October 2002 Press Release

---

October 14, 2002 - New Video Encourages Vermonters To Vote
Secretary of State Releases Video For Vermont's First Time Voters and Vermonters With Disabilities

October 18, 2002 - National Election Reform Will Impact Vermont
The Help America Vote Act Will Change The Way Vermont Runs Elections

---

Press Release
For Immediate Release  Contact: Marianne Lynch
802-828-2148
October 14, 2002

New Video Encourages Vermonters To Vote
Secretary of State Releases Video For Vermont's First Time Voters and Vermonters With Disabilities

Montpelier. Today, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz announced the release of a new instructional video on the voting process. This five minute video is entitled "Its Every Citizen's Right to Vote. Why Don't You?" Markowitz said "Some Vermonters don't exercise their right to vote because they don't know what to expect at the polls, and they are afraid of making a mistake. This short video was designed to help demystify the process of voting." Markowitz added, " While the video was created with first-time voters and Vermonter's with disabilities in mind, we hope it will encourage every Vermonter to get out and vote on Election Day."

"Its Every Citizen's Right to Vote. Why Don't You?" walks the viewer through the voting process, starting with the Voter's Oath and ending with marking and casting a ballot. It illustrates what a voter can expect at the polls and provides answers to common questions about a voter's rights - such as whether the voter needs to show identification to vote, and what happens when you make a mistake on the ballot.

This new video can be seen on Vermont's cable access television stations and can be viewed on the Secretary of State's Web Page www.sec.state.vt.us. For a copy of the video or for more information please call Marianne Lynch at 802-828-2148.

#30

---

Press Release
For Immediate Release  Contact: Marianne Lynch
802-828-2148
October 18, 2002

National Election Reform Will Impact Vermont
The Help America Vote Act Will Change The Way Vermont Runs Elections

Montpelier. This week, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act of 2002, which includes widespread election reforms that will impact how Vermont conducts its elections in the future. Secretary of State Deb Markowitz said, "the Help America Vote Act is a tremendous victory for the people of this country. It provides needed reforms for the many states with inadequate voting systems."

According to Markowitz "the very good news is that the bill provides funding for the changes it mandates. We feel optimistic that the funding will meet our needs as we fulfill our obligations under the law." Markowitz applauded the efforts of Senators Leahy and Jeffords who championed important language in the bill to ensure that every state receives an adequate minimum level of funding to achieve the required reforms.

Secretary Markowitz will be convening a committee of town clerks, election workers and interested citizens to help Vermont prepare for implementation of the new law. Among its provisions, the election reform law requires:

1. Statewide Voter Checklist. The law requires states to develop a computerized statewide voter checklist.

2. Access To Voters with Disabilities. At least one voting machine in each polling place that is accessible to voters with disabilities.

3. Proof of Identity. First time voters who registered by mail through motor voter must show proof of identity before their vote can be counted.

4. Multilingual Accessiblity. Voting systems must provide for multilingual accessibility.

5. Second Chance Voting. Voters must be given a chance to check errors before casting their ballots.

6. Provisional Ballots. Voters not on the checklist must be given an opportunity to cast a provisional ballot to ensure that no voter is turned away at the polls.

7. Drivers License Requirement For Registration. Individuals must include their drivers license number or the last four digits of their social security number on their voter registration form.

Markowitz said, "the law presents some implementation challenges for the State of Vermont - but with the help of our town clerks and the support of the Vermont legislature I feel confident we will be able to meet that challenge.

#30