Q: Under proposed election reforms, what changes are in store for voters at the polls?
A: Voters will recall the unbelievable disarray and voting irregularities in Florida following the 2000 presidential election. The mass confusion, hanging chads and court battles definitely will go down in the history books. Most Americans got a refresher course on the Constitution before it was all said and done at the U.S. Supreme Court a month after the election. Now two years have passed and Congress in October wrapped up work on an election reform package designed to set national elections standards that will help prevent problems made apparent in Florida in 2000. The bill is headed for the president's desk and he has indicated he will sign the $3.8 billion measure. The overhaul package sets national standards for voting systems to improve accuracy and reduce room for errors. It creates a framework for new identification requirements for first-time voters who register by mail to avert fraud. Also, for the first time, federal money will be distributed to states to improve the administration of elections and to upgrade voting equipment, replacing punch card and lever voting systems. The election reform package includes two initiatives I championed, including measures to clean-up voter registration lists and protect votes cast by U.S. service men and women stationed overseas.
Q: How will your initiatives improve the voting system?
A: Previously, states had no systematic way to check voter lists against the Social Security database, the most comprehensive source of information on identity and deaths. By requiring the Social Security Administration to partner with state departments of motor vehicles, state election officials will be able to access two important sources of information on identity and deaths at the same time. Cross-referencing of voter information will help states maintain more accurate lists. This will help ensure the integrity of the system at the local level. Secondly, I worked to help ensure absentee ballots cast by U.S. service men and women overseas are counted. Members of the armed forces serving abroad must receive a notice from the Secretary of Defense about the mailing deadline and make sure absentee ballots are postmarked. The changes are expected to take place in time for the next presidential election in 2004.