To Assure Pride and Confidence in the Electoral Process : Report of the National Commission on Federal Election Reform

In 2000 the American electoral system was tested by a political ordeal unlike any in living memory. Not since 1876-77 has the outcome of a national election remained so unsettled for so long. The past election¡ ̄s recount conundrum shook the nation¡ ̄s faith in the mechanisms that support the democratic process. Led by former Presidents Ford and Carter, the National Commission on Federal Election Reform undertook a study of the American electoral system. The resulting report describes where and what went wrong during the 2000 election, and makes clear and specific recommendations for reform, directed at state government, Congress, news organizations, and others. This volume also includes the full text of the Task Force Reports from the Commission. Letter To The American People -- Preface To The Report -- Summary Of Principal Recommendations -- 1. The Goals Of Federal Election Reform -- Ii. The Federal Government And The Federal Election System -- Iii. A Democratic Process That Maintains An Accurate List Of Citizens Who Are Qualified To Vote -- Iv. A Democratic Process That Encourages Every Eligible Voter To Participate Effectively -- V. A Democratic Process That Uses Equipment That Reliably Clarifies And Registers The Voter's Choices -- Vi. A Democratic Process That Handles Close Elections In A Forseeable And Fair Way -- Vii. A Democratic Process That Reflects Limited But Responsible Federal Participation -- Endnotes To The Report -- Additional Statements -- Organization -- Appendix A. Contributors To The Commission's Work -- Appendix B. The Michigan Qualified Voter File : A Brief Introduction. Task Force On The Federal Election System. Preface -- Sizing Up The Problem -- Voter Registration -- Statewide Voter Registration Systems -- Civic Education Programs -- Early Voting, Unrestricted Absentee Voting, And Voting By Mail -- Verification Of Identity -- Provisional Balloting -- Disenfranchisement Of Felons -- Uniform Poll Closing And Reporting Task Force On Constitutional And Federal Election Law. Preface -- Federal Regulation Of Elections -- What Counts As A Vote? -- Recounts And Contests -- Congressional Authority To Regulate When Votes Can Be Counted. Report Of The National Commission On Federal Election Reform ; Jimmy Carter ... [et Al.], Co-chairs ; Philip Zelikow, Executive Director. Includes Bibliographical References. In the wake of problems highlighted in the 2000 presidential election, former presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, working with the University of Virginia's Miller Center of Public Affairs and the Century Foundation, formed the National Commission on Federal Election Reform. This commission drew on a rich tradition of such efforts that have long been a hallmark of work done at the Miller Center and the Century Foundation. Looking beyond the immediate events of 2000, the commission, led by former presidents Ford and Carter, made clear and specific recommendations to improve federal, state, and local voting systems. Co-chairs of the National Commission on Federal Election Reform include Gerald R. Ford (38th president of the United States), Jimmy Carter (39th president of the United States), Robert H. Michel (former house minority leader, R-III.), and Lloyd N. Cutler (Wilmer, Cutler, and Pickering). Vicechairs are Slade Gorton (former United States senator) and Kathleen M. Sullivan (dean, Stanford Law School). Philip D. Zelikow is the commission's executive director.

In 2000 the American electoral system was tested by a political ordeal unlike any in living memory. Not since 1876-77 has the outcome of a national election remained so unsettled for so long. The past election¡¯s recount conundrum shook the nation¡¯s faith in the mechanisms that support the democratic process. Led by former Presidents Ford and Carter, the National Commission on Federal Election Reform undertook a study of the American electoral system. The resulting report describes where and what went wrong during the 2000 election, and makes clear and specific recommendations for reform, directed at state government, Congress, news organizations, and others. This volume also includes the full text of the Task Force Reports from the Commission.

" In 2000 the American electoral system was tested by a political ordeal unlike any in living memory. Not since 1876-77 has the outcome of a national election remained so unsettled for so long. The past elections recount conundrum shook the nations faith in the mechanisms that support the democratic process. Led by former Presidents Ford and Carter, the National Commission on Federal Election Reform undertook a study of the American electoral system. The resulting report describes where and what went wrong during the 2000 election, and makes clear and specific recommendations for reform, directed at state government, Congress, news organizations, and others. This volume also includes the full text of the Task Force Reports from the Commission. " In 2000 the American electoral system was tested by a political ordeal unlike any in living memory. Not since 1876-77 has the outcome of a nation's election remained so unsettled for so long. The election's recount conundrum shook the nation's faith in the mechanisms that support the democratic process. Led by former presidents Ford and Carter, the National Commission on Federal Reform undertook a study of the American electoral system. This is the resulting report, which describes where and what went wrong during the 2000 election, and makes clear and specific recommendations for reform, directed at state government, Congress, news organizations and others. This volume also includes the full text of the task force reports from the commission. Report issued by Commission offers specific recommendations on what can be done to improve the electoral process in the U.S.