I. Title I—Antiquated Machine Buy-Out

· $325 million for buying out punch-card and lever voting machines.

· $325 million in automatic payments to states to improve election administration.

· Each state is guaranteed to receive at least $5 million under this title.

II. Title II—Election Assistance Commission

· The Commission has no rulemaking authority but, under prescribed procedures, will issue voluntary guidelines regarding voluntary voting systems and the requirements.

· The Commission carries out the grant programs, provides for the certification and testing of voting systems, and studies election issues.

Requirements Payments

o $3 billion for meeting the requirements and improving the administration of federal elections.

o Payments are allocated by formula upon the submission of a state plan, developed in an open manner and subject to public notice and comment, and certain self-certifications.

Access Grants

o $100 million for increasing polling place access for disabled individuals.

Research Grants

o $20 million for research and development to improve voting technology.

Pilot Program Grants

o $10 million for pilot programs to test new voting systems and equipment.

Protection and Advocacy Systems Payments

o $40 million for state protection and advocacy systems.

III. Title III—Requirements

Each state must:

· Provide voters an opportunity to check for and correct ballot errors in a private and independent manner.

· Have a voting system with a manual audit capacity.

· Provide at least 1 voting machine per precinct that is disability accessible.

· Provide alternative language accessibility pursuant to the Voting Rights Act.

· Have a voting system whose error rate does not exceed the existing rate established by the FEC Office of Election Administration.

· Define what constitutes a legal vote for each type of voting machine used in the state.

· Provide provisional ballots to ensure no individual is turned away at the polls.

· Implement a uniform, centralized computerized statewide voter registration database to ensure accurate lists.

System Integrity

· When registering to vote, individuals must provide a driver’s license number or, if the voter does not have a driver’s license, the last 4 digits of the Social Security number. If an individual l does not have either number, he or she will be assigned a unique identifier.

· First-time voters who register by mail are required to provide identification when they cast their ballots.

· States are obligated to maintain clean and accurate voter registration lists.

· Voters who cast their ballots after the designated poll-closing time as a result of a court order will have their ballots segregated and counted separately.

IV. Title IV—Enforcement

· DOJ may seek injunctive or declaratory relief for violations of the Act.

· Each state receiving funds under the Act must establish an administrative grievance procedure for hearing complaints. States not accepting funds under the Act must either establish a grievance procedure or submit a compliance plan with DOJ.

V. Title V—Help America Vote College Program

$5 million to encourage college students to participate in the political process by volunteering as poll workers.

VI. Title VI—Help America Vote Foundation

$5 million to encourage high school students to participate in the political process by volunteering as poll workers.

VII. Title VII—Military

Provisions to improve ballot access for military and overseas voters.

VIII. Title VIII—Transition Provisions

Transition provisions from House- and Senate-passed bills.

IX. Title IX—Miscellaneous

· The Commission is authorized to conduct audits, including special audits.

· Criminal penalties for conspiracy to deprive voters of a fair election and providing false information in registering and voting.