Is America Ready to Vote. Election Readiness Briefing Paper, (July 2004 Update Appended)

摘要

With the 2000 presidential election, hanging, dimpled, and pregnant chads, and butterfly ballots entered the common lexicon. Election officials blamed substandard equipment, inadequate funds, and unreasonable deadlines for inaccurate registration rolls and other barriers that prevented many Americans from voting or having their vote count. In the four years since, federal and state legislatures, by statements and in some cases action, elevated elections as a public policy priority. Their efforts to do so will be put to the test in November 2004. Are voters who were disenfranchised in 2000 still vulnerable in 2004. Was there actual reform or, for the most part, talk and plans. If there was reform, will it minimize errors and correctly count ballots so that outcomes reflect the intent of the populace. Were laws passed and, more importantly, implemented to help overcome voting problems. Did local and national leaders fulfill their pledge to educate and enfranchise voters. On April 9, 2004, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission or USCCR) will convene technical experts and others for a briefing that will offer answers to these questions.