; findings (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Democracy by Securing the Right To Vote by Mail Act . (b) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The freedoms of the press and of speech guaranteed in the First Amendment to the Constitution and the establishment of a national postal system, an authority vested by the Constitution in the Congress in article I, section 8, clause 7, are indispensable features of a strong and stable democracy. (2) A national postal system to collect and distribute mail efficiently, affordably, reliably, and without regard to the sender’s or recipient’s race, creed, color, national origin, religion, region of residence, or political affiliation strengthens and fortifies democracy by enabling all persons to communicate with any or all other Americans. (3) A functioning and effective national postal system strengthens the economy by facilitating the efficient delivery of goods and services, promotes the public health by facilitating the timely delivery of needed medical supplies and prescription drugs to senior citizens and veterans, and enriches civil society by facilitating the delivery of letters of greetings, sympathy, congratulations, and love, thus strengthening the mystic bonds of affection of Americans for each other and for the United States. 2. Rules for treatment of absentee ballots (a) In general Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 ( 52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 303 the following new section: 303A. Rules for treatment of absentee ballots (a) Methods for requesting ballot In addition to such other methods as the State may establish for an individual to request an absentee ballot, the State shall permit an individual to submit a request for an absentee ballot through the internet or mobile application and by telephone. The State shall be considered to meet the requirements of this paragraph if the website of the appropriate State or local election official allows an absentee ballot request application to be