Four Years Later, How Have California Elections Changed? Experts Offer National Perspective on State Reform Efforts 2/9/2004
From: Christy Hicks The Century Foundation, 212-452-7723 or hicks@tcf.org, or Daniel Seligson of electionline.org, 202-338-9320 or dseligson@electionline.org News Advisory: Millions of California voters returning to the polls this year will find much has changed in the way their votes are cast and counted. But as the primary and general election approach, can voters be confident that all of the votes cast will be counted accurately? Have the voting systems replacing punch cards raised more questions about accuracy, reliability and security than the machines they have supplanted? Will voters statewide trust paperless electronic voting machines in light of the state's directive ordering paper trails by 2006? Experts from The Century Foundation and electionline.org will provide reporters a national perspective on election reform in California, and discuss how it compares with states around the country. They'll discuss new federal mandates including voter identification requirements, controversies over new voting machines, and new rules to help empower voters to file complaints about problems at the polls. They'll also discuss the potential problems of under-prepared poll workers and under-informed voters. WHAT: Press Briefing on the Effect of Federal Election Reform on California's Voting Process WHEN: 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 13 WHERE: California State Capitol, room 317 Featuring: -- Sean Greene, research coordinator, electionline.org -- Dan Seligson, editor, electionline.org -- Tova Wang, democracy fellow, The Century Foundation Contact: Christy Hicks, hicks@tcf.org, 212-452-7723 or 917-544-2949 (cell), or Dan Seligson, dseligson@electionline.org or 202-338-9320 Primary Education: Election Reform and the 2004 Presidential Race, a recently released report from the two organizations, will be available at the press briefing. ------ electionline.org is the nation's only nonpartisan, non-advocacy website providing up-to-the-minute news and analysis on election reform. electionline.org is a centralized source of data and information on reform efforts around the country. It is funded by a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts administered by the University of Richmond. The Century Foundation conducts public policy research and analyses of economic, social, and foreign policy issues, including inequality, retirement security, election reform, media studies, homeland security, and international affairs. The foundation produces books, reports, and other publications, convenes task forces and working groups, and operates seven informational websites, including the home site, http://www.tcf.org. With offices in New York City and Washington, D.C., the Century Foundation is nonprofit and nonpartisan and was founded in 1919 by Edward A. Filene. |