Metro King County Council member Jane Hague, a former King County elections manager, attended the signing by President George W. Bush of new federal election reform legislation.
“It has been nearly two years since shortcomings in many of the nation’s election systems were highlighted by the 2000 presidential election,” Hague said before the signing Oct. 29. “I am pleased and proud to have been involved in a solution .”
Hague played a central role in development of the federal legislation. She served as Manager of King County’s Records and Elections Division for eight years. Later, as President of the National Association of Counties (NACo), she moved after the controversial 2000 elections to establish a Commission on Election Standards and Reform. Hague also co-chaired the commission, which was made up of county elected officials, recorders, clerks, and representatives from interested organizations such as the League of Women Voters and The Election Center.
A majority of the recommendations from the commission were incorporated into a bill which passed the U.S. House of Representatives nearly a year ago and the Senate this summer.
The final bill designates that $3 billion will go to states through block grants. Each state must develop its plan in consultation with the two largest jurisdictions in the state. An additional $325 million will be available for replacing punchcard and lever machines.
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