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 Flor-
ida, 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) sub-
mitted 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 re-
forms 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 under-
mine 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;
•HCON 63 IH
Whereas the use of these and other outdated technologies im-
perils the accuracy of vote tallies by these methods;
Whereas 10 states do not comply with the recommended vot-
ing technology standards established by the Federal Elec-
tion Commission’s Office of Election Administration;
Whereas inconsistent or uncertain vote counting and recount-
ing procedures within States may contribute to inac-
curate 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 Ameri-
cans with disabilities voted in the 2000 Presidential elec-
tion;
Whereas States currently have differing methods of proc-
essing absentee ballots of Americans overseas, creating
potential disparities as to how these votes are tallied; and
Whereas inaccurate voting projections from the media con-
tributed to the confusion surrounding the election of
2000: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—
(1) Congress should act quickly during the One
Hundred Seventh Congress to enact significant elec-
tion administration reforms which may be imple-
mented prior to the regularly scheduled general elec-
tions for Federal office held in 2002, including re-
forms necessary to ensure that all voters have the
•HCON 63 IH
opportunity to participate in elections on a fair and
accurate basis;
(2) the reforms enacted should be thorough,
should have clear and reasonable goals, and should
demonstrate a true commitment by the Federal Gov-
ernment to ensure that elections will be administered
fairly and effectively;
(3) in enacting such reforms, Congress should
work with representatives of voters, manufacturers
of voting equipment and technology, the Secretaries
of State and other election officials of the States,
and other interested parties; and
(4) Congress should assist the States in imple-
menting any new standards proposed or established
as part of the reforms.
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