[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E41]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ON RENEWING PUBLIC TRUST IN AMERICAN ELECTIONS

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                         HON. MARTIN OLAV SABO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 6, 2005

  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, the right to vote is the most fundamental of 
American democratic values. However, for the second Presidential 
election in a row, there were disturbing reports in 2004 of voter 
intimidation, disenfranchisement, machine error, and fraud. If we truly 
value the right to vote, we must do more to restore public trust in the 
integrity of our election process.
  We must eliminate cumbersome pre-registration requirements. The State 
of Minnesota has allowed same-day voter registration since 1974, and is 
a national leader in voter participation. In 2004, 77.7 percent of 
eligible Minnesotans voted; 20.6 percent (581,904) of those voters 
registered on Election Day.
  Clearly, same day voter registration has greatly contributed to 
consistently high voter turnout in Minnesota. I believe this law has 
also encouraged new voters, especially young people, to turn out in 
higher numbers.
  Unfortunately, many states have pre-registration requirements of up 
to 30 days. It is unknown how many Americans have been prevented from 
exercising their Constitutional right to vote because of these 
cumbersome requirements.
  As in the 108th Congress, I will soon introduce simple, 
straightforward legislation to ensure that every eligible citizen may 
register and vote in federal elections on Election Day. I hope my 
colleagues will join me in advancing this legislation.
  We must also require a voter-verified paper record of every vote 
cast. Despite clear warning signs that electronic voting machines are 
unreliable, no action was taken by the last Congress on legislation to 
require a paper trail for all ballots. Public trust in the integrity of 
our ballots is crucial to restoring confidence in the entire system. We 
must take action on these issues during the 109th Congress.
  The free and fair election of our nation's leaders is the hallmark of 
our democracy, and it is an international symbol of freedom to which 
other nations aspire. We must promote participation and establish 
voting safeguards so that future elections in our great country are 
above reproach. There is much work to do.

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