IV

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 63

Expressing the sense of Congress that Congress should act quickly to enact

significant election administration reforms which may be implemented

prior to the regularly scheduled general elections for Federal office held

in 2002.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 14, 2001

Mr. LANGEVIN (for himself, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mrs. MEEK of Florida, Mrs. MALONEY of New York, Mr. REYES, Mr. HOYER, Mr. MEEHAN,

Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. HOEFFEL, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Mr.

FROST, Mr. CLAY, Mr. MOORE, Mr. RANGEL, and Mr. DELAHUNT) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the

Committee on House Administration

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress that Congress should act

quickly to enact significant election administration reforms which may be implemented prior to the regularly

scheduled general elections for Federal office held in

2002.

Whereas problems with our Nation’s voting system undermine confidence in the electoral process;

Whereas in 1998 2.9 percent of voting precincts in the

United States used paper ballots, 37.4 percent used

punch card voting systems, and 21.8 percent used lever

machines, which are no longer in production;
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Whereas the use of these and other outdated technologies imperils the accuracy of vote tallies by these methods;

Whereas 10 states do not comply with the recommended voting technology standards established by the Federal Election Commission’s Office of Election Administration;

Whereas inconsistent or uncertain vote counting and recounting procedures within States may contribute to inaccurate vote tallies;

Whereas news organizations have indicated that overcrowded

polling stations may have dissuaded some Americans

from voting in the 2000 election;

Whereas only 40 percent of the 35,000,000 voting-age Americans with disabilities voted in the 2000 Presidential election;

Whereas States currently have differing methods of processing absentee ballots of Americans overseas, creating

potential disparities as to how these votes are tallied; and

Whereas inaccurate voting projections from the media contributed to the confusion surrounding the election of

2000: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—

3 (1) Congress should act quickly during the One

4 Hundred Seventh Congress to enact significant elec5 tion administration reforms which may be imple6 mented prior to the regularly scheduled general elec7 tions for Federal office held in 2002, including re8 forms necessary to ensure that all voters have the
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1 opportunity to participate in elections on a fair and

2 accurate basis;

3 (2) the reforms enacted should be thorough,

4 should have clear and reasonable goals, and should

5 demonstrate a true commitment by the Federal Gov6 ernment to ensure that elections will be administered

7 fairly and effectively;

8 (3) in enacting such reforms, Congress should

9 work with representatives of voters, manufacturers

10 of voting equipment and technology, the Secretaries

11 of State and other election officials of the States,

12 and other interested parties; and

13 (4) Congress should assist the States in imple14 menting any new standards proposed or established

15 as part of the reforms.

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