Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 92 Part 2.djvu/1255

 PUBLIC LAW 95-593—NOV. 4, 1978

92 STAT. 2535

Public Law 95-593 95th Congress An Act To improve the administration and operation of the Overseas Citizens "Voting Rights Act of 1975, and for other purposes.

Nov. 4, 1978 [S. 703]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 2 of Overseas Citizens the Overseas Citizens Voting Eights Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 1973dd) Voting Rights Act of 1975, is amended— amendment. (1) by striking out "and" at the end of paragraph (2); (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting in lieu thereof a semicolon and "and"; and (3) by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph: "(4) 'official postcard' means a postcard application for registration to vote and for an absentee ballot in the form provided in section 204(d) of the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 (42 U.S.C.1973cc-14(d)).". SEC. 2. Section 3 of the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 1973dd-l) is amended by inserting before the period the following: "or, in lieu thereof, an alternative form of identification consistent with this Act and applicable State or district requirements, if a citizen does not possess a valid passport or card of identity and registration". SEC. 3. Section 4 of the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 1973dd-2) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection: "(c) In carrying out the provisions of this section, it is recommended that each State— "(1) accept any official postcard which is duly executed by any person who meets the requirements in section 3 of this Act as a simultaneous application for registration under such State's election laws and for an absentee ballot under such State's absentee balloting laws; "(2) if a special application is required for registration by mail, provide that the necessary forms will be sent with the absentee ballot and may be returned with it; "(3) authorize and instruct the State or local election officials, upon receipt of any official postcard application or any other application for registration to vote or an absentee ballot, to mail immediately to the applicant a ballot, instructions for voting and returning the ballot, and a self-addressed envelope; and "(4) provide that there be printed across the face of each envelope the words 'Official Election Balloting Material—Via Air Mail', or similar language.". SEC. 4. The Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 1973dd et seq.) is amended— (1) by redesignating sections 5, 6, 7, and 8 as sections 7, 8, 9, 42 USC 1973dd-3and 10, respectively; and 1973dd-5, (2) by inserting after section 4 the following new sections: 1973dd note.

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