PRESS
RELEASE
For Immediate Release
December 20, 2004
For more information, contact Kevin Tyne at 602-542-0681.
Secretary
of State Brewer Releases Voting Action Plan
Public is Encouraged to Comment on Plan
PHOENIX – Secretary of State Jan Brewer announced today the release of the Brewer Voting Action Plan. The Brewer Voting Action Plan represents a one-year statewide evaluation and review of Arizona's election and voting processes. Secretary Brewer kicked off the effort in December of 2003 to address the local and nationwide concerns with election processes and technology. The assessment focused on election technology, policies, procedures, and security and resulted in many findings. The findings and subsequent analysis led to nine areas of recommendations, which include:
· Improving election operational procedures to ensure fair and accurate elections.
· Increasing security procedures to raise the public confidence of elections.
· Requiring a voter verified paper ballot for all types of voting systems used in Arizona.
· Increasing the sharing of information and lessons learned.
· Providing formal security awareness information, training, education, and procedures within the election workforce.
· Strengthening current State certification policies and standards for voting equipment and software to increase verifiability and transparency in the election process.
· Implementing standards and recommendations from the Election Assistance Commission.
· Modernizing election equipment and software.
· Enhancing the statewide voter registration system and processes
“The release of the Brewer Voting Action Plan is part of my ongoing commitment to ensure integrity in our election process. I look forward to working with interested groups, legislators, county and local election officials, and the public in general in implementing these recommendations," Secretary Brewer said.
The Action Plan
is available for a 30-day public review before it is finalized by the
Secretary of State’s Office. Comments will be taken through January
20, 2005. Copies of the plan are available at the Secretary of State’s
Web site, www.azsos.gov or by calling
the Election Services Division at 602-542-8683, statewide 1-877-THE VOTE.
Most of the recommendations in the plan will be implemented in time for
the 2006 Federal Elections.
Secretary Brewer continued, "Arizona has been a leader in the implementation
of the Help America Vote Act. This Action Plan is Arizona's next
step in ensuring that Arizona elections are as fair, transparent, consistent,
and secure as possible."
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