NEWS RELEASE

Posted: Oct. 29, 2002

CASTLE: ELECTION LAW SIGNED

Almost two years after the infamous 2000 election was settled by the U.S. Supreme Court, Delaware Congressman Mike Castle praised President Bush for signing "The Martin Luther King, Jr. Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2002," into law to reform the nation’s election process in order to restore Americans’ confidence in the voting system.

According to Castle who cosponsored this legislation, Delaware will receive funding to help with election reform in the state, subject to the Treasury-Postal Appropriations Bill funding over the next few years.

The legislation set uniform standards for voting across the US and increase funding for voter education, better voter facilities for people with disabilities and to replace punch card voting machines.  The new law's protections against voter error will not affect next week's election, but are to implemented in time for the 2004 congressional and presidential elections.

"This law gives the tools that the states need and have asked for to improve their voting systems without undue federal regulations,” Castle said. “Delaware, which already has a modernized voting system, will be able to use these funds for voter outreach, training poll workers and making polls more accessible to disabled voters. It is my hope this legislation will restore voters’ faith in the election process and encourage more civic participation."

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