Anticipated Congressional Action Paves the Way for State Voting Reform

For the past year, one big obstacle has stood in the way of enacting comprehensive voting reform at the state levelmoney. But in the last few months, Congress and the President have taken actions that virtually assure that federal funds will be available to pay for state voting reform.

In December 2001, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Ney-Hoyer voting reform bill by the overwhelming margin of 363 to 63. The next day, U.S. Senators Dodd, McConnell, Bond, Schumer and Torricelli announced an agreement for a bipartisan Senate voting reform bill. At this writing, the Dodd-McConnell bill is expected to pass the Senate in February.

Both the House and Senate versions earmark more than $2.5 billion for states to upgrade voting technology. And both versions give the states substantial discretion on how to implement voting reform. Anticipating passage of this appropriation, President Bush has included funding for state voting reform in his new budget.

"Now it’s up to the states," said CPA Policy Director Bernie Horn. "The ball is in their court. State legislatures can and should codify voting reform immediately to guarantee voter rights this November. Large expenditures to upgrade voting machines can be delayed until receipt of the federal funds."

Voting reform gained momentum as a result of the 2000 election debacle. Across the nation, state officials, and especially Secretaries of State, realized that their voting machines and Election Day procedures were obsolete. No one wanted to become "the next Florida."

But only three states – Florida, Georgia and Maryland – enacted comprehensive voting reform legislation in 2001. Most legislatures were unprepared to address the issue because:

·No policy model existed.

·There was virtually no research on the subject.

·States had no money to spend resolving the problem.

But all three of last year’s roadblocks are gone. CPA has developed model comprehensive voting reform legislation, which is also being employed by the AFL-CIO, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, and the Voices of the Electorate (VOTE) coalition.

Over the past 12 months, voting reform has become one of the most fully researched issues in the country. And now Congress is making substantial funds available.

In the shadow of the September 11 terrorist attacks, it is essential that we strengthen American democracy in every way possible. The stronger we make our democratic institutions, the better we as a nation are prepared to meet all challenges, foreign and domestic.

CPA’s Model Voting Reform Act:

·Establishes a Voter’s Bill of Rights, requiring local election officials to publicly post, distribute, and comply with that Bill of Rights. ·Mandates that all jurisdictions in the state use modern, accurate vote counting technology and a statewide voter registration database. ·Requires education and training for poll workers and the voting public. ·Creates an Election Review Commission to study and recommend future reforms.

For a copy of the Voting Reform Act and additional resources click here.