Editorial: New voting rights protections offered

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2002 | 8:58 a.m.

After Florida's voting debacle in the 2000 presidential election, initially there was momentum in Congress to pass legislation that would provide more money to states so they could set up better voting systems. In short: No more hanging chads. The legislation got hung up, however, when partisan politics got in the way, as Democrats and Republicans argued over just how accessible voting should be.

Fortunately, late last week House and Senate negotiators broke the impasse. They agreed to provide $3.9 billion in federal funds during the next three years so states can overhaul their voting systems. The money not only would be used to improve voting equipment or replace it, but it also would provide funds to train poll workers.

Democrats were pleased that the compromise will allow voters to cast provisional ballots if their names don't appear on registration lists. Voters also will be able to correct any errors before casting their final ballots. Voting sites also will be more accessible for the disabled. To meet Republican concerns about voter fraud, starting in 2004 anyone who registers to vote will have to offer identification, such as the last four digits of a Social Security number or a driver's license number. States still will define what constitutes a legal vote, but the federal government will have the power to enforce the new standards.

What happened in Florida two years ago was a disgrace -- a flawed voting system disenfranchised too many of that state's residents and very well could have cost Al Gore the presidency. The right to have one's ballot counted is essential -- anything less strikes at the heart of a democracy. The legislation offers critical voting rights protections, which Congress should pass immediately and send to President Bush for his signature.