It's the Counting - Symposium Foreword
Leslie Ann Reis · SSRN Electronic Journal · 2005
. . . it's the counting, more precisely, the technology used cast and count votes that has become the focus of noisy national debate. In 2000, much of the controversy surrounding the presidential election, including the contentious and chaotic ballot recall in Florida, centered on the use of punch card voting technology - a technology that had been in use since the 1960's. In an effort prevent the same problems that sent the 2000 presidential election the Supreme Court, technological and legislative solutions were suggested. Congress passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in October 2002. HAVA was intended improve the administration of state and federal elections through three primary vehicles. First, HAVA establish[ed] a program provide funds States replace punch card voting systems. Second, it created a new federal agency to assist in the administration of Federal elections and otherwise provide assistance with the administration of certain Federal election laws and programs. Finally, HAVA mandated that minimum election administration standards be developed for states and local governments having responsibility for administering federal elections.