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ELECTION
REFORM
Submitted
by: The Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism
BACKGROUND
Free
and fair elections are a cornerstone of democracy, but
the presidential election of 2000 exposed significant
flaws in the United States' election procedures that denied
many eligible voters access to ballots and the right to
have their ballots counted. Across the nation, differences
in polling mechanisms, design of election ballots, voting
rules, hours, and allocation of financial resources contributed
to this result. What Americans had assumed almost without
thought - that all those who have a right to vote are
able to do so, and have their votes counted accurately
- was shown to be unwarranted in a significant number
of instances.
In
many jurisdictions utilizing older types of voting equipment,
ballots were disqualified at significantly higher rates
than in jurisdictions employing more accurate and reliable
equipment. In some states, older machines have been concentrated
in poorer areas and have resulted in higher rates of disqualified
votes for citizens who reside in these precincts, including
disproportionately citizens of color. Moreover, due to
the lack of legislative prioritization for funding of
election administration, officials in many states and
localities have not had the resources to hire adequate
numbers of election workers and conduct meaningful voter
education programs. Finally, in some instances, efforts
to purge ineligible voters from registration rolls (including
those who have died, moved, or been sentenced as felons)
have resulted in the mistaken elimination of eligible
voters from registration rolls. Election laws that place
high burdens of proof on the voter, combined with inadequate
checks and balances in these systems in place on Election
Day, have made it difficult or impossible for such aggrieved
voters to obtain redress.
Many
citizens are particularly embittered over the alleged
disenfranchisement of citizens of color during the 2000
presidential election. While the events in Florida have
received the most attention, the phenomenon was not limited
to that state. Along with the disqualifying of thousands
of disputed ballots, there are unanswered questions about
both access to the polls and the fairness of procedures
for the counting of votes. Many citizens of color harbor
lingering resentment over this process, echoing the sentiment
of Representative John Lewis (D-GA), who remarked, "I
thought this was behind us." Allegations of voter
disenfranchisement remind us of the vital importance of
our government's obligations to vigorously enforce voting
rights laws and ensure that all Americans have free, unfettered
access to fulfill their right to a secret ballot.
Our
tradition teaches us that the process of choosing leaders
is not a privilege, but a collective responsibility. The
Sage Hillel taught: Al tifros min hatzibur, "Do
not separate yourself from the community" (Pirkei
Avot 2:5). Rabbi Yitzchak taught that "A ruler
is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted"
(Babylonian Talmud, B'rachot 55a). This ethic of
political participation has guided Jews to take part enthusiastically
in the electoral process and is epitomized by traditionally
strong Jewish voter turnout. Jews also have placed a priority
on voter education and registration efforts. In the past
election cycle, the Reform Movement, through the Religious
Action Center, took a leading role in this effort by publishing
a "Get Out the Vote Program Plan and Action Manual,"
jointly with the Reconstructionist, Conservative, and
Orthodox Movements. Moreover, given our historical role
in the civil rights struggle, allegations of voter disenfranchisement
compel us to speak out. It is our duty to ensure that
all eligible citizens are afforded the opportunity to
vote and have their votes counted.
In
order to restore confidence in the integrity and fairness
of our nation's election process, government agencies
at the federal, state, and local levels must work together
to evaluate the various components of our electoral system.
They should take necessary and appropriate steps to strengthen
and/or change policy at the federal, state, and local
levels to ensure that all persons wishing to vote are
given a meaningful opportunity to do so and that all votes
determined to be valid in accordance with established
fair standards are counted accordingly. Congress and other
government agencies should assess approaches that aim
to ensure fairness with regard to the casting and counting
of votes, including, but not limited to, the use of provisional
ballots and the development of clear and uniform standards
for counting disputed ballots within individual states.
Government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels
should also evaluate and undertake measures aimed at expanding
voter registration, increasing voter participation, and
ensuring equal access to the polls for all Americans.
Such measures could include, but are not limited to, mail-in
ballots, establishment of Election Day as a holiday, and
same-day voter registration.
For
the Jewish community, the events surrounding the 2000
presidential election must be heard as a clarion call
to civic duty. The impetus now exists for us to redouble
efforts, individually and collectively, to increase voter
registration and participation and to engage in legislative
advocacy to ensure that vital election reform proposals
are afforded serious consideration by our nation's elected
officials.
THEREFORE,
the Union of American Hebrew Congregations resolves to:
- Call
on federal, state, and local governments to vigorously
enforce voting rights laws and to ensure that all Americans
have free, unfettered opportunity to cast their ballot
and have it counted;
- Support
legislation at the federal, state, and local levels
to ensure fairness with respect to the casting and counting
of votes;
- Support
the replacement of unreliable and outmoded voting equipment
with more accurate and reliable equipment;
- Urge
the federal government to provide financial assistance
to state and local governments to implement improvements
in their election procedures and systems;
- Call
on the United States Department of Justice and other
appropriate governmental agencies to conduct a proper
and thorough investigation into the deeply troubling
allegations of voter disenfranchisement in a number
of states during the 2000 presidential election;
- Encourage
federal, state, and local government agencies to undertake
measures aimed at expanding voter registration, increasing
voter participation, and ensuring equal access to the
polls for all Americans; and
- Call
on our congregations to sponsor nonpartisan voter registration
and voter participation drives, so as to fulfill our
communal obligations to participate in the electoral
process.
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