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

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

Order Code RL30997
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Election Reform Bills in the U.S. House of
Representatives, 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. House of
Representatives, 107th Congress:
A Comparison of Selected Legislation
Summary
This report provides a side-by-side comparison of 14 bills introduced in the
House of Representatives in the 107th Congress through June 6, 2001 to reform the
electoral process by establishing a study commission, a federal grant program, or
both. Bills introduced in the House are: H.R. 49; H.R. 57; H.R. 60; H.R. 119; H.R.
263; H.R. 354; H.R. 430; H.R. 561; H.R. 752; H.R. 775; H.R. 1151; H.R. 1165; H.R.
1170; and H.R. 1482. 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 14 electoral reform
bills; Table 2a provides side-by-side summaries of House bills to establish a study
commission; Table 2b provides side-by-side summaries of House bills to establish a
study commission and a grant program, or establish a grant program only.

Contents
List of Tables
Table 1. Checklist of Provisions in Selected Electoral Reform Legislation . . . . . 2
Table 2a. Comparison of House Bills to Create Study Commission . . . . . . . . . . 3
Table 2b. Comparison of House Bills to Create Study Commission or Grant
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Election Reform Bills in the U.S. House of
Representatives, 107th Congress:
A Comparison of Selected Legislation
Table 1 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 2a provides a side-by-side comparison of the six House bills
introduced thus far in the 107th Congress to create an electoral study commission;
Table 2b provides a side-by-side comparison of the eight House bills to create an
electoral study commission and establish a grant program or establish a grant program
only.

CRS-2
Table 1. Checklist of Provisions in Selected Electoral Reform Legislation
Legislation
Study
Commission
Grant
Grant program amount
Matching grant formula
Grants administered by
required
members
program
H.R. 49 (Clyburn)
X
12
H.R. 57 (DeFazio)
X
12
H.R. 60 (Jackson-Lee)
X
5
H.R. 119 (Holt)
X
10
H.R. 263 (Davis)
X
4
X
$500 million first year; $100
75% fed./25% state or local (commission may
Election Administration
companion to S. 218
million each year thereafter
waive requirement)
Commission (new fed. agency)
H.R. 354 (Hutchinson)
X
$1.5 billion over 3 years
75% fed./25% state or local
FEC through its Office of
Elections Administration
H.R. 430 (Delahunt)
X
26
X
$250 million over 3 years
75% fed./25% state (FEC may waive
FEC
requirement)
H..R.561 (Dingell)
X
17
H.R. 752 (King)
X
Natl. Institutes
50% fed./50% state or local (Secretary may
Secretary of Commerce
of Standards &
waive requirement)
Technology
H.R. 775 (Hoyer)
X
4
X
$432 million for punch card
punch card program-not more than number of
Administrator of Gen. Services
(two
equipment buy out program
precincts in jurisdiction x $6,000
Admin. (punch card buy back
programs)
program)
$150 million for FY 2002 ($140
million for grants to state and local
Election Administration
govts.; $10 million for grants to
Commission (new federal
voting equipment manufacturers);
agency)
such sums as necessary in
succeeding FY)
H.R. 1151 (Langevin)
X
FEC
X
$200 million for FY 2002-2005
FEC
H.R. 1165 (Barcia)
X
12
H.R. .1170 (Conyers)
X
$700 million for FY 2002; such
80% fed/20% state or local govt. (Atty. Gen.
Atty. Gen. in consultation with
amounts as necessary for FY 2003,
may provide waiver; applications received
the FEC (Atty. Gen. acts through
2004, 2005, and 2006
before Mar. 1,2002: 90% fed/10% state or local
Asst. Atty. Gen. for the Office of
govt.)
Justice Programs and Asst. Atty.
Gen. for the Civil Rts. Div.)
H.R. 1482 (Langevin)
X
$1 billion for FY 2002
80% fed/20% state
FEC
companion to S. 479

CRS-3
Table 2a. Comparison of House Bills to Create Study Commission
H.R. 49
H.R. 57
H.R. 60
H.R. 119
H.R. 561
H.R. 1165
(Clyburn)
(DeFazio)
(Jackson-Lee)
(Holt)
(Dingell)
(Barcia)
Study commission or federal agency,
members appointed by:
(12 members)
(12 members)
(5 members)
(10 members)
(17 members)
(12 members)
– 2 by Pres.
– 3 by Pres. Pro Tempore
– 1 by Pres.
– 2 by Pres.
– 4 by Pres. (no more than 2
– Dir. of Natl. Inst. of
– 2 by Sen. maj. leader
of Senate from maj. leader
– 1 by Sen. maj. leader
– 2 by Sen. maj. leader
from same party)
Standards & Technology
– 2 by Sen. min. leader
recommendations
– 1 by Sen. min. leader
– 2 by Sen. min. leader
– 3 by Sen. maj. leader
– Chair of FEC
– 2 by Speaker of the
– 3 by Pres. Pro Tempore
– 1 by Speaker of House
– 2 by Speaker of House
– 3 by Sen. min. leader
– 2 reps. from Natl. Assoc. of
House
of the Senate from min.
– 1 by House min. leader
– 2 by House min. leader
– 3 by Speaker of House
St. Election Directors
– 2 by Chair of U.S.
leader recommendations
– 3 by House min. leader
– 2 reps. from Natl. Govs.
Comm.on Civil Rts. (from
– 3 by Speaker of House
– 1 (commission chair) jointly by
Assoc.
Comm. members)
– 3 by House min. leader
all of the above
– 1 rep. from Amer. Natl.
Standards Inst.
– 5 members chosen by Dir.
of Natl. Inst. of Standards and
Tech. in consult. with Chair
of FEC, Speaker of House,
House min. leader, Sen.
majority and Sen. minority
leaders
Study/report required
– report to Pres., Congress,
– report to Pres. and
– report approved by majority
– report to Pres., Congress, and
– report to Pres. and Congress
– report to Congress not later
and FEC not later than 12
Congress not later than 12
to Pres. and Congress not
FEC not later than 12 months
not later than 12 months after
than nine mos. after date of
months after first
months after first
later than 180 days after one
after first commission mtg.
first commission mtg.
enactment containing tech.
commission mtg.
commission mtg.
year study period
– any member may submit own
– any member may submit own
standards for voting systems
– any comm. member may
– any member may submit
– may issue interim reports
findings, recommendations with
findings, recommendations with
and criteria for selecting org.
submit own findings,
own findings,
approved by majority
rept.
rept.
to operate new Natl. Elec.
recommendations as part of
recommendations with
– all reports may include
Systems Standards Laboratory
rept.
rept.
minority/dissenting opinions
– report to Congress not later
than one year after date of
enactment containing testing
and evaluation procedures,
certif. procedures for non-fed.
labs to perform testing,
recommendations for
promoting testing and eval.
procedures established

CRS-4
H.R. 49
H.R. 57
H.R. 60
H.R. 119
H.R. 561
H.R. 1165
(Clyburn)
(DeFazio)
(Jackson-Lee)
(Holt)
(Dingell)
(Barcia)
Specific study issues identified
– fed., state, local election
– electoral college reform
– voting procedures in fed.,
– examine fed., state, and local
– electoral college
– tech. performance-based
procedures and recommend
– voter registrn. issues
state, local elections
election processes and make
– voter registrn. issues,
standards related to accuracy,
revisions.
– ballot access
– procedures that represent
recommendations based on
including effectiveness of motor
integrity, security of voting
– absentee and mail-in
best practices
findings
voter, feasibility of election day
equip. and systems in fed.
voting
– legis. and regulatory efforts
– voting procedures in fed., st.,
and Internet registrn.
elections
– Internet voting
that affect procedures
local elections
– ballot design and technology
– criteria for selection of
– impact of poll closing
– implementation of
– legislation and regulatory efforts
– uniform poll closing
organ. to operate new Natl.
times
standardized procedures for
that affect voting
– weekend elections, multiple
Electn. Systems Standards
– no. and accessability of
voting, registrn., absentee
–standardized voting procedures,
day voting, early voting
Laboratory
polling places
voting, early voting, and
including standardized technology
– poll accessibility, poll worker
– develop uniform testing and
– poll worker training
polling hrs.
training, voter education
evaluation procedures for
– voter education
– speed and timeliness of vote
– alternate voting methods,
determining conformance of
– ballot design and voting
counts
Internet voting, mail-in voting
equip. and systems with
technology
– accuracy of vote counts
– military and overseas citizens
standards
– changing election day
– security of voting
voting issues
– estab. procedures to certify
– Pres. debates
procedures
non-fed. labs to perform
– alternate voting methods
voting equip. testing and eval.
– military voting issues
– Natl. Elec. Systems
– Pres. primary process
Standards Lab. investigates
– cost of reform proposals
human factors in design and
– speed and accuracy of
application of voting systems,
vote counting
design of remote-access
– impact of changes on
voting systems, maintain and
minorities, disabled, rural
make public list of certified
and urban residents
voting equipment and systems
Other responsibilities
– Dir. of Natl. Institute of
Standards and Tech. selects
org. to operate new Natl.
Election Systems Standards
Laboratory

CRS-5
Table 2b. Comparison of House Bills to Create Study Commission or Grant Program
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
Study commission or federal agency,
members appointed by:
(4 members;
(grant program
(26 members: 24
National Institute of
(4 members; establishes
Federal Election
(12 members)
(grant program only)
establishes
only)
voting, 2 nonvoting)
Standards and
permanent federal
Commission
– 6 by Pres.
permanent federal
– 3 by Sen. maj.
Technology
agency)
– 3 by Sen. min. leader
agency)
leader
– 4 by Pres. (no more
(or maj. leader if from
– 4 by Pres. (no
– 3 by Sen. min.
than 2 from same party):
same party as Pres.)
more than 2 from
leader
– 3 by House min.
same party)
– 3 by Speaker of
– 1 from Senate Pres.
leader (or maj. leader if
—4 year term
House
Pro Tempore list (or
from same party as
—also creates 25
– 3 by House min.
min. leader if from same
Pres.)
member advisory
leader
party as Pres.)
board (2 year
– 3 by Natl. Assoc. of
– 1 from Speaker of
terms)
Secys. of State (max.
House list (or min.
2 from large states, 2
leader if from same
from small states, 2
party as Pres.)
same party or region)
– 3 by Natl. Assoc. of
State Elecn. Dirs.
(max. 2 from large
states, etc.)
– 6 local electn.
officials:
—2 by the Electn.
Center
—2 by Internatl.
Assoc. of Clerks,
Recorders, Electn.
Officials and
Treasurers
—2 by Natl. Assoc. of
Co. Recorders, Electn.
Officials and Clerks
– Nonvoting
members: Atty. Gen.
and Chair of FEC

CRS-6
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
Study/report required
– periodic studies
– report to Pres.,
– report to Congress
– voluntary engineering
– voting systems
– report, approved by
available to public
Congress, FEC, and
not later than 1 yr.
and performance
standards periodically
majority of comm.
– voluntary
chief election official
after enactment
standards for voting
issued by the Office of
members, to Congress
engineering and
of each state not later
systems used in fed.
Election Admin. at the
and Pres. not later than
performance
than 12 months after
elections at least every 2
FEC to be updated
1 yr. after enactment
standards for voting
first commission mtg.
years
within 9 mos. of
– interim reports,
systems within first
– any member may
– voluntary procedures
enactment
approved by maj. of
year
submit own findings,
for enhancing access to
– future updates of
comm. members, may
– voluntary
recommendations
registrn. facilities,
voting systems
be issued
procedures for
with rept.
polling places, voting
standards as considered
access to registrn.
methods for all voters,
appropriate
facilities, polling
including disabled at
– voting systems
places, voting
least every 4 years
standards to be posted
methods for all
–voluntary election
on the Internet
voters, including
management standards
disabled
at least every 4 years
– regular reports
– make info on fed.
and ongoing
election system
responsibilities
available to media and
include:
public
— update standards
–at request of state
for voting systems
officials, review election
every 4 years
or vote counting
— advise states to
procedures with
insure compliance
bipartisan panel of
with handicapped
election professionals
accessibility act and
– compile and make
other federal laws
available election
— update voluntary
results, including voter
procedures
registrn. and turnout
concerning access
rates
issues every 4 years
– periodic studies
— develop
available to public on
voluntary
administration of
procedures for
elections, including best
election admin. and
practices for:

CRS-7
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
update every 4
–election equipment
years
–ballot design
— provide info on
–voter registrn.,
fed. elections to
verification and
public and media
maintenance of voter
— make available
rolls
bipartisan panels of
–alternative voting
electn. profess. to
methods
assist state officials
–accuracy of election
in review of
and vote counting
election and vote
procedures
counting
–voter education
procedures
materials, including
— compile and
sample ballots and use
make available
of voting equipment
certified electn.
results, voter
registrn. and
turnout statistics
Specific study issues identified
– election
– accuracy, integrity,
– impact of income of
– expand existing
– access to ballots and
technology,
efficiency of fed.
voter on effective
voting systems
polling places,
systems, and ballot
election procedures
participation in
standards to include
including timely notice
design
– recommend
election process
poll access for
of locations and
– voter registrn.,
standards for conduct
– impact of race,
disabled, elderly, and
matters of access for
verification, and
of fed. elections
gender, or ethnicity on
effective use of systems
disabled voters,
maintenance of
– recommendations
effective participation
and equipment to
visually impaired
voter rolls
on admin. aspects of
in election process,
provide opportunity to
voters, voters with
– access to polling
electn. over which
including study of
cast secure, secret
limited English
places
Congress has
impact of various
ballot
proficiency, voters who
– alternative voting
constitutional
factors on
need assistance to
methods
authority
participation of low-
understand voting
– accuracy and
– weekend elections,
income voters (such
process and cast a
security of election
multiple day voting,
as registrn.
ballot, and other voters
procedures and vote
early voting
requirements,
with special needs
counts
– Internet voting
educational status,
–voter registr. and

CRS-8
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
type of voting
maintenance of voter
equipment available,
rolls, including use of
and outreach efforts)
provisional ballots and
– effect of the use of
standards for
different voting
reenfranchisement of
equipment and of
voters
substandard or
– alternative voting
malfunctioning
methods
equipment on
– voter intimidation,
effective participation
both real and perceived
and integrity of
– accuracy of voting,
election process
election procedures,
– future and emerging
and election technology
election technologies,
– voter education
including Internet
– election personnel
voting
and volunteer training
– election technology
and systems
– ballot design and
uniformity
– voting machine
capacity, how number
of ballots that can be
processed over time
affects number of
machines needed,
number of polling
places and other
facilities needed to
serve voters
– whether legislative or
administrative action is
needed to provide
meaningful opportunity
for military and
overseas voters to
register and vote in fed.
elections

CRS-9
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
– feasibility and
advisability of making
election day a fed. or
state holiday
– feasibility and
advisability of
modifying polling hrs.
and the effects of
modification
– how fed. govt. can,
on permanent basis,
provide ongoing asst.
to state and local
officials to improve
administr. of elections
and whether new fed.
agency should be
created to provide such
asst.
– develop
recommendations to
identify methods of
voting and admin. that
would:
-- be convenient,
accessible,
nondiscriminatory, and
easy to use for disabled
voters, military and
overseas voters, other
voters with special
needs, including those
with limited English
proficiency, or who
need assistance to
understand voting
process or to cast a
ballot

CRS-10
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
-- yield the broadest
participation
-- produce accurate
results
– recommendations for
permanent fed.
assistance to states on
elec. admin. and
whether new fed.
agency should provide
such assist.
-- recommendations for
methods to increase
voter partic., increase
accuracy of voters rolls
and partic. and
inclusion of legal
voters, to improve
voter educ., and to
improve training of
election personnel and
volunteers
Other responsibilities or requirements
– responsible for
– advise state and local
– consult with fed.,
– to carry out section 5
– Amends Soldiers’
Uniformed and
govt. on compliance
state, and local govts.
of 14th Amend. to
and Sailors’ Relief
Overseas Citizens
with Handicapped
with expertise to assess
Constitution, voting
Act of 1940 to
Absentee Voting
Accessibility Act
accessibility of
systems in federal,
clarify state
Act as Pres.
– carry out functions of
facilities and voting
state, local elections
residency for
designee
Uniformed and Overseas
systems for elderly and
shall:
purposes of voting in
– responsible for
Citizens Absentee
disabled
--permit voter to verify
fed. or state election:
sec. 9 of National
Voting Act
– consult with
ballot choices and
persons absent from
Voter Registrn. Act
– carry out provisions of
appropriate orgs. with
correct errors before
a state in compliance
(Motor Voter)
sec. 9 of National Voter
expertise in developing
ballot is cast
with military or
regarding mail
Registrn. Act (motor
elderly and disabled
--notify voter if more
naval orders may not
registrn.
voter law) regarding
accessibility standards
than one cand. choice
be deemed to lose
mail registrn.
is made for a single
residence in that

CRS-11
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
– develop model
office and permit voter
state, be deemed to
election code within 2
to correct errors before
acquire residence or
yrs. of appt. of
ballot is cast
domicile in another
commission members
--notify voter if less
state, and be deemed
– create nonpartisan
than one cand. choice
to have become a
analysis of legal issues
is made for a single
resident in another
to promote clarifying
office and permit voter
state
election law
to correct errors before
–Amends the
ballot is cast
Uniformed and
--produce an auditable
Overseas Citizens
record for each ballot
Absentee Voting Act
cast
to extend the
--be accessible for
provisions of the law
disabled persons and
to cover state and
others with special
local, as well as
needs and provide
federal elections
alternative language
accessibility for
persons with limited
English proficiency
--shall have error rate
as close to zero as
practicable when
system is used properly
– to carry out section 5
of 14th Amend. to
Constitution, if name
of individual who
claims to be a
registrant eligible to
vote in a federal, state,
or local election is not
on official registr. list
or official asserts the
individual is not
eligible to vote:
--election official shall
notify individual that

CRS-12
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
the individual may cast
provisional ballot
--individual may cast a
vote upon written
affirmation before an
election official at the
polling place that the
individual is eligible to
vote
--an election official
will transfer the ballot
to an appropriate state
or local official for
prompt verification of
the claim of eligibility
--if the official verifies
the claim, the vote
shall be tabulated
--the appropriate state
or local official shall
notify the individual in
writing of the
disposition of the claim
and the treatment of
the vote
– to carry out section 5
of 14th Amend. to
Constitution, not later
than 10 days before
election each registered
voter shall be mailed
sample version of
ballot; info on election
date and polling hrs.;
instructions on how to
cast ballot; gen. info on
voting rights and
instructions on how to

CRS-13
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
contact appropriate st.
and fed. officials if
rights are alleged to be
violated; sample ballot
shall be published in
newspaper in
applicable geographic
area and posted at
polling place
–Atty. Gen. shall
reimburse states for
costs incurred to
implement voting
systems changes,
provisional ballot
requirements, and
sample ballot activities
(described above)
–Office of Civil Rts. at
Dept. of Justice shall,
in consultation with the
FEC Office of Elec.
Admin., develop
guidelines within one
yr. of enactment for
voting systems
changes, provisional
ballot requirements,
and sample ballot
activities

CRS-14
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
Grant program funding
– $500 million first
– $1.5 billion over
– $250 million for
– sums as may be
– $432 million for one-
– $200 million for FY
–$700 million for FY
– $1 billion for FY
year; $100 million
3 years
each of first 3 fiscal
necessary to carry out
time punch card voting
2002 through 2005
2002; such amounts as
2002
each year thereafter
years, necessary sums
purposes of
machine buy out
necessary for FY 2003,
for each succeeding
legislation
program
2004, 2005, and 2006
fiscal year
– $150 million for FY
2002 ($140 million for
grants to state and local
govts.; $10 million for
grants to voting
equipment
manufacturers); such
sums as necessary in
succeeding FY)
Grant uses
– grants to state
– activities to
– grants to states,
– grants to state or
– punch card buyout
– to bring state voting
– to improve, acquire,
– to replace
and local govts. to
improve election
either directly of
local agencies
program: grants to state
systems, equipment,
or replace voting equip.
applicable voting
improve, modernize
admin.
through local govts,
responsible for
or local govts. to replace
polling places, and
or technology,
systems for use in
election admin.
– modernization,
Indian tribal govts,
administering
punch card voting
voter registrn. facilities
including access for the
fed. elections with
using voluntary
replacement of
other public, private
elections to purchase
systems with non-punch
into compliance with
disabled, visually
advanced voting
recommendations
voting equip.
entities, multi-
new or rehabilitated
card systems (maximum
new voting systems
impaired, or those with
systems, such as
of commission
– purchase,
jurisdictional or
voting equipment
amt. = number of
standards
limited English
electronic voting
upgrade, repair of
regional consortia to:
precincts with punch
– carry out activities to
proficiency
systems
computer-based
– hire employees,
card system X $6,000)
promote accessibility of
– to implement new
– amounts, not in
vote systems
consultants to design
voting systems,
elec. admin. procedures
excess of 33% of
– to enhance vote
and implement
– grants to state and
equipment, polling
to increase voter
amount received by
tabulation,
systems that meet
local govts. to improve,
places, and voter
partic., reduce
an eligible local
reporting
standards developed
replace voting
registrn. facilities for
disenfranchisement,
voting area, may be
procedures
by comm.
equipment or technology
elderly and disabled
such as same day voter
used to train election
– procure equipment,
– implement best
registr.
officials and educate
technology, admin.
practices developed by
– to educate voters on
voters in use of
support systems that
Elec. Administration
voting procedures,
advanced voting
meet comm. standards
Com.
rights, or technology,
systems and to
– train, retrain electn.
– manufacturers of
or to train elec.
reimburse costs for

CRS-15
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
officials, employees,
voting equipment may
personnel
extending the
volunteers in use of
use grant to carry out
– to implement
Uniformed and
new standards
research and
recommendations of
Overseas Citizens
– develop activities to
development of new
the Commission on
Absentee Voting Act
encourage public
voting equipment
Voting Rights and
to permit military
confidence and
Procedures
and overseas citizens
participation in
to vote in state and
electoral process
local elections
under new standards
– after voting
– evaluate new
systems are replaced
systems established
in eligible local
under grant program
voting area and
funds are not needed
for other uses, funds
are transferred to the
state to enhance
voter participation
by improving voter
registr., expanding
training of election
officials, and
upgrading other
voting equipment
Matching formula/conditions
– state and local
– grants awarded
– grant amount may
– 50% fed/50% state
– 75% fed./25% state or
– 80% fed./20% state
– 80% fed./20%
govts. must spend
in manner to
not exceed 75% of
or local agency
local govt.; 50%
or local govt. (Atty.
state
not less than 25%
reflect geographic
total cost of funded
(Secretary may waive
fed./50% manufacturer
Gen. may provide
– FEC allocates to a
of grant awarded
regions of U.S.
activity (FEC may
requirement if state or
– state or local govt.
waiver and specify
state an amount that
(75% fed./25%
– not less than
waive this
local agency displays
must be in compliance
federal share greater
bears the same ratio
state or local)
25% of total,
requirement under
extreme need)
with NVRA (motor
than 80%); for grant
to the total amount
– by vote,
annual funding
conditions it considers
– Secretary may make
voter law)
applications received
allocated to all states
commission may
awarded to local
appropriate)
block grants to state
– if state or local govt.
before Mar. 1,2002:
as the number of
request audit at any
govts. with
– unless all
agency for election
purges voters from
90% fed/10% state or
applicable voting
time
populations of
applications from
administration for
registrn. list, must
local govt.
systems in the state
– match funding not
55,000 or less
qualifying states are
voter education
provide assurances that
bears to the total
required for local
– grant amount
approved, the total
campaigns
no legally eligible voter
number in all states

CRS-16
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
govt. if per capita
may not exceed
amount given to a
– voting equipment
is purged
receiving grants
income is among
75% of total cost
state, including local
purchased with grant
– state or local govt.
– states allocate to
lowest 1/4 in state
of funded activity
grants, may not be
proceeds must meet
must be in compliance
local voting areas an
– state, local
less than 0.5% of all
voting systems
with Handicapped
amount that bears
govts. submit rept.
grants in aggregate
performance
Acessibility Act
the same ratio to the
every 6 months to
standards developed
– state or local govt.
total amount
FEC
by Natl. Institute of
must provide assur-
received by the state
Standards and
ances that military and
as the number of
Technology
overseas voters are
applicable voting
provided adequate
systems in the local
opportunity to vote
voting areas bears to
– manufacturers provide
the total number in
assurances that research
all local voting areas
and development
in the state (the
accounts for
number of applicable
handicapped
voting systems to be
accessibility
determined in
– grant funds subject to
reasonable manner
audit by vote of the
by FEC; if voting
commission
system is paper
ballot, the number of
applicable systems
shall be determined
by the number of
registered voters in
the state or local
voting area divided
by 200)

CRS-17
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
Grant timetable/application process
– review of
– state, local
– states submit
– Secretary of
– commission solicits
– states submit
– Atty. Gen. publishes
– automatic for
applications begins
govts. submit
application with info
Commerce publishes
and reviews applications
application with a
state plan in Federal
states in which lever
1 yr. and 45 days
application with
required by
notice in Federal
not later than 1 yr. after
description of activities
Register upon receipt
machines, punchcard
after enactment
info required by
commission
Register to notify
members appt.
funded, assurances that
of application; Atty.
systems, and paper
– commission
commission
state and local
– commission reviews
activities conform with
Gen., in consultation
ballots are used; an
solicits, reviews,
agencies of time and
applications at least
revised voting system
with Asst. Atty. Gen.
eligible state may
votes on
manner of applying
once a yr. thereafter
standards, and with
for Civil Rts. Div., may
opt to not receive
applications from
and prescribed criteria
– states, local govts.,
other info required by
approve or disapprove
any amount if it
st., local govts. at
for application
and manufacturers
commission
application 30 days
notifies the FEC
least once a year
– Secretary gives
submit application with
after it appears in Fed.
within 30 days of
priority to
info required by
Register
enactment
applications to replace
commission
– state plans must
voting equipment in
– 120 days to submit
provide for:
precincts most in need
once commission solicits
-- uniform,
of updating to meet
applications
nondiscriminatory
performance
standards for equal
standards developed
protection of voting rts.
in study, particularly
to meet requirements
areas with greatest
for voting systems,
need based on
provisional voting, and
unemployment,
sample ballots (see
income, financial
“Other
need, or other
Responsibilities”
indicators of
above)
economic distress
-- accuracy of records
of eligible voters to
ensure legally
registered voters are
listed and prevent
purging of records that
results in removal of
legal voters
-- uniform and
nondiscriminatory
standards that ensure
ease and convenience

CRS-18
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
of voting for all voters;
conditions for
nonvisual access and
other access for voters
with special needs that
provides for same
opportunity for access,
participation, privacy,
and independence;
compliance with
Voting for the Elderly
and Handicapped Act;
compliance with the
Voting Rights Act of
1965; compliance with
the National Voting
Registration Act of
1993; overseas and
absent uniformed
service voters have
meaningful opportunity
to exercise their voting
rights as U.S. citizens
-- voter education
programs on right to
vote, methodology and
procedures for
participating in
elections, training
programs for elec.
personnel
-- effective method to
notify voters on elec.
day of basic voting
procedures to
effectuate their vote
-- timetable for meeting
elements of plan

CRS-19
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
– state applications
must be developed in
consultation with state
and local elec. officials,
describe activities for
which assistance is
sought, contain
detailed explanation of
how state will comply
with requirements
listed above, provide
assurance that state
will pay non-federal
share of cost of
activities for which
assistance is sought
(may be accompanied
by request for waiver
of matching
requirements),
additional assurances
required by Atty. Gen.
in consultation with
Asst. Atty. Gen. for
Civil Rts. Div., must
be made available for
public review and
comment
– local applications
must include
information similar to
that required for state
applications,
assurances that
assistance provided
does not duplicate any
assistance available to

CRS-20
H.R. 263
H.R. 354
H.R. 430
H.R. 752
H.R. 775
H.R. 1151
H.R. 1170
H.R. 1482
(Davis)
(Hutchinson)
(Delahunt)
(King)
(Hoyer)
(Langevin)
(Conyers)
(Langevin)
companion to
S. 218
the locality through the
state, description of
how state will pay non-
federal share of the
cost (may be
accompanied by
request for waiver of
matching
requirements),
additional assurances
required by Atty. Gen.
in consultation with
Asst. Atty. Gen. for
Civil Rts. Div.
Grant program administered by
– Election
– FEC through its
– FEC
– Secretary of
– Administrator of GSA
– FEC through its
– Atty. Gen. in
– FEC
Administration
Office of Elections
– FEC submits rept.
Commerce
for punch card buy out
Office of Elections
consultation with the
Commission (new
Administration
on grant program to
program
Administration
Asst. Atty. Gen. for the
federal agency)
– FEC submits
Congress within 60
Civil Rights Division
rept. on grant
days after each fiscal
– Election
program to
yr., may include
Administration
Congress each
suggestions for
Commission (new
fiscal yr.
amendments to this
federal agency)
title
– Commission submits
rept. to House Admin.
Comm. and Senate
Rules and Admin.
within 90 days of end of
FY