2005 Election Reform Conference Agenda

Friday, October 7

3:00 pm-4:00 pm

Registration

4:00 pm-5:45 pm

Session I: Round Table Topics

Accurate and Accessible Voting Equipment
Voting systems must be accessible, accurate, and accountable. As states look to comply with HAVA requirements when purchasing new machinery, it is important to know what the options are.
Election Day Registration
In 2004, states with EDR had turnout that exceeded the national average by 14%. In 2005, Montana joined Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Wyoming as the seventh state with EDR. Find out how to bring EDR to your state.
Funding Elections Administration
American elections have been chronically under-funded, contributing to many of the current ills of our election system. State and federal government will have to play a larger role in funding elections, a burden that has been carried largely by cities and counties.
ID Requirements and Provisional Ballots
Provisional ballots could be an effective backup for election mishaps-or be a placebo ballot that disenfranchises voters. Identification requirements disenfranchise citizens who are eligible but for a lack of an ID. Find out how to help eligible people cast votes that count.
Poll Worker Training
Earlier this year, New Jersey adopted legislation that requires state and county officials to develop programs to train election day poll workers and educate citizens about their rights as voters. Learn how to promote training in your state.
Protection of Voters from Intimidation
Voter intimidation and suppression continues to discourage millions of Americans from voting. While the federal Voting Rights Act has failed to adequately protect voters, some state laws go much further. Come hear how those state laws work.
Re-enfranchisement
More than 4.6 million Americans are denied their voting rights because of state laws that tie voter eligibility to criminal convictions. In 2005,w Iowa, Nebraska, Rhode Island and Washington changed laws and practices to lower barriers to voting. Find out how to expand voting rights in your state.
Time Off for Democracy
In most states, workers have no right to take time off to vote. Only six states guarantee workers at least two hours of paid leave on election day. See model legislation that not only allows workers to vote, but also guarantees unpaid leave for them to work the polls.
Vote Centers
Vote centers are more convenient for many voters and enable election officials to consolidate services and control costs-questions remain. Before making that leap, let us evaluate the pros and cons.

6:00 pm-7:00 pm

Opening Plenary

Speakers: Chellie Pingree (Common Cause) and Miles Rapoport (Demos)

7:00 pm

Cocktails

8:00 pm

Dinner on your own

Saturday, October 8

7:30 am-8:45 am

Breakfast

9:00 am-10:30 am

Session II: Message Training

10:30 am-11:00 am

Break

Check out of hotel

11:00 am-12:30 pm

Session III: Message Training continued

12:30 pm-1:30 pm

Lunch Plenary

Speaker: Former Lt. Governor Joe Rogers (Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law)

1:30 pm-3:15 pm

Session IV: Message Training continued

3:15 pm-3:30 pm

Break

3:30 pm-4:15 pm

Session V: Next Steps

Pledge of action

4:15 pm-5:00 pm

Closing Plenary

Invited: Greg Moore (NAACP National Voter Fund)