[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 174 (Friday, December 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 12, 2001

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, we could do better than this 
bill. We should do better than this bill. But clearly, today, we will 
not do better than this bill--and so, with some reluctance, I will vote 
for this bill.
  Over the course of this year, the House has considered several 
important measures, including bills to respond to the terror attacks on 
our country. But this could be the most important bill of the year, and 
maybe even of this 107th Congress--because nothing is more important 
for the health of our democracy than improving the fairness and 
inclusiveness of our elections. That is why I am cosponsoring H.R. 
1170, introduced by Representative Conyers.
  That comprehensive reform bill would establish uniform and 
nondiscriminatory requirements for Federal elections, which must be met 
by the 2004 general election. Under that bill, all voting machines 
would have to: Allow voters to verify their votes before tabulation; 
notify voters of over votes and under votes; provide an auditable 
record; and be equally accessible to voters with disabilities and 
special needs.
  Also, under that bill provisional ballots would be permitted in all 
Federal elections and all voters would have to get a sample ballot and 
instructions 10 days prior to election day, and would have to be 
notified of their voting rights under federal and state law and of the 
federal and state agencies to contract if they think their rights are 
violated.
  The Conyers bill would provide for federal reimbursement to the 
states for meeting these requirements and a matching grant fund program 
that would provide advance assistance to enable sates and localities 
for that purpose. And the bill would establish a politically balanced 
study Commission to examine voter registration and maintenance of 
voters rolls; issues of voter intimidation; accuracy of voting; 
establishing a federal or State election-day holiday; modified polling 
place hours; and whether an existing or a new Federal agency should 
provide continuing assistance to states. it would also examine access 
to ballots and polling places, including notice of voting locations and 
access for voters with disabilities, limited English proficiency, 
visual and hearing impairments, and with other special needs. The 
commission would develop recommendations of the best practices in 
voting and election administration.
  These are all things that should be done--and while it does into do 
everything that should be done, this bill takes very important steps to 
improve current conditions. I opposed the rule because I wanted the 
bill to do more. I supported the motion to recommit for the same 
reason. But we should not refuse to do something even if we re not 
going to do all we should. So I will support the bill in the hope that 
it will be improved as the legislative process continues.

                          ____________________