Dr. Eric Fischer,
Congressional Research Service

"The Federal Role in e-lection Reform: The Implications and Impacts of the Help America Vote Act"

Abstract

The enactment of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) may prove a turning point with respect to the nation's election systems. HAVA creates a new federal agency with election administration responsibilities, sets requirements for voting systems, voter registration, and other aspects of election administration, and provides federal funding for state and local election jurisdictions. It also establishes a role for the federal government in the development and certification of voting technologies. However, HAVA does not supplant state and local control over election administration, and a central issue remains what role the federal government should play in election administration. While most observers agree that HAVA is having a significant impact on the administration of elections, questions remain about the nature of that impact, the implementation of provisions, and whether the Act needs to be revised.