Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 89.djvu/1203

 PUBLIC LAW 94-203—JAN. 2, 1976

89 STAT. 1143

ABSENTEE REGISTRATION AND BALLOTS FOR FEDERAL ELECTIONS

SEC. 4. (a) Each State shall provide by law for the absentee regis- 42 USC tration or other means of absentee qualification of all citizens residing 1973dd-2. outside the United States and entitled to vote in a Federal election in such State pursuant to section 3 whose application to vote in such election is received by the appropriate election official of such State not later than thirty days immediately prior to any such election. (b) Each State shall provide by law for the casting of absentee ballots for Federal elections by all citizens residing outside the United States who— (1) are entitled to vote in such State pursuant to section 3; (2) have registered or otherwise qualified to vote under subsection (a); and (3) have returned such ballots to the appropriate election official of such State in sufficient time so that such ballot is received by such election official not later than the time of closing of the polls in such State on the day of such election. ENFORCEMENT

SEC. 5. (a) Whenever the Attorney General has reason to believe 42 USC that a State or election district undertakes to deny the right to register 1973dd-3. or vote in any election in violation of section 3 or fails to take any action required by section 4, he may institute for the United States, or in the name of the United States, an action in a district court of the United States, in accordance with sections 1391 through 1393 of title 28, United States Code, for a restraining order, a preliminary or permanent injunction, or such other order as he deems appropriate. (b) Whoever knowingly or willfully shall deprive or attempt to Penalty. deprive any person of any right secured by this Act shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. (c) Whoever knowingly or willfully gives false information as to his name, address, or period of residence for the purpose of establishing his eligibility to register, qualify, or vote under this Act, or conspires with another individual for the purpose of encouraging the giving of false information in order to establish the eligibility of any individual to register, qualify, or vote under this Act, or pays, or offers to pay, or accepts payment either for registration to vote or for voting shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. SEVERABILITY

SEC. 6. If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the validity 42 USC 1973dd-4. of the remainder of the Act shall not be affected.

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