[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E356-E357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE VOTING EQUIPMENT MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2001

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                        HON. STEVE C. LaTOURETTE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 14, 2001

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced a measure called the 
``Voting Equipment Modernization Act of 2001'' (VEMA) that will create 
a special tax ``checkoff'' segment on income tax returns so Americans 
can direct $1 to $2 of their tax dollars to help defray the cost of 
replacing antiquated voting machines across the country.
  Mr. Speaker, the temporary election modernization checkoff on income 
tax forms will be separate from the current checkoff for the 
Presidential Election Campaign Fund. As with the presidential election 
checkoff, the voting equipment modernization checkoff will not increase 
a taxpayer's tax bill. Those filing individual tax returns would be 
able to contribute $1 and those filing jointly could contribute $2. 
More than 120 million individual income tax returns are filed each 
year.
  The idea for a temporary election modernization checkoff came from a 
constituent of mine in Mentor, OH, who was embarrassed by events 
surrounding the November election and the accuracy of voting equipment 
across the country. In my home State of Ohio, 60 of the State's 88 
counties use punch-card ballots similar to those used in Florida.
  Mr. Speaker, right now we have a patchwork quilt of aging voting 
systems across the country and if the November election taught us 
anything it is that the patchwork quilt is a frayed mess. We have 
lottery machines that are far more modern and accurate than our current 
voting machines and that is just wrong.
  My bill, the Voting Equipment Modernization Act of 2001, will 
establish a temporary checkoff on income tax returns that would allow 
taxpayers to designate $1 to $2 to the Federal Election Commission, 
which would then distribute funds to newly created Election 
Administration Improvement Funds in each State. The funding level for 
each State will be based on population derived from Census figures.
  I believe Americans want modern voting equipment and know that State 
and local governments are not capable of bearing the enormous costs of 
replacing antiquated equipment. The cost of replacing voting equipment 
in each of the country's 191,000 voting precincts is estimated to cost 
at least $4 billion and some estimates have voting modernization costs 
exceeding $8 billion.
  The current presidential tax checkoff has had mixed results, but I 
believe Americans will respond favorably to an opportunity to help 
defray the costs of new voting equipment if it will ensure accurate 
election results. Using Census figures as a guide, if 12 percent of 
Ohio taxpayers opted for the checkoff, it would amount to $1.35 million 
in revenue that could be used to update voting equipment and pay to 
train poll workers.
  Participation in the checkoff to help pay for presidential elections 
has fallen since it was first initiated in 1972, and studies show that 
only 12.5 percent of Americans checked the box on their 1997 returns. 
The remainder left the box blank or checked ``NO.'' Through 1999, about 
$1.2 billion had been designed for presidential elections.
  I blame the low participation for the presidential checkoff on two 
factors: The public's unwillingness to help pay for increasingly 
hostile presidential elections, and widespread misunderstanding that 
checking off the box increases one's tax bill.
  It is my belief that folks will be willing to do a tax checkoff if it 
will ensure that their vote will be counted and counted accurately. I 
think when folks realize this won't negatively impact their tax refund 
or tax bill, they will be willing to check the box.
  Secretaries of State across the Nation agree that voting machines 
need to be modernized

[[Page E357]]

but they realize the costs will be enormous. The voting modernization 
checkoff will be a temporary measure to generate funds, and will only 
appear on tax return forms as long as there is a need to pay for new 
voting machines.
  Mr. Speaker, States will be able to use money generated by the 
checkoff to purchase and maintain modern voting equipment, and educate 
and train those using the new voting equipment, including those working 
the polls on election day. Decisions about specific equipment and 
training would be left up to the States. Also, Puerto Rico will be 
excluded from this plan because it does not pay Federal taxes.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe VEMA offers a simple, common-sense solution to 
a problem that must be remedied as soon as possible so we can restore 
accuracy and integrity to our voting system. I urge my colleagues to 
support the Voting Equipment Modernization Act of 2001.

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