News

Feingold, Klobuchar & Ellison Introduce EDR Legislation

H.R. 5036 Emergency Paper Ballot Bill Stalled in House

House Administration Committee Passes H.R. 281

Sen. Whitehouse Introduces Legislation to Prohibit Voter Caging

On November 5, 2007, Sen. Whitehouse introduced the "Voter Caging Prohibition Act of 2007" that would prohibit challenges of voter eligibility on the basis of caging lists. Sens. Leahy, Feinstein, Feingold, Nelson (Fla.), Brown , Klobuchar, Clinton, Kerry , Menendez, Obama, Schumer, and Dodd joined in co-sponsoring the bill

Sens. Feinstein and Dodd Introduce Comprehensive Ballot Integrity Act of 2007

On May 25, 2007, Sens. Feinstein and Dodd introduced a comprehensive election reform bill that would dramatically improve the nation's electronic voting systems by mandating voter-verified records and post-election audits of those records.

EAC Scrutinized for Handling of Commissioned Reports

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission is receiving a great deal of scrutiny from Congress and election reform advocates for the handling of two commissioned reports on voter fraud and voter ID.

U.S. House of Representatives Passes DC Voting Rights Bill

On April 19, 2007, the U.S. House passed a bill to give D.C. a seat in Congress.

Sens. Feinstein and Durbin Request Answers From EAC

On April 13, 2007, Sens. Feinstein and Durbin called on the EAC to provide detailed information regarding allegations that reports on voter fraud and voter ID were altered or delayed. The U.S. Senate Rules Committee is scheduled to hold an oversight hearing on the EAC on June 13, 2007.

Rep. Hinchey Comments on EAC Voter Identification Report Release

Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) adds his voice to those, including the Brennan Center, calling upon the Election Assistance Commission ("EAC") to release a report prepared by consultants on voter intimidation and voter fraud. The Brennan Center has formally requested this report, along with a report on voter identification, pursuant to FOIA. Following the EAC's belated and recent decision to release the report on voter identification, Rep. Hinchey issued a statement expressing his hope that the eventual release of the voter identification report "signals a new day of transparency and sets a precedent for all future and previous studies and reports submitted to the EAC."

Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007 Passes Favorably Out of House Judiciary Committee

On March 29, 2007, H.R. 1281, the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007 received a unanimous favorable recommendation by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in Mark-Up. The act was originally introduced in the House by Representatives Rahm Emanuel and John Conyers, among others.

Electionline Reports on House Committee Hearing on Holt Bill

D.C. Voting Rights Bill Gains Ground in Congress

The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform approved H.R. 1433 by 24 votes to 5. The amended bill will move to the House Judiciary Committee for a hearing today and a second markup on March 15, 2007.

Sen. Clinton and Rep. Tubbs Jones Introduce the Count Every Vote Act

On March 7, 2007, Sen. Clinton and Rep. Tubbs Jones introduced the Count Every Vote Act, a comprehensive election reform bill that contains many of the reforms called for in the federal election reform agenda endorsed by 25 advocacy organizations.

Sen. Obama Introduces Bill to Improve State Election Administration

On March 1, 2007, Sen. Obama introduced the Voter Advocate and Democracy Index Act, a bill intended to grade and rank state election administration practices and create incentives for improvement.

Proposed REAL ID Regulations Announced

On March 1, 2007, the Department of Homeland Security released proposed regulations to implement the requirements of the REAL ID Act. States are required to comply with the REAL ID Act by May 11, 2008, but extensions until December 31, 2009 are available. The proposed regulations are currently in a 60-day public comment period.

Sen. Dodd Introduces Comprehensive VOTER Act

On March 1, 2007, Sen. Dodd introduced the Voting Opportunity and Technology Enhancement Rights (VOTER) Act. The comprehensive legislation calls for reforms including voter-verified ballots, improved provisional balloting, and safeguards for voters against improper purges of voter registration lists.

Deceptive Practices Bill Introduced in House

On March 1, 2007, Judiciary Committee Chairman Conyers and Reps. Emanuel, Holt, Becerra, Honda, and Ellison introduced The Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007. It is scheduled for hearings in the House Judiciary Committee on March 7, 2007.

Audit of Florida's 13th Congressional District Finds No Error

For months, the abnormally high undervote of 18,000 votes in Florida's 13th Congressional District cast doubt and controversy on Republican Vern Buchanan's 369-vote victory over Democrat Christine Jennings. Audit findings released on February 23, 2007 report that the high rate of undervoting was the result of confusion caused by poor ballot design.

New Study Reports Strict Voter ID Lowers Voter Turnout

A new study conducted by the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University and Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University submitted to the Election Assistance Commission finds that states with strict voter ID requirements had lower voter turnout in 2004 than states with less restrictive ID requirements. Strict ID requirements disproportionately affect turnout among minorities.

House Administration Committee Forms New Subcommittee on Elections

House Administration Committee Chairwoman Millender-McDonald established a subcommittee on Elections to be chaired by Rep. Zoe Lofgren at the Committee's first meeting.

U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration Holds Hearing on Voting Systems

On February 7, 2007, the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held its first hearing on election reform with a focus on electronic voting machines. Witnesses testified to the urgent need for improvements in the security and reliability of voting machines.

Rep. Holt Introduces Legislation to Improve Voting Systems

On February 6, 2007, Rep. Holt introduced the Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007. H.R. 811 would mandate voter-verifiable, auditable records on all voting machines and establish new requirements to ensure the security of voting systems.

Sens. Obama and Schumer Introduce Deceptive Practices Bill

On January 31, 2007, Sens. Obama and Schumer introduced S. 543 that would prohibit deceptive practices and voter intimidation.