[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCING THE CRITICAL ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE ACT OF 2008

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Critical Election Infrastructure Act of 2008.
  This legislation is a necessary and vital investment in the future of 
our democracy. This bill authorizes $1 billion over the next four years 
for states and local governments to upgrade existing election equipment 
and to purchase new polling equipment to meet the needs of our growing 
electorate. Funding could also be used to hire and train additional 
poll workers.
  Madam Speaker, roughly 130 million votes were cast in this past 
election. This is an astounding number and emblematic of increased 
participation in our election system, particularly by minorities and 
young people. But while increased turnout is for democracy, in some 
parts of the country it caused undue difficulties.
  For example, throughout south Florida and other parts of the country, 
hundreds of thousands of voters found themselves waiting in 
interminable lines, sometimes for over five hours. Five hours! Forced 
to stand in the heat and during Florida's famous afternoon 
thunderstorms with little food and water, voters are to be commended 
for their commitment to exercising their right to vote. But voting 
should not be this hard.
  Election officials simply do not have enough equipment and trained 
personnel on the ground to speedily and effectively handle such large 
numbers of voters. Even though early voting in Florida took place over 
a 10-day period, these five-hour-long lines persisted throughout the 
state virtually every day. Clearly, what is needed is more: more 
polling booths, more trained workers, more equipment, even more polling 
locations and facilities to handle increasing numbers of voters. This 
bill authorizes the funding to upgrade existing technology, provide 
more polling booths, and hire and train more poll workers, reducing 
long lines and facilitating greater speed and efficiency for voters
  Madam Speaker, voting should not be a right granted only to those who 
can stand in line the longest or can go the longest without food or a 
bathroom break. Voting is the sacred right of all eligible citizens. We 
have a solemn responsibility to ensure the greatest possible access to 
exercise that right. Authorizing funding for the necessary equipment 
and personnel is an essential first step in that process. I urge my 
colleagues to support this legislation.

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