Report on election reform

Electionline.org has just issued its report on changes in state election laws since the Help America Vote Act of five years ago. The report, "What's Changed, What Hasn't and Why:  Election Reform 2000-2006" details ways in which some states have failed to comply with HAVA requirements (NY has yet to create a statewide database and has difficulties with lever machines; Ohio legislators have yet to agree on voter identification requirements, for example). 

Other major findings are as follows:

1.  Concerns about electronic voting machines have been growing rather than falling. Half the states not require paper audit trails or require paper ballots (and other states are considering similar requirements).

2.  A number of states require all voters to present identificaiton before voting (twice as many as in 2000).

3.  Statewide voter registration databases vary in function, capability, and design (and are not complete everywhere).

4.  Provisional ballots are now required nationwide, but counting rules vary and some states require those casting provisional ballots to be in the appropriate precinct.

The report also indicates that the major action on election reform is now taking place in the states and that debate continues on such matters as early and absentee voting, rights of ex-felons to vote, and centralized voting stations versus neighborhood precincts.