52 U.S.C. § 20501 — Findings and purposes

Page 41 TITLE 52—VOTING AND ELECTIONS § 20501 evant committees of Congress a report con- taining the following information: (A) The reasons such guidelines have not been established as of such date. (B) A detailed timeline for the establish- ment of such guidelines. (C) A detailed explanation of the Commis- sion’s actions in establishing such guidelines since October 28, 2004. (3) Relevant committees of Congress defined In this subsection, the term ‘‘relevant com- mittees of Congress’’ means— (A) the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Rules and Administra- tion of the Senate; and (B) the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and House Administration of the House of Representatives. (f) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section. (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.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Vot- ing Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is Pub. L. 99–410, Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 924, which is classified prin- cipally to this chapter. Sections 101 and 107 of the Act are classified to sections 20301 and 20310, respectively, of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. CODIFICATION Section was formerly classified to section 1973ff–7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to edi- torial reclassification and renumbering as this section. Some section numbers referenced in amendment notes below reflect the classification of such sections prior to their editorial reclassification to this title. Section was enacted as part of the Military and Over- seas Voter Empowerment Act, and also as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, and not as part of title I of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, which com- prises this chapter. AMENDMENTS 2011—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–383, § 1075(d)(6)(A), substituted ‘‘section 107(1)’’ for ‘‘section 107(a)’’ and ‘‘1973ff–6(1)’’ for ‘‘1973ff et seq.’’ Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 111–383, § 1075(d)(6)(B), sub- stituted ‘‘1973ff note’’ for ‘‘1977ff note’’. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2011 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, § 1075(d), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4372, provided that the amendment by section 1075(d)(6) is effective as of Oct. 28, 2009, and as if in- cluded in Pub. L. 111–84 as enacted. CHAPTER 205—NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION Sec. 20501. Findings and purposes. 20502. Definitions. 20503. National procedures for voter registration for elections for Federal office. Sec. 20504. Simultaneous application for voter registra- tion and application for motor vehicle driv- er’s license. 20505. Mail registration. 20506. Voter registration agencies. 20507. Requirements with respect to administration of voter registration. 20508. Federal coordination and regulations. 20509. Designation of chief State election official. 20510. Civil enforcement and private right of action. 20511. Criminal penalties. § 20501. Findings and purposes (a) Findings The Congress finds that— (1) the right of citizens of the United States to vote is a fundamental right; (2) it is the duty of the Federal, State, and local governments to promote the exercise of that right; and (3) discriminatory and unfair registration laws and procedures can have a direct and damaging effect on voter participation in elec- tions for Federal office and disproportionately harm voter participation by various groups, including racial minorities. (b) Purposes The purposes of this chapter are— (1) to establish procedures that will increase the number of eligible citizens who register to vote in elections for Federal office; (2) to make it possible for Federal, State, and local governments to implement this chapter in a manner that enhances the partici- pation of eligible citizens as voters in elec- tions for Federal office; (3) to protect the integrity of the electoral process; and (4) to ensure that accurate and current voter registration rolls are maintained. (Pub. L. 103–31, § 2, May 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 77.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 103–31, May 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 77, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. CODIFICATION Section was formerly classified to section 1973gg of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to edi- torial reclassification and renumbering as this section. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE Pub. L. 103–31, § 13, May 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 89, provided that: ‘‘This Act [see Tables for classification] shall take effect— ‘‘(1) with respect to a State that on the date of en- actment of this Act [May 20, 1993] has a provision in the constitution of the State that would preclude compliance with this Act unless the State main- tained separate Federal and State official lists of eli- gible voters, on the later of— ‘‘(A) January 1, 1996; or ‘‘(B) the date that is 120 days after the date by which, under the constitution of the State as in ef- fect on the date of enactment of this Act, it would Page 42 TITLE 52—VOTING AND ELECTIONS § 20502 be legally possible to adopt and place into effect any amendments to the constitution of the State that are necessary to permit such compliance with this Act without requiring a special election; and ‘‘(2) with respect to any State not described in paragraph (1), on January 1, 1995.’’ PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP Pub. L. 104–132, title IX, § 902, Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1317, provided that: ‘‘Notwithstanding any other provi- sion of law, a Federal, State, or local government agen- cy may not use a voter registration card (or other re- lated document) that evidences registration for an elec- tion for Federal office, as evidence to prove United States citizenship.’’ Similar provisions were contained in section 117 of H.R. 2076, One Hundred Fourth Congress, as passed by the House of Representatives on Dec. 6, 1995, and as en- acted into law by Pub. L. 104–91, title I, § 101(a), Jan. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 11, as amended by Pub. L. 104–99, title II, § 211, Jan. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 37. § 20502. Definitions As used in this chapter— (1) the term ‘‘election’’ has the meaning stated in section 30101(1) of this title; (2) the term ‘‘Federal office’’ has the mean- ing stated in section 30101(3) of this title; (3) the term ‘‘motor vehicle driver’s license’’ includes any personal identification document issued by a State motor vehicle authority; (4) the term ‘‘State’’ means a State of the United States and the District of Columbia; and (5) the term ‘‘voter registration agency’’ means an office designated under section 20506(a)(1) of this title to perform voter reg- istration activities. (Pub. L. 103–31, § 3, May 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 77.) Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Section was formerly classified to section 1973gg–1 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to edi- torial reclassification and renumbering as this section. § 20503. National procedures for voter registra- tion for elections for Federal office (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), notwith- standing any other Federal or State law, in ad- dition to any other method of voter registration provided for under State law, each State shall establish procedures to register to vote in elec- tions for Federal office— (1) by application made simultaneously with an application for a motor vehicle driver’s li- cense pursuant to section 20504 of this title; (2) by mail application pursuant to section 20505 of this title; and (3) by application in person— (A) at the appropriate registration site designated with respect to the residence of the applicant in accordance with State law; and (B) at a Federal, State, or nongovern- mental office designated under section 20506 of this title. (b) Nonapplicability to certain States This chapter does not apply to a State de- scribed in either or both of the following para- graphs: (1) A State in which, under law that is in ef- fect continuously on and after August 1, 1994, there is no voter registration requirement for any voter in the State with respect to an elec- tion for Federal office. (2) A State in which, under law that is in ef- fect continuously on and after August 1, 1994, or that was enacted on or prior to August 1, 1994, and by its terms is to come into effect upon the enactment of this chapter, so long as that law remains in effect, all voters in the State may register to vote at the polling place at the time of voting in a general election for Federal office. (Pub. L. 103–31, § 4, May 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 78; Pub. L. 104–91, title I, § 101(a), Jan. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 11, amended Pub. L. 104–99, title II, § 211, Jan. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 37.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT Upon the enactment of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), means the date of enactment of Pub. L. 103–31, which was approved May 20, 1993. CODIFICATION Section was formerly classified to section 1973gg–2 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to edi- torial reclassification and renumbering as this section. Amendment by Pub. L. 104–91 is based on section 116(a) of H.R. 2076, One Hundred Fourth Congress, as passed by the House of Representatives on Dec. 6, 1995, which was enacted into law by Pub. L. 104–91. AMENDMENTS 1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–91, as amended by Pub. L. 104–99, substituted ‘‘August 1, 1994’’ for ‘‘March 11, 1993’’ wherever appearing. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT Section 116(b) of H.R. 2076, One Hundred Fourth Con- gress, as passed by the House of Representatives on Dec. 6, 1995, and as enacted into law by Pub. L. 104–91, title I, § 101(a), Jan. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 11, as amended by Pub. L. 104–99, title II, § 211, Jan. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 37, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as if in- cluded in the provisions of the National Voter Registra- tion Act of 1993 [Pub. L. 103–31, see Tables for classifica- tion].’’ § 20504. Simultaneous application for voter reg- istration and application for motor vehicle driver’s license (a) In general (1) Each State motor vehicle driver’s license application (including any renewal application) submitted to the appropriate State motor vehi- cle authority under State law shall serve as an application for voter registration with respect to elections for Federal office unless the appli- cant fails to sign the voter registration applica- tion. (2) An application for voter registration sub- mitted under paragraph (1) shall be considered as updating any previous voter registration by the applicant. (b) Limitation on use of information No information relating to the failure of an applicant for a State motor vehicle driver’s li-