The 2008 Election: A Look Back on What Went Right and Wrong
March 26, 2009
Both the margin of victory and the absence of any major meltdowns kept the 2008 presidential election from going the way of its 2000 counterpart. Despite this relative success, much remains to be learned from the nation’s experience last November, particularly in terms of voter registration issues and the implementation of voter identification laws. The U.S. House Committee on House Administration recently heard testimony from a range of experts and advocates on the lessons to be learned from 2008 and on proposals for reform going forward.
To read witness statements and watch an archived webcast of the hearing, go here.
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U.S. Election Assistance Commission
The EAC's annual report on 2008 spending provides detailed information regarding states’ usage of HAVA funds, as well as data on competitive grants distributed by the EAC. Of the $2.96 billion they received from the EAC, states have spent 76% and are expected to use remaining funds in 2010.
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U.S. Election Assistance Commission
The Election Administration and Voting Survey is used to report on the method by which the electorate votes on a whole, and specifically on overseas voters and the implementation of NVRA.
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Thomas Basile, Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy
This law review article explores a range of the legal issues the Supreme Court confronted in the Indiana voter ID case.
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Estelle H. Rogers, American Constitution Society for Law and Policy
The NVRA was meant to increase registration levels across the country and as a result, increase participation in elections. Despite the fifteenth anniversary of NVRA in 2008, registration problems remain an issue, as Estelle Rogers, a Consulting Attorney with Project Vote finds.
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Candice Hoke, Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
The security risks inherent in internet-based voting today pose significant barriers to the adoption of this method in nationwide elections. The author suggests changes to both internet security and the allocation of election tasks to improve the applicability of the internet in elections.
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Center for Democracy & Election Management was established at the School of Public Affairs at American University in 2002. Their broader goal is to pave the way for and strengthen democracy through improved electoral performance.
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Election Law @ Moritz, run through Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University, contains both explanation and commentary on a wealth of election reform issues from a legal perspective.
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Dēmos is a non-partisan public policy research and advocacy organization founded in 2000. A multi-issue national organization, Dēmoscombines research, policy development, and advocacy to influence public debates and catalyze change.
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The Pew Center on the States
electionline.org provides daily news updates on election reform issues, as well as deeper analysis of selected topics, including recent reports on voter registration, recount procedures, and the progress in implementing the Help America Vote Act since 2002.
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Project Vote is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) that works to empower, educate, and mobilize low-income, minority, youth, and other marginalized and under-represented voters.
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