Summary:
Civil Rights Voting Restoration Act of 2014 - Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because the individual has been convicted of a non-violent criminal offense, unless, at the time of the election, the individual is serving a sentence in a correctional facility or a term of probation.

Restores the right to vote of an individual on probation: (1) on the date the term of probation ends, if such term is less than one year; or (2) one year after the date the individual begins serving the term of probation, if such term is one year or longer.

Directs the Attorney General to determine and establish a list of the criminal offenses under federal and state law that are non-violent criminal offenses.

Provides for enforcement of, and remedies for violations of, this Act.

Sets forth requirements for state and federal notification of individuals of their voting rights pursuant to this Act.

Prohibits a state, local government, or other person from receiving or using federal grant amounts to construct or improve a place of incarceration unless that person has in effect a program under which each incarcerated individual is notified, upon release, of his or her rights under this Act.

civil rights voting restoration act declares right citizen vote election federal office shall denied individual convicted non violent criminal offense time election individual serving sentence correctional facility term probation restores right vote individual probation date term probation ends term year year date individual begins serving term probation term year longer directs attorney general determine establish list criminal offenses federal state law non violent criminal offenses provides enforcement remedies violations act sets forth requirements state federal notification individuals voting rights pursuant act prohibits state local government person receiving federal grant amounts construct improve place incarceration person effect program incarcerated individual notified release rights act


Summary:
Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2014 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) to revise requirements for the audit capacity of voting systems, particularly those for a permanent paper record.

Requires the voting system to require the use of an individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballot of the voter's vote that shall be marked and made available for inspection by the voter before the voter's vote is cast and counted, and which shall be counted by hand or read by an optical scanner or other counting device. Requires the voting system to provide the voter with an opportunity to correct any system-made error in the voter-verified paper ballot before it is permanently preserved.

Requires each paper ballot used to be: (1) suitable for a manual audit, and (2) counted by hand in any recount or audit conducted with respect to any federal election.

Sets forth a special rule for treatment of disputes when paper ballots have been shown to be compromised.

Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to make grants to eligible entities to study, test, and develop accessible ballot voting, verification, and casting mechanisms and devices and best practices to enhance the accessibility of paper ballot voting and verification mechanisms for individuals with disabilities, for voters whose primary language is not English, and for voters with difficulties in literacy.

Specifies additional voting system requirements and prohibitions.

Requires the NSF Director to make grants to eligible entities to conduct research on the development of election-dedicated voting system software.

Makes available additional funding to enable states to meet the costs of the requirements imposed by this Act.

Provides for complaints to the Attorney General by persons aggrieved by violations of HAVA.

Requires each state to administer audits of federal election results, without advance notice to the precincts selected, consisting of random hand counts of the voter-verified paper ballots. Makes an exception from this requirement for elections in which the winning candidate had no opponent or received 80% or more of the vote total.

Prescribes requirements for determination of the number of ballots counted under the audit.

Prescribes the process for administering audits.

Requires the Election Auditor of a state, as soon as practicable after the completion of an audit, to submit the results to the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) for publication.

Prohibits certification of the results of any election until completion of audits.

Provides for payments to states for the costs of conducting audits.

Exempts from this Act any election for which a recount under state law will commence before certification of the election results.

Repeals the EAC's exemption from certain federal government contracting requirements.

voter confidence increased accessibility act amends help_america_vote_act hava revise requirements audit capacity voting systems particularly permanent paper record requires voting system require use individual durable voter verified paper ballot voter vote shall marked available inspection voter voter vote cast counted shall counted hand read optical counting device requires voting system provide voter opportunity correct system error voter verified paper ballot permanently preserved requires paper ballot suitable manual audit counted hand recount audit conducted respect federal election sets forth special rule treatment disputes paper ballots shown compromised requires director national_science_foundation nsf grants eligible entities study test develop accessible ballot voting verification casting mechanisms devices best practices enhance accessibility paper ballot voting verification mechanisms individuals disabilities voters primary language english voters difficulties literacy specifies additional voting system requirements prohibitions requires nsf director grants eligible entities conduct research development election dedicated voting system software makes available additional funding enable states meet costs requirements imposed act provides complaints attorney general persons aggrieved violations hava requires state administer audits federal election results advance notice precincts selected consisting random hand counts voter verified paper ballots makes exception requirement elections winning candidate opponent received vote total prescribes requirements determination number ballots counted audit prescribes process administering audits requires election auditor state soon practicable completion audit submit results election_assistance_commission eac publication prohibits certification results election completion audits provides payments states costs conducting audits exempts act election recount state law commence certification election results repeals eac exemption certain federal_government contracting requirements


Summary:
U.S.A. AAA Credit Restoration Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, on the same day the President submits an annual budget proposal to Congress, to submit to Congress a message on the public debt limit. Requires the Secretary to: (1) include an estimate of the amount that the public debt limit will need to be increased, if necessary, for the next year based on estimates of federal revenues and mandatory and discretionary expenditures; and (2) publish in the Federal Register the amount of the debt limit necessary to accommodate such requirements.

Allows the proposed debt limit increase to become law unless Congress disapproves.

Sets forth an expedited process for congressional consideration of a joint resolution to disapprove of the Secretary's exercise of authority to increase the debt limit (thereby replacing the current procedure for increasing the debt limit under the congressional budget process).

credit restoration act_-_directs secretary treasury day president submits annual budget proposal congress submit congress message public debt limit requires secretary include estimate public debt limit need increased necessary year based estimates federal revenues mandatory discretionary expenditures publish federal_register debt limit necessary accommodate requirements allows proposed debt limit increase law congress disapproves sets forth expedited process congressional consideration joint resolution disapprove secretary exercise authority increase debt limit replacing current procedure increasing debt limit congressional_budget process


Summary:
Lines Interfere with National Elections Act of 2013 or LINE Act of 2013 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require each state to provide for the minimum required number of voting systems, poll workers, and other election resources (including all other physical resources) for each voting site on the day of any federal election and on any days during which the state allows early voting for a federal election in accordance with standards established under this Act.

Directs the Attorney General, to the maximum extent practicable in coordination with the Election Assistance Commission, to issue standards for a uniform and non-discriminatory distribution of such systems, workers, and other resources, taking into account with respect to any voting site, among other factors, the voting age population, the needs and numbers of disabled voters, and voters with limited English proficiency.

Requires the standards, to the extent possible, to provide for a distribution of voting systems, poll workers, and other election resources with the goal of: (1) ensuring an equal waiting time for all voters in the state, and (2) preventing a waiting time of over one hour at any polling place.

Requires each jurisdiction where a substantial number of voters waited more than 90 minutes to cast a vote in the federal election held on November 6, 2012, or any federal election held after that date, to comply with a state remedial plan to minimize voter waiting times.

lines interfere national elections act line act amends help_america_vote_act require state provide minimum required number voting systems poll workers election resources including physical resources voting site day federal election days state allows early voting federal election accordance standards established act directs attorney general maximum extent practicable coordination election_assistance_commission issue standards uniform non discriminatory distribution systems workers resources taking account respect voting site factors voting age population needs numbers disabled voters voters limited english proficiency requires standards extent possible provide distribution voting systems poll workers election resources goal ensuring equal waiting time voters state preventing waiting time hour polling place requires jurisdiction substantial number voters minutes cast vote federal election held november federal election held date comply state remedial plan minimize voter waiting times


Summary:
Louis L. Redding Fair, Accurate, Secure, and Timely Voting Act of 2013 or FAST Voting Act of 2013 - Directs the Attorney General to award grants, on a competitive basis, to enable states to: (1) invest in practices and technology designed to expedite voting at the polls, and (2) simplify voter registration.

Requires the grant application to include a comprehensive and coherent plan for using funds to improve the applicant's performance on specified measures with respect to: (1) flexible registration opportunities, (2) early voting, (3) assistance to non-English speaking voters, and (4) other related matters. Requires each grantee to establish performance measures and targets, approved by the Attorney General, that track its progress in implementing its plan and expediting voting at the polls or simplifying voter registration, as applicable.

fair accurate secure timely voting act fast voting act directs attorney general award grants competitive basis enable states invest practices technology designed expedite voting polls simplify voter registration requires grant application include comprehensive coherent plan funds improve applicant performance specified measures respect flexible registration opportunities early voting assistance non-english speaking voters related matters requires grantee establish performance measures targets approved attorney general track progress implementing plan expediting voting polls simplifying voter registration applicable


Summary:
Voter Empowerment Act of 2013 - Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2013 - Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) to require each state to make available official public websites for online voter registration.

Authorizes automated voter registration of certain individuals and establishes other initiatives to promote voter registration, such as same day registration and voter registration of individuals under 18 years of age.

Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit hindering, interfering with, or preventing voter registration.

Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) to establish requirements for states to promote access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities, including a single office for providing related information.

Directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to make grants to eligible states to conduct pilot programs enabling individuals with disabilities to register to vote and vote privately and independently at their own residences (including by telephone).

Amends HAVA to reauthorize the program of grants to state and local governments to assure voting access for individuals with disabilities.

Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit state or local election officials from preventing an individual from registering or voting in any federal election (voter caging), or from permitting a formal challenge under state law to an individual's registration status or eligibility to vote, if the basis for such decision is evidence consisting of: (1) a voter caging document or voter caging list, (2) an unverified match list, (3) an error or omission on voter application or registration documents that is not material to an individual's eligibility to vote, or (4) any other evidence so designated by the Commission.

Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit a person, including an election official, from knowingly and willfully attempting to or depriving or defrauding the residents of a state of their free and fair exercise of the right to vote by the communication of election-related information that is known by the person to be materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent. Increases the penalty for voter intimidation.

Declares that the right of an individual U.S. citizen to vote in any federal election shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless he or she is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution at the time of the election. Prescribes enforcement of this right by public or private civil action.

Requires each state to notify in writing any individual convicted of a criminal offense under state law, upon release from state custody or upon sentence to probation, that he or she has the right to vote in a federal election and so may register to vote.

Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2013 - Amends HAVA to revise requirements for the audit capacity of voting systems, particularly those for a permanent paper record.

Requires the voting system to require the use of an individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballot of the voter's vote that shall be marked and made available for inspection by the voter before the voter's vote is cast and counted, and which shall be counted by hand or read by an optical character recognition device or other counting device. Requires the voting system to provide the voter with an opportunity to correct any system-made error in the voter-verified paper ballot before it is permanently preserved.

Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to make grants to eligible entities to study, test, and develop accessible ballot voting, verification, and casting mechanisms and devices and best practices to enhance the accessibility of paper ballot voting and verification mechanisms for individuals with disabilities, for voters whose primary language is not English, and for voters with difficulties in literacy.

Prescribes requirements for: (1) publication of poll tapes, (2) treatment of ballots cast at early voting sites and of absentee ballots, and (3) the counting of provisional ballots that will be treated as votes.

Prescribes laboratory conflict-of-interest requirements and prohibitions.

Requires the NSF Director to make grants to eligible entities to conduct research on the development of election-dedicated voting system software.

Requires each state, except when the winning candidate had no opponent or received 80% or more of the votes, to administer audits of federal election results, without advance notice to the precincts selected, consisting of random hand counts of the voter-verified paper ballots.

Requires the Election Auditor of a state, as soon as practicable after the completion of an audit, to submit the results to EAC for publication.

Prohibits certification of the results of any election until completion of audits.

Amends HAVA to: (1) add requirements for counting provisional ballots, (2) require each state to allow early voting and facilitate the ability of voters to vote by mail.

Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend the guarantee of voting residency to family members of absent military personnel.

Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act with respect to pre-election reports on availability and transmission of absentee ballots.

Revises the 45-day absentee ballot transmission rule.

Permits use of a single absentee ballot application for subsequent elections.

Entitles to leave a federal employee who serves as a poll worker.

Directs the EAC to: (1) make a grant to each eligible state for poll-worker recruitment and training, and (2) develop materials for a model state poll worker training program.

Amends HAVA to make available to any person aggrieved by a violation of uniform and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration requirements the option to file a complaint with the Attorney General or pursue a private right of action to enforce such requirements.

Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make it unlawful for a chief state election administration official, unless he or she or a family member is a candidate, to take an active part in political management or in a political campaign for federal office over which such official has supervisory authority.

Amends NVRA to treat universities as voter registration agencies.

Amends HAVA to establish minimum notification requirements on behalf of voters affected by polling place changes.

Directs the Attorney General to: (1) 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, in federal elections; (2) establish and operate a toll-free telephone service to connect directly to such response system; and (3) appoint a Voter Hotline Task Force.

Makes requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and HAVA applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Amends HAVA to: (1) reauthorize and extend the EAC, and (2) repeal its exemption from certain government contracting requirements.

voter empowerment act voter registration modernization act amends national voter registration act require state available official public websites online voter registration authorizes automated voter registration certain individuals establishes initiatives promote voter registration day registration voter registration individuals years age amends federal criminal code prohibit hindering interfering preventing voter registration amends help_america_vote_act hava establish requirements states promote access voter registration voting individuals disabilities including single office providing related information directs election_assistance_commission eac grants eligible states conduct pilot programs enabling individuals disabilities register vote vote privately independently residences including telephone amends hava reauthorize program grants state local governments assure voting access individuals disabilities amends federal criminal code prohibit state local election officials preventing individual registering voting federal election voter permitting formal challenge state law individual registration status eligibility vote basis decision evidence consisting voter document voter list unverified match list error omission voter application registration documents material individual eligibility vote evidence designated commission amends federal criminal code prohibit person including election official knowingly willfully attempting residents state free fair exercise right vote communication election related information known person materially false fictitious fraudulent increases penalty voter intimidation declares right individual citizen vote federal election shall denied individual convicted criminal offense serving felony sentence correctional institution time election prescribes enforcement right public private civil action requires state notify writing individual convicted criminal offense state law release state custody sentence probation right vote federal election register vote voter confidence increased accessibility act amends hava revise requirements audit capacity voting systems particularly permanent paper record requires voting system require use individual durable voter verified paper ballot voter vote shall marked available inspection voter voter vote cast counted shall counted hand read optical character recognition device counting device requires voting system provide voter opportunity correct system error voter verified paper ballot permanently preserved requires director national_science_foundation nsf grants eligible entities study test develop accessible ballot voting verification casting mechanisms devices best practices enhance accessibility paper ballot voting verification mechanisms individuals disabilities voters primary language english voters difficulties literacy prescribes requirements publication poll treatment ballots cast early voting sites absentee ballots counting provisional ballots treated votes prescribes laboratory conflict interest requirements prohibitions requires nsf director grants eligible entities conduct research development election dedicated voting system software requires state winning candidate opponent received votes administer audits federal election results advance notice precincts selected consisting random hand counts voter verified paper ballots requires election auditor state soon practicable completion audit submit results eac publication prohibits certification results election completion audits amends hava add requirements counting provisional ballots require state allow early voting facilitate ability voters vote mail amends servicemembers_civil_relief_act extend guarantee voting residency family members absent military personnel amends uniformed overseas citizens absentee voting act respect pre election reports availability transmission absentee ballots revises day absentee ballot transmission rule permits use single absentee ballot application subsequent elections entitles leave federal employee serves poll worker directs eac grant eligible state poll worker recruitment training develop materials model state poll worker training program amends hava available person aggrieved violation uniform nondiscriminatory election technology administration requirements option file complaint attorney general pursue private right action enforce requirements amends federal_election_campaign_act unlawful chief state election administration official family member candidate active political management political campaign federal office official supervisory authority amends treat universities voter registration agencies amends hava establish minimum notification requirements behalf voters affected polling place changes directs attorney general coordinate establishment state based response system responding questions complaints individuals voting seeking vote registering vote seeking federal elections establish operate toll free telephone service connect directly response system appoint voter hotline task_force makes requirements national voter registration act hava applicable commonwealth_of_the_northern_mariana_islands amends hava reauthorize extend eac repeal exemption certain government contracting requirements


Summary: Voter Integrity Protection Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make voting in a federal election (unless otherwise provided for under the federal criminal code) by an alien who is unlawfully in the United States an aggravated felony and a deportable offense.

voter integrity protection act_-_amends immigration_and_nationality_act voting federal election provided federal criminal code alien unlawfully united_states aggravated felony deportable offense


Summary: Same Day Registration Act - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require states with a voter registration requirement to make same-day voter registration available at the polling place on the date of election itself (or on the day of voting under early voting).

day registration act_-_amends help_america_vote_act require states voter registration requirement day voter registration available polling place date election day voting early voting


Summary: Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to allow states to require proof of citizenship for voter registration.

amends national voter registration act allow states require proof citizenship voter registration


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Elections Preparedness Requires Early Planning (Elections PREP) Act - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require each state to develop contingency plans to address unexpected emergencies or natural disasters that may threaten to disrupt the administration of an election for federal office.

Requires a plan to contain: (1) alternative ways to notify the public of changes in election procedures; and (2) plans to address disruptions at every step of the voting process, including early voting.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated elections preparedness requires early planning elections prep act_-_amends help_america_vote_act require state develop contingency plans address unexpected emergencies natural disasters threaten disrupt administration election federal office requires plan contain alternative ways notify public changes election procedures plans address disruptions step voting process including early voting


Summary:
Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014 - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the requirement that a federal court retain jurisdiction for an appropriate period to prevent commencement of new devices to deny or abridge the right to vote. Expands the types of violations triggering the authority of a court to retain such jurisdiction to include certain violations of the Act as well as violations of any federal voting rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group.

Excludes from the list of violations triggering jurisdiction retention authority any voting qualification or prerequisite which results in a denial or abridgement of the right to vote that is based on the imposition of a requirement that an individual provide a photo identification as a condition of receiving a ballot for voting in a federal, state, or local election.

Revises requirements for determining which states and political subdivisions are covered or not covered by criteria for declaratory judgments that they have not used devices to deny or abridge the right to vote.

Subjects to the requirements for making such a determination any state (and all of its political subdivisions) during a calendar if 5 or more voting rights violations occurred in the state during the previous 15 years, at least one of which was committed by the state itself (as opposed to a political subdivision within it).

Specifies application of such new coverage requirements to any specific political subdivision if: (1) 3 or more voting rights violations occurred in it during the previous 15 calendar years; or (2) 1 or more voting rights violations occurred in it during the previous 15 calendar years and the subdivision had persistent, extremely low minority turnout during that period.

Provides that, if a state obtains a declaratory judgment that it has not used a device to deny or abridge the right to vote, the requirements for a new declaratory judgment generally will not apply, unless the new coverage requirements of this Act apply to the state solely on the basis of voting rights violations occurring after the declaratory judgment was issued.

Prescribes transparency requirements, including reasonable public notice, regarding any changes to: (1) voting prerequisites, standards, or procedures; (2) polling place resources; or (3) demographics and electoral districts.

Modifies authority to assign observers, including authorizing the assignment of observers to enforce bilingual election requirements.

Revises requirements for injunctive relief, including its scope and the persons authorized to seek relief as well as the grounds for granting it.

voting rights amendment act amends voting rights act respect requirement federal court retain jurisdiction appropriate period prevent commencement new devices deny right vote expands types violations triggering authority court retain jurisdiction include certain violations act violations federal voting rights law prohibits discrimination basis race color membership language minority group excludes list violations triggering jurisdiction retention authority voting qualification prerequisite results denial right vote based imposition requirement individual provide photo identification condition receiving ballot voting federal state local election revises requirements determining states political subdivisions covered covered criteria declaratory judgments devices deny right vote subjects requirements making determination state political subdivisions calendar voting rights violations occurred state previous years committed state opposed political subdivision specifies application new coverage requirements specific political subdivision voting rights violations occurred previous calendar years voting rights violations occurred previous calendar years subdivision persistent extremely low minority period provides state obtains declaratory judgment device deny right vote requirements new declaratory judgment generally apply new coverage requirements act apply state solely basis voting rights violations occurring declaratory judgment issued prescribes transparency requirements including reasonable public notice changes voting prerequisites standards procedures polling place resources demographics electoral districts modifies authority assign observers including authorizing assignment observers enforce bilingual election requirements revises requirements injunctive relief including scope persons authorized seek relief grounds granting


Summary: Lines Interfere with National Elections Act of 2014 or LINE Act of 2014 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require each jurisdiction where a substantial number of voters waited more than 30 minutes to cast a vote in the federal election held on November 6, 2012, or any federal election held after that date, to comply with a state remedial plan to minimize voter waiting times.

lines interfere national elections act line act amends help_america_vote_act require jurisdiction substantial number voters minutes cast vote federal election held november federal election held date comply state remedial plan minimize voter waiting times


Summary:
Veteran Voting Support Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide mail voter registration application forms to each veteran who: (1) seeks to enroll in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system at the time of such enrollment, and (2) is already enrolled in such system when there is a change in the veteran's enrollment status or when there is a change in the veteran's address.

Requires the Secretary to accept completed application forms for transmittal to appropriate state election officials. Instructs that forms accepted at VA medical centers, community living centers, community-based outpatient centers, and domiciliaries be transmitted within ten days of acceptance, unless a completed form is accepted within five days before the last day for registration to vote in an election, in which case the application shall be transmitted to the appropriate state election official within five days of acceptance.

Prohibits any information relating to registering to vote, or to a declination to register to vote, under this Act from being used for any purpose other than voter registration.

Requires each Director of a VA community living center, domiciliary, or medical center to provide assistance in voting by absentee ballot to resident veterans. Requires such assistance to include: (1) providing information relating to the opportunity to request an absentee ballot; (2) making available absentee ballot applications upon request, as well as assisting in completing such applications and ballots; and (3) working with local election administration officials to ensure the proper transmission of the applications and ballots.

Directs the Secretary to permit nonpartisan organizations to provide voter registration information and assistance at facilities of the VA health care system.

Prohibits the Secretary from banning any election administration official, whether state or local, party-affiliated or non-party affiliated, or elected or appointed, from providing voting information to veterans at any VA facility.

Directs the Secretary to provide reasonable access to facilities of the VA health care system to state and local election officials for the purpose of providing nonpartisan voter registration services to individuals.

veteran voting support act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs provide mail voter registration application forms veteran seeks enroll department_of_veterans_affairs health_care system time enrollment enrolled system change veteran enrollment status change veteran address requires secretary accept completed application forms transmittal appropriate state election officials instructs forms accepted medical centers community living centers community based outpatient centers transmitted days acceptance completed form accepted days day registration vote election case application shall transmitted appropriate state election official days acceptance prohibits information relating registering vote register vote act purpose voter registration requires director community living center domiciliary medical center provide assistance voting absentee ballot resident veterans requires assistance include providing information relating opportunity request absentee ballot making available absentee ballot applications request assisting completing applications ballots working local election administration officials ensure proper transmission applications ballots directs secretary permit nonpartisan organizations provide voter registration information assistance facilities health_care system prohibits secretary banning election administration official state local party affiliated non party affiliated elected appointed providing voting information veterans facility directs secretary provide reasonable access facilities health_care system state local election officials purpose providing nonpartisan voter registration services individuals


Summary:
Democracy Restoration Act of 2014 - Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility. Provides for enforcement of, and remedies for violations of, this Act.

Prohibits this Act from being construed to prohibit a state from enacting any state law that affords the right to vote in any election for federal office on terms less restrictive than those terms established by this Act. Declares that the rights and remedies established by this Act shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law and shall not supersede, restrict, or limit the application of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 or the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Sets forth requirements for state and federal notification of individuals of the restoration of their voting rights. Prohibits any state, local government, or other person from receiving or using any federal funds to construct or improve a place of incarceration unless that person has in effect a program to notify each U.S. citizen incarcerated in that person's jurisdiction, upon release from such incarceration, of that individual's rights under this Act.

Civil rights and liberties, minority issues

democracy restoration act declares right citizen vote election federal office shall denied individual convicted criminal offense time election individual serving felony sentence correctional institution facility provides enforcement remedies violations act prohibits act construed prohibit state enacting state law affords right vote election federal office terms restrictive terms established act declares rights remedies established act shall addition rights remedies provided law shall supersede restrict limit application voting rights act national voter registration act sets forth requirements state federal notification individuals restoration voting rights prohibits state local government person receiving federal funds construct improve place incarceration person effect program notify citizen incarcerated person jurisdiction release incarceration individual rights act


Summary:
Voter Registration Modernization Act - Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) to require each state to make available official public websites for online voter registration.

Directs the appropriate state or local election official to ensure that information on the computerized statewide voter registration list may be updated through the official public website.

Directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to study best practices for implementing the requirements for Internet registration and the online updating of voter registration information.

Authorizes the provision of election information by electronic mail to individuals registered to vote who have requested to receive it.

Directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to make an implementation payment each year to enable each state to meet the requirements of this Act and to carry out activities to improve the administration of federal elections.

voter registration modernization act_-_amends national voter registration act require state available official public websites online voter registration directs appropriate state local election official ensure information computerized statewide voter registration list updated official public website directs director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist study best practices implementing requirements internet registration online updating voter registration information authorizes provision election information electronic mail individuals registered vote requested receive directs election_assistance_commission eac implementation payment year enable state meet requirements act carry activities improve administration federal elections


Summary:
Rural and Tribal Voter Rights Act - Directs the Election Assistance Commission to make a payment each fiscal year to each state which meets early voting location distribution plan development requirements for ensuring that eligible voters have adequate access to early voting locations.

Requires a state or local election official to provide at least one one early voting location on tribal land when requested by the tribal government.

Requires each state to, after reasonable notice and public hearings, adopt and submit to the Commission a plan which provides for the equitable distribution of early voting locations.

Requires each state to make early voting available to any eligible voter for at least 10 days before an election for federal office.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, the Postmaster General, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of the Interior to permit a state to designate facilities of the respective agencies located in the state as voter registration agencies.

Requires each state to permit any eligible individual on the same day as a federal election and on any day when voting, including early voting, is permitted for a federal election to: (1) register to vote in the election, and (2) cast a vote in it.

Requires each state to provide a secure online interface available to the public on a public, government website that allows any eligible individual to register electronically to vote or to update their voter registration.

Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for declaratory or injunctive relief as necessary to carry out this Act. Allows any aggrieved person a private right of action, too.

rural tribal voter rights act_-_directs election_assistance_commission payment fiscal year state meets early voting location distribution plan development requirements ensuring eligible voters adequate access early voting locations requires state local election official provide early voting location tribal land requested tribal government requires state reasonable notice public hearings adopt submit commission plan provides equitable distribution early voting locations requires state early voting available eligible voter days election federal office directs secretary veterans_affairs secretary health_and_human_services hhs commissioner social_security_administration postmaster_general secretary agriculture secretary interior permit state designate facilities respective agencies located state voter registration agencies requires state permit eligible individual day federal election day voting including early voting permitted federal election register vote election cast vote requires state provide secure online interface available public public government website allows eligible individual register electronically vote update voter registration authorizes attorney general bring civil action appropriate district_court declaratory injunctive relief necessary carry act allows aggrieved person private right action


Summary:
Voter Empowerment Act of 2015

Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2015

Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) to require states to make available websites for online voter registration.

Authorizes automated voter registration of certain individuals and establishes other initiatives to promote voter registration, such as same-day registration and voter registration of individuals under 18 years of age.

Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit hindering, interfering with, or preventing voter registration.

Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) to establish requirements for states to promote access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities, including a single office for providing related information.

Directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to make grants for pilot programs enabling individuals with disabilities to register to vote and vote privately and independently at their own residences.

Reauthorizes the program of grants to state and local governments to assure voting access for individuals with disabilities.

Prohibits state or local election officials from preventing an individual from registering or voting in any federal election (voter caging), or from permitting a formal challenge under state law to an individual's registration status or eligibility to vote.

Prohibits a person from knowingly and willfully attempting to or depriving or defrauding the residents of a state of the right to vote by the communication of election-related information that is known to be materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent. Increases the penalty for voter intimidation.

Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any federal election shall not be denied or abridged because of a criminal conviction unless he or she is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution at the time of the election.

Requires each state to notify an individual convicted of a criminal offense under state law, upon release from state custody or upon sentence to probation, of the right to vote in a federal election.

 Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2015

Revises requirements for the audit capacity of voting systems, particularly those for a permanent paper record.

Requires the voting system to require the use of an individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballot of the voter's vote that shall be marked and made available for inspection by the voter before the vote is cast and counted, and which shall be counted by hand or read by an optical character recognition device or other counting device. Requires the system to provide an opportunity to correct any system-made error in the voter-verified paper ballot before it is permanently preserved.

Requires the National Science Foundation to make grants for the study and development of accessible ballot voting, verification, and casting mechanisms and devices and best practices to enhance the accessibility of paper ballot voting and verification mechanisms for individuals with disabilities, those whose primary language is not English, and those with difficulties in literacy.

Requires each state, except when the winning candidate had no opponent or received 80% or more of the votes, to administer audits of federal election results, without advance notice, consisting of random hand counts of the voter-verified paper ballots.

Prohibits certification of election results until completion of audits.

Adds requirements for counting provisional ballots. Requires each state to allow early voting and facilitate voting by mail.

Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend the guarantee of voting residency to family members of absent military personnel.

Revises absentee ballot procedures concerning applications, transmission, and overseas voters.

Entitles to leave a federal employee who serves as a poll worker.

Directs the EAC to make grants for poll-worker recruitment and training and develop materials for a model program.

Makes available to any person aggrieved by a violation of uniform and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration requirements the option to file a complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) or pursue a private right of action.

Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make it unlawful for a chief state election administration official, unless he or she or a family member is a candidate, to take an active part in political management or in a political campaign for federal office over which such official has supervisory authority.

Treats universities as voter registration agencies.

Establishes minimum notification requirements regarding voters affected by polling place changes.

Directs DOJ to: (1) 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, in federal elections; (2) establish and operate a toll-free telephone service to connect directly to such response system; and (3) appoint a Voter Hotline Task Force.

Makes NVRA and HAVA requirements applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Reauthorizes and extends the EAC and repeals its exemption from certain contracting requirements.

voter empowerment act voter registration modernization act amends national voter registration act require states available websites online voter registration authorizes automated voter registration certain individuals establishes initiatives promote voter registration day registration voter registration individuals years age amends federal criminal code prohibit hindering interfering preventing voter registration amends help_america_vote_act hava establish requirements states promote access voter registration voting individuals disabilities including single office providing related information directs election_assistance_commission eac grants pilot programs enabling individuals disabilities register vote vote privately independently residences reauthorizes program grants state local governments assure voting access individuals disabilities prohibits state local election officials preventing individual registering voting federal election voter permitting formal challenge state law individual registration status eligibility vote prohibits person knowingly willfully attempting residents state right vote communication election related information known materially false fictitious fraudulent increases penalty voter intimidation declares right citizen vote federal election shall denied criminal conviction serving felony sentence correctional institution time election requires state notify individual convicted criminal offense state law release state custody sentence probation right vote federal election voter confidence increased accessibility act revises requirements audit capacity voting systems particularly permanent paper record requires voting system require use individual durable voter verified paper ballot voter vote shall marked available inspection voter vote cast counted shall counted hand read optical character recognition device counting device requires system provide opportunity correct system error voter verified paper ballot permanently preserved requires national_science_foundation grants study development accessible ballot voting verification casting mechanisms devices best practices enhance accessibility paper ballot voting verification mechanisms individuals disabilities primary language english difficulties literacy requires state winning candidate opponent received votes administer audits federal election results advance notice consisting random hand counts voter verified paper ballots prohibits certification election results completion audits adds requirements counting provisional ballots requires state allow early voting facilitate voting mail amends servicemembers_civil_relief_act extend guarantee voting residency family members absent military personnel revises absentee ballot procedures concerning applications transmission overseas voters entitles leave federal employee serves poll worker directs eac grants poll worker recruitment training develop materials model program makes available person aggrieved violation uniform nondiscriminatory election technology administration requirements option file complaint department_of_justice doj pursue private right action amends federal_election_campaign_act unlawful chief state election administration official family member candidate active political management political campaign federal office official supervisory authority treats universities voter registration agencies establishes minimum notification requirements voters affected polling place changes directs doj coordinate establishment state based response system responding questions complaints individuals voting seeking vote registering vote seeking federal elections establish operate toll free telephone service connect directly response system appoint voter hotline task_force makes hava requirements applicable commonwealth_of_the_northern_mariana_islands reauthorizes extends eac repeals exemption certain contracting requirements


Summary:
Students Voicing Opinions in Today's Elections (VOTE) Act

Directs the Election Assistance Commission to carry out a pilot program providing funds, during FY2015, to local educational agencies (LEAs) for initiatives that provide 12th graders with voter registration information.

Requires LEAs to consult with their state and local election officials in developing those initiatives.

students opinions today elections vote act directs election_assistance_commission carry pilot program providing funds fy2015 local educational agencies leas initiatives provide 12th voter registration information requires leas consult state local election officials developing initiatives


Summary:
Streamlined and Improved Methods at Polling Locations and Early (SIMPLE) Voting Act of 2015

 Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) to require each state to allow individuals to vote in a federal election on each day during the 15-day period ending on the second day immediately preceding the election date in the same manner as voting is allowed on election day.

Requires a state to ensure that each polling place that allows early voting in a federal election is located within reasonable walking distance of a stop on a public transportation route.

Requires the Election Assistance Commission to issue standards for the administration of early voting in a federal election.

Requires each state to provide a sufficient number of voting systems, poll workers, and other election resources (including physical resources) at a polling place used in a federal election to ensure: (1) a fair and equitable waiting time for all voters in the state, and (2) that no individual will be required to wait longer than one hour to cast a ballot at the polling place.

Requires each state to develop, and implement to the greatest extent practicable, a contingency plan under which it shall provide any polling place on a federal election day whose waiting times exceed one hour with additional poll workers, machines, ballots, and other equipment and supplies, including a polling place at which individuals may cast ballots before the election date.

Requires the Commission to report to Congress biennially on the impact of this Act's early voting and waiting time provisions on the administration of elections for federal office.

Prescribes requirements for the counting of provisional ballots that will be treated as votes.

Allows civil money penalties, intervention by aggrieved parties, and private actions to address HAVA violations by a state or jurisdiction.

streamlined improved methods polling locations early simple voting act amends help_america_vote_act hava require state allow individuals vote federal election day day period ending second day immediately preceding election date manner voting allowed election day requires state ensure polling place allows early voting federal election located reasonable walking distance stop public transportation route requires election_assistance_commission issue standards administration early voting federal election requires state provide sufficient number voting systems poll workers election resources including physical resources polling place federal election ensure fair equitable waiting time voters state individual required wait longer hour cast ballot polling place requires state develop implement greatest extent practicable contingency plan shall provide polling place federal election day waiting times exceed hour additional poll workers machines ballots equipment supplies including polling place individuals cast ballots election date requires commission report congress biennially impact act early voting waiting time provisions administration elections federal office prescribes requirements counting provisional ballots treated votes allows civil money penalties intervention aggrieved parties private actions address hava violations state jurisdiction


Summary:
Formerly Incarcerated Voter Registration Act of 2015

This bill amends the federal criminal code to direct the Bureau of Prisons to include among reentry planning procedures the provision to federal prisoners of information about: (1) the laws and regulations governing the right of an individual convicted of a felony who has been released from prison to vote in each state, and (2) any voter registration or application forms the prisoner will need to complete in order to vote in the state in which the prisoner will reside upon release.

The term "state" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

incarcerated voter registration act bill amends federal criminal code direct bureau_of_prisons include reentry planning procedures provision federal prisoners information laws regulations governing right individual convicted felony released prison vote state voter registration application forms prisoner need complete order vote state prisoner reside release term state includes district_of_columbia commonwealth_of_puerto_rico american_samoa guam united_states_virgin_islands commonwealth_of_the_northern_mariana_islands


Summary:
Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2015

 Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the requirement that a federal court retain jurisdiction for an appropriate period to prevent commencement of new devices to deny or abridge the right to vote. Expands the types of violations triggering the authority of a court to retain such jurisdiction to include certain violations of the Act as well as violations of any federal voting rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group.

Excludes from the list of violations triggering jurisdiction retention authority any voting qualification or prerequisite which results in a denial or abridgement of the right to vote that is based on the imposition of a requirement that an individual provide a photo identification as a condition of receiving a ballot for voting in a federal, state, or local election.

Revises requirements for determining which states and political subdivisions are covered or not covered by criteria for declaratory judgments that they have not used devices to deny or abridge the right to vote.

Subjects to the requirements for making such a determination any state (and all of its political subdivisions) during a calendar if five or more voting rights violations occurred in the state during the previous 15 years, at least one of which was committed by the state itself (as opposed to a political subdivision within it).

Specifies application of such new coverage requirements to any specific political subdivision if: (1) three or more voting rights violations occurred in it during the previous 15 calendar years; or (2) one or more voting rights violations occurred in it during the previous 15 calendar years and the subdivision had persistent, extremely low minority turnout during that period.

Provides that, if a state obtains a declaratory judgment that it has not used a device to deny or abridge the right to vote, the requirements for a new declaratory judgment generally will not apply, unless the new coverage requirements of this Act apply to the state solely on the basis of voting rights violations occurring after the declaratory judgment was issued.

Prescribes transparency requirements, including reasonable public notice, regarding any changes to: (1) voting prerequisites, standards, or procedures; (2) polling place resources; or (3) demographics and electoral districts.

Modifies authority to assign observers, including authorizing the assignment of observers to enforce bilingual election requirements.

Revises requirements for injunctive relief, including its scope and the persons authorized to seek relief as well as the grounds for granting it.


Summary:
Redistricting and Voter Protection Act of 2015

 Requires a state that enacts a congressional redistricting plan prior to the next decennial census and apportionment of Representatives to obtain a declaratory judgment or preclearance from the Attorney General that such plan does not have the purpose or effect of denying or abridging the right to vote on account of race or color or in contravention of the guarantees of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

redistricting voter protection act requires state enacts congressional redistricting plan prior decennial census apportionment representatives obtain declaratory judgment preclearance attorney general plan purpose effect denying right vote account race color contravention guarantees voting rights act


Summary:
State Sovereignty in Voting Act

 Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to permit a state to require an applicant for voter registration who uses the federal mail voter registration application form developed by the Election Assistance Commission to provide documentary evidence of citizenship as a condition of the state's acceptance of the form.

state sovereignty voting act amends national voter registration act permit state require applicant voter registration uses federal mail voter registration application form developed election_assistance_commission provide documentary evidence citizenship condition state acceptance form


Summary:
Democracy Restoration Act of 2015

 Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility. Provides for enforcement of, and remedies for violations of, this Act.

Prohibits this Act from being construed to prohibit a state from enacting any state law that affords the right to vote in any election for federal office on terms less restrictive than those terms established by this Act. Declares that the rights and remedies established by this Act shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law and shall not supersede, restrict, or limit the application of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 or the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Sets forth requirements for state and federal notification of individuals of the restoration of their voting rights. Prohibits any state, local government, or other person from receiving or using any federal funds to construct or improve a place of incarceration unless that person has in effect a program to notify each U.S. citizen incarcerated in that person's jurisdiction, upon release from such incarceration, of that individual's rights under this Act.


Summary:
Civil Rights Voting Restoration Act of 2015

 Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because the individual has been convicted of a non-violent criminal offense, unless, at the time of the election, the individual is serving a sentence in a correctional facility or a term of probation.

Restores the right to vote of an individual on probation: (1) on the date the term of probation ends, if such term is less than one year; or (2) one year after the date the individual begins serving the term of probation, if such term is one year or longer.

Directs the Attorney General to determine and establish a list of the criminal offenses under federal and state law that are non-violent criminal offenses.

Provides for enforcement of, and remedies for violations of, this Act.

Sets forth requirements for state and federal notification of individuals of their voting rights pursuant to this Act.

Prohibits a state, local government, or other person from receiving or using federal grant amounts to construct or improve a place of incarceration unless that person has in effect a program under which each incarcerated individual is notified, upon release, of his or her rights under this Act.

civil rights voting restoration act declares right citizen vote election federal office shall denied individual convicted non violent criminal offense time election individual serving sentence correctional facility term probation restores right vote individual probation date term probation ends term year year date individual begins serving term probation term year longer directs attorney general determine establish list criminal offenses federal state law non violent criminal offenses provides enforcement remedies violations act sets forth requirements state federal notification individuals voting rights pursuant act prohibits state local government person receiving federal grant amounts construct improve place incarceration person effect program incarcerated individual notified release rights act


Summary:
Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act of 2015

Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit a state from imposing additional conditions or requirements on the eligibility of an individual to cast a vote in federal elections by mail, except to the extent that it imposes a deadline for requesting the ballot and returning it to the appropriate state or local election official.

universal right vote mail act amends help_america_vote_act prohibit state imposing additional conditions requirements eligibility individual cast vote federal elections mail extent imposes deadline requesting ballot returning appropriate state local election official


Summary:
Restoring Important Voter Eligibility Requirements to States Act of 2014 [sic]

 Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require an applicant for voter registration for federal elections to state affirmatively in the application form provided along with an application for a motor vehicle driver's license (as well as in other voter registration forms) that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements for voting in such elections as a condition of the application's acceptance.

Requires all such forms to include a statement specifying the penalty for perjury in an application for voter registration.

Prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in federal elections unless they verify that the information provided in the individual's application is correct.

Requires the head of an office of the federal government, upon request, to enter into an agreement with the chief state election official to enable the official to verify the eligibility of such an applicant.

restoring important voter eligibility requirements states act sic amends national voter registration act require applicant voter registration federal elections state affirmatively application form provided application motor vehicle driver license voter registration forms applicant meets eligibility requirements voting elections condition application acceptance requires forms include statement specifying penalty perjury application voter registration prohibits states registering individual vote federal elections verify information provided individual application correct requires head office federal_government request enter agreement chief state election official enable official verify eligibility applicant


Summary:
Automatic Voter Registration Act

This bill amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require state motor vehicle authorities (MVAs), upon receiving certain identifying information with respect to any individual requesting MVA services, to transmit it to the appropriate state election official.

The appropriate state election official shall then notify the individual that unless he or she notifies the official, before 21 calendar days elapse after issuance of the notification, that the individual declines to be registered to vote in federal elections in the state, the individual shall be considered to have submitted a completed voter registration application and be considered automatically registered unless:

 the official determines that the individual does not meet voter registration eligibility requirements, or the individual is already registered to vote. A state may not use any identifying information regarding an individual's citizenship status for any purpose other than determining whether the individual is eligible to vote in federal elections.

automatic voter registration act bill amends national voter registration act require state motor vehicle authorities receiving certain identifying information respect individual requesting services transmit appropriate state election official appropriate state election official shall notify individual notifies official calendar days issuance notification individual declines registered vote federal elections state individual shall considered submitted completed voter registration application considered automatically registered official determines individual meet voter registration eligibility requirements individual registered vote state use identifying information individual citizenship status purpose determining individual eligible vote federal elections


Summary:
Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015

This bill amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to allow a representative official of an Indian tribe, with authorization from the governing body of the tribe, to request one or more polling places to be located on tribal lands. The state or political subdivision shall provide each requested polling place at no expense to the Indian tribe if certain criteria are met.

A federal court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce constitutional voting guarantees, but also certain violations of the Act as well as of any federal prohibition against discrimination on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group, for an appropriate period to prevent commencement of new devices to deny or abridge the right to vote.

Requirements are revised for determining which states and political subdivisions are or are not covered by criteria for declaratory judgments that they have not used devices to deny or abridge the right to vote.

Any state (and all of its political subdivisions) shall be subject to such requirements for a 10-year period if:

 15 or more voting rights violations occurred there during the previous 25 years; or 10 or more violations occurred during the previous 25 years, at least one of which was committed by the state itself (as opposed to a political subdivision within it). Any specific political subdivision of a state shall also be subject to those requirements for a 10-year period if 3 or more violations occurred in it during the previous 25 calendar years.

A state or political subdivision that obtains a declaratory judgment that it has not used a device to deny or abridge the right to vote shall be exempt from such requirements unless new violations occur after the declaratory judgment was issued.

Each state and each political subdivision shall: (1) identify any newly enacted or adopted law, regulation, or policy that includes a voting qualification or prerequisite to voting, or a voting-related standard, practice, or procedure (covered practice); and (2) ensure that no such covered practice is implemented unless or until the state or political subdivision complies with certain preclearance requirements.

This bill prescribes transparency requirements, including reasonable public notice, regarding any changes to: (1) voting prerequisites, standards, or procedures; (2) polling place resources; or (3) demographics and electoral districts. Department of Justice authority to assign observers receives new extensions, including authority to assign observers to enforce bilingual election requirements.

Courts shall grant preliminary injunctive relief if a complainant raises a serious question whether the challenged covered practice violates the Act or the Constitution and, on balance, the hardship imposed upon the defendant by the relief will be less than the hardship on the plaintiff if the relief were not granted.

voting rights advancement act bill amends voting rights act allow representative official indian tribe authorization governing body tribe request polling places located tribal lands state political subdivision shall provide requested polling place expense indian tribe certain criteria met federal court shall retain jurisdiction enforce constitutional voting guarantees certain violations act federal prohibition discrimination basis race color membership language minority group appropriate period prevent commencement new devices deny right vote requirements revised determining states political subdivisions covered criteria declaratory judgments devices deny right vote state political subdivisions shall subject requirements year period voting rights violations occurred previous years violations occurred previous years committed state opposed political subdivision specific political subdivision state shall subject requirements year period violations occurred previous calendar years state political subdivision obtains declaratory judgment device deny right vote shall exempt requirements new violations occur declaratory judgment issued state political subdivision shall identify newly enacted adopted law regulation policy includes voting qualification prerequisite voting voting related standard practice procedure covered practice ensure covered practice implemented state political subdivision complies certain preclearance requirements bill prescribes transparency requirements including reasonable public notice changes voting prerequisites standards procedures polling place resources demographics electoral districts department_of_justice authority assign observers receives new extensions including authority assign observers enforce bilingual election requirements courts shall grant preliminary injunctive relief complainant raises question challenged covered practice violates act constitution balance hardship imposed defendant relief hardship plaintiff relief granted


Summary:
Time Off to Vote Act

 Entitles an employee to two hours of paid leave on the day of any federal election in order to vote.

Gives the employer the right to determine the two-hour-period, excluding any lunch break or other break.

Prohibits the loss of benefits for any employee taking such leave under this Act.

Makes it unlawful for any employer to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of or the attempt to exercise, the right to take leave under this Act, or to discriminate against an employee in any manner for taking leave under this Act.

Makes it unlawful for any employer to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any individual for: (1) opposing any practice made unlawful by this Act; (2) filing any charge, or instituting or causing to be instituted any proceeding, under or related to this Act; or (3) testifying or preparing to testifying in any inquiry or proceeding relating to any leave provided under this Act.

Specifies the penalties for any employer who violates this Act.

time vote act entitles employee hours paid leave day federal election order vote gives employer right determine hour period excluding lunch break break prohibits loss benefits employee taking leave act makes unlawful employer interfere restrain deny exercise attempt exercise right leave act discriminate employee manner taking leave act makes unlawful employer discharge manner discriminate individual opposing practice unlawful act filing charge instituting causing instituted proceeding related act preparing inquiry proceeding relating leave provided act specifies penalties employer violates act


Summary:
Same Day Registration Act of 2015

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require states with a voter registration requirement to make same-day voter registration available at the polling place on the date of election itself (or on the day of voting under early voting).

day registration act bill amends help_america_vote_act require states voter registration requirement day voter registration available polling place date election day voting early voting


Summary:
Voter Access Protection Act of 2015

Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit a state or local election official from requiring an individual to: (1) present a photo identification (or a copy if voting by mail) as a condition for receiving or casting a ballot in any election for federal office, or (2) cast a provisional ballot solely on the grounds that the individual does not present a photo identification at the polling place.

Prohibits a state or local election election official from requiring an individual to provide a photo identification (or a copy if registering by mail) as a condition of registering to vote in an election for federal office.

voter access protection act amends help_america_vote_act prohibit state local election official requiring individual present photo identification copy voting mail condition receiving casting ballot election federal office cast provisional ballot solely grounds individual present photo identification polling place prohibits state local election election official requiring individual provide photo identification copy registering mail condition registering vote election federal office


Summary:
America Votes Act of 2015

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to permit an individual required to present identification as a condition for voting in a federal election to meet the requirement 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 identification and that he or she is registered to vote in the election. Allows an individual desiring to vote by mail to submit such a statement with the ballot.

Requires any state subject to this identification requirement to: (1) prepare a pre-printed version of the statement which includes a blank space for an individual to provide a name and signature, (2) make copies of the pre-printed version available at polling places for election officials to distribute to individuals who desire to vote in person, and (3) include a copy of the pre-printed version with each blank absentee or other ballot transmitted to an individual who desires to vote by mail.

Prohibits a state from requiring an individual who presents or submits such a sworn written statement to cast a provisional ballot in the election.

Excepts first-time voters registering by mail from application of this Act.

Requires states requiring an individual to present identification as a condition of receiving and casting a ballot in a federal election to include the use of a sworn written statement in voting information posted at polling places.

america votes act bill amends help_america_vote_act permit individual required present identification condition voting federal election meet requirement presenting appropriate state local election official sworn written statement signed individual penalty perjury attesting individual identification registered vote election allows individual desiring vote mail submit statement ballot requires state subject identification requirement prepare pre printed version statement includes blank space individual provide signature copies pre printed version available polling places election officials distribute individuals desire vote person include copy pre printed version blank absentee ballot transmitted individual desires vote mail prohibits state requiring individual presents submits sworn written statement cast provisional ballot election excepts time voters registering mail application act requires states requiring individual present identification condition receiving casting ballot federal election include use sworn written statement voting information posted polling places


Summary:
Pre-Registration of Voters Everywhere Act or the PROVE Act

This bill amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require each state to implement a pre-registration process under which individuals age 16 may apply to register to vote in federal elections in the state, which shall ensure that the individual is registered to vote in elections held on or after the date the individual turns age 18.

The Election Assistance Commission shall make grants to enable eligible states to carry out a plan to increase the involvement of individuals under age 18 in public election activities in the state.

pre registration voters act prove act bill amends national voter registration act require state implement pre registration process individuals age apply register vote federal elections state shall ensure individual registered vote elections held date individual turns age election_assistance_commission shall grants enable eligible states carry plan increase involvement individuals age public election activities state


Summary:
People Before Party Act of 2016

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit a state from providing a voter, in a federal election, with the opportunity to indicate the selection of a political party as a representation of the selection of an individual candidate. (Thus prohibits voting for a party instead of an individual or "straight-party voting.")

people party act bill amends help_america_vote_act prohibit state providing voter federal election opportunity indicate selection political party representation selection individual candidate prohibits voting party instead individual straight party voting


Summary:
Verifying Optimal Tools for Elections Act of 2016 or the VOTE Act of 2016

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to direct the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to make a payment to each eligible state in which a precinct used at least one outdated voting machine to administer the regularly scheduled federal general election held in November 2012.

A state shall use the funds from such a payment to replace outdated voting machines in qualifying precincts with voting machines that: (1) have never been used in any federal general election and are not outdated voting machines, or have been used only with respect to federal general elections held after November 2012; and (2) are auditable and meet specified requirements.

A state receiving such a payment shall ensure that all the outdated voting machines in its qualifying precincts have been replaced in time for the regularly scheduled federal general election in November 2018.

The EAC shall make grants to states for the education and training, through webinars or other appropriate means, of election officials and poll workers on matters including voting machine maintenance, pre- and post-election voting machine testing, and the development of contingency plans.

The EAC shall also make grants to state or local governments to conduct pilot testing with respect to, and carry out the implementation of, voting systems that use: (1) non-proprietary open source software, and (2) commercial or custom firmware and hardware.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shall develop, or fund the development of, a common data format allowing for voting-equipment device interoperability.

A voting system used in a federal election in a state may not at any time during the election contain or use any election-dedicated voting system technology that is not deposited by the state with the NIST National Software Reference Library before the election.

verifying optimal tools elections act vote act bill amends help_america_vote_act direct election_assistance_commission eac payment eligible state outdated voting machine administer regularly scheduled federal general election held november state shall use funds payment replace outdated voting machines qualifying precincts voting machines federal general election outdated voting machines respect federal general elections held november meet specified requirements state receiving payment shall ensure outdated voting machines qualifying precincts replaced time regularly scheduled federal general election november eac shall grants states education training appropriate means election officials poll workers matters including voting machine maintenance pre- post election voting machine testing development contingency plans eac shall grants state local governments conduct pilot testing respect carry implementation voting systems use non proprietary open source software commercial custom hardware national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist shall develop fund development common data format allowing voting equipment device interoperability voting system federal election state time election contain use election dedicated voting system technology deposited state nist national software reference library election


Summary:
No One Can Take Away Your Right to Vote Act of 2016

This bill amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to prohibit states from disqualifying individuals convicted of criminal offenses, but not incarcerated, except those convicted of murder, manslaughter, or sex crimes, from registering to vote or voting in elections for federal office.

away right vote act bill amends national voter registration act prohibit states disqualifying individuals convicted criminal offenses incarcerated convicted murder manslaughter sex crimes registering vote voting elections federal office


Summary:
Voting Access Act

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require each state to comply with national standards established by the Election Assistance Commission for the location and operation of polling places used in elections for federal office.

The Commission shall establish such standards and study instances of the misidentification by election officials of the political party registration of individuals attempting to vote in primary elections for federal office.

voting access act bill amends help_america_vote_act require state comply national standards established election_assistance_commission location operation polling places elections federal office commission shall establish standards study instances election officials political party registration individuals attempting vote primary elections federal office


Summary:
Poll Tax Prohibition Act of 2016

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to prohibit requiring:

 an individual to present a piece of information that has an associated cost as a condition of voting in a federal election, or an individual wishing to vote by mail to include a piece of identification (or a copy of one) that has an associated cost.

poll tax prohibition act bill amends help_america_vote_act national voter registration act prohibit requiring individual present piece information associated cost condition voting federal election individual vote mail include piece identification copy associated cost


Summary:
Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2016

This bill requires the chief state election official of each state to establish and operate a system of automatic registration for the registration of eligible individuals to vote for elections for federal office in the state.

The chief state election official shall ensure that all individuals who are eligible to be, but are not currently, registered to vote in federal elections in the state is promptly registered to vote, unless the individual declines registration by providing appropriate notice.

Each contributing agency in a state, including the state motor vehicle authority, shall assist the state's chief election official in registering to vote all eligible individuals the agency serves.

For each individual already listed in a contributing agency's records, and for whom the agency retains specified personal information, the agency shall promptly transmit that information to the appropriate state election official.

 No individual shall be prosecuted under any federal law, or adversely affected in any civil adjudication concerning immigration status or naturalization, or by an allegation in any legal proceeding that an individual who is not a U.S. citizen is removable or inadmissible: for notifying an election official of the individual's automatic registration; on the grounds that the individual is not an eligible voter and has been automatically registered to vote under this bill; or because the individual has been automatically registered to vote at the incorrect address. The bill allows correction of registration information at the polling place.

Each state shall ensure that application for or any update to voter registration can be done online.

The Election Assistance Commission shall make grants to each eligible state to assist it in implementing this bill.

automatic voter registration act bill requires chief state election official state establish operate system automatic registration registration eligible individuals vote elections federal office state chief state election official shall ensure individuals eligible currently registered vote federal elections state promptly registered vote individual declines registration providing appropriate notice contributing agency state including state motor vehicle authority shall assist state chief election official registering vote eligible individuals agency serves individual listed contributing agency records agency retains specified personal information agency shall promptly transmit information appropriate state election official individual shall prosecuted federal law adversely affected civil adjudication concerning immigration status naturalization allegation legal proceeding individual citizen removable inadmissible notifying election official individual automatic registration grounds individual eligible voter automatically registered vote bill individual automatically registered vote incorrect address bill allows correction registration information polling place state shall ensure application update voter registration online election_assistance_commission shall grants eligible state assist implementing bill


Summary:
Citizenship Empowerment Act

This bill amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to direct the chief election official of a state to distribute mail voter registration application forms to each person who becomes a U.S. citizen at a naturalization ceremony in that state at the ceremony's conclusion.

The Department of Homeland Security shall implement procedures necessary to enable state chief election officers to carry out this requirement.

citizenship empowerment act bill amends national voter registration act direct chief election official state distribute mail voter registration application forms person citizen naturalization ceremony state ceremony conclusion department_of_homeland_security shall implement procedures necessary enable state chief election officers carry requirement


Summary:
Vote by Mail Act of 2017

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require states to allow voting in federal elections to be by mail without additional conditions or requirements, except a deadline for returning the ballot.

States must mail ballots to individuals registered to vote in a federal election not later than two weeks before the election. The U.S. Postal Service must carry ballots mailed by a state expeditiously and free of postage.

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 is amended to authorize automatic voter registration of individuals through state motor vehicle authorities.

vote mail act bill amends help_america_vote_act require states allow voting federal elections mail additional conditions requirements deadline returning ballot states mail ballots individuals registered vote federal election later weeks election postal_service carry ballots mailed state expeditiously free postage national voter registration act amended authorize automatic voter registration individuals state motor vehicle authorities


Summary:
Election Integrity Act of 2016

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to: (1) prohibit states or jurisdictions from purchasing or otherwise acquiring for use in an election for federal office a direct recording electronic voting system or other electronic voting system that does not produce a voter-verified paper record; (2) prohibit imposition of conditions on voting by mail; (3) make mandatory the availability of early voting; and (4) require sufficient polling places, equipment, and resources to facilitate voting.

The Director of the National Science Foundation shall make grants to eligible entities to study, test, and develop accessible ballot voting, verification, and casting mechanisms and devices and best practices to enhance the accessibility of paper ballot voting and verification mechanisms for individuals with disabilities, for voters whose primary language is not English, and for voters with difficulties in literacy.

Each state shall, except when the winning candidate had no opponent or received 80% or more of the votes, administer audits of federal election results, without advance notice to the precincts selected, consisting of random hand counts of the voter-verified paper ballots.

This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make it unlawful for a chief state election administration official, unless he or she or a family member is a candidate, to take an active part in political management or in a political campaign for federal office over which such official has supervisory authority.

Mandatory response by the Attorney General is required to allegations of voter intimidation or suppression by law enforcement officers and other government officials.

The Election Assistance Commission shall study and, on the basis of the findings of the study, issue standards for states to follow in establishing an appropriate number and geographic distribution of voting sites in elections for federal office.

election integrity act bill amends help_america_vote_act prohibit states jurisdictions purchasing acquiring use election federal office direct recording electronic voting system electronic voting system produce voter verified paper record prohibit imposition conditions voting mail mandatory availability early voting require sufficient polling places equipment resources facilitate voting director national_science_foundation shall grants eligible entities study test develop accessible ballot voting verification casting mechanisms devices best practices enhance accessibility paper ballot voting verification mechanisms individuals disabilities voters primary language english voters difficulties literacy state shall winning candidate opponent received votes administer audits federal election results advance notice precincts selected consisting random hand counts voter verified paper ballots bill amends federal_election_campaign_act unlawful chief state election administration official family member candidate active political management political campaign federal office official supervisory authority mandatory response attorney general required allegations voter intimidation suppression law enforcement officers government officials election_assistance_commission shall study basis findings study issue standards states follow establishing appropriate number geographic distribution voting sites elections federal office