Lawmakers Question Election Board Members

[babylonsister]

Lawmakers Question Election Board Members
By Phil Mattingly, CQ Staff


Members of the Election Assistance Committee again faced hard questions Wednesday from lawmakers concerned they were not doing enough to solve recurring voting problems.

The bipartisan commission, created by Congress after the turmoil of the 2000 presidential election (PL 107-252), was initially expected to hand out federal grants, conduct studies, certify voting machines and promote voting practices that seem to work well. It was not expected to be a regulatory agency.

But members of the House Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, saying they were concerned about potential problems from a record number of voters expected in November, demanded a more aggressive approach from the panel.

“Very, very passive. Very, very relaxed. Not with any intentions to bring about corrections,” was how an exasperated Maurice D. Hinchey , D-N.Y., described the commission’s way of doing business.

Commission members argued they lacked the authority to control the actions of each state and county election board.

“The expectations that we can insert ourselves into areas where the legislation doesn’t allow it is something that I’ve encountered quite a bit,” said commission Chairwoman Rosemary Rodriguez. “Everybody thinks that we can just solve all of the problems.”

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[Fly by night]

1. Rosemary, you could act like you have SOME influence. Jeez!!