National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C.      Vol. 33, No. 23 * December 10, 2001

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House vote expected on election reform bill

By Ralph Tabor
associate legislative director

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A vote is expected this week on a bipartisan election reform bill that authorizes $2.65 billion over the next three years to improve voting equipment and elections systems. The legislation was approved unanimously on Nov. 15 by the House Administration Committee.

The legislation (H.R. 3295) was drafted after several months of negotiations between committee Chairman Bob Ney (R-Ohio) and Ranking Democrat Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). The bill currently has more than 150 Republican and Democratic representatives as co-sponsors including many members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

NACo, the National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and Clerks, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Association of Secretaries of State and other state and local election groups are supporting the bill. All of the groups were consulted extensively in the development of the legislation.

The bill closely mirrors recommendations made by a national, bipartisan commission chaired by Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. (See op-ed for views and endorsement)

H.R. 3295 authorizes $2.25 billion over three years to improve voting equipment, training election workers, establish state-wide voter registration systems, provide voter education and improve access for disabled voters.

The funds would be distributed to the states based on voting age population. A 25 percent match would be required.

The bill also authorizes $400 million in one-time payments to states or counties to replace punch card voting machines. Funding of $6,000 per precinct would be made available to states for buyout purposes. The $400 million would be made available during the current fiscal year. A 10 percent match would be required.

Minimum standards
The bill sets out seven minimum standards states would have to certify they have adopted. States would be given two years after enactment to adopt the provisions but could be waived briefly if there was shown to be good cause. States would have discretion on meeting the minimum standards. The minimum standards require that states,

• have a statewide voter registration system linked to county registration lists
• permit in-precinct provisional voting
• have a system for maintaining the accuracy of voting registration records
• adopt uniform standards defining what constitutes a vote on different voting machines
• ensure that absent uniformed and overseas voters have their votes counted
• require new voting systems to allow voters with disabilities to cast a secret ballot, and
• give voters the opportunity to correct errors (second chance voting).

Election assistance commission
The bill establishes a four-member, part-time commission to replace the current office of Election Administration in the Federal Elections Commission. The new commission would serve as a national clearinghouse for information and review of procedures for federal elections.

The commission would consist of a standards board of state and local officials, and a board of advisors of election experts. Among other duties, the two advisory boards would develop voluntary engineering and performance standards for voting systems and election management practices.

The new commission would monitor state compliance of the minimum standards. The commission can refer non-compliance cases to the Justice Department for further action.

Reduced postal rate
Mail using the official elections mail logo would be given 50 percent off the current first class rate for first class mail.