When I was elected Secretary of State of the great state of Rhode Island, it had the oldest voting equipment in the nation.  Beginning in 1993, as a state Representative and then as Secretary of State, I worked with my colleagues in the legislature, the State Board of Elections, local canvassing authorities and the public to investigate voting problems throughout the state and develop an effective resolution.  By May of 1994, our Commission reported the need to replace antiquated Shoup lever voting machines with optical scan equipment because it is cost-effective and would help increase voter participation.  By the end of 1996, the procurement process began and by the September 1997 primary local elections, the optical scan equipment was in place.  In both the 1998 and 2000 elections, these machines were in full operation throughout the state. 

Implementation of the new optical scan equipment was cost-effective because it was cost neutral.  Rhode Island’s revenue neutral laws ensured that the expenses for staffing, storage and transportation of voting equipment, and printing and mailing ballots all equaled the cost of establishing this new voting system.  We also met our goal of increasing voter participation by increasing the number of registered voters by nearly 60,000 from 1993 to 2000.

Finally, ensuring timely accuracy in tabulating votes was a top priority.  Because the optical scan machines read voting ballots by sensing the darkest marks, this method ensures the clear intent of the voter is transmitted and tabulated.  These also provide an audit trail for each ballot and they enable the use of ballots printed in multiple languages.  However, since the machines are not accessible to blind voters, I introduced a Braille ballot initiative to ensure that those who have lost their sight maintain their right to vote independently.

As Congress works with the President to explore ways to modernize the machinery of voting, I urge my colleagues to join me in applying proven success stories such as what we have done in Rhode Island.  Models exist for accurate, efficient and cost-effective election reform, which we should utilize in our efforts to ensure true democracy in America.