...profession still are concerned about administrative challenges discovered in 2004. With more than 11 million additional voters and dramatic increases in voter registration, due to the efforts of the campaigns and scores of political activist organizations, the administrative process was strained even greater than in Election 2000.

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Election resources were stretched thin in many places due to the largest turnout of voters in more than 40 years. How did states manage such spectacular increases (e.g., Ky. had 16 percent increase in voters between the 2000 and 2004 elections; Minn. -- 14 percent; Mich. up 13 percent; Ohio -- 16 percent; Md. -- 15 percent and an astounding increase for Utah up 20 percent. New Mexico up 26 percent, and Fla. up 27 percent)?

One of the reasons the states and the local jurisdictions were able to handle this incredible increase in voters was due directly to the statewide planning process done by states to comply with the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

Attention to problems found (in 2000 and before) were identified and addressed by state and local election officials. Developing discussions throughout each state, local jurisdictions were able to get the political support from local leaders to make improvements to their own processes without any significant influx of federal or state funds because monies from HAVA had not been distributed in time to have major impact in 2004. The stress of "getting it right" with the national awareness and four years of constant criticism of the process contributed to heightened attention to details for all concerned. However, there are things we probably can and should do better, with changes by legislators.

Federal Issues Loom Immediately: Failure to Act can be Expensive

Some feel the decisions ought to begin with Congress, but most of the nation's elections administrators believe the real solutions to the challenges are more likely to be the responsibility of individual states--if there are to be effective solutions.

First, there is the need of the states to meet requirements of HAVA. At this writing, seven states had not yet completed the details necessary to receive their FY 2003 funds: Alaska, Hawaii, Ill., N.Y., Okla., S.D. and Utah, while most states are preparing to receive their FY 2004 funds. Most...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



More articles from Spectrum: the Journal of State Government
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