Sens. Push Law for Receipt of Votes Cast

Associated Press
Wednesday 10 March 2004

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Two Democratic senators often mentioned as possible candidates for the vice presidential spot on the 2004 ticket talked voting Wednesday -- but not for themselves. Sens. Bob Graham of Florida and Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York are pushing legislation that would ensure a printed receipt of votes cast on new touch-screen computer terminals, arguing it will restore voter confidence in the election process.

They both insisted the move had nothing to do with future political aspirations -- and everything to do with past political confusion.

"We can't ever go through what we went through in 2000," said Clinton, referring to the drawn-out recount process in Florida that was eventually settled by the Supreme Court.

To prevent a repeat -- and the hard feelings that followed -- Clinton and Graham have proposed legislation that would require all computer voting machines to produce a paper record that can be checked after the vote should disputes arise. It also would require that the change be made before the November election.

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