President Signs Historic Election Reform Legislation into Law
Remarks by the President at Signing of H.R. 3295, Help America Vote Act of 2002
Room 450
Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building
11:10 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for coming. Good morning. Before we begin
today, I would like to pause and remember a devoted public servant who
was taken from us last Friday, along with his wife and his daughter and
several other members -- several other Americans. Paul Wellstone was a
deeply principled and a good-hearted man. He will be missed by all who
knew him and by all who had the privilege of serving with him. So
before we begin, would you join me in a moment of silence in honor of
his memory.
(A moment of silence was observed.)
THE PRESIDENT: Today, I'm proud to sign into law an important
reform for our nation. Americans are a self-governing people, and the
central commitment of self-government is free and fair elections. The
Help America Vote Act of 2002 is a bipartisan measure to help states
and localities update their systems of voting and ensure the integrity
of elections in America.
The commission that helped inspire this legislation was led by two
exceptional Americans, with broad experience in public service: our
38th and 39th President -- Presidents. (Laughter.) Although Gerald
Ford and Jimmy Carter could not be here today, our nation is grateful
for their work on election reform and for all they have given to
America. We're pleased, however to be joined by the co-chairman of the
commission, former Congressman Bob Michel of Illinois, former
Presidential Counselor Lloyd Cutler. Thank you both for coming. Thank
you for your good work. (Applause.)
I also appreciate -- I also want to thank the members of Congress
who are here with us today. I particularly want to thank Senator
Christopher Dodd and Congressman Bob Ney for their hard work on this
legislation. (Applause.) I appreciate Senators Mitch McConnell and
Kit Bond for joining us. I appreciate Jim Langevin, from Rhode Island,
for coming. And I'm honored that Connie Morella, from Maryland, is
with us, as well. And Steny Hoyer, from Maryland, has joined us, as
well. These members worked hard, along with the chairman, John
Conyers, of the state of Michigan. (Applause.)
The members didn't let -- didn't get discouraged. They worked
through the issues, and they produced a really good piece of
legislation. I'm proud to be able to sign this bill.
I also want to thank the four secretaries of state from around the
country who have joined us. I appreciate you taking time to witness
this important -- the signing of this important piece of legislation.
The vitality of America's democracy depends on the fairness and
accuracy of America's elections. Over two centuries our country has
broadened the right to vote and sealed that right in law, making our
government more accountable to the people, and more representative of
the people.
When problems arise in the administration of elections we have a
responsibility to fix them. Every registered voter deserves to have
confidence that the system is fair and elections are honest, that every
vote is recorded, and that the rules are consistently applied.
The legislation I sign today will add to the nation's confidence.
Each state will be required to maintain a clean and current and
accurate state -- statewide list of registered voters, making it easier
to register and easier to detect fraud. Under this law people
registering to vote are required to prove that they are who they say
they are, with appropriate identification. First-time voters who
register by mail will be asked to provide identification when they cast
their ballots. This law also creates new criminal penalties for
providing false information, and punishes anyone guilty of conspiracy
to deprive voters of a fair election.
Each polling place must have at least one voting machine accessible
to persons with disabilities. When people show up at the polls, and
their voting registration is in doubt, they should not be turned away,
but allowed to cast a provisional ballot so their vote can be counted
if it is later verified that they are properly registered.
And every state must have a fair procedure for hearing and
resolving voter complaints. Under these reforms, training and
education will be provided to poll workers and voters, reducing the
possibility of confusion and error at the polls.
Along with the resources come high standards for the integrity of
elections. States must ensure that voting systems have minimal rates
of error and allow voters a reasonable opportunity to review their
ballots and correct any mistakes before a vote is cast.
The administration of elections is primarily a state and local
responsibility. The fairness of all elections, however, is a national
priority. And through these reforms, the federal government will help
state and local officials to conduct elections that have the confidence
of all Americans. We're counting on these officials to meet their
responsibilities, to protect the sanctity of the vote and to encourage
Americans to exercise the right to vote.
All of us in America have a duty to vote. I urge all Americans to
show up for this election cycle on November 5th, to do their duty as
Americans, to recognize in a free society we have a responsibility to
participate in the process. Citizens of every political viewpoint can
be proud of this important law. This legislation reflects the
judgments of a distinguished bipartisan commission. These measures
were carefully considered, and overwhelmingly adopted by the House and
the Senate. Congress has made a vital contribution to the democratic
process.
Now it's my honor to sign into law the Help America Vote Act of
2002. (Applause.)