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Election Reform Information Network |
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The Voting Study and Improvement Act of 2000Introduced 12/05/2000 by Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Sam Brownback (R-KS). According to their press release, "the bill directs the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) to conduct a study of alternative methods of voting to be completed no later than December 31, 2001. The FEC study, funded at $10 million, will analyze methods that currently exist - including Internet voting, vote-by-mail, computerized voting terminals, expanded voting periods - and develop new ideas. After the examining different methods, the FEC will create a blueprint that states can use to implement new voting methods. When the FEC's work is complete, the bill will establish a $250 million matching grant program, giving states the financial incentive to implement the new methods." The New York Times reports, "Because Congress is reluctant to dictate solutions in an area that the Constitution delegates to the states, the bill would not require uniform statewide systems. Under the Schumer-Brownback legislation - one of several bills being considered by Congress - state and local governments would have to provide a 50 percent match for the federal funds they receive. Mr. Schumer said in an interview that another $500 million federal appropriation probably would be needed in the second year, bringing the total state and federal cost to $1.5 billion." ("Counting Every Vote", 01/21/2001) For more information: Last updated 01/21/2001 |