Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet identification requirements for voting

(a) Permitting use of statement Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 303 the following new section: 303A. Permitting use of sworn written statement or student identification card to meet identification requirements (a) Use of statement or student identification card (1) In general Except as provided in subsection (c), if a State has in effect any requirement that an individual present identification as a condition of receiving and casting a ballot in an election for Federal office, the State shall permit the individual to meet the requirement— (A) in the case of an individual who desires to vote in person, by presenting the appropriate State or local election official with— (i) a sworn written statement, signed by the individual under penalty of perjury, attesting to the individual’s identity and attesting that the individual is eligible to vote in the election; or (ii) if such individual is a student enrolled at an institution of higher education (as defined under section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)), a student identification card assigned to the individual from an institution of higher education; or (B) in the case of an individual who desires to vote by mail, by submitting with the ballot— (i) the statement described in subparagraph (A)(i); or (ii) if such individual is a student enrolled at an institution of higher education (as so defined), a copy of the student identification card described in subparagraph (A)(ii). (2) Development of pre-printed version of statement by Commission The Commission shall develop a pre-printed version of the statement described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) which includes a blank space for an individual to provide a name and signature for use by election officials in States which are subject to paragraph (1). (3) Providing pre-printed copy of statement A State which is subject to paragraph (1) shall— (A) make copies of the pre-printed version of the statement described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) which is prepared by the Commission available at polling places for election officials to distribute to individuals who desire to vote in person; and (B) include a copy of such pre-printed version of the statement with each blank absentee or other ballot transmitted to an individual who desires to vote by mail. (b) Requiring use of ballot in same manner as individuals presenting identification An individual who presents or submits a sworn written statement or presents a student identification card in accordance with subsection (a)(1) shall be permitted to cast a ballot in the election in the same manner as an individual who presents identification. (c) Exception for first-Time voters registering by mail Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply with respect to any individual described in paragraph (1) of section 303(b) who is required to meet the requirements of paragraph (2) of such section.. (b) Requiring States To include information on use of sworn written statement and student identification card in voting information material posted at polling places Section 302(b)(2) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21082(b)(2)), as amended by section 172(b) and section 302(b), is amended— (1) by striking and at the end of subparagraph (G); (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (H) and inserting; and; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (I) in the case of a State that has in effect any requirement that an individual present identification as a condition of receiving and casting a ballot in an election for Federal office, information on how an individual may meet such requirement by presenting a sworn written statement or student identification card in accordance with section 303A.. (c) Clerical amendment The table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the following new item: Sec. 303A. Permitting use of sworn written statement or student identification card to meet identification requirements.. (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.