of this subsection, the term Federal For election cycle means the period beginning on January 1 of any odd numbered year and ending on December 31 of the following year. (e) Research and development The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall expand the research and develop best practices or guidelines for the acceptance, verification, and curing of signatures for mail-in ballots. (f) Effective date This section shall apply with respect to the general election for Federal office held in 2020 and any subsequent election for Federal office. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 323, as added by section 6, the following new item: Sec. 324. Signature mismatch on ballot submitted by mail or provisional ballot. . 9. Requirement for acceptance of voter registration applications (a) In general Subtitle C of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added by section 3 and amended by sections 5, 6, and 8, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 325. Acceptance of voter registration applications (a) Requirements for voter registration applications Each State and local jurisdiction shall— (1) accept and process voter registration applications submitted in person, by mail, or online at least 21 days prior to the date of an election for Federal office, except nothing this paragraph shall preclude a State or local jurisdiction from allowing for the acceptance and processing of voter registration applications submitted or received after such required period