The overhaul legislation sets national election standards and represents a bipartisan response to irregularities in Florida during the 2000 presidential election. Senators approved the final version of the bill with a vote of 92 to 2.
The first Grassley-sponsored item requires states to match voter lists with motor vehicle registration lists and requires the Social Security Administration to share information with state departments of motor vehicles. Grassley said giving states access to Social Security records will enable them to check voter lists for deaths and individuals registered under false identities.
"This cross-referencing of voter information will help states maintain more accurate voter registration lists," Grassley said. Last year, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that 5,412 of ballots cast in Georgia over the previous 20 years belonged to individuals who were dead at the time of the election. In a separate investigation, the Miami Herald found that thousands of illegal ballots were cast in Florida during the 2000 presidential election.
The second Grassley-sponsored item included in the elections overhaul measure would help ensure absentee ballots cast by U.S. service men and women overseas are counted. The legislation requires the Secretary of Defense to issue a notice about the mailing deadline and make sure such absentee ballots are postmarked.
"The men and women serving our country around the world deserve to know that their right to vote is protected as they defend the freedoms we enjoy as United States citizens," Grassley said.
The House of Representatives passed the election reform bill conference report, HR 3295, last Thursday. With today's vote in the Senate, the measure will be sent to the President's desk.