Voting Rights

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Democracy Repair: Money and EAC Support Election Renovation

The Election of 2004 is coming fast, and states are scrambling to get everything ready.

Last year, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) mandated states to improve their election systems in order to avoid another Florida-like snafu. Many states are replacing punch-card and lever machines, training poll workers, and educating voters; but, if the election were today, we would be in big trouble.

Some states are still working out major glitches with their new voting technology. Others cannot decide whether or not to replace manual voting machines with computerized ones (for fear of hackers breaking into the system).

But by and large, the main problem has been money. Many states are experiencing budget deficits, so they can’t implement improvements.

But isn’t the federal government paying?

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) provides $3.9 billion in federal funds for election reforms in all 50 states. But because of the Iraq war, the iffy economy, and the deepening deficit, states have received much less money than promised. States have received only 32% of the yearly money pledged by HAVA.

In the 2003 budget year, Congress approved $1.5 billion for election reform – that’s $600 million less than HAVA promised states for the year. Further, $830 million of that never even reached the states. The millions are on hold because the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has not disbursed the money. But it isn’t the EAC’s fault; the organization was established just this week – on December 9, 2003.

The late arrival of the EAC

The Help America Vote Act mandated the creation of the Election Assistance Commission to disburse funds and to be a reference point for states. HAVA’s co-author Steny Hoyer (D-MD) calls the EAC the “centerpiece" of the Help America Vote Act and “essential" to its success.

The Bush administration held off appointing members to the new EAC for over a year; but now, four Election Assistance Commission members have been nominated and confirmed. Lawmakers and election officials suspect that the implementation of HAVA will now move along quickly and efficiently.

The EAC is the infrastructure of election reform. Now that it is in place, there is a greater chance for fair elections in the future.

Voting money

The EAC will have more money to distribute if Congress approves the omnibus spending bill before them. The bill includes $1.5 billion for election reform. The House of Representatives has already approved this bill, and the Senate plans to take it up in late January.

If the bill passes, as it is expected to, states will have access to the money as soon as next year.

What’s the concern?

At issue is the condition of our electoral system. The 2000 Presidential Election showed us that our democracy is unstable. Congress has passed legislation that helps to repair the broken voting system, but without the funds, and the peoplepower, the Help Americans Vote Act means very little.

The legislative and executive branches are making steps toward funding for and guardianship of election reform, but it may not be enough.

With November 2004 less than a year away, the quality of our elections should be a main concern.

In a speech crafted to convince fellow Congressmen and women to spend more on election reform, Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) mentioned Iraq and Afghanistan. He reminded lawmakers that they have decided to spend billions to install and protect democracy in those faraway nations and that democracy in the United States deserves the same attention.

Learn more about election reform. To read more about voting rights, click here. To discuss this topic with other WomenMatter readers, log on to one of our online forums. When you are ready, contact your representatives and let them know what you think.

Update Posted on: 12/18/2003

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