OUTREACH.—Of the amounts appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year pursuant to the authorization under paragraph (1), not less than 15 percent shall be used for outreach activities to make the public aware of the availability of the telephone service established under this section, with an emphasis on outreach to individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited proficiency in the English language.

SEC. 1906. - 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 1031(a), section 1101(a), section 1611(a), section 1621(a), section 1622(a), and section 1623(a), is amended—

(1) by redesignating sections 310 and 311 as sections 311 and 312; and

(2) by inserting after section 309 the following new section:

“SEC. 310. 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.

“(c) Minimum Hours Of Operation Outside Of Typical Working Hours.—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 no polling place is open for less than a total of 4 hours outside of the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in time zone in which the polling place is located.”.

(b) Study Of Methods To Enforce Fair And Equitable Waiting Times.—

(1) STUDY.—The Election Assistance Commission and the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a joint study of the effectiveness of various methods of enforcing the requirements of section 310(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added by subsection (a), including methods of best allocating resources to jurisdictions which have had the most difficulty in providing a fair and equitable waiting time at polling places to all voters, and to communities of color in particular.

(2) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Election Assistance Commission and the Comptroller General of the United States shall publish and submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under paragraph (1).

(c) Clerical Amendment.—The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 1031(c), section 1101(c), section 1611(c), section 1621(b), section 1622(c), and section 1623(a), is amended—

(1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 310 and 311 as relating to sections 311 and 312; and

(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 309 the following new item:

“Sec. 310. Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of polling places.”.

SEC. 1907. - 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 1031(a), section 1101(a), section 1611(a), section 1621(a), section 1622(a), section 1623(a), and section 1906(a), is amended—

(1) by redesignating sections 311 and 312 as sections 312 and 313; and

(2) by inserting after section 310 the following new section:

“SEC. 311. USE OF SECURED DROP BOXES FOR VOTED ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

“(a) Requiring Use Of Drop Boxes.—In each county 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 county 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;

“(B) by individuals with limited proficiency in the English language; and

“(C) by homeless individuals (as defined in section 103 of the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 (42 U.S.C. 11302)) of the State.

“(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 a county with respect to an election shall be determined as follows:

“(A) In the case of a county in which the number of individuals who are residents of the county 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 county, the number of drop boxes shall be equal to or greater than one.

“(C) The State shall ensure that the number of drop boxes provided is sufficient to provide a reasonable opportunity for voters to submit their voted ballots in a timely manner.

“(2) TIMING.—For purposes of this subsection, the number of individuals who reside in a county 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 a county 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;

“(5) sufficiently available in all communities in the county, including rural communities and on Tribal lands within the county (subject to subsection (f)); and

“(6) geographically distributed to provide a reasonable opportunity for voters to submit their voted ballot in a timely manner.

“(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 a county, 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) Remote Surveillance Permitted.—The State may provide for the security of drop boxes through remote or electronic surveillance.

“(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 Amendment.—The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 1031(c), section 1101(c), section 1611(c), section 1621(b), section 1622(c), section 1623(a), and section 1906(c), is amended—

(1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 311 and 312 as relating to sections 312 and 313; and

(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 310 the following new item:

“Sec. 311. Use of secured drop boxes for voted absentee ballots.”.

SEC. 1908. - 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 1031(a), section 1101(a), section 1611(a), section 1621(a), section 1622(a), section 1623(a), section 1906(a), and section 1907(a), is amended—

(1) by redesignating sections 312 and 313 as sections 313 and 314; and

(2) by inserting after section 311 the following new section:

“SEC. 312. 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 Amendment.—The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 1031(c), section 1101(c), section 1611(c), section 1621(b), section 1622(c), section 1623(a), section 1906(c), and section 1907(b), is amended—

(1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 312 and 313 as relating to sections 313 and 314; and

(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 311 the following new item:

“Sec. 312. Prohibiting States from restricting curbside voting.”.

SEC. 1909. - Election day as legal public holiday.

(a) In General.—Section 6103(a) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to Columbus Day the following:

“ Election Day, the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year.”.

(b) Effective Date.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general elections for Federal office held in November 2022 or any succeeding year.

SEC. 1910. - GAO study on voter turnout rates.

The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on voter turnout rates delineated by age in States and localities that permit voters to participate in elections before reaching the age of 18, with a focus on localities that permit voting upon reaching the age of 16.

SEC. 1910A. - Study on ranked-choice voting.

(a) Study.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a study on the implementation and impact of ranked-choice voting in States and localities with a focus on how to best implement a model for Federal elections nationwide. The study shall include the impact on voter turnout, negative campaigning, and who decides to run for office.

(b) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall transmit to Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a), including any recommendations on how to best implement a ranked-choice voting for Federal elections nationwide.

Part 2 - Disaster and Emergency Contingency Plans.

SEC. 1911. - 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.

Part 3 - Improvements in operation of election assistance commission.

SEC. 1921. - 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. 1922. - 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 1903(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 1903(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. 1923. - 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. 1924. - 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. 1925. - 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.

Part 4 - Miscellaneous Provisions.

SEC. 1931. - 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, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, 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. 1932. - 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. 1933. - Authorizing payments to voting accessibility protection and advocacy systems serving the American Indian Consortium.

(a) Recipients Defined.—Section 291 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21061) is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection:

“(c) American Indian Consortium Eligibility.—A system serving the American Indian Consortium for which funds have been reserved under section 509(c)(1)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794e(c)(1)(B)) shall be eligible for payments under subsection (a) in the same manner as a protection and advocacy system of a State.”.

(b) Grant Minimums For American Indian Consortium.—Section 291(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21061(b)) is amended—

(1) by inserting “(c)(1)(B),” after “as set forth in subsections”; and

(2) by striking “subsections (c)(3)(B) and (c)(4)(B) of that section shall be not less than $70,000 and $35,000, respectively” and inserting “subsection (c)(3)(B) 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) shall not be less than $35,000”.

(c) Effective Date.—The amendments made by this section shall take effect at the start of the first fiscal year following the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 1934. - Application of federal voter protection laws to territories of the United States

(a) Intimidation Of Voters.—Section 594 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Delegate from the District of Columbia, or Resident Commissioner,’’ and inserting ‘‘or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress’’.

(b) Interference By Government Employees.—Section 595 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Delegate from the District of Columbia, or Resident Commissioner,’’ and inserting ‘‘or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress’’.

(c) Voting By Noncitizens.—Section 611(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Delegate from the District of Columbia, or Resident Commissioner,’’ and inserting ‘‘or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress’’.

SEC. 1935. - Placement of statues of citizens of territories of the United States in statutary bill.

(a) In General.—Section 1814 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. 2131) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: “For purposes of this section, the term ‘State’ includes American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands, and the term ‘citizen’ includes a national of the United States, as defined in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22)).”.

(b) Conforming Amendment Relating To Procedures For Replacement Of Statues.—Section 311 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2001 (2 U.S.C. 2132) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(f) For purposes of this section, the term ‘State’ includes American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.”.

SEC. 1936. - 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. 1937. - 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.

Part 5 - Voter notice.

SEC. 1941. - Short title.

This part may be cited as the “Voter Notification of Timely Information about Changes in Elections Act” or the “Voter Notice Act”.

SEC. 1942. - Public education campaigns in event of changes in elections in response to emergencies.

(a) Requirement For Election Officials To Conduct Campaigns.—Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21082), as amended by section 1601(a) and section 1901(a), is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection:

“(g) Public Education Campaigns In Event Of Changes In Elections In Response To Emergencies.—

“(1) REQUIREMENT.—If the administration of an election for Federal office, including the methods of voting or registering to vote in the election, is changed in response to an emergency affecting public health and safety, the appropriate State or local election official shall conduct a public education campaign through at least one direct mailing to each individual who is registered to vote in the election, and through additional direct mailings, newspaper advertisements, broadcasting (including through television, radio, satellite, and the Internet), and social media, to notify individuals who are eligible to vote or to register to vote in the election of the changes.

“(2) FREQUENCY AND METHODS OF PROVIDING INFORMATION.—The election official shall carry out the public education campaign under this subsection at such frequency, and using such methods, as will have the greatest likelihood of providing timely knowledge of the change in the administration of the election to those individuals who will be most adversely affected by the change.

“(3) 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), the appropriate election official shall ensure that the information disseminated under a public education campaign conducted under this subsection is provided in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the English language, as required by section 203 of such Act.

“(4) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This subsection shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2020 and each succeeding election for Federal office.”.

(b) Conforming Amendment Relating To Effective Date.—Section 302(h) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21082(h)), as redesignated by subsection (a) and as amended by section 1601(b) and section 1901(b), is amended by striking “and (f)(4)” and inserting “(f)(4), and (g)(4)”.

SEC. 1943. - Requirements for websites of election officials.

(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 1031(a), section 1101(a), section 1611(a), section 1621(a), section 1622(a), section 1623(a), section 1906(a), section 1907(a), and 1908(a), is amended—

(1) by redesignating sections 313 and 314 as sections 314 and 315; and

(2) by inserting after section 312 the following new section:

“SEC. 313. REQUIREMENTS FOR WEBSITES OF ELECTION OFFICIALS.

“(a) Accessibility.—Each State and local election official shall ensure that the official public website of the official is fully accessible for individuals with disabilities, including the blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation as the website provides for other individuals.

“(b) Continuing Operation In Case Of Emergencies.—

“(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF BEST PRACTICES.—

“(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall establish and regularly update best practices for ensuring the continuing operation of the official public websites of State and local election officials during emergencies affecting public health and safety.

“(B) DEADLINE.—The Director shall first establish the best practices required under this paragraph as soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this section, but in no case later than August 15, 2021.

“(2) REQUIRING WEBSITES TO MEET BEST PRACTICES.—Each State and local election official shall ensure that the official public website of the official is in compliance with the best practices established by the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology under paragraph (2).

“(c) Effective Date.—This section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2020 and each succeeding election for Federal office.”.

(b) Conforming Amendment Relating To Adoption 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 1101(b) and section 1611(b), is amended—

(1) by striking “and” at the end of paragraph (4);

(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and inserting “; and”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(6) in the case of the recommendations with respect to section 304, as soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, but in no case later than August 15, 2021.”.

(c) Clerical Amendment.—The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 1031(c), section 1101(c), section 1611(c), section 1621(b), section 1622(c), section 1623(a), section 1906(c), section 1907(b), and section 1908(b), is amended—

(1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 313 and 314 as relating to sections 314 and 315; and

(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 312 the following new item:

“Sec. 313. Requirements for websites of election officials.”.

SEC. 1944. - Payments by election assistance commission to states for costs of compliance.

(b) Availability Of Payments.—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. PAYMENTS FOR COSTS OF COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO PUBLIC NOTIFICATION.

“(a) Payments.—

“(1) AVAILABILITY AND USE OF PAYMENTS.—The Commission shall make a payment to each eligible State to cover the costs the State incurs or expects to incur in meeting the requirements of section 302(g) (relating to public education campaigns in event of changes in elections in response to emergencies) and section 313 (relating to requirements for the websites of election officials).

“(2) SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS.—As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this section, and not less frequently than once each calendar year thereafter, the Commission shall make payments under this section.

“(3) ADMINISTRATION OF PAYMENTS.—The chief State election official of the State shall receive the payment made to a State under this section, and may use the payment for the purposes set forth in this section without intervening action by the legislature of the State.

“(b) Amount Of Payment.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—The amount of a payment made to an eligible State for a year under this section shall be determined by the Commission on the basis of the information provided by the State in its application under subsection (c).

“(2) CONTINUING AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AFTER APPROPRIATION.—A payment made to an eligible State under this section shall be available without fiscal year limitation.

“(c) Requirements For Eligibility.—

“(1) APPLICATION.—Each State that desires to receive a payment under this section for a fiscal year 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; and

“(B) provide an estimate of the costs the State has incurred or expects to incur in carrying out the provisions described in subsection (a), together with such additional information and certifications as the Commission determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section.

“(d) Authorization Of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated for payments under this section such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2022 through 2025.

“(e) Reports.—

“(1) REPORTS BY RECIPIENTS.—Not later than the 6 months after the end of each fiscal year for which an eligible State received a payment under this section, the State shall submit a report to the Commission on the activities conducted with the funds provided during the year.

“(2) REPORTS BY COMMISSION TO COMMITTEES.—With respect to each fiscal year for which the Commission makes payments under this section, the Commission shall submit a report on the activities carried out under this part to the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.”.

(c) 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:

“Sec. 907. Payments for costs of compliance with certain requirements relating to public notification.”.