Letter from the North Dakota Secretary of State, Al Jaeger
September 10, 2004
Fellow North Dakotans,
On October 29, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law far-reaching election reform legislation that has been described as the most sweeping change to our nation's election laws since passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965. Known as the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), the legislation represented a bi-partisan approach to election reform that gives states the tools and resources to significantly improve elections and election administration in our nation.
The legislation came in response to extensive problems uncovered during the 2000 presidential election. While North Dakota has had a positive track record in conducting elections over the years, the new election rules will nevertheless be good for North Dakota voters.
HAVA sets out a multitude of changes and requirements intended to improve voting systems and procedures and the way elections are conducted. While HAVA presents North Dakota with many challenges, it provides even more opportunities. The new law provides federal money to states for purposes of improving election administration, better educating election workers and voters, improving voter accessibility, and purchasing new and advanced voting equipment.
As a part of the state's compliance efforts, I am required as the state's chief election official to develop and maintain a state plan outlining the steps North Dakota is taking to implement HAVA and allocate the associated federal moneys. The state plan, resulting from the work of county and local election officials and representation from the disabilities community, the North Dakota's tribal populations, the aging community, the technology sector, voter interest groups, and every-day citizens, is critical to the success of our election reform effort in North Dakota. Not only does our state plan set the direction and approach for effective and innovative election improvements in our state, the plan touches and impacts every citizen in our state.
Recognizing the important role that counties must play in the implementation of HAVA in North Dakota, the Secretary of State's office has chosen to partner with the North Dakota Association of Counties (NDACo) to manage and facilitate the state planning and implementation process. The NDACo brings valuable resources and expertise to the process that the state could not otherwise provide. More important, working together, hand in hand, with county government and the Association demonstrates a mutual respect and trust between the state and counties that is essential for successfully fulfilling the goals of HAVA.
I am very thankful for the hard work, responsibility, and dedication state planning members and the NDACo are committed to. Their work, efforts and expertise have resulted in a plan that enhances the integrity of the election process in North Dakota and makes us a leader in election reform. This revised version of the 2004 State HAVA Plan is being presented to you for your review and comments between September 15, 2004 and October 15, 2004. Should you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please contact my office at 701-328-2900 or the NDACo at 701-328-7300.
North Dakota Secretary of State
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