Congressional Authority to Standardize National Election Procedures
Congressional Research Service report, updated Feb. 2003, on the constitutional authority and limitations relevant to attempts by Congress to standardize election procedures, in light of the 2000 Presidential election.
http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/politics/election/rl30747.pdf
Elections: a framework for evaluating reform proposals
U.S. General Accounting Office, October 15, 2001. In light of the 2000 presidential election, explains the variability in election administration, discusses the challenges to effective electoral reform, and presents criteria for assessing reform.
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0290.pdf
Elections Reform: Overview and Issues
Congressional Research Service, Updated October 30, 2003. This report discusses the Help America Vote Act of 2002, the reform enacted by Congress to address certain aspects of the election process following the November 2000 Presidential election. Also describes ongoing areas of concern over electronic voting machines, the federal involvement in election administration. and the level of funding provided to the states.
http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/28108.pdf
The Electoral Process
House Document 106-216, U.S. GPO, 2000. From "Our American Government", presented in question/answer format. Questions 146-162 are on the nomination and election of the President, Senators, and Representatives, qualifications for voting, the administration of elections, and the funding of campaigns.
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=106_cong_documents&docid=f:hd216.106
Fair and Free Elections
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Information Programs, "Issues of Democracy", Volume 1, Number 13, September 1996. This electronic journal reports on the critical role of free and fair elections and their administration following proper procedures for the continuance of democracy.
http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itdhr/0996/ijde/ijde0996.htm
Frequently Asked Questions About Voter Registration and Voting
Federal Election Commission. Questions and answers about voting, including polling place hours, registration deadlines, and the selection of the November election day.
http://www.fec.gov/pages/faqs.htm
The Hatch Act
U.S. Office of Special Counsel. The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of executive branch employees of the federal government, the District of Columbia government and certain state and local agencies. This guide covers the rules and regulations.
http://www.osc.gov/hatchact.htm
Presidential Elections in the United States: A Primer
Congressional Research Service, April 17, 2000. This report describes the four stages of the presidential election process: the pre-nomination primaries and caucuses for selecting delegates to the national conventions; the national nominating conventions; the general election; and voting by members of the electoral college to choose the President and Vice President.
http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/politics/voting/crspres.pdf
U.S. Elections 2004
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Information Programs. This non-partisan guide is designed to help international audiences understand the U.S. presidential and congressional elections of 2004. Topics addressed include the primaries, political party conventions, polling techniques, media issues, and campaign finance. There is a glossary of common terms, a calendar of events, and a bibliograpy of additional resources.
http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/election04/
United States Elections 2000
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Information Programs. Background information on the process of the U.S. presidential election held in November 2000, with articles on American political parties, the presidential nomination process, congressional elections, campaign finance, polling, and the media, as well as a glossary of political terms, and a bibliography.
http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/archive/elect00/
Campaign Financing
Congressional Research Service, Updated December 15, 2003. This report centers on the enduring issues of high federal campaign costs and reliance on interest groups for needed campaign funds. Also discusses Congressional proposals to curb perceived loopholes, including the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, whose key provisions were upheld by the Supreme Court in McConnell v. FEC.
http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/28105.pdf
Campaign Finance: Constitutional and Legal Issues of Soft Money
Congressional Research Service, Updated October 30, 2003. This report discusses the three major types of soft money: political party soft money, corporate and labor union soft money, and soft money used for issue advocacy communications. Includes a review of provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, and the issues in McConnell v. FEC.
http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/28106.pdf
FAQ on the BCRA and Other New Rules
Federal Election Commission. Questions and answers on the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, which made many substantial and technical changes to the federal campaign finance law.
http://www.fec.gov/pages/bcra/bcra_faq.htm
Litigation Documents (BCRA)
Federal Election Commission. Links to major documents and sites in litigation on the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.
http://www.fec.gov/pages/bcra/litigation.htm
The Administrative Structure of State Election Offices
Federal Election Commission. A general reference guide outlining the unique systems used to administer elections in the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
http://www.fec.gov/pages/tech3.htm
Election of the President and Vice President by Congress: Contingent Election
Congressional Research Service, January 17, 2001. This report describes the contingent election scenario.
http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/politics/voting/presvp.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions About Voting System Standards
Federal Election Commission. Brief explanations of the need for functional criteria (things that any voting equipment must do), along with technical requirements for hardware, software, security, quality assurance, and documentation.
http://www.fec.gov/pages/faqsvss.htm
Voting Systems Performance and Test Standards: An Overview
Federal Election Commission. Overview of the April 30, 2002 Voting Systems Standards report, which seeks to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and dependability of certified election equipment.
http://www.fec.gov/pages/vssfinal/vss.html
Voting Technologies in the United States
Congressional Research Service, Updated March 21, 2001. This report details methods of voting throughout the U.S., including computer-based systems, in light of the 2000 Presidential election.
http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/politics/voting/rl30773.pdf
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