Topic

Bill

Cosponsors

Committee Referral

Description

FEDERAL COMMISSION/GRANTS TO STATES

Federal Election Commission establishes criteria/administers grant program

HR 354
Rep. Asa Hutchinson (R-Arkansas)

Rep.English, Phil (R-PA)
Rep.Foley, Mark (R-FL)
Rep.Goodlatte, Bob (R-VA)
Rep.Green, Gene (D-TX)
Rep.Hastings, Alcee (D-FL)
Rep.McHugh, John (R-NY)
Rep.McIntyre, Mike (D-NC) Rep.Udall, Mark (D-CO)
Rep Christensen, Donna (D-VI)
Rep. Myrick, Sue (R-NC)

House Administration

Authorizes the Federal Election Commission's Office of Elections Administration to establish criteria and make grants to states and local governments to improve election administration. Grants are to reflect geographic diversity; not less than one quarter must go to local governments with populations of less than 50,000 either directly or through the state. 25 percent match. Authorization for $1.5 billion over three years, no more than two percent of which may go to administrative funds. Requirement for grant recipients to make a report every six months.

Establishes a new permanent agency

S 218
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky)/

HR 263
Rep. Tom Davis (R-Virginia)

Sen. Allard, Wayne (R-CO)
Sen. Bennett, Robert (R-UT)
Sen. Breaux, John (D-LA)

Sen. Burns, Conrad (R-MT)
Sen. Feinstein, Dianne (D-CA)
Sen. Hutchinson, Tim (R-AR)
Sen. Landrieu, Mary (D-LA)
Sen. Reid, Harry (D-NV)
Sen. Roberts, Pat (R-KS)
Sen. Santorum, Rick (R-PA)
Sen. Smith, Gordon (R-OR)
Sen. Torricelli, Robert (D-NJ)
Sen. Warner, John (R-VA)
Sen Sessions, Jeff (R-AL)/
Rep.Crowley, Joseph (D-NY)
Rep.Dreier, David (R-CA)
Rep.Filner, Bob (D-CA)
Rep.Hastings, Alcee (D-FL)
Rep.Kennedy, Patrick (D-RI)
Rep.McDermott, Jim (D-WA)
Rep.Moran, James (D-VA)
Rep.Rivers, Lynn (D-MI)
Rep.Rodriguez, Ciro (D-TX)
Rep.Rothman, Steven (D-NJ)
Rep.Whitfield, Edward (R-KY)
Rep.Wilson, Heather (R-NM)

Senate Rules and Administration/House Administration Judiciary

Removes all election administration-related functions from the FEC; invests them in a new Election Administration Commission. Four members appointed by the president, two Republicans and two Democrats, who shall be chosen on the basis of experience with and knowledge of state and local election administration. 25-member nonvoting advisory board appointed on the basis of experience administering State and local elections. Authorized to conduct ongoing studies of federal, state, and local voting procedures and election administration and provide grants to modernize voting procedures and election administration. Initial recommendations are due in one year; updates are required at least every four years. Also instructed to advise states on compliance with existing federal law and to make available bipartisan panels of election professionals to assist any state election official, upon request, in review of election or vote counting procedures. Instructed to provide a nationwide clearinghouse of information on election results, voter registration and turnout. States and local governments may apply for grants. For the first four years, 51 percent of the funds must go to areas with the lowest quartile of income in the state; match can be waived for these local governments. Authorization for $500 million in grants for the first year; $100 million in subsequent years.

Independent "blue ribbon" commission/ grants administered by the Attorney General

S 379
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York)

Sen. Bayh, Evan (D-IN)
Sen. Brownback, Sam (R-KS)
Sen. Cleland, Max (D-GA)
Sen. Clinton, Hillary (D-NY)
Sen. Collins, Susan (R-ME)
Sen. Durbin, Richard (D-IL)
Sen. Kennedy, Edward (D-MA)
Sen. Kerry, John (D-MA)
Sen. Kohl, Herb (D-WI)
Sen. Landrieu, Mary (D-LA)
Sen. Leahy, Patrick (D-VT)
Sen. McCain, John (R-AZ)
Sen. Bayh, Evan (D-IN)

Senate Rules and Administration

Establishes a National Commission on the Modernization of Federal Elections to conduct a study of Federal voting procedures and election administration. Also establishes a Federal Election Modernization Grant Program to provide grants to States and localities for the modernization of voting procedures and election administration. Commission consists of eight voting members appointed by the Congressional leadership and seven nonvoting members including one jointly appointed by NASS and NASED; one jointly appointed by IIMC, NACEOC and IACREOT; the director of the FEC Office of Election Administration and a member from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Commission to conduct a one-year study of how the federal government can, on a permanent basis, best provide ongoing assistance to State and local authorities to improve the administration of Federal elections. Office of the Attorney General, in consultation with the FEC, to establish grant program with separate criteria to include nature and quantity of deficiencies and need to implement recommendations of the Commission. Distribution of grants is to be geographically equitable. Any method or instrument of voting funded by the Federal Election Modernization Grant shall be fully accessible to blind people and persons with disabilities and shall ensure that such voters are afforded the opportunity to vote under the same conditions of privacy and independence as other voters. 25 percent match. Report required from each state receiving a grant after six months.

Annual authorization for $500 million through 2006.

National Institute of Standards & Technology to develop standards

S 368
Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona)

Sen. Hollings, Ernest (D-SC)
Sen. Cleland, Max (D-GA)

Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation

Directs the National Institute of Standards & Technology to develop voluntary consensus standards to ensure accuracy and validation of the voting process and accredit laboratories to test and develop election equipment. Also to conduct a study of the impact of income, minority status, and use of different voting apparatus on effective participation in the election process and of any future and emerging technologies for use in elections, such as Internet voting. Provides grants to States to purchase voting equipment. Priority shall be given to areas most in need. 50 percent match; may be waived for areas in extreme need. Separate block grant for voter education programs. Bill also establishes a Center of Excellence in Electronic Commerce.

Independent "blue ribbon" commission/grants administered by the Attorney General

S 216
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania)

Sen. Bayh, Evan (D-IN)
Sen. Chafee, Lincoln (R-RI)
Sen. Biden, Joseph (D-DE)
Sen. Harkin, Tom (D-IA)
Sen. Jeffords, James (R-VT)

Senate Rules and Administration

Establishes a five-member Commission on the Comprehensive Study of Voting Procedures, appointed by the Congressional leadership; director of the FEC Office of Election Administration a nonvoting advisory member. Directed to conduct a one-year study of all issues relating to voting procedures in Federal, State, and local elections and submit a report. Attorney General directed to establish a grant program to state and local governments to implement the recommendations of the commission. Non-federal match of each dollar required.

Independent "blue ribbon" commission/administers grants/separate punch card buy-back, R&D grant

HR 775
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland)

Rep.Abercrombie, Neil (D-HI)
Rep.Baca, Joe (D-CA)
Rep.Baird, Brian (D-WA)
Rep.Bentsen, Ken (D-TX)
Rep.Blagojevich, Rod (D-IL)
Rep.Boyd, Allen (D-FL)
Rep.Brown, Corrine (D-FL)
Rep.Brown, Sherrod (D-OH)
Rep Cardin, Ben (D-MD)
Rep.Carson, Brad (D-OK)
Rep.Christensen, Donna (D-VI)
Rep.Clay, William (D-MO)
Rep Clayton, Eva (D-NC)
Rep.Crowley, Joseph (D-NY)
Rep Cummings, Elijah (D-MD)
Rep.Davis, Jim (D-FL)
Rep.Deutsch, Peter (D-FL)
Rep.Dingell, John (D-MI)
Rep.Dooley, Calvin (D-CA)
Rep.Etheridge, Bobby (D-NC)
Rep.Fattah, Chaka (D-PA)
Rep.Ford, Harold (D-TN)
Rep.Frost, Martin (D-TX)
Rep.Gonzalez, Charlie (D-TX)
Rep.Gordon, Bart (D-TN)
Rep.Hall, Tony (D-OH)
Rep.Hastings, Alcee (D-FL)
Rep.Hill, Baron (D-IN)
Rep.Hinojosa, Ruben (D-TX)
Rep.Holt, Rush (D-NJ)
Rep.Horn, Stephen (R-CA)
Rep.Jackson, Jesse (D-IL)
Rep Jackson Lee, Sheila (D-TX)
Rep.Jefferson, William (D-LA)
Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice D-TX)
Rep.Jones, Stephanie (D-OH)
Rep.Kennedy, Patrick (D-RI)

Rep.Langevin, Jim (D-RI)
Rep.Lantos, Tom (D-CA)
Rep. Lipinski, William (D-IL)
Rep.Maloney, Carolyn (D-NY)
Rep.Matheson, Jim (D-UT)
Rep.McCollum, Betty (D-MN)
Rep.McGovern, James (D-MA)
Rep.McKinney, Cynthia (D-GA)
Rep.Meek, Carrie (D-FL)
Rep.Menendez, Robert (D-NJ)
Rep.Moore, Dennis (D-KS)
Rep.Pastor, Ed (D-AZ)
Rep.Price, David (D-NC)
Rep.Reyes, Silvestre (D-TX)
Rep.Ross, Mike (D-AR)
Rep.Roybal-Allard, Lucille (D-CA)
Rep.Rush, Bobby (D-IL)
Rep Spratt, John (D-SC)
Rep.Stenholm, Charles (D-TX)
Rep Stark, Pete (D-CA)
Rep Stenholm, Charles (D-TX)
Rep.Tauscher, Ellen (D-CA)
Rep.Thompson, Bennie (D-MS)
Rep.Thompson, Mike (D-CA)
Rep.Thurman, Karen (D-FL)
Rep.Towns, Edolphus (D-NY)
Rep.Watt, Melvin (D-NC)
Rep Waxman, Henry (D-CA)
Rep.Wexler, Robert (D-FL)
Rep.Wynn, Albert (D-MD)

Provides up to $6,000 through the General Services Administration for each voting precinct currently using a punch card voting system to purchase new technology. Also establishes an independent Election Administration Commission with four members to be selected by the President and the Congressional leadership on the basis of their experience or expertise in election administration, the study of elections, or voting rights issues, and a 20-member advisory group of members appointed by NGA, NASS, NASED, NACEAC, the Elections Center, NACREOT, the Civil Rights Commission and the National Accessibility Board. Commission would administer a $140 million annual grant program for equipment and training and a $5 million grant to manufacturers for the development of new technology. Not less than 20 percent of funds must be used to train poll workers and educate voters. Local governments may apply if a state does not. Governments must meet several criteria to apply, including providing assurances that voters with special needs are provided the opportunity for access and participation in elections in each jurisdiction in a manner which protects their privacy and independence in voting. Would also serve as a national clearinghouse and resource for the compilation of information and review of election administration procedures. Would develop voluntary national engineering, procedural and management standards for election administration. Would establish technical assistance panels to assist state and local election officials in the review of election or vote counting procedures. Would develop a Model Election Code to simplify state election law and procedures. Commission shall enter into a contract with an appropriate entity with experience in drafting uniform State legislation. Would allow federal employees to take administrative leave to work at a polling place on election day.

Independent "blue ribbon" commission/FEC administers grant program, establishes training centers

HR 430
Rep. William Delahunt (D-Massachusetts)

Rep.Cooksey, John (R-LA)
Rep.Deal, Nathan (R-GA)
Rep.Duncan, John (R-TN)
Rep Filner, Bob (D-CA)
Rep.Frost, Martin (D-TX)
Rep.Graham, Lindsey (R-SC)
Rep.Greenwood, James (R-PA)
Rep.Holden, Tim (D-PA)
Rep.Jones, Stephanie (D-OH)
Rep.Larson, John (D-CT)
Rep.McGovern, James (D-MA)
Rep McKinney, Cynthia (D-GA)
Rep.Millender-McDonald, Juanita (D-CA)
Rep. Owens, Major (D-NY)
Rep.Rivers, Lynn (D-MI)
Rep.Scarborough, Joe (R-FL)
Rep Smith, Christopher (R-NJ)
Rep Walsh, James (R-NY)

House Administration

Establishes a National Advisory Commission on Federal Election Standards Composed of 24 voting members: 12 appointed by the Congressional leadership, 3 appointed by NASS, 3 appointed by NASED, 2 appointed by the Election Center, 2 appointed by IACREOT, 2 appointed by NACREOT. Attorney General and chair of the FEC to be nonvoting members. Commission to develop standards for the conduct of Federal elections and make recommendations with respect to the periodic review and updating of such standards. Authorization for $10 million. FEC to establish grant program on the basis of Commission's recommendations to states submitting applications. 25 percent match. Unless all applications are funded, no state may receive less than 0.5 percent of the total amount appropriated. FEC to establish training centers and facilities. Authorization for $250 million for first three fiscal years.

Independent "blue ribbon" commission/grants administered by the Attorney General/Mandates re: voting equipment, ballot distribution

S. 565
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut)/
H.R. 1170
Rep. John Conyers (D-Michigan)

Sen. Corzine, Joseph (D-NJ)
Sen. Daschle, Tom (D-SD)
Sen. Dayton, Mark (DFL-MN)
Sen. Inouye, Daniel (D-HI)
Sen. Kennedy, Edward (D-MA) Sen. Kerry, John (D-MA)

Senate Rules and Administration/
House Judiciary
House Administration

Establishes a 12-member commission, half to be appointed by the president and half by the Congressional opposition party. Members to be selected on the basis of one of experience with, and knowledge of, election law; election technology; federal, state, or local election administration; the United States Constitution; or the history of the United States. Directed to report on a variety of issues including how the federal government can best provide ongoing assistance to improve the administration of "federal elections" and whether an existing or a new agency should provide such assistance. Also directed to establish best practices. Attorney General, in consultation with the FEC, authorized to make grants to states on the basis of state plans consistent with recommendations of the commission.
Establishes mandatory, enforceable requirements for election technology and administration, including the use of technology that provides immediate notification of overvotes and undervotes, use of provisional ballots including notification to the voter of the disposition of any such ballot, and distribution of sample ballots. All Jurisdictions must comply by 2004; states receiving a federal grant will be deemed in compliance. No specified authorization; indication that the Attorney General will fully reimburse states for the costs of compliance with mandatory requirements.

FEC to establish uniform national standards with penalties for noncompliance/

FEC to administer grant program/require weekend voting, on-site voter registration

S 241
Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada)

Senate Rules and Administration

Direct the FEC to establish uniform national standards for election procedures including the type of ballots used; `vote counting; use of counting machines; accuracy and security of elections and vote counts; voter registration; and verification and maintenance of voter rolls. FEC to conduct six-month reviews of state procedures; criminal penalties for conducting an election in violation of national standards. Attorney General may also bring a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief. FEC to establish criteria, administer annual $100 million grant for fiscal years 2002 through 2011. Also changes general election date to Saturday and Sunday; requires states to allow for on-site registration.

Grant program for technology replacement

S. 479
Sen. Max Cleland (D-Georgia)

None as of 3/28/01

Directs the FEC to distribute grants to states in proportion to their use of lever machines, paper ballots and punch cards, for replacement of technology. States must distribute to local voting area in the same proportion. Funds must be used to purchase advanced voting technology that does not allow for overvotes, provides a record of a ballot cast, significantly reduces recount error, and ensures accessibility to voters with disabilities. If all technology in a local voting area is replaced, up to 10 percent may be spent on voter education and other activities. States may opt out up to 30 days after enactment; state election official required to select a single voting system for that state. Authorization for $1 billion.

Direct state election officials to make recommendations/establish a grant program

UNNUMBERED DRAFT
Rep. Karen McCarthy (D-Missouri)

Directs the FEC to request state election officials to submit a report on actions to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the administration of elections. FEC to submit a report to Congress and establish a grant program to implement the recommendations. No state may receive a grant unless its chief election official participated in the submission of the joint report.

FEDERAL COMMISSION/NO GRANT PROGRAM

Independent "blue ribbon" commission.report to Congress

HR 49
Rep. James Clyburn (D-South Carolina)

House Administration
House Judiciary

Establishes a United States Commission on Election Law Reform to conduct a one-year study of election procedures used in the United States and issue a report and recommendations for addressing the problems identified in the report. Ten members appointed by the Congressional leadership and two members from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Members shall have expertise in election laws, the United States Constitution, and the history of the United States, or other pertinent qualifications or experience.

Independent "blue-ribbon" commission/develop uniform standards

HR 60
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas)

Rep.Hinojosa, Ruben (D-TX)
Rep.Langevin, Jim (D-RI)

House Administration
House Judiciary

Establishes a Commission on the Comprehensive Study of Voting Procedures to conduct a one-year study. Five members appointed by the Congressional leadership, three of whom are to be representatives of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of Justice and the National Academy of Sciences. The commission may include minority views in its final report. The preface indicates that the commission is to develop uniform standards; the bill language simply charges the commission with submitting "a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions as it considers appropriate".

Independent "blue ribbon" commission/ recommendations on standardized voting procedures and technology

HR 119
Rep., Rush Holt (D-New Jersey)

Rep. Frost, Martin (D-TX)
Rep. Kleczka, Gerald (D-WI)
Rep. Rodrigues, Ciro (D-TX)
Rep. Jackson-Lee, (D-TX)
Rep. Rivers, Lynn (D, MI)

House Administration
House Judiciary

Establishes a Commission on Elections Procedures to conduct a one-year study of recommendations on the implementation of standardized voting procedures, including standardized technology. Ten members appointed by the Congressional leadership who shall have expertise in election laws, the United States Constitution, and the history of the United States, or other pertinent qualifications or

experience. Any member may submit additional findings. Authorization for $2 million.

Independent "blue ribbon" commission/ recommendations to improve election administration

HR 49
Rep. James Clyburn
(D-South Carolina)

House Administration
House Judiciary

Establishes a United States Commission on Election Law Reform to conduct a one-year study of the election procedures used to carry out federal, state, and local government elections in the United States and make recommendations for addressing the problems identified in its report. Ten members appointed by the Congressional leadership and two members of the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Specifies that members shall have expertise on election laws, the constitution, U.S. History, or other pertinent qualifications.

Independent "blue ribbon" commission/ recommendations on a broad range of election issues

HR 57
Rep. Peter DeFazio
(D-Oregon)

Rep.Baldacci, John (D-ME)
Rep.Bentsen, Ken (D-TX)
Rep.Blumenauer, Earl (D-OR)
Rep.Cardin, Benjamin (D-MD)
Rep Clay, William D-MO)
Rep.Clement, Bob (D-TN)
Rep.Costello, Jerry (D-IL)
Rep.Eshoo, Anna (D-CA)
Rep Etheridge, Bob (D-NC)
Rep.Evans, Lane (D-IL)
Rep.Farr, Sam (D-CA)
Rep.Filner, Bob (D-CA)
Rep.Frost, Martin (D-TX)
Rep.Gillmor, Paul (R-OH)
Rep.Hooley, Darlene (D-OR)
Rep.Inslee, Jay (D-WA)
Rep.Isakson, John (R-GA)
Rep.Kucinich, Dennis (D-OH)
Rep.LaHood, Ray (R-IL)
Rep.Lampson, Nick (D-TX)
Rep.Lantos, Tom (D-CA)
Rep.Leach, James (R-IA)
Rep.Lee, Barbara (D-CA)
Rep.Lewis, John (D-GA)
Rep Luther, Bill (DFL-MN)
Rep.McGovern, James (D-MA)
Rep.McKinney, Cynthia (D-GA)
Rep.McNulty, Michael (D-NY)
Rep Moran, Jim (D-VA)
Rep.Oberstar, James (D-MN)
Rep.Olver, John (D-MA)
Rep.Pelosi, Nancy (D-CA)
Rep.Petri, Thomas (R-WI)
Rep.Rivers, Lynn (D-MI)
Rep Rodriguez, Ciro (D-TX)
Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille (D-CA)
Rep.Sanders, Bernard (I-VT)
Rep.Serrano, Jose (D-NY)
Rep.Slaughter, Louise (D-NY)
Rep.Udall, Mark (D-CO)
Rep Udall, Tom (D-NM)
Rep.Wu, David (D-OR)
Rep.Green, Gene (D-TX)
Rep.Hoeffel, Joseph (D-PA)
Rep.Upton, Fred (R-MI)
Rep. Rodriguez, Ciro (D-TX)

House Administration

Establishes a Federal Elections Review Commission to conduct a one-year study of the nature and consequences of the Federal electoral process and make recommendations to ensure the integrity of, and public confidence in, federal elections. Twelve members appointed by the Congressional leadership shall have expertise in Federal election laws, the United States Constitution, and the history of the United States, or other pertinent qualifications or experience; members should represent regional and political diversity. Topics for study to include the electoral college, voter registration, ballot access, ballot design, election day issues including staffing and closing hours; proportional representation; military voting; presidential debates; and options for paying for elections, such as federal cost-sharing.

Independent "blue ribbon" commission/report to Congress

HR 561
Rep. John Dingell (D-Michigan)

Rep. Baca, Joe (D-CA)
Rep. Engel, Eliot (D-NY)
Rep. Maloney, Carolyn (D-NY)
Rep. Udall, Mark (D-CO)
Rep. Brown, Sherrod (D-OH)
Rep. Hoyer, Steny (D-MD)
Rep. McGovern, James (D-MA)

House Administration
House Judiciary

Establishes a Bipartisan Commission on Election Reform to conduct a one-year study of issues affecting the conduct and administration of elections for Federal, State, and local offices in the United States and make recommendations on its findings. 17 members appointed by the Congressional leadership including a chair jointly appointed by the President and the Majority and Minority Leaders of both chambers of Congress. Scope of commission's report to include the electoral college; voter registration; ballot design and technology; polling places; and ballot access. Authorization for such sums as may be necessary.

Independent "blue ribbon" commission/

report on the size of the House of Representatives and the manner in which members are elected

Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Florida)

House Judiciary

Establishes a Congress 2004 Commission to study the size of the House of Representatives and examine alternatives to the current method by which Representatives are elected, including cumulative voting and proportional representation.

SENSE OF THE SENATE

Sense of the Congress that the states should adopt uniform voting procedures

HCR 5
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas)

House Administration

Specifies that states should establish among themselves uniform voting procedures including voter registration, absentee voting, early voting, and voting hours on the day of the election.

UNIFORM POLL CLOSING TIME

HR 50
Rep. Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts)/

S 50
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)

Rep.Barton, Joe (R-TX)
Rep.Boehlert, Sherwood (R-NY)
Rep.Burr, Richard (R-NC)
Rep.Burton, Dan (R-IN)
Rep.Clyburn, James (D-SC)
Rep.Cox, Christopher (R-CA)
Rep.Deal, Nathan (R-GA)
Rep.Dingell, John (D-MI)
Rep.Eshoo, Anna (D-CA)
Rep.Frost, Martin (D-TX)
Rep.Hastings, Alcee (D-FL)
Rep.Horn, Stephen (R-CA)
Rep.Johnson, Eddie (D-TX)
Rep.Johnson, Eddie Bernice (D-TX)
Rep.LaTourette, Steve (R-OH)
Rep.McGovern, James (D-MA)
Rep.Miller, George (D-CA)
Rep.Olver, John (D-MA)
Rep.Phelps, David (D-IL)
Rep.Riley, Bob (R-AL)
Rep.Tauzin, W. (R-LA)
Rep.Udall, Mark (D-CO)
Rep.Faleomavaega, Eni (D-AS)
Rep.Green, Gene (D-TX)
Rep.Hoeffel, Joseph (D-PA)
Rep.McNulty, Michael (D-NY)
Rep.Meek, Carrie (D-FL)
Sen. Inouye, Daniel (D-HI)
Sen. Murkowski, Frank (R-AK)
Rep Millender-McDonald, Juanita (D-CA)
Rep Evans, Lane (D-IL)
Rep McIntyre, Mike (D-NC)
Rep Stearns, Cliff (R-FL)

House Administration
House Energy & Commerce/

Senate Rules and Administration

Establishes a uniform poll closing hour of 9:00 p.m.; allows Alaska and Hawaii to open polls on the previous day; extends daylight savings time in the Pacific time zone until the Sunday after election day on presidential election years

Uniform poll closing time/federal requirements for military ballots

S 175
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas)

Senate Rules and Administration

Establishes a uniform poll closing hour of 9:00 p.m.; allows Alaska and Hawaii to open polls on the previous day. Does not extend daylight savings time in the Pacific time zone. Require promulgation of regulation to establish uniform requirements for treatment of military absentee ballots.

OTHER MANDATES/PREEMPTION

Require states to permit on-site voter registration

HR 128
Rep. William Luther (D-Minnesota)

Rep. Carson, Julia (D-IN)
Rep. Lantos, Tom (D-CA)
Rep. McDermott, Jim (D-WA)
Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete (D-CA)
Rep. Valazquez, Nydia (D-NY)
Rep. Gonzalez, Charles (D-TX)
Rep. Maloney, Carolyn (D-NY)
Rep. Towns, Edolphus D-NY)

House Administration

Specifies that voter registration applications shall be accepted or denied on-site and transmitted to the appropriate State election official at the time the agency transmits the ballots cast in the election to the official.

Prohibit states from deeming overseas military voters to have lost residence

S 28
Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas)

Sen Hutchison, Kay Bailey (R-Texas)
Sen Daschle, Tom (D-SD)
Sen Sessions, Jeff (R-AL)

Senate Rules and Administration

Prohibits states from deeming voters to have lost residence on the basis of their overseas status. Also requires states to process military voter registrations if received at least 30 days in advance of the election.

Prohibit states from invalidating military ballots

HR 159
Rep. Bob Riley (R-Alabama)

Rep Bachus, Spencer (R-AL)
Rep Baker, Richard (R-LA)
Rep Barton, Joe (R-TX)

Rep Bereuter, Doug (R-NE)
Rep Christensen, Donna (D-VI)
Rep Doolittle, John (R-CA)
Rep Gillmor, Paul (R-OH)
Rep Goodlatte, Bob (R-VA)
Rep Granger, Kay (R-TX)
Rep Green, Mark (R-WI)
Rep Greenwood, James (R-PA)
Rep Gutknecht, Gil (R-MN)
Rep Hart, Melissa (R-PA)
Rep Hayworth, J.D. (R-AZ)
Rep Hefley, Joel (R-CO)
Rep Hilleary, Van (R-TN)
Rep Holden, Tim (D-PA)
Rep Horn, Steven (R-CA)
Rep Hostettler, John (R-IN)
Rep LaHood, Ray (R-IL)
Rep LaTourette, Steve (R-OH)
Rep LoBiondo, Frank (R-NJ)
Rep Lucas, Frank (R-OK)
Rep McCarthy, Carolyn (D-NY)
Rep Norwood, Charles (R-GA)
Rep Otter, C.L. (R-ID)
Rep Platts, Todd (R-PA)
Rep Ramstad, Jim (R-MN)
Rep Rehberg, Dennis (R-MT)
Rep Rohrabacher, Dana (R-CA)
Rep Sessions, Pete (R-TX)
Rep Shows, Ronnie (D-MS)
Rep Terry, Lee (R-NE)
Rep Wamp, Zach (R-TN)

House Administration

Prohibit a state from determining that a ballot submitted by an absent uniformed services voter was improperly or fraudulently cast unless the state finds clear and convincing evidence of fraud.

Prohibit states from invalidating military ballots/ study of uncounted ballots by U.S. Postal Service

S 122
Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado)

Sen Inhofe, James (R-OK)
Sen Brownback, Sam (R-KS)

Senate Rules and Administration

Prohibit a state from determining that a ballot submitted by an absent uniformed services voter was improperly or fraudulently cast unless the state finds clear and convincing evidence of fraud. Also directs the Postal Services to conduct a study of each reason a military ballot was not counted in 2000.

Prohibit states from invalidating military ballots/Department of Defense plan for uniform military voting system

HR 311
Rep. David Vitter (R-Louisiana)
HR 492
Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Alabama)

Rep Baker, Richard (R-LA)
Rep.Ballenger, Cass (R-NC)
Rep Bilirakis, Michael (R-FL)
Rep Burton, Dan (R-IN)
Rep Calvert, Ken (R-CA)
Rep.Chambliss, Saxby (R-GA)
Rep.Cooksey, John (R-LA)
Rep Doolittle, John (R-CA)
Rep.Duncan, John (R-TN)
Rep.Ehrlich, Robert (R-MD)
Rep Foley, Mark (R-FL)
Rep.Gilman, Benjamin (R-NY)
Rep.Greenwood, James (R-PA)
Rep Hayworth, J.D. (R-AZ)
Rep.Hefley, Joel (R-CO)
Rep.Hilleary, Van (R-TN)
Rep.Hooley, Darlene (D-OR)
Rep Hutchinson, Asa (R-AR)
Rep.Isakson, John (R-GA)
Rep. Johnson, Tim (R-IL)
Rep Jones, Walter (R-NC)
Rep.King, Peter (R-NY)
Rep Kirk, Mark (R-IL)
Rep.Kolbe, Jim (R-AZ)
Rep LaHood, Ray (R-IL)
Rep.LaTourette, Steve (R-OH)
Rep McKeon, Howard (R-CA)
Rep.Norwood, Charlie (R-GA)
Rep Otter, Butch (R-ID)
Rep.Pitts, Joseph (R-PA)
Rep.Putnam, Adam (R-FL)
Rep Quinn, Jack (R-NY)
Rep.Reynolds, Thomas (R-NY)
Rep Rohrabacher, Dana (R-CA)
Rep.Roukema, Marge (R-NJ)
Rep Ryun, Jim (R-KS)
Rep.Schaffer, Bob (R-CO)
Rep Sessions, Pete (R-TX)
Rep Shimkus, John (R-IL)
Rep Shows, Ronnie (D-MS)
Rep.Smith, Christopher (R-NJ)
Rep.Tancredo, Tom (R-CO)
Rep Udall, Mark (D-CO)
Rep Wamp, Zach (R-TN)
Rep. Gillmor, Paul (R-OH)
Rep. Jones, Walter B.(R_C)
Rep. Kirk, Mark (R-IL)
Rep. Ryun, Jim (R-KS)
Rep. Tiahrt, Todd (R-KS)

House Administration

Prohibit a state from determining that a ballot submitted by an absent uniformed services voter was improperly or fraudulently cast unless the state finds clear and convincing evidence of fraud. Also directs the Secretary of Defense to prepare and submit to Congress a plan for establishing a uniform electronic voting system for the use of absent uniformed services voters in elections for federal office.

S 154
Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Alabama)

Sen. Bond, Chris (R-MO)
Sen. Sessions, Earl (R-AL)
Sen. Miller, Zell (D-GA)

Senate Rules and Administration

Require states to count military ballots if there is evidence that the ballot was mailed at least ten days before the date of the election or received on or before election day. Also clarifies several sections of law to make military installations available as polling places; requires advance explanation to make a military installation previously used as a polling place unavailable.

Establish a federal offense of knowingly disseminating false information in a federal election

HR 366
Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kansas)

Rep Christensen, Donna (D-VI)
Rep Evans, Lane (D-IL)
Rep Frost, Martin (D-TX)
Rep Stark, Pete (D-CA)

House Judiciary

Establish that any person who knowingly disseminates any information regarding an election for Federal office that the person knows is false with the intent of discouraging another person from voting shall be fined or imprisoned for not more than 1 year.

REPEAL MOTOR VOTER

Repeal the Motor Voter Bill

HR 189
Rep. Bob Stump (R-Arizona)

Rep Deal, Nathan (R-GA)
Rep Doolittle, John (R-CA)
Rep Goss, Porter (R-FL)
Rep Paul, Ron (R-TX)
Rep Riley, Bob (R-AL)
Rep Sessions, Pete (R-TX)
Rep Skeen, Joe (R-NM)
Rep. Callahan, Sonny (R-AL)
Rep. LaHood, Ray (R-IL)

House Administration

Repeal the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.

FEDERAL HOLIDAY FOR ELECTION

Move Veterans' Day to election day in presidential election years

HR 62
Rep. Sheila Jackson

Lee (D-Texas)

House Government Reform

Also contains a sense of the Congress that private employers should give their employees a day off for a presidential election.

Move Washington's Birthday to election day in presidential election years

HR 310
Rep. Fred Upton (R-Michigan)

Rep Dingell, John (D-MI)
Rep Evans, Lane (D-IL)
Rep Schaffer, Bob (R-CO)

House Government Reform

ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Appoint presidential electors based on popular vote in each Congressional district

HJR 1
Rep. James Clyburn (D-South Carolina)/

HJR 18
Rep. Eliot Engel (D-New York)

House Judiciary

Amend the Constitution to provide for the appointment by the states of electors for President and Vice President on the basis of the popular vote of each Congressional district of the state and for the appointment of two additional electors on the basis of the total popular vote of the state.

Direct popular election of the President and Vice President

HJR 3
Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas)

House Judiciary

Also delegates authority to Congress to establish procedures for a tie or the death of a candidate.

Direct popular election of the President and Vice President

HJR 5
Rep. William Delahunt (D-Massachusetts)

House Judiciary

Also delegates authority to Congress to establish procedures for a tie, but not death of a candidate; specifies procedures for counting the popular vote in a joint session of Congress.

For more information on federal election reform legislation, contact:

For information on state election reform legislation, contact:

Susan Parnas Frederick, Committee Director
AFI Law & Justice Committee
susan.frederick@ncsl.org
(202) 624-3566

Tim Storey, Program Principal
Legislative Management
tim.storey@ncsl.org
(303) 364-7700

Alysoun McLaughlin, Policy Associate
State-Federal Relations
alysoun.mclaughlin@ncsl.org
(202) 624-8691

Jennie Drage, Policy Specialist
Legislative Management
jennie.drage@ncsl.org
(303) 364-7700