The National Campaign for Fair Elections applauds the reintroduction of the Count Every Vote Act of 2007 to help address the deficiencies in our electoral system. We commend Senator Hillary Clinton, Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and the bill's other co-sponsors for their dedication to ensuring that all eligible Americans have an equal opportunity to exercise the fundamental right to vote.
Take action now to encourage your Members of Congress to co-sponsor this crucial legislation.
Barbara R. Arnwine, Executive Director of the Lawyers' Committee said: "The Count Every Vote Act responds to the hundreds of thousands of American voters who called the 1-866-OUR-VOTE voter services hotline reporting the real problems that lead to disenfranchisement across the country." She continued: "Unfortunately, too many voters are needlessly blocked from exercising their fundamental right to vote by defects in an unresponsive and insufficient election administration system. I commend the co-sponsors for looking beyond partisanship and putting the fundamental rights of all American voters first."
This important legislation will expand access and opportunity to all eligible American voters while safeguarding against manipulation and fraud. While the bill outlines numerous positive steps to improve our nation's electoral system, NCFFE is specifically pleased with the provisions of the bill that address
- Voter Registration Problems - The Count Every Vote Act addresses registration problems by providing voters the opportunity to register and vote on Election Day. Election Day registration is currently available in six states which all haves a turnout rates higher than the national average. Three Election Day registration states - Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Maine - consistently lead the nation in the percentage of eligible voters who show up to the polls on Election Day. The bill also requires states to develop systems for the registration of all newly eligible voters.
- Long Lines at the Polls - The Count Every Vote Act helps address the persistent problem of long lines at the polls by setting minimum standards for the allocation of voting systems and poll workers for each precinct. The bill will allow voters to cast an emergency ballot if problems at the polls result in excessive lines.
- Non-Partisan Election Observers - The Count Every Vote Act requires states to allow access to the polls for non-partisan election observers, adding another necessary layer to help ensure fair elections increasing the effectiveness of citizen voter protection programs such as Election Protection.
- Re-enfranchisement of People with Felony Convictions- The Count Every Vote Act will restore the right to vote to millions of Americans who have committed a felony but have completed their sentences. We are a country dedicated to fairness and justice. It is hypocritical and undemocratic to deprive those who have paid their debt to society of the most fundamental right to vote.
- Voter Verification, Provisional Ballots, and Other Irregularities - The Count Every Vote Act will provide voters with confidence that their vote will be counted by allowing every voter to verify her vote, regardless of disability or English proficiency. The bill will address the problems with the provisional balloting system as well as partisanship in electoral administration.
The Count Every Vote Act addresses the problems with an outdated and unresponsive electoral infrastructure by providing citizens across the country the necessary tools to cast a meaningful vote and have that vote counted.
Tell your Senators and Representatives to support the Count Every Vote Act to improve our electoral system.
Read the Count Every Vote Act .
Read the Lawyers' Committee's press release .
Read Barbara Arnwine's Statement.