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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 095-05
March 10, 2005

STATEMENT BY MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON THE ELECTION MODERNIZATION TASK FORCE'S CALL FOR STATE VOTING MACHINE LEGISLATION

"I strongly agree with the Election Modernization Task Force's call today for the New York State Legislature to pass legislation necessary to comply with the federal 'Help America Vote Act' (HAVA) and pave the way for almost $220 million in federal funding for the State to buy new voting machines and improve the election process.  New York is the last state in the nation to take the steps necessary to receive HAVA funding, and we can not risk losing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal assistance.

"As I told the members of the Legislature in January, New York City is home to approximately 42% of the State's eligible voters and should receive at least 42% of the Federal funding appropriated to the State.  The City deserves its fair share of these federal funds to replace its obsolete voting machines and to protect our citizens' right to vote. 

"Further delay by the State will make it extremely difficult for the Board of Elections to prepare for the 2006 election when the new machines will need to be introduced.  I therefore join the Task Force in strongly urging the Legislature to quickly pass and the Governor to sign this long-overdue legislation."







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Robert Lawson   (212) 788-2958




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