# § 21001. Requirements payments
**(a)** **In general** section 21002 of this titlesection 21003 of this title
The Commission shall make a requirements payment each year in an amount determined under to each State which meets the conditions described in for the year.
**(b)** **Use of funds**
**(1)** **In general** Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), a State receiving a requirements payment shall use the payment only to meet the requirements of subchapter III.
**(2)** **Other activities** A State may use a requirements payment to carry out other activities to improve the administration of elections for Federal office if the State certifies to the Commission that—
**(A)** the State has implemented the requirements of subchapter III; or
**(B)** the amount expended with respect to such other activities does not exceed an amount equal to the minimum payment amount applicable to the State under section 21002(c) of this title.
**(3)** **Activities under Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act** section 21007(a)(4) of this title52 U.S.C. 20301
A State shall use a requirements payment made using funds appropriated pursuant to the authorization under only to meet the requirements under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act [ et seq.] imposed as a result of the provisions of and amendments made by the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act.
**(c)** **Retroactive payments**
**(1)** **In general** section 21004(a)(7) of this titlesection 21081 of this title
Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, including the maintenance of effort requirements of , a State may use a requirements payment as a reimbursement for costs incurred in obtaining voting equipment which meets the requirements of if the State obtains the equipment after the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2000.
**(2)** **Special rule regarding multiyear contracts** section 21081 of this titleJanuary 1, 2001section 21004(a)(7) of this title
A State may use a requirements payment for any costs for voting equipment which meets the requirements of that, pursuant to a multiyear contract, were incurred on or after , except that the amount that the State is otherwise required to contribute under the maintenance of effort requirements of shall be increased by the amount of the payment made with respect to such multiyear contract.
**(d)** **Adoption of Commission guidelines and guidance not required to receive payment** Nothing in this subpart may be construed to require a State to implement any of the voluntary voting system guidelines or any of the voluntary guidance adopted by the Commission with respect to any matter as a condition for receiving a requirements payment.
**(e)** **Schedule of payments** As soon as practicable after the initial appointment of all members of the Commission (but in no event later than 6 months thereafter), and not less frequently than once each calendar year thereafter, the Commission shall make requirements payments to States under this subpart.
**(f)** **Limitation** A State may not use any portion of a requirements payment—
**(1)** to pay costs associated with any litigation, except to the extent that such costs otherwise constitute permitted uses of a requirements payment under this subpart; or
**(2)** for the payment of any judgment.
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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 107–252, title II, § 251, Oct. 29, 2002, 116 Stat. 1692; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title V, § 588(a), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2333.)
## Editorial Notes
### References in Text
Subchapter III, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), (2)(A), was in the original “title III”, meaning title III of , , , which is classified principally to subchapter III (§ 21081 et seq.) of this chapter. For complete classification of title III to the Code, see Tables.
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is , , , which is classified principally to chapter 203 (§ 20301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
The Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is subtitle H (§§ 575–589) of title V of div. A of , , . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
### Codification
Section was formerly classified to , The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
### Amendments
2009—Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “paragraphs (2) and (3)” for “paragraph (2)”.
Subsec. (b)(3). , added par. (3).