HOUSTON, July 9, 2002
NAACP Rates Election Reform
Six States Get Failing Grades; Florida Almost Flunks
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(AP)
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In an election report released Monday, six states received failing grades, though some officials immediately disputed the findings. The states that received an F were Delaware, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Vermont. Florida, where the results of the 2000 presidential race remained in dispute for more than a month, got a D.
"We now are on the verge of midterm elections," Mfume said, and there is "across this country a continuing refrain, 'When will real election reform take place and when will local government, state government, federal government find a coordinated way to protect" people's right to vote.
On Tuesday, the NAACP is expected to turn its attention to hotels by releasing a report card assessing whether hotel chains have improved business opportunities for minorities.
The lodging report card measures diversity in employment, promotions, vendors, advertising, philanthropy and equity ownership and franchise opportunities.
The election report, released at the annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said many states have waited in vain for the federal government to make the first move on election reform.
Michigan received the highest grade from the NAACP, A minus, and only seven other states scored a B minus or better. The report commended Michigan Secretary of State Candice Miller for creating a Web site that tells residents how to use voting equipment in their communities.
Cory Fong, North Dakota's deputy secretary of state, said his state's failing grade is misleading.
"We don't believe the survey is reflective of the election process of North Dakota," Fong said. "Many states are waiting for Congress to move ahead with election reform before they put money into new technology and practices."
Vermont Secretary of State Deborah Markowitz said the NAACP "sent us a survey that just asked inappropriate questions," and did not understand the state's election process. She said Vermont's system is inclusive and offers special assistance to the handicapped and those with language barriers, for example.
The report said that while several states have started to replace punch-card machines, no state has explicitly prioritized replacing its oldest machines. Many states still use lever machines designed as early as 1911, it said.
The report, by a bipartisan panel appointed by the NAACP, also said:
Report cards for each state were compiled using answers to surveys the NAACP submitted to state officials. Grades were then assigned using measures including whether governors signed election reform bills that provided for new voting machines and prioritized replacing older machines.
Governors also were measured by whether they supported restoring voting rights to ex-felons, and if they increased the money spent on voter registration and education by 10 percent. The grades also assessed the actions of chief elections officers.
Also Monday, President Bush responded to criticisms of his decision not to speak at the convention. At a White House news conference, Bush was asked to respond to NAACP complaints that he had slighted the group and had a lackluster record on civil rights.
Referring to his black secretary of state and national security adviser, Mr. Bush replied: "Let's see, there I was sitting around the table with foreign leaders, looking at Colin Powell and Condi Rice."
He punctuated the comment with a dismissive shake of his head, as if he was disgusted with the premise of the question.
By Deborah Kong © MMII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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