Protections for in-person voting for individuals with disabilities and older individuals

(a) Requirement (1) In general Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21018 et seq.), as amended by sections 201, 202, 203, and 204, is amended— (A) by redesignating sections 308 and 309 as sections 309 and 310; and (B) by inserting after section 307 the following: 308. Access to voting for individuals with disabilities and older individuals (a) Requirement (1) In general Each State shall— (A) ensure all polling places within the State are accessible, as defined in section 304; (B) that voter drop boxes are accessible for use— (i) by individuals with disabilities, as determined in consultation with the protection and advocacy systems (as defined in section 102 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15002)) of the State; (ii) by individuals with limited proficiency in the English language; and (iii) by homeless individuals (as defined in section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302)) of the State; (C) consider procedures to address long wait times at polling places that allow individuals with disabilities and older individuals alternate options to cast a ballot in person in an election for Federal office, such as the option to cast a ballot outside of the polling place or from a vehicle, or providing an expedited voting line; and (D) consider options to establish mobile polling sites to allow election officials or volunteers to travel to long-term care facilities and assist residents who request assistance in casting a ballot in order to maintain the privacy and independence of voters in these facilities. (2) Rule of construction If a State provides a drop box under this section on the grounds of or inside of a building or facility which serves as a polling place for an election for Federal office, nothing in this subsection may be construed to waive any requirements regarding the accessibility of such polling place for the use of individuals with disabilities or individuals with limited proficiency in the English language. (b) Clarification Nothing in this section may be construed to alter the requirements under Federal law that all polling places for Federal elections are accessible to individuals with disabilities and older individuals. (c) Effective date This section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held on or after January 1, 2027.. (2) Clerical amendment The table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 307, as added by section 204(b), the following: Sec. 308. Access to voting for individuals with disabilities and older individuals.. (b) Revisions to Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (1) Reports to Election Assistance Commission Section 3(c) of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20102(c)) is amended— (A) in the subsection heading, by striking Federal Election Commission and inserting Election Assistance Commission; (B) in each of paragraphs (1) and (2), by striking Federal Election Commission and inserting Election Assistance Commission; and (C) by striking paragraph (3). (2) Conforming amendments relating to references The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20101 et seq.), as amended by paragraph (1), is amended— (A) by striking handicapped and elderly individuals each place it appears and inserting individuals with disabilities and older individuals; (B) by striking handicapped and elderly voters each place it appears and inserting individuals with disabilities and older individuals; (C) in section 3(b)(2)(B), by striking handicapped or elderly voter and inserting individual with a disability or older individual; (D) in section 5(b), by striking handicapped voter and inserting individual with a disability; and (E) in section 8— (i) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following: (1) accessible has the meaning given that term in section 304 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added by section 101(a) of the Accessible Voting Act of 2026; (2) older individual has the meaning given that term in such section 304;; and (ii) by striking paragraph (4), and inserting the following: (4) individual with a disability has the meaning given that term in such section 304; and. (3) Short title amendment (A) In general Section 1 of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (Public Law 98–435; 42 U.S.C. 1973ee note) is amended by striking for the Elderly and Handicapped and inserting for Individuals with Disabilities and Older Individuals. (B) References Any reference in any other provision of law, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the Voting Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities and Older Individuals Act. (4) Effective date The amendments made by this subsection shall take effect on January 1, 2027, and apply to with respect to elections for Federal office held on or after that date.