; or (B) request that a paper copy of the application be transmitted to the individual by mail or electronic mail so that the individual may complete the application and return it to the official. (2) Ensuring delivery prior to election If an individual requests to vote by absentee ballot in an election for Federal office, the appropriate State or local election official shall ensure that the ballot and relating voting materials are received by the individual prior to the date of the election so long as the individual’s request is received by the official not later than 5 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) before the date of the election, except that nothing in this paragraph shall preclude a State or local jurisdiction from allowing for the acceptance and processing of ballot requests submitted or received after such required period. (3) Special rules in case of emergency periods (A) Automatic mailing of absentee ballots to all voters If the area in which an election is held is in an area in which an emergency or disaster which is described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 1135(g)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1) ) is declared during the period described in subparagraph (C)— (i) paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply with respect to the election; and (ii) not later than 2 weeks before the date of the election, the appropriate State or local election official shall transmit absentee ballots and balloting materials for the election to all individuals who are registered to vote in such election. (B) Affirmation If an individual receives an absentee ballot from a State or local election official pursuant to subparagraph (A) and returns the voted ballot to the official, the ballot shall not be counted in the election unless the individual includes with the ballot a signed affirmation that— (i) the individual has not and will not cast another ballot with respect to the election