Leadership Conference on Civil Rights

Of all civil rights, none is more important than the right to vote and have that vote count. But millions of Americans were deprived of this most basic right in the 2000 election due to problems with voter registration rolls, voting technology and absentee ballots.

In response, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act of 2002 ("HAVA"), which calls upon states to establish statewide voter registration databases, use provisional ballots to ensure that no eligible voter is turned away, upgrade to newer voting equipment, and expand access for voters with disabilities.

The success or failure of election reform now depends on whether the new law is fully funded at the federal level and properly implemented by the states.

More Information on Election Reform

• Voting Rights Issue Page
• LCCR Fact Sheet on Election Reform

Resources

• Statement of Principles on Electronic Voting - Leadership Conference on Civil Rights - February 17, 2004
• Election 2004: Is America Ready? - Testimony to U.S. Commission on Civil Rights by LCCR Executive Director Wade Henderson
• Democracy Begins at Home: Fully Fund the Help America Vote Act - letter to congress
• Voting in 2006: Have We Solved the Problems of 2004? - report from The Century Foundation, Common Cause, and The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights - October 12, 2006

Help America Vote Act (HAVA)

• Full Text of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (pdf)
• Summary of the Help America Vote Act (pdf) - Senate Rules Committee
• Advocates Guide to the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (pdf)
• Recommendations on Implementation of the Help America Vote Act (pdf)
• HAVA Implementation Timeline - Election Administration Reports (pdf)