Election mail and delivery improvements

(a) Postmark required for ballots (1) In general Chapter 34 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 3407. Postmark required for ballots (a) In general In the case of any absentee ballot carried by the Postal Service, the Postal Service shall indicate on the ballot envelope, using a postmark or otherwise— (1) the fact that the ballot was carried by the Postal Service; and (2) the date on which the ballot was mailed. (b) Definitions As used in this section— (1) the term absentee ballot means any ballot transmitted by a voter by mail in an election for Federal office, but does not include any ballot covered by section 3406; and (2) the term election for Federal office means a general, special, primary, or runoff election for the office of President or Vice President, or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.. (2) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 34 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 3407. Postmark required for ballots.. (3) Effective date The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to absentee ballots relating to an election for Federal office occurring on or after January 1, 2027. (b) Greater visibility for ballots (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), section 202(a), section 203(a)(1), section 204(a), section 801(a), section 901(a), and section 902(a), is amended— (A) by redesignating sections 313 and 314 as sections 314 and 315, respectively; and (B) by inserting after section 312 the following new section: 313. Ballot visibility (a) In general Each State or local election official shall— (1) affix Tag 191, Domestic and International Mail-In Ballots (or any successor tag designated by the United States Postal Service), to any tray or sack of ballot mail relating to an election for Federal office that is destined for a domestic or international address; (2) use the Official Election Mail logo to designate mail pieces relating to an election for Federal office that is destined for a domestic or international address; and (3) if an intelligent mail barcode is utilized for any mail relating to an election for Federal office that is destined for a domestic or international address, ensure the specific ballot service type identifier for such mail is visible. (b) Effective date The requirements of this section shall apply to elections for Federal office occurring on and after January 1, 2027.. (2) Clerical amendments The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 131(c), section 201(d), section 202(c), section 203(a)(3), section 204(c), section 801(c), section 901(b) and section 902(c), is amended— (A) by redesignating the items relating to sections 313 and 314 as relating to sections 314 and 315; and (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 312 the following new item: Sec. 313. Ballot visibility..