[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 113 (Tuesday, September 10, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S8441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            ELECTION REFORM

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, before the distinguished 
chairman of the Judiciary Committee leaves the floor, I want to call to 
his attention, which I did a few minutes ago to his colleague, the 
distinguished chairman of the Rules Committee, that, lo and behold, 
there are problems with the voting equipment in Florida today during 
the primary elections. It underscores the fact there is a need for this 
Congress to enact an election reform package.
  In the Senate, we have passed a substantial bill which is a much 
different version than has been passed by the other body, the House of 
Representatives. And the conference committee has been unable to come 
to terms of agreement.
  If it can happen in Florida, almost 2 years after the awful 
experience that the Nation went through in disputed ballots in the 
general election of November 2000, it can happen anywhere. It was a 
circumstance which riveted the attention of not only the Nation but the 
world with ballots that were confusing--ballots that were miscounted 
because it was difficult to determine the intent of the voter.
  In fact, the Florida legislature had responded by providing 
appropriations so that the various counties, through their supervisors 
of elections, could modernize and update voting equipment, as well as 
procedures and providing voter education.
  All of that has been in place in the State of Florida, where all of 
our citizens are so highly sensitive to the fact that their vote might 
not be counted, as happened in the experience 2 years ago. If it can 
happen in Florida today, as it literally has on primary election night, 
then how much more likely will it happen in other States? And how much 
more do we have to make the case that it is so important for us to get 
resolution of the differences and come to agreement in an election 
reform bill for the country as a whole?
  That clearly is a matter that is relevant to the moment. As a result 
of the discrepancies that have happened earlier today in Florida, the 
Governor has extended the deadline for voting in Florida from 8 o'clock 
Eastern time to 10 o'clock this evening. So the results of the primary 
elections will be coming in quite late. Yet it bears to be underscored 
this is another reason we need to pass the election reform bill.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California is recognized.

                          ____________________