The Real Threat from the Holt Bill as Written

2) In support of the principle of fiscal responsibility and stabilization of state governmental administration, checks and balances, citizen oversight: BUYOUT funding for states wishing to replace DRE systems with paper-based voting systems. (BUYOUT funding can be applied to paper ballot, optical scan voting systems, paper ballot, hand count systems, or a combination thereof. In the case of buyout funding as applied to hand count systems, training costs may be included.)

(Compliance to be determined by each state in a state plan process that supports the standards for democratic elections, those being citizen oversight and security, and which process includes diverse stakeholders group including citizen representation, published plans, and consequences for noncompliance. State Plans will be published in the Federal Register.)

Effective Date: February, 2008

3) In support of the principle of checks and balances: Dissolution of EAC and responsibilities reallocated to appropriate representational groups, as described below)

Effective Date: January 2008

4) In support of the principle of fiscal responsibility and stabilization of state governmental administration: Prohibition on any additional unfunded mandates being added into the bill

5) In support of the ninth amendment that no single right can trample or trounce others: Appropriations for real study, with real stakeholders including citizen representation and broad range of disability activists, election officials, and other solution makers, to find consensus, practical, implementable solutions to support the often conflicting voting rights of citizen oversight, security, accuracy, and accessibility.

Effective Date: Upon passage

EAC reallocation of responsibilities:

• Generate technical guidance on the administration of federal elections. – HAND OVER TO NIST & STANDARDS BOARD WITH CITIZEN REPRESENTATION
• Produce voluntary voting systems guidelines. – HAND OVER TO NIST & STANDARDS BOARD WITH CITIZEN REPRESENTATION
• Research and report on matters that affect the administration of federal elections. – HAND OVER TO STANDARDS BOARD & CITIZENS GROUP
• Otherwise provide information and guidance with respect to laws, procedures, and technologies affecting the administration of Federal elections. – HAND OVER TO STANDARDS BOARD & CITIZENS GROUP
• Administer payments to States to meet HAVA requirements. – HAND OVER TO GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
• Provide grants for election technology development and for pilot programs to test election technology. – ELIMINATE THIS FUNCTION.
• Manage funds targeted to certain programs designed to encourage youth participation in elections. – HAND OVER TO DEPT. OF EDUCATION
• Develop a national program for the testing, certification, and decertification of voting systems. – HAND OVER TO NIST & STANDARDS BOARD WITH CITIZEN REPRESENTATION
• Maintain the national mail voter registration form that was developed in accordance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), report to Congress every two years on the impact of the NVRA on the administration of federal elections, and provide information to States on their responsibilities under that law. – HAND BACK TO FEC
• Audit persons who received federal funds authorized by HAVA from the General Services Administration or the Election Assistance Commission. – HAND OVER TO GAO
• Submit an annual report to Congress describing EAC activities for the previous fiscal year. – HAND OVER AS APPROPRIATE TO ENTITIES PICKING UP FUNCTIONS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE

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