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

(a) Requirement (1) In general Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 131(a), section 201(a), and section 202(a), is amended— (A) by redesignating sections 308 and 309 as sections 309 and 310, respectively; and (B) by inserting after section 307 the following: 308. Access to voting for individuals with disabilities and older individuals (a) In general Each State shall— (1) ensure all polling places within the State are accessible, as defined in section 307; (2) 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 (3) 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. (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, 2029.. (2) Voluntary guidance Section 321(b)(4) such Act (52 U.S.C. 21101(b)), as added and redesignated by section 201(b) and as amended by section 202, is amended by striking and 307 and inserting, 307, and 308. (3) Clerical amendments The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 131(c), section 201(c), and section 202(c), is amended— (A) by redesignating the items relating to sections 308 and 309 as relating to sections 309 and 310, respectively; and (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 307 the following new item: 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 307 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added by section 202(a) of the Voter Empowerment Act of 2026; (2) older individual has the meaning given that term in such section 307;; and (ii) by striking paragraph (4), and inserting the following: (4) individual with a disability has the meaning given that term in such section 307; 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, 2029, and apply to with respect to elections for Federal office held on or after that date.