[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR SECURE ELECTIONS ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 15, 2008

  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to share my views on H.R. 5036, the 
Emergency Assistance for Secure Elections Act.
  As both a Member of the Committee on House Administration which has 
considered this issue for many months and a former mayor who was 
responsible for overseeing elections for many years, I know how 
important it is that people have confidence in their votes. This bill 
is part of an effort to ensure that we improve that confidence, which 
has waned in recent years.
  There are good provisions in this bill. I believe firmly that the 
best way to ensure that votes are cast as intended and counted 
accurately, is to provide paper ballots that the voters themselves 
mark. This bill helps move the Nation in that direction by providing 
optional funding for many localities that wish to switch to paper 
ballots. For this reason, I support it.
  However, there are some shortcomings in this legislation that I feel 
must be stated for the record. I do not personally believe that it is 
the most effective use of Federal resources to give states funding in 
order for them to add on printers to Direct Recording Electronic 
devices (DREs). I don't believe that ``paper trails'' are an adequate 
substitute for real paper ballots and for this reason, I have concerns 
about giving states the funding to retrofit their DREs rather than 
simply incentivizing the switch to real paper ballots.
  Similarly, I am discouraged that the bill does not allow 
jurisdictions with DREs that produce a paper trail access to Federal 
funds to switch to real paper ballots. Many jurisdictions across the 
country have come to the conclusion that paper ballots, not electronic 
voting machines with paper trails, are the most reliable type of voting 
system. By denying some jurisdictions the Federal resources to make 
that positive switch, the bill fails to reward those who are making the 
commitment to switch to what many believe is the best system.
  However, I am supporting this bill. Because is not overly 
prescriptive, I hope that many jurisdictions consider utilizing its 
positive provisions, should it become law. I look forward to continuing 
to work with my colleagues on the committee and in the full House 
toward a better and more trustworthy vote.




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