 National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C. Vol. 33, No. 2 * January 29, 2001 Previous story | Table of Contents | Next story Election reform measures mount in By Ralph Tabor
Election reform continues to be a hot legislative issue in the new Congress. More than a dozen bills have been introduced calling for studies of election procedures and administration as well as providing federal grants to replace and modernize many existing voting machines. The timetable for consideration of election reform bills is not clear. The Senate could debate legislation as early as mid-March if election reform is added to campaign finance legislation. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) have announced that a special committee will be appointed to hold hearings and to make legislative recommendations in six to eight months. Legislation might not reach the House floor until later this year. The National Commission on Elections Standards and Reform established by NACo and NACRC last November is urging the Senate Republican and Democratic leadership to have a deliberate and thorough review of election reform legislation. The commission is urging the Senate leadership to debate election reform separately from campaign finance legislation. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.) introduced a major election reform bill (S. 218) on Jan. 30. The bipartisan measure is cosponsored by 12 other senators. A companion bill (H.R.263) has been introduced in the House, and its sponsors include Representatives Tom Davis (R-Va.), Patrick Kennedy (R-R.I.), David Drier (R-Calif.), Steven Rothman (D-N.J.) and Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.). Sen. McConnell, chairman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, is expected to hold hearings on his bill and other legislation in late February. S. 218 would authorize $500 million in 2002 in grants to states and local governments to upgrade voting machines, train poll workers on the new equipment, educate voters and improve voter registration and access to polling places. Annual grants of $100 million would be authorized in later years. A state or local match of 25 percent would be required. The bill would establish a new election administration commission to study election administration procedures, recommend best practices and voluntary performance standards and administer the grant program. The four members of the commission would be required to have experience and knowledge of state and local election administration. The commission would have a 25-member elections administration advisory board made up of state and county election officials. Another key bill (S.17) has been introduced by Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-N.D.) and 18 Democratic senators. The legislation is combined with campaign finance reform. A 12-member blue ribbon commission would be established to study election administration and to make recommendations after one year. The bill would authorize $500 million in grants in 2002 to be administered by the Justice Department. The grants would be available to states after a state plan has been developed. The legislation spells out detailed requirements for the state plans. Legislation was introduced last week by Senators Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) which also would establish a blue ribbon study commission to report its recommendations in one year. The bi-partisan bill would authorize $2.5 billion over five years in election improvement grants. A companion bill will be introduced next week in the House by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) Legislation has been introduced in the Senate and House on establishing a single poll closing time for presidential elections. It is likely that such legislation will be added to other election reform measures. Bills also have been introduced amending the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to improve the processing and counting of overseas ballots. All of the major election reform bills require a study of improvements to the act. |