(Sec. 101) Allows a State or locality that uses a paper ballot voting system, a punchcard voting system, or a central count voting system (including mail-in absentee ballots or mail-in ballots) to meet the requirements of this title by: (1) establishing a voter education program specific to that voting system that notifies each voter of the effect of casting multiple votes for an office; and (2) providing the voter with instructions on how to correct the ballot before it is cast and counted (including instructions on how to correct the error through issuance of a replacement ballot if the voter was otherwise unable to change the ballot or correct any error). Requires the voting system to ensure that any required notification preserves the privacy of the voter and the confidentiality of the ballot.
Requires the voting system to: (1) produce a permanent paper record with a manual audit capacity; and (2) provide the voter with an opportunity to change the ballot or correct any error before the permanent paper record is produced. Requires the printed record produced to be available as an official record for any recount conducted with respect to any Federal election in which the system is used.
Requires the voting system to: (1) be accessible for individuals with disabilities, including nonvisual accessibility for 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; (2) satisfy such requirement through the use of at least one direct recording electronic voting system or other voting system equipped for individuals with disabilities at each polling place; and (3) meet the voting system standards for disability access if purchased with funds made available under title II of this Act on or after January 1, 2007.
Outlines requirements for voting system alternative language accessibility.
Prohibits the error rate of the voting system in counting ballots from exceeding the error rate standards established under the voting system standards issued and maintained by the Director of the Office of Election Administration of the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
(Sec. 102) Provides that, if an individual declares that he or she is a registered voter in the jurisdiction in which he or she desires and is eligible to vote in a Federal election, but the individual's name does not appear on the official list of eligible voters for the polling place, or an election official asserts that the individual is not eligible to vote, such individual shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot according to specified procedures.
Requires the appropriate State or local election official to cause voting information to be publicly posted at each polling place on the day of each Federal election.
Limits to the casting of a provisional ballot only any individual who votes in a Federal election for any reason, including a Federal or State court order, after the time set for poll closing by a State law in effect ten days before the election.
(Sec. 103) Requires each State, acting through the chief State election official, to implement an interactive computerized statewide voter registration list that contains the name and registration information of every legally registered voter in the State and assigns a unique identifier to each one (computerized list). Exempts from such requirement a State in which, under a State law in effect continuously on and after the date of enactment of this Act, there is no voter registration requirement for individuals in the State with respect to Federal elections. Requires: (1) the computerized list to be accessible to each State and local election official in the State; (2) the appropriate State or local election official to perform list maintenance with respect to the computerized list on a regular basis; and (3) with certain exceptions, the Commissioner of Social Security to provide, upon request from a State or locality maintaining an interactive computerized statewide voter registration list, only such information as is necessary to determine the eligibility of an individual to vote under State law. States that any State or locality that receives such information may only share it with election officials.
Prescribes requirements a State shall impose for voting in person or by mail if: (1) the individual is registered to vote in a jurisdiction but has not previously voted in a Federal election in the State; or (2) the individual has not previously voted in such an election in the jurisdiction, and the jurisdiction is located in a State that does not have a computerized list complying with the requirements of this title. Allows an individual who desires to vote in person or by mail, but who does not meet the necessary requirements, to cast a provisional ballot. Requires mail-in voter registration forms to include specific questions pertaining to citizenship and age, boxes for the applicant to check, and a statement telling the applicant not to complete the form if the applicant checked "no" in response to either question.
(Sec. 104) Authorizes the Attorney General, acting through the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, to bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for declaratory or injunctive relief to carry out this title.
(Sec. 105) States that the requirements established by this title are minimum requirements and nothing in this title shall be construed to prevent a State from establishing stricter election technology and administrative requirements, so long as they are not inconsistent with these.
Title II: Grant Programs - Subtitle A: Uniform and Nondiscriminatory Election Technology and Administration Requirements Grant Program - Establishes a Uniform and Nondiscriminatory Election Technology and Administration Requirements Grant Program under which the Attorney General may make grants to approved applicant States and localities to pay the costs of: (1) implementing voting system standards; (2) providing for provisional voting; and (3) establishing a computerized statewide voter registration list.
(Sec. 207) Outlines requirements for audits and examinations of States and localities.
(Sec. 209) Authorizes appropriations.
Subtitle B: Federal Election Reform Incentive Grant Program - Establishes a Federal Election Reform Incentive Grant Program under which the Attorney General may make grants to approved applicant States and localities to pay the Federal share of the costs to: (1) improve, acquire, lease, modify, or replace voting systems and technology, and improve the accessibility of polling places; (2) implement new election administration procedures to increase voter participation and reduce disenfranchisement, such as "same-day" voter registration procedures; (3) educate voters concerning voting procedures, voting rights or voting technology, and train election personnel; (4) implement new election administration procedures such as requiring individuals to present identification at the polls and programs to identify, to deter, and to investigate voting fraud and refer allegations of voting fraud to the appropriate authority; (5) meet the requirements of current Federal election law; and (6) establish toll-free telephone hotlines for voter reporting of possible voting fraud and voting rights violations and general election information.
(Sec. 216) Outlines requirements for audits and examinations of States and localities.
(Sec. 218) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002.
Subtitle C: Federal Election Accessibility Grant Program - Establishes a Federal Election Accessibility Grant Program under which the Attorney General may make grants to approved applicant States and localities to pay the Federal share of the costs to: (1) make polling places accessible to individuals with disabilities in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation as for other voters; and (2) provide individuals with disabilities and the other described individuals with information about the accessibility of polling places.
(Sec. 226) Outlines requirements for audits and examinations of States and localities.
(Sec. 228) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002.
Subtitle D: National Student/Parent Mock Election - Authorizes the Election Administration Commission (EAC) to award grants to the National Student/Parent Mock Election, a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to promote voter participation in American elections to enable it to carry out voter education activities for students and their parents. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2008.
Title III: Administration - Subtitle A: Election Administration Commission - Establishes the Election Administration Commission (EAC) as an independent establishment to: (1) serve as a clearinghouse, gather information, conduct studies, and issue reports concerning issues relating to Federal elections; (2) carry out specified requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993; (3) make Federal election system information available to the public and media; (4) compile and make available to the public the official certified results of Federal elections and statistics regarding national voter registration and turnout; (5) establish an Internet website to facilitate public access, public comment, and public participation in the activities of the Commission, and make all information on such website available in print; (6) conduct a specified study on first time voters who register by mail; and (7) administer the voting systems standards, the provisional voting requirements, computerized statewide voter registration list requirements, requirements for voters who register by mail under title I of this Act, and the Uniform and Nondiscriminatory Election Technology and Administration Requirements Grant Program, the Federal Election Reform Incentive Grant Program, and the Federal Election Accessibility Grant Program under title II of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
Subtitle B: Transition Provisions - Transfers to the EAC various specified functions of the FEC, as well as various referenced functions of the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice within this Act, and other specified officials and entities.
(Sec. 315) Covers EAC personnel under the Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1993 and the Inspector General Act of 1978, but excludes them from the Senior Executive Service.
Subtitle C: Advisory Committee on Electronic Voting and the Electoral Process - Establishes the Advisory Committee on Electronic Voting and the Electoral Process to study and report to Congress and the EAC on issues and challenges, especially the potential for election fraud, presented by incorporating communications and Internet technologies in the Federal, State, and local electoral process.
Title IV: Uniformed Services Election Reform - Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002, to prohibit a State from refusing to count a ballot submitted in a Federal election by an absent uniformed services voter solely on the grounds: (1) that the ballot lacked a notarized witness signature, an address (other than on a Federal write-in absentee ballot, commonly known as `SF186'), a postmark if there are any other indicia that the vote was cast in a timely manner, or an overseas postmark; or (2) solely on the basis of a comparison of signatures on ballots, envelopes, or registration forms unless there is a lack of reasonable similarity between the signatures.
(Sec. 402) Makes other changes to such Act to: (1) increase the access to the polls of uniformed services voters and recently separated uniformed services voters; and (2) prohibit a State from refusing to accept or process, with respect to any Federal election, any otherwise valid voter registration application or absentee ballot application submitted by an absent uniformed services voter during a year on the grounds that the voter submitted the application before the first date on which the State otherwise accepts or processes such an application by absentee voters who are not members of the uniformed services.
(Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary of Defense, as part of any voting assistance program conducted by the Secretary, to distribute to each State enough copies of the Federal military voting laws so that the State is able to distribute a copy to each jurisdiction of the State.
(Sec. 406) Directs the EAC to study and report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of providing for permanent registration of overseas voters under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 and this title.
Requires each State to designate a single office responsible for providing Federal election voter registration and absentee ballot procedure information to all absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters who wish to register to vote or vote in any jurisdiction in the State.
Requires the EAC to study and report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of making such State office responsible for the acceptance of valid voter registration applications, absentee ballot applications, and absentee ballots from each absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter who wishes to so register or vote.
(Sec. 407) Requires each State and local government, within 120 days of each regularly scheduled general Federal election, to report to the EAC and the general public on the number of absentee ballots transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters for the election, and the number that were returned by such voters and cast in the election.
Requires the EAC to develop a standardized format for such reports.
(Sec. 408) Requires a State, with respect to each absent uniformed services voter and each overseas voter whose voter registration application or absentee ballot request is rejected, to provide the voter with the reasons why.
(Sec. 409) Directs the EAC to study and report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of: (1) prescribing a standard oath for use with any document under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act affirming that a material misstatement of fact in the completion of such a document may constitute grounds for a conviction for perjury; and (2) requiring any State that requires an oath or affirmation to accompany any such document to use the standard oath.
(Sec. 410) Directs the EAC to study and report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of prohibiting a State from refusing to accept any voter registration application, absentee ballot, request, or absentee ballot submitted by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter on the grounds that the document involved is not notarized.
Title V: Criminal Penalties; Miscellaneous - Requires the Attorney General to review and report to Congress on existing criminal statutes concerning election offenses to determine whether additional statutory offenses are needed to secure the use of the Internet for election purposes, and whether existing penalties provide adequate punishment and deterrence with respect to such offenses.
(Sec. 502) Establishes criminal penalties for conspiracy to deprive voters of a fair election and for knowingly making a false statement with respect to naturalization, citizenry, or alien registry.
(Sec. 503) Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to permit State and local governments to use social security numbers for voter registration and election administration.
(Sec. 504) Amends Federal armed forces law, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002, to: (1) direct the Secretary of Defense to ensure that voting materials are transmitted expeditiously by military postal authorities at all times; (2) direct the Secretary to implement measures to ensure that a postmark or other official proof of mailing date is provided on each absentee ballot collected at any overseas location or vessel at sea whenever the Department of Defense is responsible for collecting mail for return shipment to the United States; (3) direct the Secretary to ensure that the measures implemented do not result in the delivery of absentee ballots to their final destination after the date of the Federal election; (4) direct the Secretary of each military department to provide notice to members of the armed forces stationed at that installation of the last date before a general Federal election for which absentee ballots mailed from a postal facility located at that installation can reasonably be expected to be timely delivered to the appropriate State and local election officials; (5) require each State to permit absent uniformed services voters to use absentee registration procedures and vote by absentee ballot in general, special, primary, and runoff elections for State and local offices; and (6) accept and process, with respect to any such election, any otherwise valid voter registration application from an absent uniformed services voter if the application is received by the appropriate State election official not less than 30 days before the election.
(Sec. 506) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Department of Justice and the Committee on Election Reform should take steps to ensure that States and localities are allowed some input into any changes that are made to the electoral process, preferably through some type of advisory committee or commission.
(Sec. 507) Directs the EAC to study and report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of a program of the FEC and the Postal Service under which the Postal Service must waive the amount of postage applicable with respect to absentee ballots submitted by voters in general Federal elections that does not apply with respect to the postage required to send the absentee ballots to voters.
(Sec. 508) Directs the EAC to develop a Help America Vote College Program to: (1) encourage students enrolled at institutions of higher education to assist State and local governments in the administration of elections by serving as nonpartisan poll workers or assistants; and (2) encourage State and local governments to use the services of the students participating in the Program. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 510) Expresses the sense of Congress that the right to vote in a private and independent manner is a right that should be afforded to all eligible citizens, including citizens with disabilities, and that curbside voting should only be an alternative of the last resort in providing equal voting access to all eligible American citizens.
(Sec. 511) Requires the EAC to report to Congress on the advisability of establishing an election day holiday, including options for holding Federal elections on an existing legal public holiday such as Veterans Day, as proclaimed by the President, or of establishing uniform weekend voting hours.
(Sec. 512) Expresses the sense of the Senate that full funding shall be provided to each State and locality to meet the requirements relating to compliance with election technology and administration pursuant to this Act.
(Sec. 513) Directs the EAC to report to Congress on issues regarding the broadcasting or transmitting by cable of Federal election results including broadcasting practices that may result in the broadcast of false information concerning the location or time of operation of a polling place.
(Sec. 514) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the provisions of this Act shall not prohibit States from using curbside voting as a last resort to satisfy the voter accessibility requirements of title I of this Act; (2) the provisions of this Act permit States to use Federal funds to purchase new voting machines and to elect to retrofit existing voting machines in lieu of purchasing new machines to meet the voting machine accessibility requirements of title I of this Act; (3) nothing in this Act requires States to replace existing voting machines; (4) nothing under title I specifically requires States to install wheelchair ramps or pave parking lots at each polling location for the accessibility needs of individuals with disabilities; and (5) the EAC, the Attorney General, and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board should recognize the differences that exist between urban and rural areas with respect to the administration of Federal elections under this Act.
[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 565 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 565
To establish the Commission on Voting Rights and Procedures to study
and make recommendations regarding election technology, voting, and
election administration, to establish a grant program under which the
Office of Justice Programs and the Civil Rights Division of the
Department of Justice shall provide assistance to States and localities
in improving election technology and the administration of Federal
elections, to require States to meet uniform and nondiscriminatory
election technology and administration requirements for the 2004
Federal elections, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 19, 2001
Mr. Dodd (for himself, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Dayton, Mr. Kerry,
and Mr. Kennedy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice
and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Commission on Voting Rights and Procedures to study
and make recommendations regarding election technology, voting, and
election administration, to establish a grant program under which the
Office of Justice Programs and the Civil Rights Division of the
Department of Justice shall provide assistance to States and localities
in improving election technology and the administration of Federal
elections, to require States to meet uniform and nondiscriminatory
election technology and administration requirements for the 2004
Federal elections, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Equal Protection
of Voting Rights Act of 2001''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
TITLE I--ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION ON VOTING RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES
Sec. 101. Establishment.
Sec. 102. Membership of the Commission.
Sec. 103. Duties of the Commission.
Sec. 104. Powers of the Commission.
Sec. 105. Commission personnel matters.
Sec. 106. Termination of the Commission.
Sec. 107. Authorization of appropriations for the Commission.
TITLE II--ELECTION TECHNOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATION IMPROVEMENT GRANT
PROGRAM
Sec. 201. Establishment of grant program.
Sec. 202. Authorized activities.
Sec. 203. General policies and criteria for the approval of
applications of States and localities;
requirements of State plans.
Sec. 204. Submission of applications of States and localities.
Sec. 205. Approval of applications of States and localities.
Sec. 206. Federal matching funds.
Sec. 207. Audits and examinations of States and localities.
Sec. 208. Reports to Congress and the Attorney General.
Sec. 209. Definitions of State and locality.
Sec. 210. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE III--REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTION TECHNOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 301. Uniform and nondiscriminatory requirements for election
technology and administration.
Sec. 302. Guidelines and technical specifications.
Sec. 303. Requiring States to meet requirements.
Sec. 304. Enforcement by Attorney General.
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 401. Relationship to other laws.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The right to vote is a fundamental and incontrovertible
right under the Constitution.
(2) There is a need for Congress to encourage and enable
every eligible American to vote by reaffirming that the right
to vote is a fundamental right under the Constitution.
(3) There is a need for Congress to encourage and enable
every eligible American to vote by reaffirming that the United
States is a democratic Government ``of the people, by the
people, and for the people'' where every vote counts.
(4) There is a need for Congress to encourage and enable
every eligible American to vote by eliminating procedural,
physical, and technological obstacles to voting.
(5) There is a need to counter discrimination in voting by
removing barriers to the exercise of the constitutionally
protected right to vote.
(6) There is a concern that persons with disabilities and
impairments face difficulties in voting.
(7) There are practices designed to purge illegal voters
from voter rolls which result in the elimination of legal
voters as well.
(8) State governments have already begun to examine ways to
improve the administration of elections and to modernize
mechanisms and machinery for voting.
(9) Congress has authority under section 4 of article I of
the Constitution of the United States, section 5 of the 14th
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and section
2 of the 15th amendment to the Constitution of the United
States to enact legislation to address the equal protection
violations that may be caused by outdated voting systems.
(10) Congress has an obligation to ensure that the
necessary resources are available to States and localities to
improve election technology and election administration and to
ensure the integrity of and full participation of all Americans
in the democratic elections process.
TITLE I--ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION ON VOTING RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES
SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established the Commission on Voting Rights and Procedures
(in this title referred to as the ``Commission'').
SEC. 102. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 12
members of whom--
(1) 6 members shall be appointed by the President;
(2) 3 members shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of
the Senate (or, if the Minority Leader is a member of the same
political party as the President, by the Majority Leader of the
Senate); and
(3) 3 members shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of
the House of Representatives (or, if the Minority Leader is a
member of the same political party as the President, by the
Majority Leader of the House of Representatives).
(b) Qualifications.--Each member appointed under subsection (a)
shall be chosen on the basis of--
(1) experience with, and knowledge of--
(A) election law;
(B) election technology;
(C) Federal, State, or local election
administration;
(D) the Constitution; or
(E) the history of the United States; and
(2) integrity, impartiality, and good judgment.
(c) Period of Appointment; Vacancies.--
(1) Period of appointment.--Each member shall be appointed
for the life of the Commission.
(2) Vacancies.--
(A) In general.--A vacancy in the Commission shall
not affect its powers.
(B) Manner of replacement.--Not later than 60 days
after the date of the vacancy, a vacancy on the
Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the
original appointment was made and shall be subject to
any conditions which applied with respect to the
original appointment.
(d) Chairperson; Vice Chairperson.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall elect a chairperson
and vice chairperson from among its members.
(2) Political affiliation.--The chairperson and vice
chairperson may not be affiliated with the same political
party.
(e) Date of Appointment.--The appointments of the members of the
Commission shall be made not later than 45 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(f) Meetings.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall meet at the call of
the chairperson.
(2) Initial meeting.--Not later than 20 days after the date
on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the
Commission shall hold its first meeting.
(3) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may
hold hearings.
(g) Voting.--Each action of the Commission shall be approved by a
majority vote of the entire Commission. Each member shall have 1 vote.
SEC. 103. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall conduct a thorough
study of--
(A) election technology and systems;
(B) designs of ballots and the uniformity of
ballots;
(C) access to ballots and polling places, including
timely notice of voting locations and matters relating
to access for--
(i) voters with disabilities;
(ii) voters with visual impairments;
(iii) voters with limited English language
proficiency;
(iv) voters who need assistance in order to
understand the voting process or how to cast a
ballot; and
(v) other voters with special needs;
(D) the effect of the capacity of voting systems on
the efficiency of election administration, including
how the number of ballots which may be processed by a
single machine over a period of time affects the number
of machines needed to carry out an election at a
particular polling place and the number of polling
places and other facilities necessary to serve the
voters;
(E) voter registration and maintenance of voter
rolls, including the use of provisional voting and
standards for reenfranchisement of voters;
(F) alternative voting methods;
(G) voter intimidation, both real and perceived;
(H) accuracy of voting, election procedures, and
election technology;
(I) voter education;
(J) election personnel and volunteer training;
(K)(i) the implementation of title I of the
Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42
U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.) and the amendments made by title
II of that Act by--
(I) the Secretary of Defense, acting as the
Presidential designee under section 101 of that
Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff);
(II) each other Federal Government official
having responsibilities under that Act; and
(III) each State; and
(ii) whether any legislative or administrative
action is necessary to provide a meaningful opportunity
for each absent uniformed services voter (as defined in
section 107(1) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-6(1))) and
each overseas voter (as defined in section 107(5) of
that Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-6(5))) to register to vote
and vote in elections for Federal office;
(L) the feasibility and advisability of
establishing the date on which elections for Federal
office are held as a Federal or State holiday;
(M) the feasibility and advisability of
establishing modified polling place hours, and the
effects thereof; and
(N)(i) how the Federal Government can, on a
permanent basis, best provide ongoing assistance to
State and local authorities to improve the
administration of elections for Federal office;
(ii) how the requirements for voting systems,
provisional voting, and sample ballots described in
section 301 can, on a permanent basis, best be
administered; and
(iii) whether an existing or a new Federal agency
should provide such assistance.
(2) Website.--In addition to any other publication
activities the Commission may be required to carry out, for
purposes of conducting the study under this subsection the
Commission shall establish an Internet website to facilitate
public comment and participation.
(b) Recommendations.--
(1) Recommendations of best practices in voting and
election administration.--The Commission shall develop specific
recommendations with respect to the matters studied under
subsection (a) that identify those methods of voting and
administering elections studied by the Commission that would--
(A) be convenient, accessible, nondiscriminatory,
and easy to use for voters in elections for Federal
office, including voters with disabilities, voters with
visual impairments, absent uniformed services voters,
overseas voters, and other voters with special needs,
including voters with limited English language
proficiency or who otherwise need assistance in order
to understand the voting process or to cast a ballot;
(B) yield the broadest participation; and
(C) produce accurate results.
(2) Recommendations for providing assistance in federal
elections.--The Commission shall develop specific
recommendations with respect to the matters studied under
subsection (a)(1)(N) on how the Federal Government can, on a
permanent basis, best provide ongoing assistance to State and
local authorities to improve the administration of elections
for Federal office, and identify whether an existing or a new
Federal agency should provide such assistance.
(3) Recommendations for voter participation in federal
elections.--The Commission shall develop specific
recommendations with respect to the matters studied under
subsection (a) on methods--
(A) to increase voter registration;
(B) to increase the accuracy of voter rolls and
participation and inclusion of legal voters;
(C) to improve voter education; and
(D) to improve the training of election personnel
and volunteers.
(4) Consistency with election technology and administration
requirements.--The Commission shall ensure that the specific
recommendations developed under this subsection are consistent
with the uniform and nondiscriminatory election technology and
administration requirements under section 301.
(c) Reports.--
(1) Interim reports.--Not later than the date on which the
Commission submits the final report under paragraph (2), the
Commission may submit to the President and Congress such
interim reports as a majority of the members of the Commission
determine appropriate.
(2) Final report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall
submit to the President and Congress a final report
that has received the approval of a majority of the
members of the Commission.
(B) Content.--The final report shall contain--
(i) a detailed statement of the findings
and conclusions of the Commission on the
matters studied under subsection (a);
(ii) a detailed statement of the
recommendations developed under subsection (b)
which received a majority vote of the members
of the Commission; and
(iii) any dissenting or minority opinions
of the members of the Commission.
SEC. 104. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Hearings.--The Commission or, at its direction, any
subcommittee or member of the Commission, may, for the purpose of
carrying out this title--
(1) hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and
places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and
administer such oaths; and
(2) require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and
testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books,
records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, documents, tapes,
and materials as the Commission or such subcommittee or member
considers advisable.
(b) Issuance and Enforcement of Subpoenas.--
(1) Issuance.--Any subpoena issued under subsection (a)
shall be issued by the chairperson and vice chairperson of the
Commission acting jointly. Each subpoena shall bear the
signature of the chairperson of the Commission and shall be
served by any person or class of persons designated by the
chairperson for that purpose.
(2) Enforcement.--In the case of contumacy or failure to
obey a subpoena issued under subsection (a), the United States
district court for the judicial district in which the
subpoenaed person resides, is served, or may be found may issue
an order requiring such person to appear at any designated
place to testify or to produce documentary or other evidence.
Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by
the court as a contempt of that court.
(c) Witness Allowances and Fees.--Section 1821 of title 28, United
States Code, shall apply to witnesses requested or subpoenaed to appear
at any hearing of the Commission. The per diem and mileage allowances
for witnesses shall be paid from funds available to pay the expenses of
the Commission.
(d) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may secure
directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the
Commission considers necessary to carry out this title. Upon request of
the chairperson and vice chairperson of the Commission acting jointly,
the head of such department or agency shall furnish such information to
the Commission.
(e) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other
departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
(f) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the
chairperson and vice chairperson of the Commission acting jointly, the
Administrator of the General Services Administration shall provide to
the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support
services that are necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its
duties under this title.
(g) Gifts and Donations.--The Commission may accept, use, and
dispose of gifts or donations of services or property to carry out this
title.
(h) Application of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Except as
otherwise provided in this Act, the Commission shall be subject to the
requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
SEC. 105. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) Compensation of Members.--Each member of the Commission who is
not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be
compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate
of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including
travel time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of
the duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission who are
officers or employees of the United States shall serve without
compensation in addition to that received for their services as
officers or employees of the United States.
(b) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at
rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes
or regular places of business in the performance of services for the
Commission.
(c) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The chairperson and vice chairperson of
the Commission, acting jointly, may, without regard to the
civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an
executive director and such other additional personnel as may
be necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties.
The employment of an executive director shall be subject to
confirmation by the Commission.
(2) Compensation.--The chairperson and vice chairperson of
the Commission, acting jointly, may fix the compensation of the
executive director and other personnel without regard to
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United
States Code, relating to classification of positions and
General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the
executive director and other personnel may not exceed the rate
payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section
5316 of such title.
(d) Detail of Government Employees.--Any Federal Government
employee may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and
such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service
status or privilege.
(e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The
chairperson and vice chairperson of the Commission, acting jointly, may
procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of
title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals which do not
exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed
for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
SEC. 106. TERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION.
The Commission shall terminate 45 days after the date on which the
Commission submits its final report and recommendations under section
103(c)(2).
SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums
as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this title.
(b) Availability.--Any sums appropriated under the authorization
contained in this section shall remain available, without fiscal year
limitation, until expended.
TITLE II--ELECTION TECHNOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATION IMPROVEMENT GRANT
PROGRAM
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Attorney General, subject to the general
policies and criteria for the approval of applications established
under section 203 and in consultation with the Federal Election
Commission, is authorized to make grants to States and localities to
pay the Federal share of the costs of the activities described in
section 202.
(b) Action Through Office of Justice Programs and Assistant
Attorney General for Civil Rights.--In carrying out this title, the
Attorney General shall act through the Assistant Attorney General for
the Office of Justice Programs and the Assistant Attorney General for
the Civil Rights Division.
SEC. 202. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.
(a) In General.--A State or locality may use grant payments
received under this title--
(1) to improve, acquire, or replace voting equipment or
technology and improve the accessibility of polling places,
including providing physical access for persons with
disabilities and to other individuals with special needs, and
nonvisual access for voters with visual impairments, and
assistance to voters with limited proficiency in the English
language;
(2) to implement new election administration procedures to
increase voter participation and reduce disenfranchisement,
such as ``same-day'' voter registration procedures;
(3) to educate voters concerning voting procedures, voting
rights or voting technology, and to train election personnel;
or
(4) upon completion of the final report under section
103(c)(2), to implement recommendations contained in such
report under section 103(c)(2)(B)(ii).
(b) Requirements for Election Technology and Administration.--A
State or locality may use grant payments received under this title--
(1) on or after the date on which the voting system
requirements specifications are issued under section 302(a), to
implement the requirements under section 301(a);
(2) on or after the date on which the provisional voting
requirements guidelines are issued under section 302(b), to
implement the requirements under section 301(b); and
(3) on or after the date on which the sample ballot
requirements guidelines are issued under section 302(c), to
implement the requirements under section 301(c).
SEC. 203. GENERAL POLICIES AND CRITERIA FOR THE APPROVAL OF
APPLICATIONS OF STATES AND LOCALITIES; REQUIREMENTS OF
STATE PLANS.
(a) General Policies.--The Attorney General shall establish general
policies with respect to the approval of applications of States and
localities, the awarding of grants, and the use of assistance made
available under this title.
(b) Criteria.--
(1) In general.--The Attorney General shall establish
criteria with respect to the approval of applications of States
and localities submitted under section 204, including the
requirements for State plans under paragraph (2).
(2) Requirements of state plans.--The Attorney General
shall not approve an application of a State unless the State
plan of that State provides for each of the following:
(A) Uniform nondiscriminatory voting standards
within the State for election administration and
technology that--
(i) meet the requirements for voting
systems, provisional voting, and sample ballots
described in section 301;
(ii) provide for ease and convenience of
voting for all voters, including accuracy,
nonintimidation, and nondiscrimination;
(iii) ensure conditions for voters with
disabilities, including nonvisual access for
voters with visual impairments, provide the
same opportunity for access and participation
by such voters, including privacy and
independence;
(iv) ensure access for voters with limited
English language proficiency, voters who need
assistance in order to understand the voting
process or how to cast a ballot, and other
voters with special needs;
(v) ensure compliance with the Voting
Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped
Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee et seq.);
(vi) ensure compliance with the Voting
Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973 et seq.),
including sections 4(f)(4) and 203 of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1973b(f)(4) and 1973aa-1a);
(vii) ensure compliance with the National
Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C.
1973gg et seq.); and
(viii) ensure that overseas voters and
absent uniformed service voters (as such terms
are defined in section 107 of the Uniformed and
Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42
U.S.C. 1973ff-6)) have a meaningful opportunity
to exercise their voting rights as citizens of
the United States.
(B) Accuracy of the records of eligible voters in
the States to ensure that legally registered voters
appear in such records and prevent any purging of such
records to remove illegal voters that result in the
elimination of legal voters as well.
(C) Voter education programs regarding the right to
vote and methodology and procedures for participating
in elections and training programs for election
personnel and volunteers, including procedures to carry
out subparagraph (D).
(D) An effective method of notifying voters at
polling places on the day of election of basic voting
procedures to effectuate their vote as provided for in
State and Federal law.
(E) A timetable for meeting the elements of the
plan.
(3) Consistency with election technology and administration
requirements.--The criteria established by the Attorney General
under this subsection and the State plans required under this
subsection shall be consistent with the uniform and
nondiscriminatory election technology and administration
requirements under section 301.
(c) Consultation.--In establishing the general policies and
criteria under this section, the Attorney General shall consult with
the Federal Election Commission.
SEC. 204. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS OF STATES AND LOCALITIES.
(a) Submission of Applications by States.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), the chief
executive officer of each State desiring to receive a grant
under this title shall submit an application to the Attorney
General at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such
additional information as the Attorney General, in consultation
with the Federal Election Commission, may reasonably require.
(2) Contents of applications.--Each application submitted
under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) State plan.--A State plan that--
(i) is developed in consultation with State
and local election officials;
(ii) describes the activities authorized
under section 202 for which assistance under
this title is sought; and
(iii) contains a detailed explanation of
how the State will comply with the requirements
described in section 203(b).
(B) Compliance with federal matching
requirements.--An assurance that the State will pay the
non-Federal share of the costs of the activities for
which assistance is sought from non-Federal sources
that may be accompanied by a request for a waiver of
the matching requirements under section 206(b)(2).
(C) Additional assurances.--Such additional
assurances as the Attorney General, in consultation
with the Federal Election Commission, determines to be
essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of
this title.
(3) Availability of state plans for review and comment.--A
State submitting an application under this section shall make
the State plan proposed to be included in that application
available to the public for review and comment prior to the
submission of the application.
(b) Submission of Applications by Localities.--
(1) In general.--If a State has submitted an application
under subsection (a), a locality of that State may submit an
application for assistance to the Attorney General at such
time, in such manner, and accompanied by such additional
information as the Attorney General, in consultation with the
Federal Election Commission, may reasonably require.
(2) Contents of applications.--Each application submitted
by a locality under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) Consistency with state plan.--Information
similar to the information required to be submitted
under the State plan under subsection (a)(2)(A) that is
not inconsistent with that plan.
(B) Nonduplication of effort.--Assurances that any
assistance directly provided to the locality under this
title is not available to that locality through the
State.
(C) Compliance with federal matching
requirements.--A description of how the locality will
pay the non-Federal share from non-Federal sources that
may be accompanied by a request for a waiver of the
matching requirements under section 206(b)(2).
(D) Additional assurances.--Such additional
assurances as the Attorney General, in consultation
with the Federal Election Commission, determines to be
essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of
this title.
SEC. 205. APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS OF STATES AND LOCALITIES.
(a) Approval of State Applications.--
(1) In general.--The Attorney General, in consultation with
the Federal Election Commission, shall approve applications in
accordance with the general policies and criteria for the
approval of applications established under section 203.
(2) Publication of state plans and solicitation of
comments.--After receiving an application of a State submitted
under section 204(a)(1), the Attorney General shall publish the
State plan contained in that application in the Federal
Register and solicit comments on the plan from the public. The
publication of and the solicitation of comments on such a plan
pursuant to this subsection shall not be treated as an exercise
of rulemaking authority by the Attorney General for purposes of
subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Approval.--At any time after the expiration of the 30-
day period which begins on the date the State plan is published
in the Federal Register under subsection (a), and taking into
consideration any comments received under such subsection, the
Attorney General, in consultation with the Federal Election
Commission, shall approve or disapprove the application that
contains the State plan published under paragraph (2) in
accordance with the general policies and criteria established
under section 203.
(b) Approval of Applications of Localities.--If the Attorney
General has approved the application of a State under subsection (a),
the Attorney General, in consultation with the Federal Election
Commission, may approve an application submitted by a locality of that
State under section 204(b) in accordance with the general policies and
criteria established under section 203.
SEC. 206. FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS.
(a) Payments.--The Attorney General shall pay to each State or
locality having an application approved under section 205 the Federal
share of the cost of the activities described in that application.
(b) Federal Share.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (2), (3), and (4),
for purposes of subsection (a), the Federal share shall be 80
percent.
(2) Waiver.--The Attorney General may specify a Federal
share greater than 80 percent under terms and conditions
consistent with this title.
(3) Incentive for early action.--For any recipient of a
grant whose application was received prior to March 1, 2002,
the Federal share shall be 90 percent.
(4) Reimbursement for cost of meeting requirements.--With
respect to the authorized activities described in section
202(b) insofar as a State or locality incurs expenses to meet
the requirements of section 301, the Federal share shall be 100
percent.
(c) Non-Federal Share.--The non-Federal share of payments under
this title may be in cash or in kind fairly evaluated, including
planned equipment or services.
SEC. 207. AUDITS AND EXAMINATIONS OF STATES AND LOCALITIES.
(a) Recordkeeping Requirement.--Each recipient of a grant under
this title shall keep such records as the Attorney General, in
consultation with the Federal Election Commission, shall prescribe.
(b) Audit and Examination.--The Attorney General and the
Comptroller General, or any authorized representative of the Attorney
General or the Comptroller General, shall audit any recipient of a
grant under this title and shall have access to any record of a
recipient of a grant under this title that the Attorney General or the
Comptroller General determines may be related to a grant received under
this title for the purpose of conducting an audit or examination.
SEC. 208. REPORTS TO CONGRESS AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
(a) Reports to Congress.--Not later than January 31, 2003, and each
year thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit to the President and
Congress a report on the program under this title for the preceding
year. Each report shall contain the following:
(1) A description and analysis of any activities funded by
a grant awarded under this title.
(2) Any recommendation for legislative or administrative
action that the Attorney General considers appropriate.
(b) Reports to the Attorney General.--The Attorney General shall
require each recipient of a grant under this title to submit reports to
the Attorney General, at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Attorney General considers appropriate.
SEC. 209. DEFINITIONS OF STATE AND LOCALITY.
In this title:
(1) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin
Islands.
(2) Locality.--The term ``locality'' means a political
subdivision of a State.
SEC. 210. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Authorization.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Department of Justice such sums as may be necessary for
each of fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006.
(2) Use of amounts.--Amounts appropriated under paragraph
(1) shall be for the purpose of--
(A) awarding grants under this Act; and
(B) paying for the costs of administering the
program to award such grants.
(3) Federal election commission.--There are authorized to
be appropriated to the Federal Election Commission for each of
fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 such sums as may
be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of
this Act.
(b) Limitation.--Not more than 1 percent of any sums appropriated
under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) may be used to pay for the
administrative costs described in paragraph (2)(B) of such subsection.
(c) Supplemental Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated as supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2001, such
sums as the Department of Justice and the Federal Election Commission
consider necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
TITLE III--REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTION TECHNOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 301. UNIFORM AND NONDISCRIMINATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTION
TECHNOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Voting Systems.--Each voting system used in an election for
Federal office shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The voting system shall permit the voter to verify the
votes selected by the voter on a ballot before the ballot is
cast and tabulated, and shall provide the voter with the
opportunity to correct any error before the ballot is cast and
tabulated.
(2) If the voter selects votes for more than one candidate
for a single office, the voting system shall notify the voter
before the ballot is cast and tabulated of the effect of
casting multiple votes for the office, and shall provide the
voter with the opportunity to correct the ballot before the
ballot is cast and tabulated.
(3) If the voter selects votes for fewer than the number of
candidates for which votes may be cast, the voting system shall
notify the voter before the ballot is cast and tabulated of the
effect of such selection, and shall provide the voter with the
opportunity to correct the ballot before the ballot is cast and
tabulated.
(4) The voting system shall produce a record with an audit
capacity for each ballot cast.
(5) The voting system shall be accessible for individuals
with disabilities and other individuals with special needs,
including providing nonvisual accessibility for the blind and
visually impaired, which provides the same opportunity for
access and participation (including privacy and independence)
as for other voters, and shall provide alternative language
accessibility for individuals with limited proficiency in the
English language.
(6) The error rate of a voting system in counting and
tabulating ballots (determined by taking into account only
those errors which are attributable to the voting system and
not attributable to the act of the voter) shall not exceed the
error rate standards as established in the national Voting
Systems Standards issued and maintained by the Office of
Election Administration of the Federal Election Commission in
effect on the date of enactment of this Act and shall not be
inconsistent with respect to the requirements under section
301.
(b) Provisional Voting.--If the name of an individual who declares
to be a registrant eligible to vote at a polling place in an election
for Federal office does not appear on the official list of registrants
eligible to vote at the polling place, or it is otherwise asserted by
an election official that the individual is not eligible to vote at the
polling place--
(1) an election official at the polling place shall notify
the individual that the individual may cast a provisional
ballot in the election;
(2) the individual shall be permitted to cast a vote at
that polling place upon written affirmation by the individual
before an election official at that polling place that the
individual is so eligible;
(3) an election official at the polling place shall
transfer the ballot cast by the individual to an appropriate
State or local election official for prompt verification of the
declaration made by the individual in the affirmation required
under paragraph (2);
(4) if the appropriate State or local election official
verifies the declaration made by the individual in the
affirmation, the individual's vote shall be tabulated; and
(5) the appropriate State or local election official shall
notify the individual in writing of the final disposition of
the individual's affirmation and the treatment of the individual's
vote.
(c) Sample Ballot.--
(1) Mailings to voters.--Not later than 10 days prior to
the date of an election for Federal office, the appropriate
election official shall mail to each individual who is
registered to vote in such election a sample version of the
ballot which will be used for the election together with--
(A) information regarding the date of the election
and the hours during which polling places will be open;
(B) instructions on how to cast a vote on the
ballot; and
(C) general information on voting rights under
Federal and applicable State laws and instructions on
how to contact the appropriate officials if these
rights are alleged to be violated.
(2) Publication and posting.--The sample version of the
ballot which will be used for an election for Federal office
and which is mailed under paragraph (1) shall be published in a
newspaper of general circulation in the applicable geographic
area not later than 10 days prior to the date of the election,
and shall be posted publicly at each polling place on the date
of the election.
SEC. 302. GUIDELINES AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS.
(a) Voting Systems Requirement Specifications.--In accordance with
the requirements of this title regarding technical specifications, the
Office of Election Administration of the Federal Election Commission
shall develop national Voting Systems Specifications with respect to
the voting systems requirement provided under section 301(a).
(b) Provisional Voting Guidelines.--In accordance with the
requirements of this title regarding provisional voting, the Civil
Rights Division of the Department of Justice shall develop initial
guidelines with respect to the provisional voting requirement provided
for under section 301(b).
(c) Sample Ballot Guidelines.--In accordance with the requirements
of this title regarding sample ballots, the Civil Rights Division of
the Department of Justice shall develop initial guidelines with respect
to the sample ballot requirement provided for under section 301(c).
SEC. 303. REQUIRING STATES TO MEET REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), a State or locality
shall meet the requirements of section 301 with respect to the
regularly scheduled election for Federal office held in the State in
2004 and each subsequent election for Federal office held in the State,
except that a State is not required to meet the guidelines and
technical specifications under section 302 prior to the publication of
such guidelines and specifications.
(b) Treatment of Activities Relating to Voting Systems Under Grant
Program.--To the extent that a State has used funds provided under the
Election Technology and Administration Improvement grant program under
section 202(a) to purchase or modify voting systems in accordance with
the State plan contained in its approved application under such
program, the State shall be deemed to meet the requirements of section
301(a).
SEC. 304. ENFORCEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL.
(a) In General.--The Attorney General may bring a civil action in
an appropriate district court for such relief (including declaratory or
injunctive relief) as may be necessary to carry out this title.
(b) Action Through Office of Civil Rights.--The Attorney General
shall carry out this section through the Office of Civil Rights of the
Department of Justice.
(c) Relation to Other Laws.--The remedies established by this
section are in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by
law.
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 401. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.
(a) In General.--Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize
or require conduct prohibited under the following laws, or supersede,
restrict, or limit such laws:
(1) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C.
1973gg et seq.).
(2) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973 et seq.).
(3) The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and
Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee et seq.).
(4) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
(42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.).
(5) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
1994 et seq.).
(b) No Effect on Preclearance or Other Requirements Under Voting
Rights Act.--The approval by the Attorney General of a State's
application for a grant under title II, or any other action taken by
the Attorney General or a State under such title, shall not be
considered to have any effect on requirements for preclearance under
section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 or any other requirements of
such Act.
<all>
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S797-830, S832-835, S836-840)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S879-881, S975)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S987-991, S993-994)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S1142-1149, S1166-1196)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S1223-1232, S1241)
Cloture motion on the bill presented in Senate.
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S1379-1387)
Cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 39. Record Vote Number: 39.
Roll Call #39 (Senate)Motion by Senator Daschle to reconsider the vote by which the motion to invoke cloture on S.565 was not agreed to (Roll Call No. 39) entered in Senate.
Motion to proceed to consideration of the motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion to invoke cloture on S. 565 (Roll Call No. 39) was not agreed to agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Motion by Senator Daschle to reconsider the vote by which the motion to invoke cloture on S. 565 was not agreed to (Roll Call No. 39) agreed to in Senate.
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Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S1414-1417)
Cloture on the bill, upon reconsideration, not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 44. Record Vote Number: 40.
Roll Call #40 (Senate)Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S2465, S2466-2477)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S2516-2554)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 99 - 1. Record Vote Number: 65.
Roll Call #65 (Senate)Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 99 - 1. Record Vote Number: 65.
Roll Call #65 (Senate)Senate incorporated this measure in HR 3295 as an amendment.
Senate vitiated previous passage.
Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 239.