"This is the kind of Catch-22 that will leave fair elections hanging in the balance," said ITAA President Harris N. Miller. "This week's Federal Appeals Court decision on the California recall election sends a clear message that out of date technology cannot be allowed to undermine the electoral process. With appropriations measures for election systems reform falling far short of authorizations for two consecutive years, an oversight commission yet to be impaneled, and state plans yet to be submitted and approved so funding can begin, we are fearful that the situation in California may be the harbinger of things to come across the country as we head into the 2004 election cycle."
Miller continued, "Although Congress appropriated $833 million for election reform in this fiscal year, the money cannot be dispersed until states have spending plans approved by the commission. ITAA calls for the Senate to act swiftly on the president's four nominations. Additionally, Congress should join the states on the road to full election systems reform by appropriating the $1 billion authorized for FY 2004, rather than the drastically reduced funding contained in H.R. 2989 and S. 1589."
ITAA is committed to working with Congress as well as state and local officials and other interested parties to upgrade the nation's voting systems infrastructure. ITAA's Voting Reform Task Group brings together leading IT companies to work on legislative and business issues relating to election reform and electronic voting.
The Information Technology Association of America provides global public policy, business networking, and national leadership to promote the continued rapid growth of the IT industry. ITAA consists of over 400 corporate members throughout the U.S., and a global network of 50 countries' IT associations.
