Congress Enacts Election Reforms
After the election of November 2000, much discussion around the country centered on the need to reform our nation’s election systems in light of the problems that were evident in that election. While several proposals were put forward in Congress to establish some national standards, many pundits didn’t give election reform much of a chance of becoming law because of partisan squabbles.
In spite of these predictions of failure, Congress has enacted a compromise, bipartisan election reform measure in advance of this month’s mid-term elections—the first national election since the 2000 election. As of this writing, it was expected the President would sign the legislation. The Help America Vote Act, a measure I co-sponsored, is legislation crafted in direct response to the problems associated with the 2000 election.
This bi-partisan bill addresses the shortfalls in the system and offers solutions to help states carry out our democratic process. I believe it’s a good bill that realizes the goal of updating our election systems while maintaining local and state control over elections.
The compromise bill passed both chambers by overwhelming margins. It will provide almost $3.9 billion to upgrade voting equipment and improve election administration across the country.
The bill includes several significant provisions. Among them are:
In spite of these predictions of failure, Congress has enacted a compromise, bipartisan election reform measure in advance of this month’s mid-term elections—the first national election since the 2000 election. As of this writing, it was expected the President would sign the legislation. The Help America Vote Act, a measure I co-sponsored, is legislation crafted in direct response to the problems associated with the 2000 election.
This bi-partisan bill addresses the shortfalls in the system and offers solutions to help states carry out our democratic process. I believe it’s a good bill that realizes the goal of updating our election systems while maintaining local and state control over elections.
The compromise bill passed both chambers by overwhelming margins. It will provide almost $3.9 billion to upgrade voting equipment and improve election administration across the country.
The bill includes several significant provisions. Among them are:
- More than $3 billion in direct aid to states to immediately upgrade and improve the administration process of federal elections, including the training of poll workers and increased voter education material.
- Modernizing equipment through a $325 million fund to replace antiquated punch-card voting machines. Under this provision, each state is guaranteed at least $5 million to assist with the updating of voting equipment.
- Creation of an Election Assistance Commission. The Commission will serve as a national clearinghouse for information and review of procedures for federal elections. Among its duties, the Commission will develop voluntary standards for voting systems and voluntary election management practices. The Commission will also test and certify voting systems around the country.
- Anti-fraud provisions, whereby first-time voters must provide proof of identity. This section also requires states to maintain voter registration systems on a statewide level, enhancing a state’s ability to keep clean lists of duplicates and fraudulent voters. The legislation provides criminal penalties under federal law for conspiracy to deprive voters of a fair election and providing false information in registering and voting.
- Provisional balloting measures, whereby voters who don’t initially appear on a registration list are offered the opportunity to vote. If that person is deemed to be registered after election officials check voter lists, then the ballot would be counted. The ballot would not be counted if the person isn’t deemed to be a registered voter.
- Improved voting access for the disabled, including more than $100 million in grants to improve access to polling places.
- Improved ballot access for military and overseas voters.
- Funding to engage high school and college students in the election process through volunteering as poll workers.
Given the uncertainty that followed the 2000 election, I believe all Americans want an election system that is fair, accurate, and up to date. It’s expected the Help America Vote Act will largely be implemented by the 2004 election, with a deadline of the 2006 election. I’m confident this legislation takes great steps toward correcting the flaws in our election system and protecting the integrity of one of our most cherished rights—the right to vote. IBI