E-Newsletter from U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
June 24, 2004
Dear Friend,
Yesterday, I joined my Democratic colleagues and hundreds of concerned citizens and activists on Capitol Hill to call for the immediate passage of H.R. 2239, which would require all voting machines to produce a voter-verifiable paper audit trail in time for the November election.
► SCHAKOWSKY: TIME IS RUNNING OUT ON 2004 ELECTION
At a time when the eyes of the world are upon us, what could be more important to our democracy than to ensure that every vote is counted? But time is running out! Unless Congress acts NOW, there is no guarantee that every vote will be counted and counted accurately in the 2004 election. We must pass H.R. 2239.
►View the Bill: HR 2239 Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act
►View: Bill Summary
►Organizations Supporting the Bill: 1, 2, 3, 4
It is common sense that every electronic voting machine must produce a voter-verified paper trail, a receipt. We get a receipt for buying groceries, filling our cars with gas or just taking money out of the ATM.
And as the New York Times editorialized on June 13, 2004, we want our voting machines to operate as 'honestly and accurately' as Las Vegas slot machines. '. [T]he truth is,' the editorial continues, 'gamblers are getting the best technology, and voters are being given systems that are cheap and untrustworthy by comparison. There are many questions yet to be resolved about electronic voting, but one thing is clear: a vote for president should be at least as secure as a 25-cent bet in Las Vegas.'"
Let's not gamble on our election or bluff when it comes to our democracy. It's time to pass H.R. 2239.
► Transcript: Lou Dobbs Tonight - Election Reform CNN
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