To encourage the use of electronic voting technology and to provide for the continuation of the Interim Voting Assistance System.

SA 4494. Mr. WARNER (for Mr. Burns (for himself and Mrs. Dole)) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 2766, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Forces, and for other purposes; as follows:

On page 187, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following:

(c) Use of Electronic Voting Technology.--

(1) Continuation of interim voting assistance system.--The Secretary of Defense shall continue the Interim Voting Assistance System (IVAS) ballot request program with respect to all absent uniformed services voters (as defined under section 107(1) of the Uniformed Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff-6(1))), overseas employees of the Department of Defense, and the dependents of such voters and employees, for the general election and all elections through December 31, 2006.

(2) Reports.--

(A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office for November 2006, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth--

(i) an assessment of the success of the implementation of the Interim Voting Assistance System ballot request program carried out under paragraph (1);

(ii) recommendations for continuation of the Interim Voting Assistance System and for improvements to that system; and

(iii) an assessment of available technologies and other means of achieving enhanced use of electronic and Internet-based capabilities under the Interim Voting Assistance System.

(B) Future elections.--Not later than May 15, 2007, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report detailing plans for expanding the use of electronic voting technology for individuals covered under the Uniformed Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.) for elections through November 30, 2010.