Kerry Advocates Voting Reform

As we look to the "March of Democracy" overseas, we must not fail to ignore the problems of Democracy here at home.

Senator John Kerry is now beginning the fight for Electoral Reform in the United States. As he recently stated:

"Last year, too many people were denied their right to vote. ...too many people who tried to vote were intimidated," the Massachusetts Democrat said. "There is no magic wand. No one person is going to stand up and suddenly say it's going to change tomorrow. You have to do that."

As the article notes, John Kerry is doing something about this voting problem in America:

Earlier this year, Kerry joined Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., in filing voting reform legislation. Their Count Every Vote Act would create a federal holiday for voting, require paper receipts for votes and authorize $500 million to help states upgrade voting systems and equipment.

Of course, Republicans have been quick to deny that there were any problems. As was noted:

"While President Bush and members of Congress are working to move our country forward, it's disappointing that some Democrats are focused on rehashing baseless allegations more than five months after the election," RNC spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said.

But I am not here to argue about what happened in 2004. John Kerry is moving ahead with Election Reforms that should be embraced by both parties. Paper receipts after voting, extended hours for voters, and money to assist in the modernization of this process. Åmerica deserves no less. America deserves John Kerry for President in 2008.

Bob