; and (C) prior to the date of final certification of ballots in the election by such State, to provide such individual a final determination as to the validity of the ballot and whether the individual's ballot was counted in the election. (2) Deadline A voter has until the day before certification of election results to provide confirmation that the signature in question is their genuine signature. This confirmation can be provided orally, in writing, or electronically, including through any of the forms described in subsection (b)(2). No separate oath or affirmation is required. (3) Counting of vote A final determination with respect to the validity of a ballot in the case of a signature mismatch under this section shall be made by three election officials, at least one of whom is of an opposing party and, unless such election officials determine, taking into account any conformation or information provided under the procedures established pursuant to paragraph (1)(A), through a unanimous vote and beyond a reasonable doubt that the ballot is not valid, such ballot shall be counted as a vote in that election. (d) Report (1) In general Not later than 120 days after the end of a Federal election cycle, each chief State election official in a covered State shall submit to Congress a report containing the following information for the applicable Federal election cycle in the State: (A) The number of ballots invalidated due to a discrepancy under this section. (B) Description of attempts to contact voters to provide notice as required by this section. (C) Description of the cure process developed by such State pursuant to this section, including the number of ballots determined valid as a result of such process. (2) Federal election cycle defined For purposes 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