Senator
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

RE: Support the Count Every Vote Act!

Dear Senator ,

I strongly urge you to act to restore the integrity of American democracy by co-sponsoring S.450, the Count Every Vote Act (CEVA), and by dedicating your time, energy and resources to its passage.

This bill takes direct aim at the election problems that frustrated, disenfranchised and demoralized millions of Americans in 2000, 2002 and 2004. CEVA would make voting systems more accountable and accessible, give voters more chances to register and cast their ballots, and eliminate practices that have allowed partisans to manipulate the administration of our elections.

The Count Every Vote Act is a truly comprehensive approach to election reform. It would:

1. Require that all voting systems produce a paper record that can be verified by the individual voter and that would constitute the official record for any recount.
2. Require a mandatory recount of voter-verified paper records in 2 percent of all polling places or precincts in each state.
3. Set minimum standards for the number of voting systems and poll workers at each precinct, and require that every precinct have at least one machine that can provide audio and pictorial verification and that is accessible to language minority voters.
4. Establish new security standards for voting equipment manufacturers, including a ban on using undisclosed software and wireless communications devices in voting systems.
5. Allow voters to register and cast a ballot on election day.
6. Require states to provide in-person early voting opportunities before Election Day.
7. Prohibit states from demanding excuses from voters who request absentee ballots.
8. Give voters more options for proving their identity to election officials.
9. Prohibit election officials from rejecting voter registration applications that are missing information that does not affect the specific voter's eligibility.
10. Make certain federal election campaign activities off limits to chief state election officials and top-level executives and owners of voting system manufacturers.
11. Require states to act in a uniform and transparent manner when attempting to purge voters from state registration lists.
12. Provide for the prosecution of those who engage in deceptive practices to keep people from voting.
13. Require states to allow ex-felons who have completed their prison, parole and probation terms to register and vote in federal elections.
14. Require that provisional ballots be counted state-wide, allowing voters who are registered but cast provisional ballots in a wrong precinct to still have their votes counted for all eligible federal races.

Americans’ faith in the integrity of our democratic AND our nation’s credibility as a champion of democracy around the world is at stake. S.450 will fully address these critical issues, and there is no time to lose. Please become a co-sponsor and active proponent of this legislation. I will join many of your constituents in closely monitoring your actions on this vital matter.

EAN Alerts Email List | Tell a Friend | Links | Contact | Site Map