article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1996''. SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR RECEIPT OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS. Section 102 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-1) is amended-- (1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2); (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) permit absentee ballots to be received at least until the close of polls on election day.''. SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL WRITE-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT PROVISIONS TO SPECIAL, PRIMARY, AND RUNOFF ELECTIONS. (a) In General.--Section 103(a) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-2(a)) is amended-- (1) by inserting after ``general'' the following: ``, special, primary, and runoff''; and (2) by striking out ``States,'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``State''. (b) Special Rules.--Section 103(c) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-2(c)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting after ``candidate or'' the following: ``, with respect to a general or special election,''; and (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting after ``candidate or'' the following: ``with respect to a general election''. (c) Use of Approved State Absentee Ballot in Place of Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot.--Section 103(e) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-2(e)) is amended by striking out ``a general'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``an''. (d) Certain States Exempted.--Section 103(f) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-2(f)) is amended by striking out ``general'' each place it appears. (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections taking place after December 31, 1996. SEC. 4. USE OF ELECTRONIC RETURN OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS. (a) In General.--Section 104 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-3) is amended-- (1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (8); (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (9) and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(10) in consultation with the Presidential designee, consider means for providing for expeditious methods for the return of absentee ballots, including return by electronic transmittal, with maximum regard for ballot secrecy, audit procedures, and other considerations relating to the integrity of the election process.''. (b) Secrecy and Verification of Electronically Transmitted Ballots.--Section 104 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-3) is amended-- (1) by striking out ``To afford'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``(a) In General.--To afford''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(b) Secrecy and Verification of Electronically Transmitted Ballots.--No electronic transmittal or related procedure under subsection (a)(10) that is paid for, in whole or in part, with Federal funds may be carried out in any manner that (1) permits any person other than the voter to view a completed ballot, or (2) otherwise compromises ballot secrecy. At the earliest possible opportunity, the original of each completed ballot that is transmitted electronically shall be submitted in a secrecy envelope to the applicable location in the State involved.'' SEC. 5. ELECTRONIC TRANSMITTAL OF BALLOTING MATERIALS. (a) In General.--The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new sections: ``SEC. 108. ELECTRONIC TRANSMITTAL OF BALLOTING MATERIALS. ``(a) In General.--Each State, in cooperation with the Presidential designee, shall establish a system for electronic transmittal of balloting materials for overseas voters. The system shall provide for-- ``(1) electronic transmittal as an alternative method for transmittal of balloting materials to overseas voters; ``(2) use of the format of the official post card form prescribed under section 101 (or the format of any other registration form provided for under State law) for purposes of absentee voter registration application and absentee ballot application, with the condition that a State may require receipt of a form with an original signature before the ballot of the voter is counted; ``(3) furnishing of absentee ballots by electronic transmittal, from locations within the State, as selected by the chief State election official, to overseas voters who request such transmittal; and ``(4) special alternative methods of transmittal of balloting materials for use only when required by an emergency declared by the President or the Congress. ``(b) Funding Requirement.--The requirements of subsection (a) shall apply to a State with respect to an election-- ``(1) if there is full payment by the Federal Government of any additional cost incurred by the State after the date of the enactment of this Act for the implementation of such subsection (a), with such costs to be determined by the Presidential designee and the chief State election official, acting jointly; or ``(2) in any case of less than full payment, as described in paragraph (1), if the State, in the manner provided for under the law of the State, agrees to the application of such requirements. ``SEC. 109. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR APPROVAL OF ELECTRONIC TRANSMITTAL METHOD. ``The Presidential designee may not approve use of any method of electronic transmittal for purposes of this Act, unless, not later than 90 days before the effective date of the approval, the Presidential designee submits to the Congress a detailed report describing the method.''. (b) Definition Amendment.--Section 107 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-6) is amended-- (1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (7); (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (8) and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(9) the term `electronic transmittal' means, with respect to balloting materials, transmittal by facsimile machine or other electronic method approved by the Presidential designee.''. (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections taking place after December 31, 1996. SEC. 6. REPORT PROVISION. Section 101(b)(6) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff(b)(6)) is amended-- (1) by striking out ``participation and'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``participation,''; and (2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``, and a separate analysis of electronic transmittal of balloting materials''. Passed the House of Representatives May 14, 1996. Attest: ROBIN H. CARLE, Clerk.
summary: Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1996 - Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to require each State to allow absentee ballots to be received at least until the closing of polls on election day. (Sec. 3) Extends the Federal write-in ballot provisions to include special, primary, and run-off elections. (Sec. 4) Recommends that the States consider, with respect to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters, means to provide for the expeditious return of absentee ballots, including return by electronic transmittal. (Sec. 5) Requires each State to establish a system for electronic transmittal of balloting materials for overseas voters. Sets forth provisions concerning system requirements, including funding and notification requirements.