[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 7, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E34]
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, January 7, 2009

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Critical Election Infrastructure Act of 2009.
  This legislation is a necessary and vital investment in our citizens 
and the future of our democracy. This bill authorizes $1 billion to 
states and local governments over the next four years for the 
acquisition of additional voting systems and equipment, improving 
training of election administration officials, upgrading existing 
election equipment, and allocating additional election administration 
officials to polling places serving greater numbers of voters. This 
funding is essential to improve efficiency and fairness in the 
operation of polling places in federal elections.
  President Dwight Eisenhower once said, ``The future of this republic 
is in the hands of the American voter.'' In the 2008 Presidential 
election, an astounding 130 million people voted and, even more 
exciting, an unprecedented number of youth and minorities lined up at 
the polls to participate in the electoral process, many for the first 
time. While this increased turnout is emblematic of our nation's 
commitment to our future, in some parts of the country it caused undue 
difficulties.
  For example, throughout South Florida and elsewhere in the country, 
hundreds of thousands of voters found themselves waiting on 
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 civic commitment. But American citizens should not have to 
face such difficulties when exercising their sacred right to vote.
  Elections officials simply did not have enough equipment and trained 
personnel on the ground to speedily and effectively handle such large 
numbers of voters. Clearly what is needed is more: more polling booths, 
more trained workers, more equipment, and more polling locations and 
facilities to handle increasing numbers of 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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