https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources & Events
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources/Events
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers/eBooks
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
  • Magazine
acc.com


INSIDE WASHINGTON/ County groups meet about election system

INSIDE WASHINGTON/ County groups meet about election system

Hoping to take steps to reform the nation's election system after the recent controversy in the presidential race, local leaders will meet this month
  • Written by Mark Preston
  • 1st January 2001

Hoping to take steps to reform the nation’s election system after the recent controversy in the presidential race, local leaders will meet this month to discuss ways to prevent the chaos and confusion from happening again. Working under the formal title of the National Commission on Election Standards and Reform, the group of 21 academicians, county officials, election administrators and representatives of civic groups are charged with examining voting procedures nationwide and making recommendations to improve the system.

The commision, organized by the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and Clerks, met in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 10 and will meet several times over the next two months to discuss the matter. “Like many of our fellow Americans, county officials are concerned about the state of elections in America today,” says King County (Wash.) Council Member Jane Hague, who also serves as NACo’s president. “Since county governments are in charge of elections, it’s up to us to take leadership on this important issue. The American people deserve the best election system possible.”

Local officials want to make sure they are able to offer their input to federal and state lawmakers who have indicated they are interested in pursuing legislative remedies to correct flaws in the country’s election system. “I think we need to reiterate to the country that what we have in place is a great process,” says Mecklenburg County (N.C.) Commissioner Becky Carney, a member of the election commission. “But it is also time now to take a different look at it to make it better.”

Already, several congressmen and senators have pledged to offer legislation in the 107th Congress to reform the election system. Lawmakers in Florida, the epicenter of the 2000 election controversy, also are talking about ways to change their state’s election system. The Florida controversy set off a chain reaction across the country, with local and state officials now examining their own election procedures.

“We are going to take a look at what is going on in Congress, and we may want to define what the federal government’s role is in the election process,” says NACo Executive Director Larry Naake. “We have a point of view that this is the responsibility of the state and local governments. We are going to look at that, but at the same time our goal is to improve the election process.”

The commission’s recommendations are expected to be presented to Congress, the president and state legislatures to help shape future legislative initiatives. “I would hope there would be some guidelines established that would assist the Congress, because I know that it is going to come up with legislation to correct the problems,” says Pinellas County (Fla.) Commissioner Barbara Sheen Todd, another commission member. “Congress doesn’t have the solutions. The solutions will have to come at the state and local levels.”

Among the items discussed at the January meeting were which voting machines are the most accurate; whether there should be a standard ballot; how federal funding might help; and whether a national standard for polling hours should be created.

NACRC Executive Director Ardis Schmitt says the commission will review what has happened this year and help correct those problems. She adds that the commission also hopes to highlight effective election procedures that are in place across the country so others may use them as models for their own communities.

To some extent, that is already taking place among NACo and NACRC members who are talking about the highs and lows of the 2000 election in an e-mail discussion group, Naake says. NACo’s Web site, www.naco.org, will serve as a central location for offering advice and suggestions.

Tags:

Most Recent


  • NYC wants to convert unused offices into housing units through relaxed regulations, incentivization
    Since the start of the pandemic, cities across the United States have seen a dramatic increase in residents working from home, and in correlation, more unused offices. While local governments are still grappling with the best way to overcome this challenge, converting vacated commercial space into residential dwellings is a clear solution, as it simultaneously […]
  • podcasts
    Tuning into your community: Top reasons why your agency needs a podcast
    Podcasts are more popular than ever. In fact, in the United States, podcasts attract more than 100 million monthly listeners (according to demandsage.com). Are you tapping into the power of the pod to deliver important news on your city or county’s programs, projects, initiatives and community partnerships? If not, you may miss out on a […]
  • 25 of the best city flags flying over American metros and towns
    When it comes to city flags, “form follows function.” A simple, well-designed city flag creates community cohesion, fosters civic pride, and support’s the commuinity’s branding. It also costs less and more residents are apt to use it, according to a survey ranking the best city flags in the United States from the North American Vexillological […]
  • sustainability
    Residents ask government leaders to show measurable sustainability results and triumphs
    There’s a growing urgency for cities and counties to go green, says Sol Salinas, executive vice president, sustainability lead at Capgemini Americas, a service-based company that provides consulting, digital transformation and outsourcing services to many organizations, including government agencies. It partners with organizations to transform and manage their operations by harnessing the power of technology. […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • NLC releases State of Cities 2021 report
  • How governments can keep employees safe as they return to work
  • Lessons from your friendly neighborhood public service employees
  • North Texas alliance partners with Marketplace.city on smart government solutions

White papers


Modernizing government services for today’s resident expectations

24th January 2023

Preparing Your Community Now for the Next Generation of Older Adults

18th October 2022

Helping Government Fleets Achieve Their Goals

30th September 2022
view all

Webinars


Future-proof Your State and Local Government Finance: 5 Key Trends for 2023

6th February 2023

How To: Evaluate Digital Government Service Delivery Technologies

23rd January 2023

Using Technology to Enhance Communications

29th November 2022
view all

PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

GALLERIES


25 of the best city flags flying over American metros and towns

7th February 2023

These 10 American cities are well prepared for a tech-based future

1st February 2023

Report: While remote work is causing offices to empty out, walkable cities are still in high demand

26th January 2023
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

NYC wants to convert unused offices into housing units through relaxed regulations, incentivization dlvr.it/Sj7ls5

8th February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Tuning into your community: Top reasons why your agency needs a podcast dlvr.it/Sj7578

8th February 2023
AmerCityCounty

25 of the best city flags flying over American metros and towns dlvr.it/Sj2RyK

7th February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Residents ask government leaders to show measurable sustainability results and triumphs dlvr.it/Sj1znw

6th February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Future-proof Your State and Local Government Finance: 5 Key Trends for 2023 dlvr.it/Sj1KxB

6th February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Amid spike, federal transportation department launches initiative to curb traffic-related deaths dlvr.it/Shvs31

3rd February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Engaging businesses to strengthen your community dlvr.it/ShvZn0

3rd February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Report: Some public employees face financial hardship; comprehensive pay packages proved ‘a pathway toward economic… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

2nd February 2023

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.