52 USC 20304 - Procedures for collection and delivery of marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters

Collapse to view only § 20304. Procedures for collection and delivery of marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters

§ 20301. Federal responsibilities
§ 20301a. Duties of Secretary under Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
§ 20302. State responsibilities
§ 20303. Federal write-in absentee ballot in general elections for Federal office for absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters
§ 20304. Procedures for collection and delivery of marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters
§ 20305. Federal Voting Assistance Program Improvements
§ 20306. Prohibition of refusal of applications on grounds of early submission
§ 20307. Enforcement
§ 20308. Reporting requirements
§ 20309. Effect on certain other laws
§ 20310. Definitions
§ 20311. Technology pilot program

§ 20301. Federal responsibilities

(a) Presidential designee

(b) Duties of Presidential designeeThe Presidential designee shall—

(1) consult State and local election officials in carrying out this chapter, and ensure that such officials are aware of the requirements of this Act;

(2) prescribe an official post card form, containing both an absentee voter registration application and an absentee ballot application, for use by the States as required under section 20302(a)(4) of this title;

(3) carry out section 20303 of this title with respect to the Federal write-in absentee ballot for absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters in general elections for Federal office;

(4) prescribe a suggested design for absentee ballot mailing envelopes;

(5) compile and distribute (A) descriptive material on State absentee registration and voting procedures, and (B) to the extent practicable, facts relating to specific elections, including dates, offices involved, and the text of ballot questions;

(6) not later than the end of each year after a Presidential election year, transmit to the President and the Congress a report on the effectiveness of assistance under this chapter, including a statistical analysis of uniformed services voter participation, a separate statistical analysis of overseas nonmilitary participation, and a description of State-Federal cooperation;

(7) prescribe a standard oath for use with any document under this chapter affirming that a material misstatement of fact in the completion of such a document may constitute grounds for a conviction for perjury;

(8) carry out section 20304 of this title with respect to the collection and delivery of marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters in elections for Federal office;

(9) to the greatest extent practicable, take such actions as may be necessary—

(A) to ensure that absent uniformed services voters who cast absentee ballots at locations or facilities under the jurisdiction of the Presidential designee are able to do so in a private and independent manner; and

(B) to protect the privacy of the contents of absentee ballots cast by absentee uniformed services voters and overseas voters while such ballots are in the possession or control of the Presidential designee;

(10) carry out section 20305 of this title with respect to Federal Voting Assistance Program Improvements; and

(11) working with the Election Assistance Commission and the chief State election official of each State, develop standards—

(A) for States to report data on the number of absentee ballots transmitted and received under section 20302(c) of this title and such other data as the Presidential designee determines appropriate; and

(B) for the Presidential designee to store the data reported.

(1) In general

(2) Administrator of General Services

(d) Authorization of appropriations for carrying out Federal Voting Assistance Program Improvements

(Pub. L. 99–410, title I, § 101, Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 924; Pub. L. 105–277, div. G, title XXII, § 2219(c), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–817; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title XVI, § 1606(a)(2), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1279; Pub. L. 107–252, title VII, § 705(a), (b)(1), (c), Oct. 29, 2002, 116 Stat. 1724, 1725; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title V, § 566(a), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1919; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, §§ 580(b), (e), 583(a)(2), 584(a), 585(b)(1), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2325, 2328, 2330, 2331; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, § 1075(d)(4), (5), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4372.)

§ 20301a. Duties of Secretary under Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act

(a) Ensuring ability of absent uniformed services voters serving at diplomatic and consular posts to receive and transmit balloting materials

(b) Effective date

(Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title X, § 1086, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3877.)

§ 20302. State responsibilities

(a) In generalEach State shall—

(1) permit absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in general, special, primary, and runoff elections for Federal office;

(2) accept and process, with respect to any election for Federal office, any otherwise valid voter registration application and absentee ballot application from an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter, if the application is received by the appropriate State election official not less than 30 days before the election;

(3) permit absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters to use Federal write-in absentee ballots (in accordance with section 20303 of this title) in general elections for Federal office;

(4) use the official post card form (prescribed under section 20301 of this title) for simultaneous voter registration application and absentee ballot application;

(5) if the State requires an oath or affirmation to accompany any document under this chapter, use the standard oath prescribed by the Presidential designee under section 20301(b)(7) of this title;

(6) in addition to any other method of registering to vote or applying for an absentee ballot in the State, establish procedures—

(A) for absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters to request by mail and electronically voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications with respect to general, special, primary, and runoff elections for Federal office in accordance with subsection (e);

(B) for States to send by mail and electronically (in accordance with the preferred method of transmission designated by the absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter under subparagraph (C)) voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications requested under subparagraph (A) in accordance with subsection (e); and

(C) by which the absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter can designate whether the voter prefers that such voter registration application or absentee ballot application be transmitted by mail or electronically;

(7) in addition to any other method of transmitting blank absentee ballots in the State, establish procedures for transmitting by mail and electronically blank absentee ballots to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters with respect to general, special, primary, and runoff elections for Federal office in accordance with subsection (f);

(8) transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter—

(A) except as provided in subsection (g), in the case in which the request is received at least 45 days before an election for Federal office, not later than 45 days before the election; and

(B) in the case in which the request is received less than 45 days before an election for Federal office—

(i) in accordance with State law; and

(ii) if practicable and as determined appropriate by the State, in a manner that expedites the transmission of such absentee ballot;

(9) if the State declares or otherwise holds a runoff election for Federal office, establish a written plan that provides absentee ballots are made available to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters in manner 1

1 So in original. Probably should be “in a manner”.

that gives them sufficient time to vote in the runoff election;

(10) carry out section 20304(b)(1) of this title with respect to the processing and acceptance of marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters; and

(11) report data on the number of absentee ballots transmitted and received under subsection (c) and such other data as the Presidential designee determines appropriate in accordance with the standards developed by the Presidential designee under section 20301(b)(11) of this title.

(b) Designation of single State office to provide information on registration and absentee ballot procedures for all voters in State

(1) In general

(2) Recommendation regarding use of office to accept and process materials

(d) Registration notification

(e) Designation of means of electronic communication for absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters to request and for States to send voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications, and for other purposes related to voting information

(1) In generalEach State shall, in addition to the designation of a single State office under subsection (b), designate not less than 1 means of electronic communication—

(A) for use by absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters who wish to register to vote or vote in any jurisdiction in the State to request voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications under subsection (a)(6);

(B) for use by States to send voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications requested under such subsection; and

(C) for the purpose of providing related voting, balloting, and election information to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters.

(2) Clarification regarding provision of multiple means of electronic communication

(3) Inclusion of designated means of electronic communication with informational and instructional materials that accompany balloting materials

(4) Availability and maintenance of online repository of State contact information

(5) Transmission if no preference indicated

(6) Security and privacy protections

(A) Security protections

(B) Privacy protections

(f) Transmission of blank absentee ballots by mail and electronically

(1) In generalEach State shall establish procedures—

(A) to transmit blank absentee ballots by mail and electronically (in accordance with the preferred method of transmission designated by the absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter under subparagraph (B)) to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters for an election for Federal office; and

(B) by which the absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter can designate whether the voter prefers that such blank absentee ballot be transmitted by mail or electronically.

(2) Transmission if no preference indicated

(3) Security and privacy protections

(A) Security protections

(B) Privacy protections

(g) Hardship exemption

(1) In generalIf the chief State election official determines that the State is unable to meet the requirement under subsection (a)(8)(A) with respect to an election for Federal office due to an undue hardship described in paragraph (2)(B), the chief State election official shall request that the Presidential designee grant a waiver to the State of the application of such subsection. Such request shall include—

(A) a recognition that the purpose of such subsection is to allow absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters enough time to vote in an election for Federal office;

(B) an explanation of the hardship that indicates why the State is unable to transmit absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters an absentee ballot in accordance with such subsection;

(C) the number of days prior to the election for Federal office that the State requires absentee ballots be transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters; and

(D) a comprehensive plan to ensure that absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters are able to receive absentee ballots which they have requested and submit marked absentee ballots to the appropriate State election official in time to have that ballot counted in the election for Federal office, which includes—

(i) the steps the State will undertake to ensure that absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters have time to receive, mark, and submit their ballots in time to have those ballots counted in the election;

(ii) why the plan provides absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters sufficient time to vote as a substitute for the requirements under such subsection; and

(iii) the underlying factual information which explains how the plan provides such sufficient time to vote as a substitute for such requirements.

(2) Approval of waiver requestAfter consulting with the Attorney General, the Presidential designee shall approve a waiver request under paragraph (1) if the Presidential designee determines each of the following requirements are met:

(A) The comprehensive plan under subparagraph (D) of such paragraph provides absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters sufficient time to receive absentee ballots they have requested and submit marked absentee ballots to the appropriate State election official in time to have that ballot counted in the election for Federal office.

(B) One or more of the following issues creates an undue hardship for the State:

(i) The State’s primary election date prohibits the State from complying with subsection (a)(8)(A).

(ii) The State has suffered a delay in generating ballots due to a legal contest.

(iii) The State Constitution prohibits the State from complying with such subsection.

(3) Timing of waiver

(A) In general

(B) Exception

(4) Application of waiver

(h) Tracking marked ballots

(i) Prohibiting refusal to accept applications for failure to meet certain requirementsA State shall not refuse to accept and process any otherwise valid voter registration application or absentee ballot application (including the official post card form prescribed under section 20301 of this title) or marked absentee ballot submitted in any manner by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter solely on the basis of the following:

(1) Notarization requirements.

(2) Restrictions on paper type, including weight and size.

(3) Restrictions on envelope type, including weight and size.

(Pub. L. 99–410, title I, § 102, Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 925; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title XVI, § 1606(a)(1), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1278; Pub. L. 107–252, title VII, §§ 702, 703(a), 705(b)(2), 707, Oct. 29, 2002, 116 Stat. 1723–1725; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title V, § 566(b), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1919; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, §§ 577(a), 578(a), 579(a), (b), 580(c), (d), 582(a), 584(b), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2319, 2321–2323, 2325, 2327, 2330.)

§ 20303. Federal write-in absentee ballot in general elections for Federal office for absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters

(a) In general

(1) Federal write-in absentee ballot

(2) Promotion and expansion of use of Federal write-in absentee ballots

(A) In general

(B) Use of technologyUnder such procedures, the Presidential designee shall utilize technology to implement a system under which the absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter may—

(i) enter the address of the voter or other information relevant in the appropriate jurisdiction of the State, and the system will generate a list of all candidates in the election for Federal office in that jurisdiction; and

(ii) submit the marked Federal write-in absentee ballot by printing the ballot (including complete instructions for submitting the marked Federal write-in absentee ballot to the appropriate State election official and the mailing address of the single State office designated under section 20302(b) of this title).

(b) Submission and processingExcept as otherwise provided in this chapter, a Federal write-in absentee ballot shall be submitted and processed in the manner provided by law for absentee ballots in the State involved. A Federal write-in absentee ballot of an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter shall not be counted—

(1) in the case of a ballot submitted by an overseas voter who is not an absent uniformed services voter, if the ballot is submitted from any location in the United States;

(2) if the application of the absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter for a State absentee ballot is received by the appropriate State election official after the later of—

(A) the deadline of the State for receipt of such application; or

(B) the date that is 30 days before the general election; or

(3) if a State absentee ballot of the absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter is received by the appropriate State election official not later than the deadline for receipt of the State absentee ballot under State law.

(1) In completing the ballot, the absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter may designate a candidate by writing in the name of the candidate or by writing in the name of a political party (in which case the ballot shall be counted for the candidate of that political party).

(2) In the case of the offices of President and Vice President, a vote for a named candidate or a vote by writing in the name of a political party shall be counted as a vote for the electors supporting the candidate involved.

(3) Any abbreviation, misspelling, or other minor variation in the form of the name of a candidate or a political party shall be disregarded in determining the validity of the ballot, if the intention of the voter can be ascertained.

(d) Second ballot submission; instruction to absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter

(e) Use of approved State absentee ballot in place of Federal write-in absentee ballotThe Federal write-in absentee ballot shall not be valid for use in a general, special, primary, or runoff election for Federal office if the State involved provides a State absentee ballot that—

(1) at the request of the State, is approved by the Presidential designee for use in place of the Federal write-in absentee ballot; and

(2) is made available to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters at least 60 days before the deadline for receipt of the State ballot under State law.

(f) Prohibiting refusal to accept ballot for failure to meet certain requirementsA State shall not refuse to accept and process any otherwise valid Federal write-in absentee ballot submitted in any manner by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter solely on the basis of the following:

(1) Notarization requirements.

(2) Restrictions on paper type, including weight and size.

(3) Restrictions on envelope type, including weight and size.

(g) Certain States exemptedA State is not required to permit use of the Federal write-in absentee ballot, if, on and after August 28, 1986, the State has in effect a law providing that—

(1) a State absentee ballot is required to be available to any voter described in section 20310(5)(A) of this title at least 90 days before the general, special, primary, or runoff election for Federal office involved; and

(2) a State absentee ballot is required to be available to any voter described in section 20310(5)(B) or (C) of this title, as soon as the official list of candidates in the general, special, primary, or runoff election for Federal office is complete.

(Pub. L. 99–410, title I, § 103, Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 925; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title V, § 566(c), (d), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1919; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, §§ 581(a)(1), (b), 582(b), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2326, 2327; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, § 1075(d)(3), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4372.)

§ 20304. Procedures for collection and delivery of marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters

(a) Establishment of procedures

(b) Delivery to appropriate election officials

(1) In general

(2) Cooperation and coordination with the United States Postal Service

(3) Deadline described

(A) In general

(B) Authority to establish alternative deadline for certain locations

(4) No postage requirement

(5) Date of mailing

(d) Absent overseas uniformed services voter defined

(e) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 99–410, title I, § 103A, as added Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, § 580(a), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2324.)

§ 20305. Federal Voting Assistance Program Improvements

(a) Duties

The Presidential designee shall carry out the following duties:

(1) Develop online portals of information to inform absent uniformed services voters regarding voter registration procedures and absentee ballot procedures to be used by such voters with respect to elections for Federal office.

(2) Establish a program to notify absent uniformed services voters of voter registration information and resources, the availability of the Federal postcard application, and the availability of the Federal write-in absentee ballot on the military Global Network, and shall use the military Global Network to notify absent uniformed services voters of the foregoing 90, 60, and 30 days prior to each election for Federal office.

(b) Clarification regarding other duties and obligations

(Pub. L. 99–410, title I, § 103B, as added Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, § 583(a)(1), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2327.)

§ 20306. Prohibition of refusal of applications on grounds of early submission

A State may not refuse to accept or process, with respect to any election for Federal office, any otherwise valid voter registration application or absentee ballot application (including the postcard form prescribed under section 20301 of this title) submitted by an absent uniformed services voter during a year on the grounds that the voter submitted the application before the first date on which the State otherwise accepts or processes such applications for that year submitted by absentee voters who are not members of the uniformed services.

(Pub. L. 99–410, title I, § 104, Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 926; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title XVI, § 1606(b), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1279; Pub. L. 107–252, title VII, §§ 704, 706(a), Oct. 29, 2002, 116 Stat. 1724, 1725; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, § 585(a), (b)(2), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2331.)

§ 20307. Enforcement

(a) In general

(b) Report to Congress

(Pub. L. 99–410, title I, § 105, Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 927; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, § 587, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2333.)

§ 20308. Reporting requirements

(a) Report on status of implementation and assessment of programsNot later than 180 days after October 28, 2009, the Presidential designee shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report containing the following information:

(1) The status of the implementation of the procedures established for the collection and delivery of marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters under section 20304 of this title, and a detailed description of the specific steps taken towards such implementation for the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2010.

(2) An assessment of the effectiveness of the Voting Assistance Officer Program of the Department of Defense, which shall include the following:

(A) A thorough and complete assessment of whether the Program, as configured and implemented as of October 28, 2009, is effectively assisting absent uniformed services voters in exercising their right to vote.

(B) An inventory and explanation of any areas of voter assistance in which the Program has failed to accomplish its stated objectives and effectively assist absent uniformed services voters in exercising their right to vote.

(C) As necessary, a detailed plan for the implementation of any new program to replace or supplement voter assistance activities required to be performed under this Act.

(3) A detailed description of the specific steps taken towards the implementation of voter registration assistance for absent uniformed services voters under section 1566a of title 10.

(b) Biennial report on effectiveness of activities and utilization of certain proceduresNot later than September 30 of each odd-numbered year, the Presidential designee shall transmit to the President and to the relevant committees of Congress a report containing the following information with respect to the Federal elections held during the preceding calendar year:

(1) An assessment of the effectiveness of activities carried out under section 20305 of this title, including the activities and actions of the Federal Voting Assistance Program of the Department of Defense, a separate assessment of voter registration and participation by absent uniformed services voters, a separate assessment of voter registration and participation by overseas voters who are not members of the uniformed services, and a description of the cooperation between States and the Federal Government in carrying out such section.

(2) A description of the utilization of voter registration assistance under section 1566a of title 10, which shall include the following:

(A) A description of the specific programs implemented by each military department of the Armed Forces pursuant to such section.

(B) The number of absent uniformed services voters who utilized voter registration assistance provided under such section.

(3) A description of the utilization of the procedures for the collection and delivery of marked absentee ballots established pursuant to section 20304 of this title, which shall include the number of marked absentee ballots collected and delivered under such procedures and the number of such ballots which were not delivered by the time of the closing of the polls on the date of the election (and the reasons such ballots were not so delivered).

(1) Absent overseas uniformed services voter

(2) Presidential designee

(3) Relevant committees of Congress definedThe term “relevant committees of Congress” means—

(A) the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Rules and Administration of the Senate; and

(B) the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and House Administration of the House of Representatives.

(Pub. L. 99–410, title I, § 105A, as added Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, § 586, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2331; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, § 595, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3666.)

§ 20309. Effect on certain other laws

The exercise of any right under this chapter shall not affect, for purposes of any Federal, State, or local tax, the residence or domicile of a person exercising such right.

(Pub. L. 99–410, title I, § 106, Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 927.)

§ 20310. DefinitionsAs used in this chapter, the term—

(1) “absent uniformed services voter” means—

(A) a member of a uniformed service on active duty who, by reason of such active duty, is absent from the place of residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote;

(B) a member of the merchant marine who, by reason of service in the merchant marine, is absent from the place of residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote; and

(C) a spouse or dependent of a member referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, is absent from the place of residence where the spouse or dependent is otherwise qualified to vote;

(2) “balloting materials” means official post card forms (prescribed under section 20301 of this title), Federal write-in absentee ballots (prescribed under section 20303 of this title), and any State balloting materials that, as determined by the Presidential designee, are essential to the carrying out of this chapter;

(3) “Federal office” means the office of President or Vice President, or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress;

(4) “member of the merchant marine” means an individual (other than a member of a uniformed service or an individual employed, enrolled, or maintained on the Great Lakes or the inland waterways)—

(A) employed as an officer or crew member of a vessel documented under the laws of the United States, or a vessel owned by the United States, or a vessel of foreign-flag registry under charter to or control of the United States; or

(B) enrolled with the United States for employment or training for employment, or maintained by the United States for emergency relief service, as an officer or crew member of any such vessel;

(5) “overseas voter” means—

(A) an absent uniformed services voter who, by reason of active duty or service is absent from the United States on the date of the election involved;

(B) a person who resides outside the United States and is qualified to vote in the last place in which the person was domiciled before leaving the United States; or

(C) a person who resides outside the United States and (but for such residence) would be qualified to vote in the last place in which the person was domiciled before leaving the United States.

(6) “State” means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa;

(7) “uniformed services” means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, and the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and

(8) “United States”, where used in the territorial sense, means the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.

(Pub. L. 99–410, title I, § 107, Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 927.)

§ 20311. Technology pilot program

(a) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Absent uniformed services voter

(2) Overseas voter

(3) Presidential designee

(b) Establishment

(1) In general

(2) Design and conduct

The design and conduct of a pilot program established under this subsection—

(A) shall be at the discretion of the Presidential designee; and

(B) shall not conflict with or substitute for existing laws, regulations, or procedures with respect to the participation of absent uniformed services voters and military voters in elections for Federal office.

In conducting a pilot program established under subsection (b), the Presidential designee may consider the following issues:

(1) The transmission of electronic voting material across military networks.

(2) Virtual private networks, cryptographic voting systems, centrally controlled voting stations, and other information security techniques.

(3) The transmission of ballot representations and scanned pictures in a secure manner.

(4) Capturing, retaining, and comparing electronic and physical ballot representations.

(5) Utilization of voting stations at military bases.

(6) Document delivery and upload systems.

(7) The functional effectiveness of the application or adoption of the pilot program to operational environments, taking into account environmental and logistical obstacles and State procedures.

(d) Reports

The Presidential designee shall submit to Congress reports on the progress and outcomes of any pilot program conducted under this subsection, together with recommendations—

(1) for the conduct of additional pilot programs under this section; and

(2) for such legislation and administrative action as the Presidential designee determines appropriate.

(e) Technical assistance

(1) In general

(2) Report

In the case in which the Election Assistance Commission has not established electronic absentee voting guidelines under such section 1604(a)(2), as so amended, by not later than 180 days after October 28, 2009, the Election Assistance Commission shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report containing the following information:

(A) The reasons such guidelines have not been established as of such date.

(B) A detailed timeline for the establishment of such guidelines.

(3) Relevant committees of Congress defined

In this subsection, the term “relevant committees of Congress” means—

(A) the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Rules and Administration of the Senate; and

(B) the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and House Administration of the House of Representatives.

(f) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, § 589, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2334; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, § 1075(d)(6), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4373.)