Commentary: Poll reform

2004 fiasco highlights need for changes before, during and after Election Day in New Mexico

By Matt Brix  Common Cause New Mexico in the Albuquerque Journal
January 12, 2005

On Nov. 29, a request was filed for a recount of ballots cast for president in New Mexico. The outcome of that request is still pending in court.

Common Cause New Mexico supports the right of any candidate to call for a recount, especially if the intent of the recount is to shed light on our ailing electoral process. It is unlikely that a recount would change the outcome of a Bush victory in New Mexico. However, some of the issues brought to light by the recount request should serve as a reminder that real electoral reform is needed.

Common Cause administered a national toll-free number during the days leading up to Election Day. That number received more than 200,000 calls from voters reporting systemic electoral problems in all 50 states. In addition, Common Cause New Mexico, through a partnership with Votewatch, conducted exit polling in 40 Bernalillo County precincts on Nov. 2 in an effort to gather specific information about voter experiences at the polls.

While this voluminous quantity of data is still being examined, a preliminary look at data gathered from each of these initiatives has helped Common Cause develop the following set of recommendations for reshaping New Mexico's electoral process.

Common Cause's first set of recommendations focuses on solidifying procedures for casting a provisional ballot, training poll workers and modernizing voter registration. Voters should be allowed to cast a provisional ballot even if they have to vote in the wrong precinct. Every provisional ballot cast by an eligible voter should be counted, and there must be uniform standards for counting these ballots. Providing every polling place with enough provisional ballots should be a top priority for elections officials.

One, uniform training is necessary for all poll workers in every precinct throughout New Mexico. Poll workers are the backbone of New Mexico's electoral process, and therefore each poll worker must be given the same training.

The numerous problems with registration and the inadequate implementation of the Motor Voter Act 11 years after its enactment are important reasons to consider Election Day registration in New Mexico. Furthermore, there should be national guidelines for registration, not a hodge-podge of local and state requirements that often lead to the disenfranchisement of voters.

Common Cause's second set of recommendations addresses growing problems with voter intimidation. Government agencies need to make strong statements about protecting the rights of voters on Election Day and prosecute illegal activities intended to intimidate voters. While it is important that only eligible voters are allowed to vote, it is also important that political parties and other advocates not engage in activities such as systematic and arbitrary challenging of voters.

Requiring an ID as a prerequisite for voting can also be a barrier to voting, especially for low-income, minority or young voters. ID requirements should reflect the lives of some voters who move more often, do not drive or simply do not have traditional types of identification.

Common Cause's final set of recommendations address concerns electronic voting machines. Electronic voting machines need a voter-verified paper trail. Touch-screen machines that do not have paper trails should be replaced or fitted with printers that can produce a voter-verified paper trail. This is an important way to increase voter confidence, but it is also crucial to ensure that meaningful recounts be accomplished.

All e-voting systems need better testing, maintenance and independent certification. The process for testing and certification must be open, and computer security experts should be allowed access to computer codes to strengthen the security of the systems and prevent tampering.

While much work remains, there is cause for optimism in our state. I was pleased to see Gov. Bill Richardson announce his support for many of these electoral reforms in New Mexico. I have also been encouraged by the voter education initiatives of Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron during the recent campaign. With the governor's leadership during the upcoming session, I hope legislation addressing the key problems with our electoral process will be passed.

Citizen groups, reform-minded public officials and members of the public must speak up about the importance of electoral reform. Let us not forget the lessons learned from the past two presidential elections. Our fragile democracy depends on it.