WASHINGTON – Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin today joined Rep. Steny Hoyer in co-sponsoring the Help America Vote Act (H.R. 3295) to eliminate many of the voting irregularities that led to the disputed Election of 2000 between Vice President Al Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush. "The goal of this bill is to ensure that the vote of every American is counted accurately and fairly," said the Congressman.

    He was referring to the Election of 2000 in which serious voting irregularities and bad ballot design led to a dispute over the Florida vote count. The Supreme Court ruled that that Florida must avoid arbitrary and disparate treatment of voters, but refused to require a recount. A study has found that 38 states would find the laws governing recounts unconstitutional if the criteria used by the Supreme Court were to be applied.

    "Voting is a sacred right in this nation and we must make the necessary reforms to ensure that elections are free of irregularities that jeopardize the results," said Rep. Cardin. "We must never go through another national election in which the results are in doubt."

    The Help America Vote Act includes a number of reforms, including:

• Money to buy new voting machines in time for Nov. 2002 election; 
• Creation of an Election Assistance Commission to review procedures for federal elections; 
• The allocation of $2.25 billion in election fund payments to states to help maintain accurate record of voters, recruit and train poll workers, and improve equipment; 
• Establishing minimum standards for state election systems; 
• The creation of the Help America Vote College Program to encourage college students to assist state and local governments by serving as non-partisan poll workers.