Other names for this bill
This bill often is referred to as HAVA - the acronym for Help America Vote Act.
Improving the voting experience
The bill was as effort to improve voting procedures throughout the United States.
Among its provisions...
o The federal government would provide states money to upgrade their voting machines. Machines are required to produce a paper record of each vote.
o States' voter registration lists must be computerized and be able to coordinate registration information with other state agencies.
o New registrants must provide their driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security Number.
o Voters who register by mail and who haven't previously voted in a federal election in the state must provide either a photo id or other document (such as a utility bill or bank statement) showing the person's name and address.
o States must provide a provisional ballot to anyone whose eligibility cannot be determined. The state must provide a way for the voter to find out if their vote was counted (and, if not, the reason why).
o States' voter registration lists must be computerized and be able to coordinate registration information with other state agencies.
o New registrants must provide their driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security Number.
o Voters who register by mail and who haven't previously voted in a federal election in the state must provide either a photo id or other document (such as a utility bill or bank statement) showing the person's name and address.
o States must provide a provisional ballot to anyone whose eligibility cannot be determined. The state must provide a way for the voter to find out if their vote was counted (and, if not, the reason why).
States are free to implement the changes how they choose
Although the law sets guidelines and the federal government provides money to implement the changes, each state decides how it implements its changes.
More information
The Brennan Center for Justice has analyzed key components of this bill in more depth. Click here to read their analysis.
You can find more details about this bill at GovTrack.us.