Sec. 2. Minimum requirements for early voting and for reducing waiting times for voters in federal elections
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Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 ( 42 U.S.C. 15481 et seq. ) is amended— by redesignating sections 304 and 305 as sections 306 and 307; and by inserting after section 303 the following new sections: Each State shall allow individuals to vote in an election for Federal office on each day occurring during the 15-day period which ends on the second day immediately preceding the date of the election, in the same manner as voting is allowed on such date. Each polling place which allows voting prior to the date of a Federal election pursuant to subsection
(a)shall— allow such voting for not less than 10 hours on each day; and have uniform hours each day for which such voting occurs. To the greatest extent practicable, a State shall ensure that each polling place which allows voting prior to the date of a Federal election pursuant to subsection
(a)is located within reasonable walking distance of a stop on a public transportation route. The Commission shall issue standards for the administration of voting prior to the date scheduled for a Federal election. Such standards shall include the nondiscriminatory geographic placement of polling places at which such voting occurs. 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. This section shall apply with respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2014. 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 fair and equitable waiting time for all voters in the State; and that no individual will be required to wait longer than one hour to cast a ballot at the polling place. 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: The voting age population. Voter turnout in past elections. The number of voters registered. The number of voters who have registered since the most recent Federal election. 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. The needs and numbers of voters with disabilities and voters with limited English proficiency. The type of voting systems used. The length and complexity of initiatives, referenda, and other questions on the ballot. Such other factors, including relevant demographic factors relating to the population served by the polling place, as the State considers appropriate. 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. 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. Each State shall develop, and implement to the greatest extent practicable, a contingency plan under which the State shall provide additional poll workers, machines, ballots, and other equipment and supplies (as the case may be) on the date of the election to any polling place used in an election for Federal office, including a polling place at which individuals may cast ballots prior to the date of the election, at which waiting times exceed one hour. The State shall ensure that the contingency plan developed under paragraph
(1)is approved by the Commission prior to the date of the election involved, in accordance with such procedures as the Commission may establish. This section shall apply with respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2014. . The table of contents of such Act is amended— by redesignating the items relating to sections 304 and 305 as relating to sections 306 and 307; and by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the following new items: Sec. 304. Early voting. Sec. 305. Preventing unreasonable waiting times for voters. . Not later than June 30 of each odd-numbered year, the Election Assistance Commission shall submit to Congress a report assessing the impact of sections 304 and 305 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (as added by subsection (a)) on the administration of elections for Federal office during the preceding 2-year period, and shall include in the report such recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate. Nothing in this section or in any amendment made by this section may be construed to prohibit a State, with respect to any election for Federal office— from providing (in an equitable and nondiscriminatory manner) a longer period for early voting than the minimum period required under section 304 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (as added by subsection (a)); or from providing (in an equitable and nondiscriminatory manner) a greater number of systems, poll workers, and other election resources at any polling place than the minimum number required under section 305 of such Act (as added by subsection (a)).
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Sec. 2
Minimum requirements for early voting and for reducing waiting times for voters in federal elections
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