Implementing the Help America Vote Act
When the 2000 election exposed the many problems facing the election system, the League of Women Voters leaped into action. After two years of hard work, Congress passed the "Help America Vote Act" (HAVA). Throughout this period, the League worked to ensure that key reforms - improved machines and balloting, better registration systems, poll worker training, and voter education - were part of the congressional debate. In the end, HAVA authorized funds for states to improve elections and set basic federal standards to ensure that every citizen has an opportunity to vote, and to have that vote counted. If properly enacted at the state level, HAVA will correct many of the most critical pitfalls in our democracy's election process.
The League of Women Voters is actively working with state and local election officials nationwide to explain HAVA and best apply this new legislation. Currently, there are more than thirty Leagues who are members of their State Planning Committees and many more are working to influence key decisions in their communities.
The Help America Vote Act must be properly implemented here in Vermont, New Hampshire and around the country. Our state legislators and policymakers have a responsibility to make that happen. Each citizen, in turn, has a responsibility to demand that election reform is fairly and fully implemented. Once that occurs, our paramount responsibility - voting - should be easier and more accessible to all Americans.
HAVA - State Plans
The Vermont HAVA State Plan is available on the Secretary of State’s website at:
http://vermont-elections.org/elections1/hava.html
The New Hampshire HAVA State Plan is available on the Secretary of State’s website at:
http://www.state.nh.us/sos/HAVA/
Background information on election procedures in New Hampshire--recounts and same day registration.