After the 2000 election and reviewing the many issues surrounding that election, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act of 2002 in order to modify the voting process, enhance voter education and increase turnout. Some of HAVA's goals were to:

• Replace outdated voting systems - meaning if the voter makes a possible error on the ballot, the new election systems will notify the voter before leaving the polling place.
• Provide a paper audit trail for election recounts and contests. 
• Encourage higher standards for Poll Worker training.
• Insure voting (accessibility) for the persons with disabilities.
• Improve voter education and enhance voter registration.
• Create a system for Provisional Voting.

All states and Alabama's 67 counties were to be compliant with the HAVA legislation prior to January 1, 2006.  Montgomery County was the first county to be compliant with the Help America Vote Act and was the only county in Alabama to meet the state and Federal deadlines.

For more information, visit the Election Assistance Commission.