An amendment made in order by a previous order of the House and offered in lieu of amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 108-466 to insert provisions into the bill which protect the ability of absent military and overseas voters to participate in special elections.

Amendment made in order by a previous order of the House in lieu of Amendment No. 3 printed in House Report No. 108-466 offered by Mrs. Maloney:

In section 26(b) of the Revised Statutes of the United States, as proposed to be added by the bill, add at the end the following new paragraph:

“(5) Protecting ability of absent military and overseas voters to participate in special elections.--

“(A) Deadline for transmittal of absentee ballots.--In conducting a special election held under this subsection to fill a vacancy in its representation, the State shall ensure to the greatest extent practicable (including through the use of electronic means) that absentee ballots for the election are transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters (as such terms are defined in the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) not later than 15 days after the Speaker of the House of Representatives announces that the vacancy exists.

“(B) Period for ballot transit time.--Notwithstanding the deadlines referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3), in the case of an individual who is an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter (as such terms are defined in the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act), a State shall accept and process any otherwise valid ballot or other election material from the voter so long as the ballot or other material is received by the appropriate State election official not later than 45 days after the State transmits the ballot or other material to the voter.”.