The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) ushered in a new era for voting in the United States. In the wake of the contested 2000 election, Congress passed HAVA which aimed to make voting easier, more accessible, and more accurate.
The most significant part of the Act is a requirement for states to upgrade their voting equipment. Each state must replace punch-card and lever machines with more modern equipment. These updated devices allow for easier vote-casting and simpler vote-counting. Voters who used to have to fill out hard-to-read ballots now have the added convenience of touchscreen devices.
HAVA also sees the comeback of the provisional ballot. This type of ballot allows someone who may have encountered difficulty registering to cast a ballot and have it included in the vote count. The Act puts in place procedures to ensure the integrity of the process.
Voting Made Easier
Today, many states offer online voter registration, allowing citizens to sign up to vote from the convenience of their own homes. HAVA mandates that registration forms be made available for the disabled community and provides the option of help at the polling place in some cases. Voter ID laws also underwent a slight change, allowing those without valid ID the option of signing an affidavit instead.
In short, HAVA changed the way Americans vote. It inserted new laws to increase accuracy and accessibility of the election process. With these reforms in place, it is easier and safer than ever to cast a ballot during a U.S. election.