    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [October 29, 2002]
    [Pages 1926-1927]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1926]]

    Remarks on Signing the Help America Vote Act of 2002
    October 29, 2002

        The President. Thanks for coming. Good morning.
        Before we begin today, I would like to pause and remember a devoted
    public servant who was taken from us last Friday, along with his
    wife and his daughter and several other members--several other Americans.
    Paul Wellstone was a deeply principled and a
    good-hearted man. He will be missed by all who knew him and by all who
    had the privilege of serving with him. So before we begin, would you
    join me in a moment of silence in honor of his memory.

    [At this point, a moment of silence was observed.]

        The President. Today I'm proud to sign into law an important reform
    for our Nation. Americans are a self-governing people, and the central
    commitment of self-government is free and fair elections. The Help
    America Vote Act of 2002 is a bipartisan measure to help States and
    localities update their systems of voting and ensure the integrity of
    elections in America.
        The commission that helped inspire this legislation was led by two
    exceptional Americans, with broad experience in public service, our 38th
    and 39th President--Presidents. [Laughter] Although Gerald Ford and
    Jimmy Carter could not be here today, our Nation is grateful for their
    work on election reform and for all they have given to America. We're
    pleased, however to be joined by the co-chairmen of the commission,
    former Congressman Bob Michel of Illinois,
    former Presidential Counselor Lloyd Cutler.
    Thank you both for coming. Thank you for your good work.
        I also appreciate--I also want to thank the Members of Congress who
    are here with us today. I particularly want to thank Senator Christopher
    Dodd and Congressman Bob Ney for their hard work on this legislation. I appreciate
    Senators Mitch McConnell and Kit Bond for joining us. I appreciate Jim
    Langevin from Rhode Island for coming. And
    I'm honored that Connie Morella from
    Maryland is with us as well. And Steny Hoyer,
    from Maryland, has joined us as well. These Members worked hard, along
    with the chairman, John Conyers, of the
    State of Michigan. The Members didn't let--didn't get discouraged. They
    worked through the issues, and they produced a really good piece of
    legislation. I'm proud to be able to sign this bill.
        I also want to thank the four secretaries of state from around the
    country who have joined us. I appreciate you taking time to witness this
    important--the signing of this important piece of legislation.
        The vitality of America's democracy depends on the fairness and
    accuracy of America's elections. Over two centuries our country has
    broadened the right to vote and sealed that right in law, making our
    Government more accountable to the people and more representative of the
    people. When problems arise in the administration of elections, we have
    a responsibility to fix them. Every registered voter deserves to have
    confidence that the system is fair and elections are honest, that every
    vote is recorded and that the rules are consistently applied.
        The legislation I sign today will add to the Nation's confidence.
    Each State will be required to maintain a clean and current and accurate
    State--statewide list of registered voters, making it easier to register
    and easier to detect fraud. Under this law, people registering to vote
    are required to prove that they are who they say they are with
    appropriate identification. First-time voters who register by mail will
    be asked to provide identification when they cast their ballots. This
    law also creates new

    [[Page 1927]]

    criminal penalties for providing false information and punishes anyone
    guilty of conspiracy to deprive voters of a fair election.
        Each polling place must have at least one voting machine accessible
    to persons with disabilities. When people show up at the polls and their
    voting registration is in doubt, they should not be turned away but
    allowed to cast a provisional ballot so their vote can be counted if it
    is later verified that they are properly registered. And every State
    must have a fair procedure for hearing and resolving voter complaints.
    Under these reforms, training and education will be provided to
    pollworkers and voters, reducing the possibility of confusion and error
    at the polls.
        Along with the resources come high standards for the integrity of
    elections. States must ensure that voting systems have minimal rates of
    error and allow voters a reasonable opportunity to review their ballots
    and correct any mistakes before a vote is cast.
        The administration of elections is primarily a State and local
    responsibility. The fairness of all elections, however, is a national
    priority. And through these reforms, the Federal Government will help
    State and local officials to conduct elections that have the confidence
    of all Americans. We're counting on these officials to meet their
    responsibilities to protect the sanctity of the vote and to encourage
    Americans to exercise the right to vote.
        All of us in America have a duty to vote. I urge all Americans to
    show up for this election cycle on November 5th, to do their duty as
    Americans, to recognize in a free society we have a responsibility to
    participate in the process.
        Citizens of every political viewpoint can be proud of this important
    law. This legislation reflects the judgments of a distinguished
    bipartisan commission. These measures were carefully considered and
    overwhelmingly adopted by the House and the Senate. Congress has made a
    vital contribution to the democratic process.
        Now it's my honor to sign into law the Help America Vote Act of
    2002.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:10 a.m. in Room 450 of the Dwight D.
    Eisenhower Executive Office Building. In his remarks, he referred to the
    following persons who died in the October 25 plane crash in Eveleth, MN:
    Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife, Sheila, and his daughter, Marcia
    Wellstone Markuson; campaign aides Will McLaughlin, Tom Lapic, and Mary
    McEvoy; pilot Richard Conroy; and copilot Michael Guess. The Office of
    the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these
    remarks. H.R. 3295, approved October 29, was assigned Public Law No.
    107-252.