MILITARY VOTING MATTERS.

SEC. 596. MILITARY VOTING MATTERS.(a) Repeal of Requirement for Periodic Inspector General Installation Visits for Assessment of Voting Assistance Program Compliance.—Section 1566 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (d).(b) Use of Electronic Voting Technology.—(1) Continuation of interim voting assistance system.—The Secretary of Defense shall continue the Interim Voting Assistance System (IVAS) ballot request program with respect to all absent uniformed services voters (as defined under section 107(1) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff–6(1))) and overseas employees of the Department of Defense for the general election and all elections through December 31, 2006.(2) Reports.—(A) In general.—Not later than 30 days after the date of the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office for November 2006, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Congress a report setting forth—(i) an assessment of the success of the implementation of the Interim Voting Assistance System ballot request program carried out under paragraph (1);120 STAT. 2236(ii) recommendations for continuation of the Interim Voting Assistance System and for improvements to that system; and(iii) an assessment of available technologies and other means of achieving enhanced use of electronic and Internet-based capabilities under the Interim Voting Assistance System.(B) Future elections.—Not later than May 15, 2007, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Congress a report setting forth in detail plans for expanding the use of electronic voting technology for individuals covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.) for elections through November 30, 2010.(c) Comptroller General Report.—Not later than March 1, 2007, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report containing the assessment of the Comptroller General with respect to the following:(1) The programs and activities undertaken by the Department of Defense to facilitate voter registration, transmittal of ballots to absentee voters, and voting utilizing electronic means of communication (such as electronic mail and fax transmission) for military and civilian personnel covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.).(2) The progress of the Department of Defense and the Election Assistance Commission in developing a secure, deployable system for Internet-based electronic voting pursuant to the amendment made by section 567 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108–375; 118 Stat. 1919).(d) Repeal of Expired Provision.—Section 1566(g)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking the last sentence.