Sec. 2. Requirements for Federal election contingency plans in response to COVID–19
276 words·~1 min read·
/bill/116/s/3440/is/section-2A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each State and jurisdiction shall establish and make publicly available a contingency plan to enable individuals to vote in elections for Federal office in any case in which a significant number of individuals in such State or jurisdiction are unable to vote because— they are under a quarantine that is— imposed by a government order in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (referred to in this section as COVID–19 ); or recommended by a government official or public health expert in response to COVID–19; or their polling place is closed because poll workers or election officials are under a quarantine that is— imposed by a government order in response to COVID–19; or recommended by a government official or public health expert in response to COVID–19.
The contingency plan established under subsection
(a)shall— permit all individuals who are registered to vote to— submit an online request for an absentee ballot; and cast a vote in Federal elections by mail; and provide for the extension of vote-by-mail deadlines if postal service is disrupted as a result of COVID–19. 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. 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.