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Bush to Sign $4 Billion Election Bill

Every state stands to get at least $5 million to help replace obsolete voting machines.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) -- President Bush will sign a compromise bill to overhaul elections that is working its way through Congress, his spokesman said Wednesday.

"He thinks it's a solid peace of legislation; he looks forward to signing it," White House press secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters.

The House and Senate are expected, by week's end, to give final approval to the deal negotiators struck last week to send nearly $4 billion to states to upgrade the nation's voting systems over three years. Every state would get at least $5 million to help replace antiquated polling machines and train poll workers.

It was Bush's contested 2000 presidential victory over Democrat Al Gore and their 36-day recount fight in Florida that began the debate over election reform. The legislation that appears to be headed to Bush's desk had stalled for months as Democrats and Republicans fought over identification requirements and how to enforce voting rights.

The bill allows states with punch card and lever voting systems to get money to buy upgraded machines if they want, and requires provisional voting, which allows people who do not appear on election rolls but say they are eligible to vote to cast a ballot. Election officials later would determine whether the ballots were valid.

The measure also establishes statewide registration lists that would use the last four digits of a voter's driver's license or Social Security number as an identifier for the database. Voters with neither number would be assigned an identifying number by the state.

States would also have to ensure that at least one voting machine at a polling place is accessible to the disabled.

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