Summary: Emergency Assistance for Secure Elections Act of 2008 - Directs the Election Assistance Commission to reimburse certain jurisdictions for the costs of: (1) converting from electronic or other voting systems to paper ballot voting systems for the general elections for federal office to be held in November 2008; (2) retrofitting direct recording electronic voting systems to produce voter verifiable paper records; and (3) providing backup paper ballots if the jurisdiction uses a direct recording electronic voting system which happens to fail. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Commission to reimburse any state for the documented reasonable costs it incurs in conducting manual audits of the results of any of the regularly scheduled general elections for federal office in November 2008 (including, at state option, manual audits of state and local elections). Requires the state to: (1) reimburse immediately counties and other jurisdictions for the costs incurred as a result of a state audit; and (2) submit to the Commission a report on audit results in order to receive a payment under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for payments for state, county, or equivalent locations conducting hand counts of the results of 2008 general elections. Authorizes appropriations. Provides that if a state, county, or equivalent location uses a direct recording electronic voting system to conduct an election, the state, county, or equivalent location may not receive a payment for conducting a hand count of the votes cast in the election unless it certifies to the Commission that its system produces a paper record printout of the marked ballot verifiable by the voter at the time the vote is cast. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to study, test, and develop products and practices that ensure the accessibility of paper ballot verification and casting for individuals with disabilities, for voters whose primary language is not English, and for voters with difficulties in literacy. Authorizes appropriations.

emergency assistance secure elections act directs election_assistance_commission reimburse certain jurisdictions costs converting electronic voting systems paper ballot voting systems general elections federal office held november retrofitting direct recording electronic voting systems produce voter verifiable paper records providing backup paper ballots jurisdiction uses direct recording electronic voting system fail authorizes appropriations directs commission reimburse state documented reasonable costs incurs conducting manual audits results regularly scheduled general elections federal office november including state option manual audits state local elections requires state reimburse immediately counties jurisdictions costs incurred result state audit submit commission report audit results order receive payment act authorizes appropriations provides payments state county equivalent locations conducting hand counts results general elections authorizes appropriations provides state county equivalent location uses direct recording electronic voting system conduct election state county equivalent location receive payment conducting hand count votes cast election certifies commission system produces paper record marked ballot verifiable voter time vote cast requires director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist study test develop products practices ensure accessibility paper ballot verification casting individuals disabilities voters primary language english voters difficulties literacy authorizes appropriations


Summary: Caging Prohibition Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit state or local election officials from preventing an individual from registering or voting in any election for federal office, or from permitting a formal challenge under state law to an individual's registration status or eligibility to vote, if the basis for such decision is evidence consisting of: (1) a voter caging document or voter caging list; (2) an unverified match list; (3) an error or omission on voter application or registration documents that is not material to an individual's eligibility to vote; or (4) any other evidence so designated by the Election Assistance Commission. Defines "voter caging document" as: (1) a nonforwardable document that is returned to the sender or a third party as undelivered or undeliverable despite an attempt to deliver it to the address of a registered voter or applicant; or (2) any document with instructions to an addressee that the document be returned to a sender or third party but is not so returned, despite an attempt to deliver it to the address of a registered voter, unless at least two federal election cycles have passed since the date of the attempted delivery.Defines "unverified match list" as a list produced by matching the information of registered voters or applicants to a list of individuals ineligible to vote in the registrar's jurisdiction due to death, conviction, change of address, or otherwise, unless one of the pieces of information matched includes a signature, photograph, or unique identifying number ensuring that the information from each source refers to the same individual. Requires any private individual who challenges the right of another citizen to vote to set forth in writing, under penalty of perjury, personal, first-hand knowledge establishing the grounds for ineligibility.

prohibition act amends federal criminal code prohibit state local election officials preventing individual registering voting election federal office permitting formal challenge state law individual registration status eligibility vote basis decision evidence consisting voter document voter list unverified match list error omission voter application registration documents material individual eligibility vote evidence designated election_assistance_commission defines voter document document returned sender party despite attempt deliver address registered voter applicant document instructions addressee document returned sender party returned despite attempt deliver address registered voter federal election cycles passed date attempted delivery defines unverified match list list produced matching information registered voters applicants list individuals ineligible vote registrar jurisdiction death conviction change address pieces information matched includes signature photograph unique identifying number ensuring information source refers individual requires private individual challenges right citizen vote set forth writing penalty perjury personal hand knowledge establishing grounds ineligibility


Summary: Political Intelligence Disclosure Act - Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) to require the disclosure of political intelligence activities. Requires political intelligence consultants to register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and make quarterly reports on political intelligence activities. Requires any person or entity that makes an oral political intelligence contact with a covered legislative branch or executive branch official on the official's request to: (1) state whether such person or entity is registered under this Act; (2) identify the client on behalf of whom the contact is made; and (3) state whether such client is a foreign entity, and make any related disclosures. Requires any person making a written political intelligence contact with a covered legislative branch or executive branch official to make similar disclosures, especially about clients considered foreign entities.

political intelligence disclosure act amends lobbying disclosure act lda require disclosure political intelligence activities requires political intelligence consultants register secretary senate clerk house_of_representatives quarterly reports political intelligence activities requires person entity makes oral political intelligence contact covered legislative branch executive branch official official request state person entity registered act identify client behalf contact state client foreign entity related disclosures requires person making written political intelligence contact covered legislative branch executive branch official similar disclosures especially clients considered foreign entities


Summary: Make Provisional Ballots Count Act of 2008 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to: (1) permit same-day voter re-registration at polling places on the date of election for individuals permitted to cast provisional ballots; and (2) require counting of provisional ballots cast by individuals determined to be registered to vote in the state or the congressional district, as appropriate.

provisional ballots count act amends help america vote act permit day voter registration polling places date election individuals permitted cast provisional ballots require counting provisional ballots cast individuals determined registered vote state congressional district appropriate


Summary: Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to require appointments to advisory committees to be made without regard to political affiliation or activity, unless otherwise required by federal statute. Directs each agency head to: (1) ensure that no individual who has a conflict of interest is appointed unless the need for the individual's services outweighs the potential impacts of the conflict; (2) require that each individual to be appointed inform the agency of any actual or potential conflict that exists before the appointment or that arises while the individual is serving; and (3) ensure that advisory committee reports are the result of the committee's judgment, independent from the agency. Declares that: (1) this Act is not intended to preclude agency heads from requiring the recusal of individuals with conflicts from particular aspects of the committee's work; and (2) an individual representative's association with the entity whose views are being represented shall not itself be considered to be a conflict of interest.Requires: (1) the public disclosure of any conflict of interest; (2) the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to promulgate regulations defining "conflict of interest" and identifying the method for disclosure and the period back in time an interest is considered a conflict; and (3) the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations to implement the Federal Advisory Committee Act.(Sec. 3) Regards an individual who is not a full-time or permanent part-time officer or employee of the federal government as a member of a committee if the individual regularly attends and participates in committee meetings as if the individual were a member, even if the individual does not have the right to vote or veto the committee's advice or recommendations.(Sec. 4) Requires public disclosure of: (1) any communication between an interagency advisory committee established by the President or the Vice President and a person who is not a federal officer or employee; (2) charters of advisory committees; (3) the process used to establish and appoint committee members; (4) specified information about current members; (5) each committee's decision-making process; (6) transcripts or recordings of committee meetings; (7) determinations to close meetings; and (8) notices of future committee meetings. Requires agency heads to make such information available electronically 15 days before each meeting (or 30 days after for meeting transcripts or recordings). Authorizes an agency to withhold from disclosure any information that would be exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Requires the Administrator of General Services to provide electronic access to such information on the General Services Administration's (GSA's) Internet site.Requires committee charters to include: (1) the authority under which the committee is established; (2) the estimated number of members and a description of the expertise needed to carry out the committee's objectives; (3) a description of whether the committee will be composed of special government employees, representatives, or members from both categories; and (4) whether the committee has the authority to create subcommittees and, if so, the agency official authorized to exercise such authority. (Sec. 5) Requires the Comptroller General to review and report on agency compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, including whether agencies are appropriately appointing advisory committee members as either special government employees or representatives.

federal advisory committee act amendments sec amends federal_advisory_committee act require appointments advisory committees regard political affiliation activity required federal statute directs agency head ensure individual conflict interest appointed need individual services outweighs potential impacts conflict require individual appointed inform agency actual potential conflict exists appointment arises individual serving ensure advisory committee reports result committee judgment independent agency declares act intended preclude agency heads requiring recusal individuals conflicts particular aspects committee work individual representative association entity views represented shall considered conflict interest requires public disclosure conflict interest director office_of_government_ethics promulgate regulations defining conflict interest identifying method disclosure period time interest considered conflict administrator general_services promulgate regulations implement federal_advisory_committee regards individual time permanent time officer employee federal government member committee individual regularly attends participates committee meetings individual member individual right vote veto committee advice requires public disclosure communication interagency advisory committee established president vice president person federal officer employee charters advisory committees process establish appoint committee members specified information current members committee decision making process transcripts recordings committee meetings determinations close meetings notices future committee meetings requires agency heads information available electronically days meeting days meeting transcripts recordings authorizes agency withhold disclosure information exempt disclosure freedom information act requires administrator general_services provide electronic access information general_services_administration gsa internet site requires committee charters include authority committee established estimated number members description expertise needed carry committee objectives description committee composed special government employees representatives members categories committee authority create subcommittees agency official authorized exercise authority sec requires comptroller general review report agency compliance federal_advisory_committee_act including agencies appropriately appointing advisory committee members special government employees representatives


Summary: Noncitizen Voting Prevention Act of 2008 - Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require applications for voter registration with respect to federal office to include a statement regarding the deportability of aliens making false claims of U.S. citizenship. Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require posting at polling places of notices that it is a violation of federal law for an individual who is not a U.S. citizen to cast a ballot in an election for federal office.

noncitizen voting prevention act amends national voter registration act require applications voter registration respect federal office include statement deportability aliens making false claims citizenship amends help_america_vote_act require posting polling places notices violation federal law individual citizen cast ballot election federal office


Summary: Blogger Protection Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) exempt uncompensated individual Internet activity from treatment as a contribution to or expenditure of a campaign for federal office; and (2) cover blogs and other Internet and electronic publications under the general media exemption pertaining to expenditures.

protection act amends federal election campaign act exempt uncompensated individual internet activity treatment contribution expenditure campaign federal office cover internet electronic publications general media exemption pertaining expenditures


Summary: Robocall Privacy Act of 2008 - Makes it unlawful for a person during specified periods before a federal primary or general election to make certain prerecorded political telephone calls with respect to a candidate for federal office without immediate disclosure of the recorded nature of the calls, the name of the sponsor or originator of the call, and the appearance of the caller's telephone number on the recipient's caller identification service.

robocall privacy act makes unlawful person specified periods federal primary general election certain prerecorded political telephone calls respect candidate federal office immediate disclosure recorded nature calls sponsor originator appearance caller telephone number recipient caller identification service


Summary: Prohibits the use of federal funds for a project or program named for an individual currently serving as a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or Senator of the U.S. Congress.

prohibits use federal funds project program named individual currently serving member delegate resident commissioner senator


Summary: Directs the Election Assistance Commission to make a grant to each participating state and unit of local government for carrying out a program to make backup paper ballots available in the case of the failure of a voting system or voting equipment or some other emergency situation in the administration of the regularly scheduled federal general election held in November 2008.

directs election_assistance_commission grant participating state unit local government carrying program backup paper ballots available case failure voting system voting equipment emergency situation administration regularly scheduled federal general election held november


Summary: Election Day Registration Act - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require each state with voter registration requirements relating to federal elections to permit any eligible individual on the day of a federal election to register to vote, and cast a vote, in such election.

election day registration act amends help america vote act require state voter registration requirements relating federal elections permit eligible individual day federal election register vote cast vote election


Summary: Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to: (1) permit local jurisdictions within a state to conduct early voting in elections for federal office held in such jurisdictions; (2) require acceptance of absentee ballots without sufficient postage; (3) require ballots cast at incorrect polling places by eligible voters to be counted; and (4) provide notification of individuals whose names do not appear on the official list of eligible voters for the polling place to cast ballots at the correct polling place.

amends help_america_vote_act permit local jurisdictions state conduct early voting elections federal office held jurisdictions require acceptance absentee ballots sufficient postage require ballots cast incorrect polling places eligible voters counted provide notification individuals names appear official list eligible voters polling place cast ballots correct polling place


Summary: Amends provisions of federal law relating to patriotic and national organizations to remove language restricting the Gold Star Wives of America from attempting to influence legislation.

amends provisions federal law relating patriotic national organizations remove language restricting attempting influence legislation


Summary: Weekend Voting Act - Amends the Revised Statutes with respect to the time of election to establish the first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every even numbered year, as the days for the election, in each state and territory, of Delegates to, or Members of, Congress.Amends federal law with respect to presidential elections and vacancies to establish the first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every fourth year, as the days for the election of the President and Vice President of the United States. Amends such federal laws to establish the same polling place hours in the United States for both congressional and presidential elections, namely from 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday till 6:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, with polls allowed to close between the hours of 10:00 p.m. local time on Saturday and 6:00 a.m. local time on Sunday as provided by the law of the state in which the polling place is located. Declares the sense of Congress that state and local election officials and the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) should work together to develop plans to ensure an effective transition to weekend voting in federal elections.

weekend voting act amends revised statutes respect time election establish saturday sunday friday november numbered year days election state territory delegates members congress amends federal law respect presidential elections vacancies establish saturday sunday friday november fourth year days election president vice president united_states amends federal laws establish polling place hours united_states congressional presidential elections est saturday till est sunday polls allowed close hours local time saturday local time sunday provided law state polling place located declares sense congress state local election officials election_assistance_commission eac work develop plans ensure effective transition weekend voting federal elections


Summary: Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to extend through calendar 2013 the authority of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to impose civil monetary penalties.

amends federal_election_campaign_act extend calendar authority federal_election_commission fec impose civil monetary penalties


Summary: Federal Employees Deserve to Volunteer on the Elections Act of 2008 or the FEDVOTE Act of 2008 - Entitles executive agency employees to leave, without loss of or reduction in pay, leave to which otherwise entitled, credit for time or service, or performance or efficiency rating, not exceeding six days in a leave year, in order to: (1) provide election administration assistance to a state or unit of local government at a polling place on the date of any election for public office; or (2) receive training without which the employee would be ineligible to provide such assistance.Directs the Election Assistance Commission to make grants to eligible states for recruiting and training individuals to serve as poll workers on dates of elections for public office.Requires grant recipients to use the manual prepared by the Commission on successful practices for poll worker recruiting, training, and retention as an interactive training tool and develop training programs with the participation and input of experts in adult learning.Provides a formula for grant amounts based upon a state's voting age population percentage.Requires reports to the Commission and to Congress on activities conducted with funds provided under this Act.Authorizes appropriations.Exempts the Commission from application of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

volunteer elections act act entitles executive agency employees leave loss reduction pay leave entitled credit time service performance efficiency rating exceeding days leave year order provide election administration assistance state unit local government polling place date election public office receive training employee ineligible provide assistance directs election_assistance_commission grants eligible states recruiting training individuals serve poll workers dates elections public office requires grant recipients use manual prepared commission successful practices poll worker recruiting training retention interactive training tool develop training programs participation input experts adult learning provides formula grant amounts based state voting age population percentage requires reports commission congress activities conducted funds provided act authorizes appropriations application paperwork reduction act


Summary: Veteran Voting Support Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit a state to designate facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) located in the state as voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 solely for the purposes of providing voter registration services to individuals receiving (or applying to receive) services or assistance from the facility. Requires any VA facility designated as a voter registration agency, with respect to such individuals, to: (1) provide information relating to the opportunity to request an absentee ballot; (2) make available absentee ballot applications and, upon request, assistance in completing such applications and absentee ballots; and (3) work with local election officials to ensure the proper delivery of such applications and ballots. Declares that nothing in this Act may be construed to waive any requirement under state or local law regarding an individual's eligibility to receive an absentee ballot or vote by absentee ballot in any election. Directs the Secretary to permit a meaningful opportunity for nonpartisan organizations to provide voter registration information and assistance at VA facilities. Prohibits the Secretary from banning any election administration official, whether state or local, party-affiliated or non-party affiliated, or elected or appointed, from providing nonpartisan voting information to veterans at any VA facility. Directs the Secretary to provide reasonable access to VA facilities to state and local election officials for the purpose of providing nonpartisan voter registration services to individuals.

veteran voting support act directs secretary veterans_affairs permit state designate facilities department_of_veterans_affairs located state voter registration agencies national voter registration act solely purposes providing voter registration services individuals receiving applying receive services assistance facility requires facility designated voter registration agency respect individuals provide information relating opportunity request absentee ballot available absentee ballot applications request assistance completing applications absentee ballots work local election officials ensure proper delivery applications ballots declares act construed waive requirement state local law individual eligibility receive absentee ballot vote absentee ballot election directs secretary permit meaningful opportunity nonpartisan organizations provide voter registration information assistance facilities prohibits secretary banning election administration official state local party affiliated non party affiliated elected appointed providing nonpartisan voting information veterans facility directs secretary provide reasonable access facilities state local election officials purpose providing nonpartisan voter registration services individuals


Summary: Emergency Election Audit Act of 2008 - Requires the Election Assistance Commission to reimburse states for the reasonable costs incurred in conducting manual audits, meeting specified requirements, of the results of the general elections for federal office to be held in November 2008. Requires such payments also if, at the state's option, the state conducts audits of elections for state and local office held at the same time as the general election.

emergency election audit act requires election assistance commission reimburse states reasonable costs incurred conducting manual audits meeting specified requirements results general elections federal office held november requires payments state option state conducts audits elections state local office held time general election


Summary: Fair Elections Now Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) with respect to: (1) eligibility and qualifying contribution requirements, seed money limits, and benefits of fair elections financing of campaigns for election to the U.S. House of Representatives; (2) establishment of a House Fair Elections Fund; (3) eligibility for Fund allocations as well as such allocations; (4) a seed money contribution requirement; (5) contribution and expenditure requirements; (6) certification of whether or not a federal election candidate is a participating candidate; (7) benefits for participating candidates; (8) payment of fair fight funds; (9) administration of the House Fair Elections System; (10) reporting requirements for nonparticipating candidates; (11) modification of electioneering communication reporting requirements; and (12) the limitation on coordinated expenditures by political party committees with participating candidates. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 with respect to the deposit of proceeds from recovered spectrum auctions. Establishes the Fair Elections Review Commission. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) entitle participating candidates to receive specified reduced broadcast rates in certain circumstances; and (2) provide for political advertisement vouchers for them. Directs the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to charge non-public broadcast stations a spectrum use fee, which shall be deposited into the House Fair Elections Fund. Amends federal postal law to prohibit franked mass mailings by Members of Congress (except notices of public meetings) during the 90 days before primary and general election periods, unless they are not candidates for re-election. Amends FECA to: (1) empower the FEC to petition the U.S. Supreme Court for a proceeding on certiorari; (2) revise requirements for filing with the FEC by House candidates; and (3) reduce from 48 to 24 hours the deadline for electronic filing with the FEC of reports by each political committee of contributions received within 90 days before an election.

fair elections act amends federal election campaign act feca respect eligibility qualifying contribution requirements seed money limits benefits fair elections financing campaigns election establishment eligibility fund allocations allocations seed money contribution requirement contribution expenditure requirements certification federal election candidate participating candidate benefits participating candidates payment fair fight funds administration reporting requirements nonparticipating candidates modification electioneering communication reporting requirements limitation coordinated expenditures political party committees participating candidates amends communications act respect deposit proceeds recovered spectrum auctions establishes amends communications act entitle participating candidates receive specified reduced broadcast rates certain circumstances provide political advertisement vouchers directs federal_election_commission fec charge non public broadcast stations spectrum use fee shall deposited amends federal postal law prohibit mass mailings members congress notices public meetings days primary general election periods candidates election amends feca empower fec petition proceeding certiorari revise requirements filing fec house candidates reduce hours deadline electronic filing fec reports political committee contributions received days election


Summary: Citizen's Accessibility Election Act - Amends the Revised Statutes with respect to the time of a federal election to establish the first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every even numbered year, as the days for the election. Establishes the polling place hours in the continental United States for federal elections as the six-hour period beginning with noon Eastern time.

citizen accessibility election act amends revised statutes respect time federal election establish saturday sunday friday november numbered year days election establishes polling place hours continental united_states federal elections hour period beginning eastern time


Summary: Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit a state or local election official from accepting a challenge to an individual's eligibility to register to vote in an election for federal office in a jurisdition or to vote in an election for federal office in a jurisdiction if the challenge is not based on good cause. Declares that a challenge is not based on good cause if it is based on residence in property subject to foreclosure proceedings or in an area damaged by hurricane or other major disaster.

amends help_america_vote_act prohibit state local election official accepting challenge individual eligibility register vote election federal office vote election federal office jurisdiction challenge based good cause declares challenge based good cause based residence property subject foreclosure proceedings area damaged hurricane major disaster


Summary: Protection Against Wrongful Voter Purges Act - Amends the National Voter Registration Act to establish notice and review requirements for removal of individuals from a list of eligible voters by reason other than death or a change of residence. Requires the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to adopt voluntary guidance with respect to audits of the statewide computerized voter registration list so that each state will be able to ensure that the list: (1) reflects an accurate and complete count of all individuals validly registered to vote in federal elections; and (2) is secure against unauthorized uses. Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit a state from refusing to register any applicant who has completed the national voter registration application form. Requires the appropriate state or local election official to ensure that, at each polling place for a federal election and on a public website of the election official of each registrar's jurisdiction, a list is available which shows: (1) all individuals registered to vote in that election at all polling places located in the registrar's jurisdiction; and (2) for each such individual, the polling place at which the individual is registered. Permits an individual to request exclusion from the list. Prohibits such list from containing an individual's address. Provides that this Act shall not apply to a state in which there is no voter registration requirement for individuals in the state with respect to federal elections.

protection wrongful voter act amends national voter registration act establish notice review requirements removal individuals list eligible voters reason death change residence requires federal_election_commission fec adopt voluntary guidance respect audits statewide computerized voter registration list state able ensure list reflects accurate complete count individuals validly registered vote federal elections secure unauthorized uses amends help_america_vote_act prohibit state refusing register applicant completed national voter registration application form requires appropriate state local election official ensure polling place federal election public website election official registrar jurisdiction list available shows individuals registered vote election polling places located registrar jurisdiction individual polling place individual registered permits individual request exclusion list prohibits list containing individual address provides act shall apply state voter registration requirement individuals state respect federal elections


Summary: Election Software Disclosure Act of 2008 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit a voting system used in a state in a federal election from containing or using any election-dedicated voting system technology: (1) which has not been certified by the state for such use; and (2) which has not been deposited with the appropriate state and local election officials to be held in escrow and disclosed in accordance with this Act. Requires a state or local election official with whom an election-dedicated voting system technology has been deposited to: (1) hold it in escrow; and (2) disclose information regarding it to a qualified person who has entered into a nondisclosure agreement meeting certain requirements with respect to the technology, or if state law requires such disclosure.

election software disclosure act amends help america vote act prohibit voting system state federal election containing election dedicated voting system technology certified state use deposited appropriate state local election officials held escrow disclosed accordance act requires state local election official election dedicated voting system technology deposited hold escrow disclose information qualified person entered nondisclosure agreement meeting certain requirements respect technology state law requires disclosure


Summary: Poll Tape Transparency Act of 2008 - Amends the Help America Vote Act with respect to the requirements for each voting system used in a federal election. Requires the appropriate election official, upon the closing of the polls at each polling place, and under the observation of the certified tabulation observers admitted to the polling place, to: (1) announce the vote orally; (2) post a copy of the poll tape reflecting the totals from each voting machine in the polling place upon which votes were cast; (3) prepare and post a statement of the total number of individuals who appeared at the polling place to cast ballots; and (4) display by noon the following day, at a prominent public location, a copy of each poll tape and statement. Requires display of such information also on the official public websites of the applicable local election official and chief state election official. Specifies similar treatment of ballots cast at early voting sites, absentee ballots, and the daily count of provisional ballots.

poll tape transparency act amends help america vote act respect requirements voting system federal election requires appropriate election official closing polls polling place observation certified tabulation observers admitted polling place announce vote orally post copy poll tape reflecting totals voting machine polling place votes cast prepare post statement total number individuals appeared polling place cast ballots display following day prominent public location copy poll tape statement requires display information official public websites applicable local election official chief state election official specifies similar treatment ballots cast early voting sites absentee ballots daily count provisional ballots


Summary: Vote Tabulation Audit Act of 2008 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require states to meet specified standards for transparent and accurate tabulation of votes and aggregation of vote counts in federal elections, including standards for: (1) the treatment of ballots cast at early voting sites as well as absentee ballots and provisional ballots; and (2) mandatory hand recount in case of unresolved discrepancy. Requires the Election Assistance Commission to: (1) reimburse states to cover the costs of carrying out tabulations at certain polling places of votes cast on paper optical scan ballots; and (2) adopt a model format for the posting of the tabulation of votes and aggregate vote counts.

vote tabulation audit act amends help america vote act require states meet specified standards transparent accurate tabulation votes aggregation vote counts federal elections including standards treatment ballots cast early voting sites absentee ballots provisional ballots mandatory hand recount case unresolved discrepancy requires election_assistance_commission reimburse states cover costs carrying certain polling places votes cast paper optical scan ballots adopt model format posting tabulation votes aggregate vote counts


Summary: Military and Overseas Voting Enhancement Act - Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to require states to accept and process absentee ballots of overseas uniformed services and civilian voters submitted by the voter to a provider of express mail no later than the day before election day for transmission to the appropriate state election official, as long as the ballot is received within 10 days after the election. Requires the Presidential designee to reimburse overseas uniformed services voters for the costs of using a provider of express mail services to transmit the ballot to the official.

military overseas voting enhancement act amends uniformed overseas citizens absentee voting act require states accept process absentee ballots overseas uniformed services civilian voters submitted voter provider express mail later day election day transmission appropriate state election official long ballot received days election requires presidential designee reimburse overseas uniformed services voters costs provider express mail services transmit ballot official


Summary: Prohibits the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and their affiliates from making: (1) lobbying expenditures; (2) political contributions; or (3) contributions to any nonprofit tax-exempt organization.Declares that violating this Act shall constitute violation of federal law limiting the use of appropriated funds to influence certain federal contracting and financial transactions (thus, imposing the same penalties).

prohibits federal_national_mortgage_association fannie_mae federal_home_loan_mortgage_corporation freddie_mac affiliates making lobbying expenditures political contributions contributions nonprofit tax exempt organization declares violating act shall constitute violation federal law limiting use appropriated funds influence certain federal contracting financial transactions imposing penalties


Summary: Fixing the Federal Voting Assistance Program Act of 2008 - Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to require the presidential designee responsible for carrying out federal functions under the Act to have experience in election administration and be approved by the Senate. Establishes the Overseas Voting Advisory Board to conduct studies and issue reports with respect to various issues, including the ability of U.S. citizens who reside outside of the United States to register to vote and vote in elections for public office.

fixing amends uniformed overseas citizens absentee voting act require presidential designee responsible carrying federal functions act experience election administration approved senate establishes overseas voting advisory board conduct studies issue reports respect issues including ability citizens reside outside united_states register vote vote elections public office


Summary: Critical Election Infrastructure Act of 2008 - Directs the Election Assistance Commission to make grants to eligible states to carry out election administration improvement plans to promote efficiency and fairness in the operation of polling places in federal elections (including early voting sites), which may include: (1) acquisition of additional voting systems and equipment; (2) improved training of election administration officials; and (3) allocation of additional election administration officials to polling places serving greater numbers of voters.

critical election infrastructure act directs election_assistance_commission grants eligible states carry election administration improvement plans promote efficiency fairness operation polling places federal elections including early voting sites include acquisition additional voting systems equipment improved training election administration officials allocation additional election administration officials polling places serving greater numbers voters


Summary: Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) to increase from $50,000 to $200,00 the civil fine for noncompliance with LDA disclosure requirements.

amends lobbying disclosure act lda increase civil fine noncompliance lda disclosure requirements


Summary: Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit any authorized committee of a candidate or any other political committee established, maintained, or controlled by a candidate or person who holds a federal office from employing the spouse or any immediate family member of such candidate or federal office holder.

amends federal_election_campaign_act prohibit authorized committee candidate political committee established maintained controlled candidate person holds federal office employing spouse immediate family member candidate federal office holder


Summary: Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to one year for an intentional failure to file or report certain financial information.

amends ethics government act impose fine prison term year intentional failure file report certain financial information


Summary: Amends the federal criminal code to subject to criminal penalties the spouse of a Member of Congress who knowingly lobbies on behalf of a client for compensation any Member of Congress, or is associated with any such lobbying activity by the spouse's employer, if that spouse was not serving as a registered lobbyist at least one year before the spouse Member's election.

amends federal criminal code subject criminal penalties spouse member congress knowingly behalf client compensation member congress associated lobbying activity spouse employer spouse serving registered lobbyist year spouse member election


Summary: Presidential Funding Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to public financing of presidential election campaigns to: (1) quadruple (1:1 to 4:1) the matching rate for contributions to primary election candidates; (2) lower from $250 to $200 the limit on individual campaign contributions; (3) increase the presidential primary qualifying threshold from $5,000 to $25,000 in 20 states; (4) require presidential candidates to participate in the primary payment system to be eligible for general election payments; (5) move the starting date for payments to primary candidates from January 1 of a presidential election year to six months before the earliest state primary election; (6) allow additional payments and increased expenditure limits for candidates who face opponents who do not participate in public financing and who raise more than 20% of applicable spending limits; (7) designate the last Friday before the first Monday in September as the date for payments to eligible presidential candidates; and (8) increase from $3 to $10 the presidential campaign tax return check-off amount.Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) increase expenditure limits for presidential primary campaigns and eliminate state primary spending limits; (2) limit political party general election campaign expenditures to $25 million, with an additional $25 million allowance after the party's candidate is nominated; (3) prohibit political parties from spending unregulated funds (soft money) on their national conventions; and (4) require presidential campaign committees to disclose information about bundled contributions (series of contributions aggregating more than $10,000).Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to reduce funding for the market access program by $100 million in FY2007.

presidential funding act 2007_-_amends_internal_revenue code provisions relating public financing presidential election campaigns matching rate contributions primary election candidates lower limit individual campaign contributions increase presidential primary qualifying threshold states require presidential candidates participate primary payment system eligible general election payments starting date payments primary candidates january presidential election year months earliest state primary election allow additional payments increased expenditure limits candidates face opponents participate public financing raise applicable spending limits designate friday monday september date payments eligible presidential candidates increase presidential campaign tax return check amends federal_election_campaign_act increase expenditure limits presidential primary campaigns eliminate state primary spending limits limit political party general election campaign expenditures million additional million allowance party candidate nominated prohibit political parties spending unregulated funds soft money national conventions require presidential campaign committees disclose information bundled contributions series contributions aggregating reduce funding market access program million fy2007


Summary: Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Revised Statutes and federal criminal law to prohibit any person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, from knowingly deceiving any other person regarding: (1) the time, place, or manner of conducting any federal election; or (2) the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility for any such election. Makes intent to prevent another person from exercising the right to vote, or from voting for the candidate of such other person's choice, an essential element of the offense. Prescribes a criminal penalty for such deceptive acts.Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of any offense under this Act.(Sec. 4) Authorizes any person to report to the Attorney General false election information. Requires the Attorney General, if a report provides a reasonable basis to find that an election violation has occurred, to pursue any appropriate criminal prosecution or civil action and refer the matter to the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution or civil action, but only if such matter is otherwise under the Division's jurisdiction.Prohibits the commencement of any investigation or legal action relating to a report until after the election concerned has been completed, unless the Attorney General: (1) reasonably believes it is necessary to pursue such investigation or legal proceedings promptly; and (2) reasonably determines that such investigation or legal proceeding will not inhibit any person from exercising right to vote. (Sec. 5) Requires the Attorney General, immediately after receiving such a report, to consider and review it and, if there is a reasonable basis to find that false information has been communicated, to undertake all effective measures necessary to provide correct information to voters affected by the false information.Authorizes any person who has made such a report about which the Attorney General fails to take corrective action to apply to a U.S. district court for an order requiring the Attorney General to take such action.Requires the Attorney General to report to Congress on the procedures and standards intended to be used to provide corrective action. Directs the Attorney General to study the feasibility of providing such corrective information through public service announcements, the emergency alert system, or other forms of public broadcast.Authorizes appropriations.(Sec. 6) Directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on any allegations of false information submitted which relate to any federal general election or to any preceding primary or ensuing run-off election.

deceptive practices voter intimidation prevention act sec amends revised statutes federal criminal law prohibit person acting color law knowingly deceiving person time place manner conducting federal election qualifications restrictions voter eligibility election makes intent prevent person exercising right vote voting candidate person choice essential element offense prescribes criminal penalty deceptive acts directs review appropriate amend federal sentencing guidelines policy statements applicable persons convicted offense authorizes person report attorney general false election information requires attorney general report provides reasonable basis find election violation occurred pursue appropriate criminal prosecution civil action refer matter criminal prosecution civil action matter division jurisdiction prohibits commencement investigation legal action relating report election concerned completed attorney general reasonably believes necessary pursue investigation legal proceedings promptly reasonably determines investigation legal proceeding inhibit person exercising right vote sec requires attorney general immediately receiving report consider review reasonable basis find false information communicated undertake effective measures necessary provide correct information voters affected false information authorizes person report attorney general fails corrective action apply district court order requiring attorney general action requires attorney general report congress procedures standards intended provide corrective action directs attorney general study feasibility providing corrective information public service announcements emergency alert system forms public broadcast authorizes directs attorney general report congress allegations false information submitted relate federal general election preceding primary ensuing run election


Summary: 527 Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to subject to its requirements as a political committee any applicable 527 organization.Excludes from the meaning of 527 organization for these purposes any committee, club, association, or other group of persons organized to influence: (1) the selection, nomination, election, appointment, or confirmation of one or more candidates to non-federal or non-elected office; or (2) any state or local ballot measure.Denies exception from treatment as an applicable 527 organization to any such a committee, club, association, or other groups of persons which makes disbursements aggregating more than $1,000 for: (1) a public communication that promotes, supports, attacks, or opposes a clearly identified candidate for federal office during the one year period ending on the date of the general election for the office sought by the clearly identified candidate; or (2) certain voter drive activity. Sets forth rules for allocation and funding by a political committee for certain expenses relating to federal and nonfederal activities.

reform act amends federal election campaign act subject requirements political committee applicable organization excludes meaning organization purposes committee club association group persons organized influence selection nomination election appointment confirmation candidates non federal non elected office state local ballot measure denies exception treatment applicable organization committee club association groups persons makes disbursements aggregating public communication promotes supports attacks opposes clearly identified candidate federal office year period ending date general election office sought clearly identified candidate certain voter drive activity sets forth rules allocation funding political committee certain expenses relating federal nonfederal activities


Summary: Federal Election Administration Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to replace the Federal Election Commission with the Federal Election Administration (FEA) as an independent establishment to enforce federal campaign finance laws.Requires enforcement proceedings for violations of campaign finance laws to be conducted before administrative law judges. Allows any final determination made by an administrative law judge to be appealed to the FEA for final agency action, subject to judicial review. Authorizes the FEA to impose civil penalties, issue cease-and-desist orders, and report apparent criminal violations to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Allows the FEA to conduct audits and field examinations of campaign committees. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations. Directs the Comptroller General to examine and report to Congress on the Attorney General's enforcement of the criminal provisions of federal campaign finance laws.

federal_election_administration_act amends federal election campaign act replace federal_election_commission federal_election_administration fea independent establishment enforce federal campaign finance laws requires enforcement proceedings violations campaign finance laws conducted administrative law judges allows final determination administrative law judge appealed fea final agency action subject judicial review authorizes fea impose civil penalties issue cease desist orders report apparent criminal violations appropriate law enforcement authorities allows fea conduct audits field examinations campaign committees prescribes criminal penalties violations directs comptroller general examine report congress attorney general enforcement criminal provisions federal campaign finance laws


Summary: Work, Hope, and Opportunity for the Disaster Area Today Act - Allows small business employers (employers of not more than 100 full time employees) in specified areas of the Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone to claim a credit against the employment tax liabilities of their GO Zone employees. Limits to $15,000 per employee the amount of wages eligible for such credit in any calendar quarter. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a full tax deduction for business meal and entertainment expenses (normally, only 50% of such expenses are deductible) incurred in specified areas of the GO Zone prior to January 1, 2010. Extends through 2009: (1) the increased expensing allowance for GO Zone investment property; and (2) the work opportunity tax credit for hiring Hurricane Katrina employees. Extends through 2008 provisions allowing accelerated depreciation of qualified leasehold, restaurant, and retail improvement property located in specified areas of the GO Zone.

work hope opportunity disaster area today act allows small business employers employers time employees specified areas gulf_opportunity zone claim credit employment tax liabilities zone employees limits employee wages eligible credit calendar quarter amends internal revenue code allow tax deduction business meal entertainment expenses normally expenses deductible incurred specified areas zone prior january extends increased expensing allowance zone investment property work opportunity tax credit hiring hurricane katrina employees extends provisions allowing accelerated depreciation qualified leasehold restaurant retail improvement property located specified areas zone


Summary: Vote Integrity and Verification Act of 2007 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) with respect to: (1) ballot verification and mandatory paper record audit capacity; and (2) accessibility and ballot verification of results for individuals with disabilities.Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to study, test, and develop best practices to enhance the accessibility of ballot verification mechanisms for individuals with disabilities, voters whose primary language is not English, and voters with difficulties in literacy.Requires laboratories to meet standards prohibiting conflicts of interest as a condition of accreditation for the testing of voting system hardware and software.Outlines additional voting system requirements and prohibitions.Extends the authorization of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC).Provides for complaints to the Attorney General by persons aggrieved by violations of HAVA.Makes available additional funding to enable states to meet the costs of the requirements imposed by this Act. Directs the chief auditor of each state to appoint an Election Audit Board to administer, without advance notice to the precincts selected, random hand counts of the voter-verified paper ballots required to be produced and preserved for each such election held in the state. Makes it unlawful for a chief state election administration official to take an active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any federal election over which such official has supervisory authority. Repeals the exemption of the EAC from certain government contracting requirements.

amends help america vote act hava respect ballot verification mandatory paper record audit capacity accessibility ballot verification results individuals disabilities requires director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology study test develop best practices enhance accessibility ballot verification mechanisms individuals disabilities voters primary language english voters difficulties literacy requires laboratories meet standards prohibiting conflicts interest condition accreditation testing voting system hardware software outlines additional voting system requirements prohibitions extends authorization election_assistance_commission complaints attorney general persons aggrieved violations available additional funding enable states meet costs requirements imposed act directs chief auditor state appoint administer advance notice precincts selected random hand counts voter verified paper ballots required produced preserved election held state makes unlawful chief state election administration official active political management political campaign respect federal election official supervisory authority repeals exemption eac certain government contracting requirements


Summary: Voter Advocate and Democracy Index Act of 2007 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to establish within the Election Assistance Commission an Office of the Voter Advocate to develop and administer a program to: (1) collect specified voter data from states with respect to each election for federal office; (2) develop, refine, and publish a Democracy Index; (3) make grants to eligible entities; and (4) make recommendations to states to improve their performance in the administration of federal elections (as determined based on a state-by-state comparison of the voter data collected under this Act.) Directs the Office to establish a Democracy Index Pilot Program for calendar year 2008 to make grants to eligible entities for the purpose of creating a Democracy Index. Requires each state to submit to the Office of the Voter Advocate specified voter data with respect to each election for federal office.

democracy index act amends help america vote act establish develop administer program collect specified voter data states respect election federal office develop refine publish democracy index grants eligible entities recommendations states improve performance administration federal elections determined based state state comparison voter data collected act directs office establish calendar year grants eligible entities purpose creating democracy index requires state submit specified voter data respect election federal office


Summary: Count Every Vote Act of 2005 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 with respect to : (1) voter verification and mandatory auditing by state officials; (2) provisional ballots and requirements for casting and counting them; (3) shortening of voter wait lines; (4) equitable allocation of voting systems, poll workers, and election resources; (5) absentee balloting; (6) training of poll workers; (7) standards for purging voters; (8) an election day registration grant program; (9) standards for early voting; (10) voter registration and identification; (11) prohibition of deceptive practices and certain campaign activities; (12) voting rights of individuals convicted of criminal offenses; and (13) the Election Assistance Commission. Makes appropriations to carry out this Act. Federal Election Day Act of 2007 - Amends federal civil service to provide for federal election day as a public holiday.

count vote act amends help america vote act respect voter verification mandatory auditing state officials provisional ballots requirements casting counting voter wait lines equitable allocation voting systems poll workers election resources absentee balloting training poll workers standards voters election day registration grant program standards early voting voter registration identification prohibition deceptive practices certain campaign activities voting rights individuals convicted criminal offenses election_assistance_commission makes appropriations carry act federal election day act amends federal civil service provide federal election day public holiday


Summary: Fair Elections Now Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) with respect to: (1) eligibility and qualifying contribution requirements, seed money limits, and benefits of fair elections financing of Senate election campaigns; (2) establishment of a Senate Fair Elections Fund; (3) eligibility for Fund allocations as well as such allocations; (4) a seed money contribution requirement; (5) contribution and expenditure requirements; (6) certification of whether or not a federal election candidate is a participating candidate; (7) benefits for participating candidates; (8) payment of fair fight funds; (9) administration of the Senate Fair Elections System; (10) reporting requirements for nonparticipating candidates; (11) modification of electioneering communication reporting requirements; and (12) the limitation on coordinated expenditures by political party committees with participating candidates. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 with respect to the deposit of proceeds from recovered spectrum auctions.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit for voluntary donations to the Senate Fair Elections Fund. Establishes the Fair Elections Review Commission. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) entitle participating candidates to receive specified reduced broadcast rates in certain circumstances; and (2) provide for political advertisement vouchers for them. Directs the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to charge non-public broadcast stations a spectrum use fee, which shall be deposited into the Senate Fair Elections Fund. Amends federal postal law to prohibit franked mass mailings by Members of Congress (except notices of public meetings) during the 90 days before primary and general election periods, unless they are not candidates for re-election. Amends FECA to: (1) empower the FEC to petition the U.S. Supreme Court for a proceeding on certiorari; (2) revise requirements for filing with the FEC by Senate candidates; and (3) reduce from 48 to 24 hours the deadline for electronic filing with the FEC of reports by each political committee of contributions received within 90 days before an election.

fair elections act amends federal election campaign act feca respect eligibility qualifying contribution requirements seed money limits benefits fair elections financing senate election campaigns establishment eligibility fund allocations allocations seed money contribution requirement contribution expenditure requirements certification federal election candidate participating candidate benefits participating candidates payment fair fight funds administration reporting requirements nonparticipating candidates modification electioneering communication reporting requirements limitation coordinated expenditures political party committees participating candidates amends communications act respect deposit proceeds recovered spectrum auctions amends internal revenue code provide tax credit voluntary donations establishes amends communications act entitle participating candidates receive specified reduced broadcast rates certain circumstances provide political advertisement vouchers directs federal_election_commission fec charge non public broadcast stations spectrum use fee shall deposited amends federal postal law prohibit mass mailings members congress notices public meetings days primary general election periods candidates election amends feca empower fec petition proceeding certiorari revise requirements filing fec senate candidates reduce hours deadline electronic filing fec reports political committee contributions received days election


Summary: Campaign Accountability Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to repeal the limitation on party expenditures on behalf of candidates in general elections.

campaign accountability act amends federal election campaign act repeal limitation party expenditures behalf candidates general elections


Summary: Fair Elections Now Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) with respect to: (1) eligibility and qualifying contribution requirements, seed money limits, and benefits of fair elections financing of Senate election campaigns; (2) establishment of a Senate Fair Elections Fund; (3) eligibility for Fund allocations as well as such allocations; (4) a seed money contribution requirement; (5) contribution and expenditure requirements; (6) certification of whether or not a federal election candidate is a participating candidate; (7) benefits for participating candidates; (8) payment of fair fight funds; (9) administration of the Senate Fair Elections System; (10) reporting requirements for nonparticipating candidates; (11) modification of electioneering communication reporting requirements; and (12) the limitation on coordinated expenditures by political party committees with participating candidates. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 with respect to the deposit of proceeds from recovered spectrum auctionsEstablishes the Fair Elections Review Commission. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) entitle participating candidates to receive specified reduced broadcast rates in certain circumstances; and (2) provide for political advertisement vouchers for them. Directs the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to charge non-public broadcast stations a spectrum use fee, which shall be deposited into the Senate Fair Elections Fund. Amends federal postal law to prohibit franked mass mailings by Members of Congress (except public meeting notices) during the 90 days before primary and general election periods, unless they are not candidates for re-election. Amends FECA to: (1) empower the FEC to petition the U.S. Supreme Court for a proceeding on certiorari; (2) revise requirements for filing with the FEC by Senate candidates; and (3) reduce from 48 to 24 hours the deadline for electronic filing with the FEC of reports by each political committee of contributions received within 90 days before an election.

fair elections act amends federal election campaign act feca respect eligibility qualifying contribution requirements seed money limits benefits fair elections financing senate election campaigns establishment eligibility fund allocations allocations seed money contribution requirement contribution expenditure requirements certification federal election candidate participating candidate benefits participating candidates payment fair fight funds administration reporting requirements nonparticipating candidates modification electioneering communication reporting requirements limitation coordinated expenditures political party committees participating candidates amends communications act respect deposit proceeds recovered spectrum amends communications act entitle participating candidates receive specified reduced broadcast rates certain circumstances provide political advertisement vouchers directs federal_election_commission fec charge non public broadcast stations spectrum use fee shall deposited amends federal postal law prohibit mass mailings members congress public meeting notices days primary general election periods candidates election amends feca empower fec petition proceeding certiorari revise requirements filing fec senate candidates reduce hours deadline electronic filing fec reports political committee contributions received days election


Summary: Ballot Integrity Act of 2007 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit a state or jurisdiction from purchasing or otherwise acquiring for use in a federal election a direct recording electronic voting system or other electronic voting system that does not produce a voter-verified paper record. Directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to make grants for: (1) replacing or retrofitting direct recording electronic and certain other voting systems; and (2) research on voting technology improvements for the development of completely accessible voting systems. Requires the voting system to: (1) require the use of or produce an individual, durable, voter-verified paper record of the voter's vote for inspection and verification before the voter's vote is cast and counted; and (2) provide the voter with an opportunity to correct any error before the paper record is preserved. Outlines durability and readability requirements. Directs the EAC to study, test, and develop best practices to enhance the accessibility of vote verification mechanisms for individuals with disabilities, for language minorities, and for individuals with difficulties in literacy. Modifies alternative language accessibility requirements.Bans voting systems from at any time: (1) containing or using any software which has not been certified; or (2) containing, using, or being accessible by any wireless, power-line, or concealed communication device. Prohibits any Internet connection for components of any voting device. Requires security standards for voting systems used in federal elections. Requires laboratories to meet standards prohibiting conflicts of interest as a condition of accreditation for testing of voting system hardware and software. Requires each state to establish standards for local jurisdictions to use in conducting election audits. Requires the Commission to establish an Audit Guidelines Development Task Force. Adds federal election requirements pertaining, among other things, to absentee voting and third-party registration. Requires the EAC to study the equitable distribution of voting systems, poll workers, and election resources. Prohibits campaign activities by Chief State Election Officials. Outlines standards for purging voters from voter registration lists, including restoration of erroneously purged voters. Requires each state to promulgate uniform, nondiscriminatory procedures allowing polling place access to international and domestic election observers. Provides for early voting. Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act regarding absentee ballots for military and overseas voters.

ballot integrity act amends help america vote act prohibit state jurisdiction purchasing acquiring use federal election direct recording electronic voting system electronic voting system produce voter verified paper record directs election_assistance_commission eac grants replacing retrofitting direct recording electronic certain voting systems research voting technology improvements development completely accessible voting systems requires voting system require use produce individual durable voter verified paper record voter vote inspection verification voter vote cast counted provide voter opportunity correct error paper record preserved outlines durability readability requirements directs eac study test develop best practices enhance accessibility vote verification mechanisms individuals disabilities language minorities individuals difficulties literacy modifies alternative language accessibility requirements bans voting systems time containing software certified containing accessible wireless power line concealed communication device prohibits internet connection components voting device requires security standards voting systems federal elections requires laboratories meet standards prohibiting conflicts interest condition accreditation testing voting system hardware software requires state establish standards local jurisdictions use conducting election audits requires commission establish audit guidelines development task force adds federal election requirements pertaining things absentee voting party registration requires eac study equitable distribution voting systems poll workers election resources prohibits campaign activities officials outlines standards voters voter registration lists including restoration erroneously voters requires state promulgate uniform nondiscriminatory procedures allowing polling place access international domestic election observers provides early voting amends uniformed overseas citizens absentee voting act absentee ballots military overseas voters


Summary: Voting Integrity and Verification Act of 2007 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require each voting system purchased after December 31, 2012, and used in an election for federal office to produce an individual permanent paper record for each ballot that is cast. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish a program to award cash prizes competitively to eligible persons that advance the research, development, demonstration, and application of voting systems which are specifically designed to enhance accessibility and provide independence for persons with disabilities during the voting process.

verification act amends help america vote act require voting system purchased december election federal office produce individual permanent paper record ballot cast requires director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology establish program award cash prizes competitively eligible persons advance research development demonstration application voting systems specifically designed enhance accessibility provide independence persons disabilities voting process


Summary: Regional Presidential Primary and Caucus Act of 2007 - Divides the United States into four regions of specified states (including the District of Columbia) for holding presidential primaries in each presidential election year. Requires four successive presidential primaries in each such year, to be held during the period beginning on the first Tuesday of March, April, May, and June and ending on the sixth day following such Tuesday. Directs the Election Assistance Commission to establish procedures for the conduct of a lottery by March 1, 2010, to select which of four regions will hold the first primary. Sets forth a rule for subsequent election cycles. Provides that, in the case where a state elects to select delegates to a political party's national presidential nominating convention through a caucus, the state shall hold a caucus during the period in which its region is scheduled to hold a primary.

divides united_states regions specified states including district_of_columbia holding presidential primaries presidential election year requires successive presidential primaries year held period beginning tuesday march april june ending sixth day following tuesday directs election_assistance_commission establish procedures conduct lottery march select regions hold primary sets forth rule subsequent election cycles provides case state elects select delegates political party national presidential nominating convention caucus state shall hold caucus period region scheduled hold primary


Summary: Fair and Representative Presidential Primaries Act of 2007 - Divides the United States into six regions of specified states to provide for: (1) interregional primary elections and caucuses, according to a certain order; and (2) selection of delegates to political party presidential and vice presidential national nominating conventions.

fair divides united_states regions specified states provide primary elections according certain order selection delegates political party presidential vice presidential national nominating conventions


Summary: Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended by the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, to revise requirements for disclosure of bundled contributions, particularly by an authorized committee of a candidate for the office of President or for nomination to such office (presidential candidate committee).Applies such reporting requirements to bundled contributions by persons other than registered lobbyists. Requires reporting of lobbyist contributions on a separate schedule.Sets the covered period for such reports as the two-year period preceding a presidential election, as well as any applicable reporting period during which any person provided two or more bundled contributions in an aggregate amount greater than the specified applicable amount.Increases the applicable threshold triggering such reporting requirement from $15,000 (currently applicable to any authorized committee of a candidate, a leadership PAC, or a political party committee) to $50,000 in the case of a presidential candidate committee. Excludes from the calculation of a bundled contribution any contribution by the candidate or the candidate's spouse.

amends federal_election_campaign_act amended honest leadership open government act revise requirements disclosure bundled contributions particularly authorized committee candidate office president nomination office presidential candidate reporting requirements bundled contributions persons registered lobbyists requires reporting lobbyist contributions separate schedule sets covered period reports year period preceding presidential election applicable reporting period person provided bundled contributions aggregate greater specified applicable increases applicable threshold triggering reporting requirement currently applicable authorized committee candidate leadership pac political party committee case presidential candidate committee excludes calculation bundled contribution contribution candidate candidate spouse


Summary: Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) with respect to: (1) ballot verification and mandatory paper record audit capacity; and (2) accessibility and ballot verification of results for individuals with disabilities.Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to study, test, and develop best practices to enhance the accessibility of ballot verification mechanisms for individuals with disabilities, voters whose primary language is not English, and voters with difficulties in literacy.Requires laboratories to meet standards prohibiting conflicts of interest as a condition of accreditation for the testing of voting system hardware and software.Outlines additional voting system requirements and prohibitions.Provides for grants for research on development of election-dedicated voting system software. Provides for complaints to the Attorney General by persons aggrieved by violations of HAVA. Directs each state to administer, without advance notice to the precincts selected, audits of the results of elections for federal office held in the state consisting of random hand counts of the voter-verified paper paper ballots required to be produced and preserved for each such election held in the state. Requires the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to make payments to states to cover the costs incurred in carrying out such mandatory manual audits. Repeals the exemption of the EAC from certain government contracting requirements.

increased accessibility act amends help america vote act hava respect ballot verification mandatory paper record audit capacity accessibility ballot verification results individuals disabilities requires director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology study test develop best practices enhance accessibility ballot verification mechanisms individuals disabilities voters primary language english voters difficulties literacy requires laboratories meet standards prohibiting conflicts interest condition accreditation testing voting system hardware software outlines additional voting system requirements prohibitions provides grants research development election dedicated voting system software provides complaints attorney general persons aggrieved violations hava directs state administer advance notice precincts selected audits results elections federal office held state consisting random hand counts voter verified paper paper ballots required produced preserved election held state requires election_assistance_commission eac payments states cover costs incurred carrying mandatory manual audits repeals exemption eac certain government contracting requirements


Summary: Caging Prohibition Act of 2007 - Prohibits state or local election officials from preventing an individual from registering or voting in any election for federal office, or permitting a formal challenge under state law to an individual's registration status or eligibility to vote in a federal election, if the sole basis for such decision or challenge is evidence consisting of: (1) a voter caging document or voter caging list; (2) an unverified match list; or (3) any other evidence so designated for purposes of this Act by the Federal Election Commission.Defines "voter caging document" as: (1) any nonforwardable document that is sent to an individual at the address at which such individual is registered (or seeking to become registered) as a voter in a federal election, and that is returned to the sender or to a third party as undelivered or undeliverable; and (2) any document (other than a notice warning of possible removal from the voting rolls) that is sent to an individual at the address at which such individual is registered.Defines "unverified match list" as one produced by matching the identity of registered voters or voter registration applicants with the identity of individuals who are ineligible to vote in the registrar's jurisdiction, by virtue of death, conviction, change of address, mental impairment, or otherwise, unless the information establishing the individual's identity contains a signature, photograph, or unique identifying number.Outlines requirements for challenges to an individual's registration or voting eligibility by persons other than election officials.

prohibition act prohibits state local election officials preventing individual registering voting election federal office permitting formal challenge state law individual registration status eligibility vote federal election sole basis decision challenge evidence consisting voter document voter list unverified match list evidence designated purposes act federal_election_commission defines voter document document sent individual address individual registered seeking registered voter federal election returned sender party document notice warning possible removal voting rolls sent individual address individual registered defines unverified match list produced matching identity registered voters voter registration applicants identity individuals ineligible vote registrar jurisdiction virtue death conviction change address mental impairment information establishing individual identity contains signature photograph unique identifying number outlines requirements challenges individual registration voting eligibility persons election officials


Summary: Presidential Funding Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to public financing of presidential election campaigns to: (1) quadruple (1:1 to 4:1) the matching rate for contributions to primary election candidates; (2) lower from $250 to $200 the limit on individual campaign contributions; (3) increase the presidential primary qualifying threshold from $5,000 to $25,000 in 20 states; (4) require presidential candidates to participate in the primary payment system to be eligible for general election payments; (5) move the starting date for payments to primary candidates from January 1 of a presidential election year to six months before the earliest state primary election; (6) allow additional payments and increased expenditure limits for candidates who face opponents who do not participate in public financing and who raise more than 20% of applicable spending limits; (7) designate the last Friday before the first Monday in September as the date for payments to eligible presidential candidates; and (8) increase from $3 to $10 the presidential campaign tax return check-off amount.Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) increase expenditure limits for presidential primary campaigns and eliminate state primary spending limits; (2) limit political party general election campaign expenditures to $25 million, with an additional $25 million allowance after the party's candidate is nominated; (3) prohibit political parties from spending unregulated funds (soft money) on their national conventions; and (4) require presidential campaign committees to disclose information about bundled campaign contributions (series of contributions exceeding specified threshold amounts).Amends the Energy Policy Act, the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, and the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 to increase license fees, royalties, and grazing fees under such Acts.

presidential funding act 2007_-_amends_internal_revenue code provisions relating public financing presidential election campaigns matching rate contributions primary election candidates lower limit individual campaign contributions increase presidential primary qualifying threshold states require presidential candidates participate primary payment system eligible general election payments starting date payments primary candidates january presidential election year months earliest state primary election allow additional payments increased expenditure limits candidates face opponents participate public financing raise applicable spending limits designate friday monday september date payments eligible presidential candidates increase presidential campaign tax return check amends federal_election_campaign_act increase expenditure limits presidential primary campaigns eliminate state primary spending limits limit political party general election campaign expenditures million additional million allowance party candidate nominated prohibit political parties spending unregulated funds soft money national conventions require presidential campaign committees disclose information bundled campaign contributions series contributions exceeding specified threshold energy policy act geothermal steam act public rangelands improvement act increase license fees royalties grazing fees acts


Summary: Robocall Privacy Act of 2008 - Makes it unlawful for a person during specified periods before a federal primary or general election to make certain prerecorded political telephone calls with respect to a candidate for federal office without immediate disclosure of the recorded nature of the calls, the identity of the caller, and the appearance of the caller's telephone number on the recipient's caller identification service.

robocall privacy act makes unlawful person specified periods federal primary general election certain prerecorded political telephone calls respect candidate federal office immediate disclosure recorded nature calls identity caller appearance caller telephone number recipient caller identification service


Summary: Weekend Voting Act - Amends the Revised Statutes with respect to the time of election to establish the first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every even numbered year, as the days for the election, in each state and territory, of Delegates to, or Members of, Congress.Amends federal law with respect to presidential elections and vacancies to establish the first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every fourth year, as the days for the election of the President and Vice President of the United States. Amends such federal laws to establish the same polling place hours in the United States for both congressional and presidential elections, namely from 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday till 6:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, with polls allowed to close between the hours of 10:00 p.m. local time on Saturday and 6:00 a.m. local time on Sunday as provided by the law of the state in which the polling place is located.

weekend voting act amends revised statutes respect time election establish saturday sunday friday november numbered year days election state territory delegates members congress amends federal law respect presidential elections vacancies establish saturday sunday friday november fourth year days election president vice president united_states amends federal laws establish polling place hours united_states congressional presidential elections est saturday till est sunday polls allowed close hours local time saturday local time sunday provided law state polling place located


Summary: Election Day Registration Act - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require each state with voter registration requirements relating to federal elections to permit any eligible individual on the day of a federal election to register to vote, and cast a vote, in such election.

election day registration act amends help america vote act require state voter registration requirements relating federal elections permit eligible individual day federal election register vote cast vote election


Summary: Closing the Foreign Lobbying Loophole Act - Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to repeal the exemption of agents of foreign principals from mandatory registration with the Attorney General if they are already registered under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. Redefines "agent of a foreign principal" to extend its meaning to agents who through any other person outside the United States represents the interests of a foreign principal before any agency or official of the federal government.

closing foreign lobbying loophole act amends foreign agents registration act repeal exemption agents foreign principals mandatory registration attorney general registered lobbying disclosure act redefines agent foreign principal extend meaning agents person outside united_states represents interests foreign principal agency official federal government


Summary: Do-Not-Text Act of 2008 - Amends the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 to exclude from the definition of "mobile service commercial message" a commercial e-mail if the message's primary purpose is to: (1) facilitate, complete, or confirm a transaction between the message recipient and the sender; (2) provide warranty, recall, safety, or security information regarding the recipient's product or service; (3) provide notice of a change in terms or conditions, a change in the status of the recipient, or account statements regarding a subscription, membership, account, loan, or comparable ongoing commercial relationship; (4) provide information regarding an employment relationship or benefit plan in which the recipient is involved; or (5) deliver goods or services, including updates or upgrades, that the recipient is entitled to receive.Declares that provisions relating to the application of the Act to wireless do not prohibit: (1) phone-to-phone short messages; and (2) the sending of mobile service commercial messages by a mobile service provider to its subscribers at no cost to its subscribers unless a subscriber has expressed a desire not to receive such messages.Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require express prior authorization to send a mobile service commercial message to any person in the United States.

text act amends spam act exclude definition mobile service commercial message commercial mail message primary purpose facilitate complete confirm transaction message recipient sender provide warranty recall safety security information recipient product service provide notice change terms conditions change status recipient account statements subscription membership account loan comparable ongoing commercial relationship provide information employment relationship benefit plan recipient involved deliver goods services including updates upgrades recipient entitled receive declares provisions relating application act wireless prohibit phone phone short messages sending mobile service commercial messages mobile service provider subscribers cost subscribers subscriber expressed desire receive messages amends communications act require express prior authorization send mobile service commercial message person united_states