Election Reform Bills in the U.S. Senate, 107th Congress: A Comparison of Selected Legislation

Election Reform Bills in the U.S. Senate, 107th Congress: A Comparison of Selected Legislation

Order Code RL30994
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Election Reform Bills in the U.S. Senate, 107th
Congress: A Comparison of Selected Legislation
June 6, 2001
Kevin J. Coleman
Analyst in American National Government
Government and Finance Division
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

Election Reform Bills in the U.S. Senate,
107th Congress: A Comparison of Selected Legislation
Summary
This report provides a side-by-side comparison of nine Senate bills introduced
through May 24, 2001 to reform the electoral process by establishing a study
commission, a federal grant program, or both. The nine Senate bills are: S. 17; S.
216; S. 18; S. 241; S. 368; S. 379; S. 479; S. 565; and S.953. This report does not
include legislation primarily designed to create an election day holiday, revise the
Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, amend or repeal the National
Voter Registration Act, or enact a uniform poll closing time.
Table 1 provides a checklist of the major provisions of the nine electoral reform
bills; Table 2 provides side-by-side summaries of the provisions contained in each of
the bills.

Contents
List of Tables
Table 1. Checklist of Provisions in Electoral Reform Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Table 2. Comparison of Senate Bills for Election Study Commission or
Grant Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Election Reform Bills in the U.S. Senate,
107th Congress: A Comparison
The following table provides easy reference to electoral reform legislation
according to six major provisions: whether a study is required, the number of
commission members, whether a grant program is established, the amount of funding
provided for the grant program, the matching fund formula, and the entity that would
administer the grant program. Table 2 provides a side-by-side comparison of the nine
Senate bills to create an electoral study commission, establish a grant program, or
both.

CRS-2
Table 1. Checklist of Provisions in Electoral Reform Legislation
Legislation
Study
Commission
Grant
Grant program amount
Matching grant formula
Grants administered by
required
members
program
S. 17 (Daschle)
X
12
X
$500 million to Dept. of Justice
80% fed./20% st. (Atty. Gen. may
Atty. Gen., in consultation
for 2002; such amounts as
increase or waive fed. amt.
with the FEC
necessary for FY 2003-2006
requirement)
S. 216 (Specter)
X
6
X
sums as may be necessary to
$1 non-federal funds to $1 federal
Atty. Gen. through Asst. Atty.
carry out legislation
funds
Gen. for the Office of Justice
Programs
S. 218 (McConnell)
X
4
X
$500 million first year; $100
75% fed./25% st. or local
Election Administration
companion to H.R.
million each year thereafter
(commission may waive
Commission (new fed.
119
requirement)
agency)
S. 241 (Reid)
X
FEC
X
$100 million for FY 2002-2011
FEC
S. 368 (McCain)
X
Natl. Institutes
X
sums as may be necessary to
50% fed./50% st. or local (Secretary
Secretary of Commerce
of Standards &
carry out legislation
may waive requirement)
Technology
S. 379 (Schumer)
X
12
X
$500 million for FY 2002-2006
75% fed./25% st. or local (Asst.
Atty. Gen. through Asst. Atty.
Atty. Gen. for the Office of Justice
Gen. for the Office of Justice
Programs may waive)
Programs
S. 479 (Cleland)
X
$1 billion for FY 2002
80% fed/20% st.
FEC
companion to H.R.
1482
S. 565 (Dodd)
X
12
X
such amounts as necessary for
80% fed./20% st. govt. (Atty. Gen.
Atty. Gen. in consultation
FY 2002 - 2006
may provide waiver; applications
with the FEC (Atty. Gen. acts
received before Mar. 1,2002: 90%
through Asst. Atty. Gen. for
fed/10% st. or local govt.
the Office of Justice Programs
and Asst. Atty. Gen. for the
Civil Rts. Div.)
S.953
X
12
X
$500 million for FY 2002
75% fed./25% st. or local govt.
Election Administration
(McConnell/Schumer)
through 2006 ($2.5 billion);
(Commission may provide for
Commission (new federal
such amounts as necessary for
greater fed. share if it determines the
agency)
subsequent FYs
st. or locality lacks resources)

CRS-3
Table 2. Comparison of Senate Bills for Election Study Commission or Grant Program
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
Study commission or federal agency, members appointed by:
(12 members)
(6 members; 5
(4 members;
FEC
National Institute
(12 members)
(grant program
(12 members)
(12 members, no
– 6 by Pres.
voting, 1
establishes
of Standards and
– 2 by Pres.
only)
– 6 by Pres.
more than 6 from
– 3 by Sen. min.
nonvoting)
permanent federal
Technology
– 1 by Sen. maj.
– 3 by Sen. min.
same party)
leader (by maj.
– 1 by Pres.
agency)
leader
leader (or maj.
– 3 by Sen. maj.
leader if min.
– 1 by Sen. maj.
– 4 by Pres. (no
– 2 by Sen. min.
leader if from same
leader
leader and Pres.
leader
more than 2 from
leader
party as Pres.)
– 3 Sen. min.
from same party)
– 1 by Sen. min.
same party)
– 1 by Speaker of
– 3 by House min.
leader
– 3 by House
leader
— 4 year term
House
leader (or maj.
– 3 by Speaker of
min. leader (by
– 1 by Speaker of
— also creates 25
– 2 by House min.
leader if from same
the House
maj. leader if
House
member advisory
leader
party as Pres.)
– 3 by House min.
min. leader and
– 1 by House min.
board (2 year
– Dir. of FEC Office
leader
Pres. from same
leader
terms)
of Election
party)
– Dir. of FEC
Administration
– also creates new
Office of Election
(nonvoting)
federal agency
Administration
– 1 jointly by Natl.
(Election
(nonvoting)
Assoc. of Secys. of
Administration
St. and Natl. Assoc.
Commission) with
of St. Electn. Dirs.
8 members
(nonvoting)
appointed by the
– 1 by Internatl.
Pres. (not more
Institute of Munic.
than 4 members
Clerks, Natl. Assoc.
from the same
of Co. Recorders,
party), with advice
Electn. Officials and
and consent of
Clerks, and Internatl.
Senate
Assoc. of Clerks,
Recorders, Electn.
Officials and
Treasurers
(nonvoting)
– 1 from U.S.
Commission on Civil
Rights (nonvoting)

CRS-4
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
Study/report required
– report
– report approved
– periodic studies
– study by Jan. 1,
– report to Cong.
– report to Pres. and
– report, approved
– report to Cong.
approved by
by majority to
available to public
2002 to establish
not later than 1 yr.
Cong. by Dec. 31,
by majority of
and the Election
majority to Pres.
Pres. and Cong.
– voluntary
uniform national
after enactment
2001
comm. members, to
Administration
and Cong. not
not later than 180
engineering and
standards for fed.
– may issue interim
Cong. and Pres. not
Commission (new
later than one
days after 1 year
performance
election
reports in time for
later than 1 yr. after
agency) not later
year after
study period
standards for
procedures
full or partial
enactment
than six months
enactment
– may issue
voting systems
implementation
– interim reports,
after members
– may issue
interim reports
within first year
before 2002 federal
approved by maj. of
appointed
interim reports
approved by
– voluntary
elections
comm. members,
– interim reports on
approved by
majority
procedures for
– may submit
may be issued
study issues and
majority
access to registrn.
additional reports to
recommendations
facilities, polling
Pres. and Cong. as
may be issued in
places, voting
appropriate
time for full or
methods for all
partial
voters, including
implementation
disabled
before 2002
– regular reports
elections
and ongoing
responsibilities
include:
— update
standards for
voting systems
every 4 years
— advise states to
insure compliance
with handicapped
accessibility act
and other federal
laws
— update
voluntary
procedures
concerning access
issues every 4
years
— develop
voluntary
procedures for
election admin.
and update every
4 years
— provide info on
fed. elections to

CRS-5
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
public and media
— make available
bipartisan panels
of electn.
professionals to
assist st. officials
in review of
election and vote
counting
procedures
— compile and
make available
certified electn.
results, voter
registrn. and
turnout statistics
Specific study issues identified
– election
– voting
– election
– FEC study to
– impact of voter
– current and
– access to ballots
– current and
technology and
procedures in fed.,
technology,
establish
income on
alternate methods of
and polling places,
alternate methods
systems
st., and local
systems, and
standards that:
effective
ensuring
including timely
of ensuring
– ballot design
elections
ballot design
–minimize delay,
participation
accessibility to
notice of locations
accessibility of
– polling place
– best practices
– voter registrn.,
error, or confusion
– impact of
polling places and
and matters of
voting, registration,
access, including
– legislation and
verification, and
in voting, voter
minority status of
voting equipment for
access for disabled
polling places, and
handicapped
regulatory efforts
maintenance of
registrn.
voter (race,
voters, including
voters, visually
voting equipment to
access
that affect voting
voter rolls
–eliminate fraud
gender, or
military, blind and
impaired voters,
all voters, including
– voter registrn.,
procedures issues
– access to polling
–increase accuracy
ethnicity) on
disabled, and elderly
voters with limited
blind and disabled
maintenance of
– implementing
places
and reliability of
effective
– current and
English proficiency,
voters and voters
voter rolls,
standardized
– alternative
vote counts and
participation
alternate methods of
voters who need
with limited
provisional
voting procedures
voting methods
counting
– effect of the use
ensuring accuracy of
assistance to
English proficiency
voting,
– speed,
– accuracy and
procedure
of different voting
registrn. lists
understand voting
– current and
reenfranchiseme
timeliness,
security of
–reduce number of
equipment and of
– current and
process and cast a
alternate methods
nt of voters
accuracy of vote
election
uncounted,
substandard or
alternate methods of
ballot, and other
of voter
– alternative
counts
procedures and
discarded ballots
malfunctioning
admin. to ensure
voters with special
registration,
voting methods
– voting security
vote counts
– encourage voter
equipment on
accuracy and
needs
maintaining secure
– accuracy of
– handicapped
registrn. and
effective
integrity of elections
–voter registr. and
and accurate lists of
voting and
accessibility
turnout
participation and
– current and
maintenance of
registered voters,
election
– level of grant
–ensure
integrity of
alternate methods of
voter rolls,
(including the
procedures
funding necessary
accessibility of
election process
voter educ. with
including use of
establishment of a
– voter
to implement
registrn. and
– future and
voting methods and
provisional ballots
centralized,
education,
recommendations
polling facilities
emerging election
equipment
and standards for
interactive, st.wide
training for
– promote public
technologies,
– relevant matters
reenfranchisement
voter registration
election workers
confidence in
including Internet
for election admin.
of voters
list linked to
and volunteers
accuracy,
voting
in rural and urban
– alternative voting
relevant agencies

CRS-6
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
– issues with
reliability of
– study of impact
areas
methods
and all polling
federal law for
process
of various factors
– different days,
sites), and ensuring
military and
on participation of
places, and hours for
– voter
that all registered
overseas
– establishes the
low-income voters
conducting elections
intimidation, both
voters appear on
citizens’ voting
first consecutive
(such as registrn.
– how fed. govt. can
real and perceived
the polling list at
rights
Saturday and
requirements,
provide ongoing
– accuracy of
the appropriate
– election day
Sunday prior to
educational status,
assistance to st. and
voting, election
polling site
holiday
the first Monday
type of voting
local officials on
procedures, and
– current and
– how fed. govt.
of November as
equipment
permanent basis,
election technology
alternate methods
can best provide
days for federal
available, and
which agency should
– voter education
of educating voters
assistance to st.
elections
outreach efforts)
provide assistance,
– election
about voter
and local
levels of funding
personnel and
registration and
officials to
necessary
volunteer training
voting, the
improve fed.
– develop
– election
operation of voting
elections;
recommendations for
technology and
mechanisms, the
whether a new or
election and
systems
location of polling
existing fed.
administration and
– ballot design and
places, and all
agency should
voting that would
uniformity
other aspects of
provide such
--be most
– voting machine
participating in
assistance
convenient,
capacity, how
elections
–
accessible, and easy
number of ballots
– current and
recommendations
to use for voters,
that can be
alternate methods
on best practices
including military,
processed over time
of recruiting and
with respect to
blind and disabled,
affects number of
improving the
study topics
and elderly
machines needed,
performance of poll
--yield most accurate
number of polling
workers
results and expedite
places and other
– current and
reporting results
facilities needed to
alternate methods
--afford equal voting
serve voters
and mechanisms of
opportunity for all
– whether
voting and counting
voters
legislative or
votes in federal
--be most efficient
administrative
elections
and cost-effective
action is needed to
– current and
– recommend which
provide meaningful
alternate ballot
govt. agency should
opportunity for
designs for federal
provide permanent
military and
elections
assistance to st. and
overseas voters to
– current and
local officials
register and vote in
alternate methods
fed. elections
of voter registration
– feasibility and
for Armed Forces
advisability of
members and
making election day
overseas voters,
a fed. or st. holiday
and methods of
– feasibility and
ensuring that such
advisability of
voters timely
modifying polling
receive ballots that

CRS-7
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
hrs. and the effects
will be properly
of modification
and expeditiously
– how fed. govt.
handled and
can, on permanent
counted
basis, provide
– conducting
ongoing asst. to st.
elections for federal
and local officials
office on different
to improve
days, at different
administration of
places, and during
elections and
different hours,
whether new fed.
including
agency should be
advisability of
created to provide
establishing a
such asst.
uniform poll
– develop
closing time
recommendations
– ways the federal
to identify methods
government can
of voting and
best assist st. and
admin. that would:
local authorities to
-- be convenient,
improve election
accessible,
administration for
nondiscriminatory,
federal office and
and easy to use for
what funding would
disabled voters,
be necessary to
military and
provide such
overseas voters,
assistance
other voters with
– current and
special needs,
alternate methods
including those
of conducting
with limited
provisional voting
English proficiency,
that include notice
or who need
to voter on
assistance to
disposition of ballot
understand voting
– federal and st.
process or to cast a
laws governing the
ballot
eligibility of
-- yield the broadest
persons to vote
participation
– matters
-- produce accurate
particularly
results
relevant to voting
–recommendations
and election
for permanent fed.
administration in
assistance to st.s on
rural and urban
elec. admin. and
areas
whether new fed.
agency should

CRS-8
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
provide such assist.
--recommendations
for on methods to
increase voter
partic., increase
accuracy of voters
rolls and partic. and
inclusion of legal
voters, improve
voter educ., and to
improve training of
election personnel
and volunteers
Other responsibilities
– responsible for
– study and
– Amends Soldiers’
–voting systems in
– develop
Uniformed and
review uniform
and Sailors’ Relief
federal elections
recommendations
Overseas Citizens
national standards
Act of 1940 to
shall:
on which methods
Absentee Voting
within 6 months
clarify st. residency
--permit voter to
of voting and
Act as Pres.
of each fed.
for purposes of
verify ballot
administering
designee
election
voting in fed. or st.
choices and correct
elections would:
– responsible for
– report to Cong.
election: persons
errors before ballot
--- be most
sec. 9 of National
annually on grant
absent from a st. in
is cast
convenient,
Voter Registrn.
program
compliance with
--notify voter if
accessible, and easy
Act (Motor Voter)
military or naval
more than one
to use for federal
regarding mail
orders may not be
cand. choice is
elections, including
registrn.
deemed to lose
made for a single
members of the
residence in that
office and permit
Armed Forces,
st., be deemed to
voter to correct
blind and disabled
acquire residence
errors before ballot
voters, and voters
or domicile in
is cast
with limited
another st., and be
--notify voter if less
English proficiency
deemed to have
than one cand.
--- yield the most
become a resident
choice is made for a
accurate, secure,
in another st.
single office and
and expeditious
–Amends the
permit voter to
system, voting, and
Uniformed and
correct errors
election results in
Overseas Absentee
before ballot is cast
federal elections
Voting Act to
--produce an
--- be
extend the
auditable record for
nondiscriminatory
provisions of the
each ballot cast
and afford each
law to cover st. and
--be accessible for
registered and
local, as well as
disabled persons
eligible voter an
federal elections
and others with
equal opportunity
special needs and
to vote

CRS-9
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
provide alternative
--- be most efficient
language
and cost-effective
accessibility for
for use in federal
persons with
elections
limited English
– recommendations
proficiency
for how federal
--shall have error
government can
rate as close to zero
best provide
as practicable when
assistance to st. and
system is used
local authorities to
properly
improve election
– if name of
administration in
individual who
federal elections
claims to be a
and what levels of
registrant eligible
funding will be
to vote in a federal,
needed for such
st., or local election
assistance
is not on official
– Election
registr. list or
Administration
official asserts the
Commission
individual is not
(EAC), new federal
eligible to vote:
agency, shall:
--election official
-- adopt or modify
shall notify
any
individual that the
recommendations
individual may cast
of the study panel
provisional ballot
after its report is
--individual may
submitted to the
cast a vote upon
President and the
written affirmation
EAC
before an election
-- may update the
official at the
recommendations at
polling place hat
least once every
the individual is
four years
eligible to vote
-- not later than six
--an election
months after
official will transfer
enactment, shall
the ballot to an
issue or adopt
appropriate st. or
updated voting
local official for
systems standards
prompt verification
and update
of the claim of
standards at least
eligibility
once every 4 years
--if the official
-- advise states
verifies the claim,
regarding
the vote shall be
compliance with

CRS-10
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
tabulated
requirements of
--the appropriate st.
Voting
or local official
Accessibility For
shall notify the
the Elderly and
individual in
Handicapped Act
writing of
and other federal
disposition of the
laws regarding
claim and treatment
accessibility of
of the vote
registration
– not later than 10
facilities and
days before election
polling places to
each registered
blind and disabled
voter shall be
voters
mailed sample
-- have primary
version of ballot;
responsibility to
info on election
carry out federal
date and polling
functions of Title 1
hrs.; instructions on
of the Uniformed
how to cast ballot;
and Overseas
gen. info on voting
Citizens Absentee
rights and
Voting Act as the
instructions on how
Presidential
to contact
designee
appropriate st. and
-- serve as a
fed. officials if
clearinghouse,
rights are alleged to
gather information,
be violated; sample
conduct studies,
ballot shall be
and issue reports
published in
concerning issues
newspaper in
relating to federal,
applicable
st., and local
geographic area and
elections
posted at polling
-- carry out the
place
provisions of
– the FEC Office of
section 9 of the
Elec. Admin.,
National Voter
develop guidelines
Registration Act of
within a yr. of
1993
enactment for
-- make available
voting systems
information
requirement
regarding the
specifications,
federal election
provisional ballot
system to the public
requirements, and
and media
sample ballot
-- assemble and
activities
make available

CRS-11
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
bipartisan panels of
election
professionals to
assist any st.
election official,
upon request, in
review of election
or vote counting
procedures in
federal, st., and
local elections
-- compile and
make available to
the public the
official certified
results of elections
for federal office
and statistics
regarding national
voter registration
and turnout
-- administer the
Federal Election
Reform Grant
Program
Grant program funding
– $500 million to
– sums as may be
– $500 million
– $100 million for
– sums as may be
– $500 million for
– $1 billion for FY
–such amounts as
– $500 million for
Dept. of Justice
necessary to carry
first year; $100
FY 2002-2011
necessary to carry
FY 2002-2006 or
2002
necessary for FY
FY 2002 through
for 2002; such
out legislation
million each year
out legislation
lesser amount
2002, 2003, 2004,
2006 ($2.5 billion);
amounts as
thereafter
recommended by
2005, and 2006
such amounts as
necessary for FY
Commission
necessary for
2003-2006
subsequent FYs
– such amounts
as necessary to
FEC for purpose
of consulting
with Atty. Gen.
– authorizes
supplemental
appropriations
for FY 2001 for
FEC, Dept. of
Justice as
necessary

CRS-12
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
Grant uses
– grants to st.s to
– grants to st. and
– grants to st. and
– grants to st.s to
– grants to st. or
– grants to st. and
– to replace
– to improve,
– to implement any
improve, replace
local govts. to
local govts. to
provide for cost of
local agencies
local govts. to
applicable voting
acquire, or replace
recommendation
voting equipment
implement
improve,
implementing
responsible for
implement
systems for use in
voting equip. or
adopted or
– implement new
commission
modernize
uniform national
administering
commission
fed. elections with
technology,
modified by the
electn. admin.
recommendations
election admin.
standards
elections to
recommendations,
advanced voting
including access for
Commission
procedures, such
using voluntary
purchase new or
buy new equipment,
systems, such as
the disabled,
– st. or localities
as same day
recommendations
rehabilitated
hiring employees or
electronic voting
visually impaired,
that do not meet
voter registrn.
of commission
voting equipment
contractors, train
systems
or those with
certification
– voter education
personnel, voter
– amounts, not in
limited English
requirements (see
and election
education
excess of 33% of
proficiency
“Grant
personnel
amount received by
– to implement new
timetable/applicatio
training
an eligible local
elec. admin.
n process” below)
– implement
voting area, may be
procedures to
may use funds to
study
used to train
increase voter
meet the
recommendations
election officials
partic., reduce
requirements not
and educate voters
disenfranchisement
later than the first
in use of advanced
such as same day
federal election
voting systems and
voter registr.
after grant was
to reimburse costs
– to educate voters
awarded or three
for extending the
on voting
months after the
Uniformed and
procedures, rights,
grant was awarded,
Overseas Citizens
or technology, or to
whichever is later
Absentee Voting
train elec.
– voting
Act to permit
personnel
mechanisms
military and
– to implement
purchased in whole
overseas citizens to
recommendations
or in part with a
vote in st. and local
of the Commission
grant must have an
elections
on Voting Rights
error rate no higher
– after voting
and Procedures
than that prescribed
systems are
by the voting
replaced in eligible
systems standards
local voting area
issued by the
and funds are not
Commission;
needed for other
-- in the case of a
uses, funds are
voting mechanism
transferred to the
not used for
st. to enhance voter
absentee or mail
participation by
voting, must permit
improving voter
voters to verify
registr., expanding
votes before they
training of election
are cast; be capable
officials, and
of notifying voters
upgrading other
if they have voted
voting equipment
for more than one

CRS-13
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
candidate or fewer
than the number of
candidates for
which votes may be
cast for an office;
and provide voter
with the
opportunity to
modify ballot
before it is cast
– have the audit
capacity to produce
a record for each
ballot cast
– recipients shall
insure that each
activity funded in
whole or part with
a grant is conducted
in accordance with
the Voting Rights
Act of 1965,
including sections
4(f)(4) and 203; the
National Voter
Registration Act of
1993; the Voting
Accessibility for the
Elderly and
Handicapped Act;
the Americans with
Disabilities Act of
1990; and the
Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 in
conducting
elections for federal
office
Matching formula/conditions
– federal share of
– $1 non-federal
– st. and local
– 50% fed/50% st.
– st. and local govts.
– 80% fed/20% st.
– 80% fed/20% st.
– 75% fed/25% st.
cost of st. plan is
funds to $1 federal
govts. must spend
or local agency
must spend not less
– FEC allocates to
or local govt. (Atty.
or local govt. (the
80% (Atty. Gen.
funds
not less than 25%
(Secretary may
than 25% of grant
a st. an amount that
Gen. may provide
Commission may
may specify more
of grant awarded
waive requirement
awarded (75%
bears the same ratio
waiver and specify
provide for greater

CRS-14
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
than 80% if st.
(75% fed./25% st.
if st. or local
fed/25% st. or local)
to the total amount
federal share
federal share if it
agrees to con-
or local)
agency displays
– Asst. Atty. Gen.
allocated to all st.s
greater than 80%);
determines the st.
ditions
– by vote,
extreme need)
for Office of Justice
as the number of
for grant
or locality lacks
prescribed by the
commission may
– Secretary may
Programs may waive
applicable voting
applications
resources)
Atty. Gen.)
request audit at
make block grants
requirement
systems in the st.
received before
– grant recipients
any time
to st. agency for
bears to the total
Mar. 1,2002: 90%
must keep
– match. funding
election
number in all st.s
fed/10% st. or local
records as
not required for
administration for
receiving grants
govt.
prescribed by
local govt. if per
voter education
– states allocate to
Atty. Gen. in
capita income is
campaigns
local voting areas
consultation with
among lowest 1/4
– voting
an amount that
FEC
in st.
equipment
bears the same ratio
– Atty. Gen. or
purchased with
to the total amount
Comptroller Gen.
grant proceeds
received by the st.
have access to
must meet voting
as the number of
records to
systems
applicable voting
conduct audit or
performance
systems in the local
examination
standards
voting areas bears
– authority to
developed by Natl.
to the total number
conduct an audit
Institute of
in all local voting
expires 3 years
Standards and
areas in the st. (the
after date on
Technology
number of
which st. plan is
applicable voting
approved
systems to be
determined in
reasonable manner
by FEC; if voting
system is paper
ballot, the number
of applicable
systems shall be
determined by the
number of
registered voters in
the st. or local
voting area divided
by 200)
Grant timetable/application process
– chief executive
– st., local govts.
– review of
– states submit
– Secretary of
– st. and local govts.
– automatic for
– Atty. Gen.
– applications from
officer of st.
submit application
applications
application to FEC
Commerce
may submit
states in which
publishes st. plan
st. and localities
submits plan to
with info required
begins 1 yr. and
at such time and
publishes notice in
applications up to 45
lever machines,
in Federal Register
shall describe the
Atty. Gen., with
by Atty. Gen.
45 days after
in such manner as
Federal Register
days after final rept.
punchcard systems,
upon receipt of
activities for which
info required by
enactment
required
to notify st. and
issued (by Dec. 31,
and paper ballots
application; Atty.
assistance is

CRS-15
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
Atty. Gen. (in
– commission
–FEC to issue
local agencies of
2001)
are used; an
Gen., in
sought, contain a
consultation with
solicits, reviews,
regulations for
time and manner
– annual applications
eligible st. may opt
consultation with
request for
FEC)
votes on
application
of applying and
according to
to not receive any
FEC, may approve
certification by the
– plan must
applications from
process, content of
prescribed criteria
deadlines
amount if it notifies
or disapprove
Assistant Atty.
describe
st., local govts. at
application,
for application
established by the
the FEC within 30
application 30 days
Gen. for Civil
activities
least once a year
standard amount
– Secretary gives
Asst. Atty. Gen. for
days of enactment
after it appears in
Rights
– plan must
of each grant,
priority to
the Office of Justice
Fed. Register
(demonstrating that
provide evidence
criteria for
applications to
Programs
– st. applications
the jurisdiction is
of:
approval of
replace voting
must be developed
in compliance with
1) uniform
applications
equipment in
in consultation with
the Voting Rights
standards for
precincts most in
st. and local elec.
Act of 1965,
electn. admin.
need of updating
officials, describe
including sections
within the st.
to meet
activities for which
4(f)(4) and 203; the
2) accuracy of
performance
assistance is
National Voter
voter registrn.
standards
sought, contain
Registration Act of
records
developed in
detailed
1993; the Voting
3) standards to
study, particularly
explanation of how
Accessibility for the
ensure
areas with greatest
st. will comply with
Elderly and
compliance with
need based on
requirements listed
Handicapped Act;
Voting
unemployment,
above, provide
the Americans with
Accessibility for
income, financial
assurance that st.
Disabilities Act of
the Elderly and
need, or other
will pay non-
1990; and the
Handicapped
indicators of
federal share of
Rehabilitation Act
Act; Voting
economic distress
cost of activities for
of 1973 in
Rights Act;
which assistance is
conducting
Uniformed and
sought (may be
elections for federal
Overseas
accompanied by
office; provides
Citizens
request for waiver
blind and disabled
Absentee Voting
of matching
voters verifiable
Act
requirements),
opportunity to vote
4) provision for
additional
under same
voter education
assurances required
conditions of
programs and
by Atty. Gen. in
privacy as
election
consultation with
nonvisually
personnel
FEC, must be made
impaired or
training
available for public
nondisabled voters;
review and
permits provisional
comment
voting or will
implement same
consistent with the
Commission’s
adopted
recommendation on
provisional ballots;
has implemented
safeguards to

CRS-16
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
ensure that the
jurisdiction
maintains an
accurate list of
voters legally
registered and
eligible and only
those not legally
registered or
eligible have been
removed from the
registration list; has
implemented
safeguards to
ensure that
members of the
Armed Forces and
voters outside U.S.
have opportunity to
vote and have their
vote counted;
provides voter
education and poll
worker training
consistent with
commission
recommendations
or a detailed
demonstration of
how the jurisdiction
intends to use grant
funds to meet
requirements
– Commission
gives priority to
states or localities
with the most
deficient voting
systems and the
greatest need for
assistance in
implementing
Commission
recommendations
– Commission may
not approve an

CRS-17
S. 17
S. 216
S. 218
S. 241
S. 368
S. 379
S. 479
S. 565
S.953 (McConnell/
(Daschle)
(Specter)
(McConnell)
(Reid)
(McCain)
(Schumer)
(Cleland)
(Dodd)
Schumer)
application unless
it has received
certification
information from
Asst. Atty. Gen.
Grant program administered by
– Atty. Gen., in
– Atty. Gen.
– Election
– FEC
– Secretary of
– Atty. Gen. through
– FEC
– Atty. Gen. in
– Election
consultation with
through the
Administration
Commerce
the Asst. Atty. Gen.
consultation with
Administration
the FEC
Assistant Atty.
Commission (new
for the Office of
the FEC (Atty.
Commission (new
Gen. for the
federal agency)
Justice Programs (in
Gen. through the
federal agency)
Office of Justice
consultation with the
Asst. Atty. Gen. for
Programs
Dir. of Office of
the Office of Justice
Election
Programs and the
Administration of
Asst. Atty. Gen. for
the FEC)
Civil Rts. Div)