THE NEY-DODD-HOYER-MCCONNELL HELP
AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002
(H.R. 3295)
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-SENATE AGREEMENT
I. TITLE I-ANTIQUATED MACHINE BUY-OUT
-$325 million for buying out punch-card and lever
voting machines.
-$325 million in automatic payments to states to
improve election administration.
- Each state is guaranteed to receive at least $5
million under this title.
II. TITLE II-ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
-A federal commission is established, consisting of
2 Republican appointees and 2 Democratic appointees.
-The Commission has no rulemaking authority but,
under prescribed procedures, will issue voluntary
guidelines for voting systems and the requirements.
-The Commission carries out the grant programs,
provides for the certification and testing of voting
systems, and studies election issues.
Requirements Payments
~$3 billion for meeting the requirements, training
poll workers, providing voter education, and
improving the administration of federal elections.
~Payments are allocated by formula upon the
submission of a state plan, developed in an open
manner and subject to public notice and comment, and
certain self-certifications.
Access Grants
~$100 million for increasing polling place access
for disabled voters.
Research Grants
~$20 million for research and development to improve
voting technology.
Pilot Program Grants
~$10 million for pilot programs to test new voting
systems and equipment.
Protection and Advocacy Systems Payments
~$40 million for state protection and advocacy
systems.
National Student and Parent Mock Election
~$200,000 to the National Student and Parent Mock
Election to promote voter participation.
III. TITLE III-REQUIREMENTS
Each state must:
-Provide voters an opportunity to check for and
correct ballot errors in a private and independent
manner.
-Have a voting system with a manual audit capacity.
-Provide at least 1 voting machine per precinct that
is accessible to the disabled.
-Provide alternative language accessibility pursuant
to the Voting Rights Act.
-Have a voting system whose error rate does not
exceed the existing rate established by the FEC
Office of Election Administration.
-Define what constitutes a legal vote for each type
of voting machine used in the state.
-Provide provisional ballots to ensure no individual
is turned away at the polls.
-Implement a uniform, centralized computerized
statewide voter registration database to ensure
accurate lists.
System Integrity
-When registering to vote, individuals must provide
a driver's license number or, if the voter does not
have a driver's license, the last 4 digits of the
Social Security number. If an individual does not
have either number, he or she will be assigned a
unique identifier.
-First-time voters who register by mail are required
to provide identification when they cast their
ballots.
-States are obligated to maintain clean and accurate
voter registration lists.
-Voters who cast their ballots after the designated
poll-closing time as a result of a court order will
have their ballots segregated and counted
separately.
IV. TITLE IV-ENFORCEMENT
-DOJ may seek injunctive or declaratory relief for
violations of the Act.
-Each state receiving funds under the Act must
establish an administrative grievance procedure for
hearing complaints. States not accepting funds under
the Act must either establish a grievance procedure
or submit a compliance plan with DOJ.
V. TITLE V-HELP AMERICA VOTE COLLEGE PROGRAM
$5 million to encourage college students to
participate in the political process by volunteering
as poll workers.
VI. TITLE VI-HELP AMERICA VOTE FOUNDATION
$5 million to encourage high school students to
participate in the political process by volunteering
as poll workers.
VII. TITLE VII-MILITARY
Provisions to improve ballot access for military and
overseas voters.
VIII. TITLE VIII-TRANSITION PROVISIONS
Transition provisions from House- and Senate-passed
bills.
IX. TITLE IX-MISCELLANEOUS
-The Commission is authorized to conduct audits,
including special audits.
-Criminal penalties for conspiracy to deprive voters
of a fair election and providing false information
in registering and voting. |