What is HAVA?
The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), Public Law 107-252, 42 U.S.C. 15301-15545, was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 29, 2002. The purpose of HAVA is to significantly improve the administration of elections throughout the United States. To accomplish this, Congress allocated nearly $3.5 billion dollars to fund the requirements of HAVA. To date, Congress has appropriated $2.3 billion.
Because every state has different needs, HAVA requires each state to create and implement its own plan for compliance and submit it to the newly created federal agency, the Election Administration Commission, by September 30, 2003. The primary deadline for states to comply with HAVA is January 1, 2006. What does HAVA mean for North Dakota?
HAVA is designed to ensure equal and "fail-safe" voting opportunities for all eligible voting citizens. Major priorities of HAVA include:
- Upgrading voting systems (buying out all punch card and lever systems);
- Addressing polling location accessibility issues for persons with disabilities;
- Establishing uniform voting processes for members of the military, merchant marine, or other overseas voters;
- Implementing aggressive election official and voter education programs;
- Developing of a state-based voter grievance process;
- Creating and implementing a statewide voter database and standardized provisional voting options (not applicable in North Dakota)
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