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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 21 2007, 10:05 PM EDT (current) | voter | 176 words added |
| Mar 21 2007, 10:04 PM EDT | voter |
Changes
Key: Additions Deletions
The cost of the bill posed another problem to its passage, however not a strong enough problem to either initiate an amendment or affect the outcome. The act imposes a huge financial responsibility on the states with only very minimal assistance from the federal government. Estimates vary around a $20-$25 million cost to state and local governments (CHA, 36). Not only is this a fairly significant cost (which is not offset by the federal government) but many opponents to this section of the bill argue this estimate doesn’t even include a lot of the additional costs. These include things such as the costs of computerization, costs associated with an increase of number of voters on the rolls, and implementation costs (such as training). The federal government does provide a reduced rate mail subsidy for mailed registration forms and associated costs. However, the costs associated with mailing information were NOT included in the $20-25 million estimate. The committee says that “no funds are authorized to compensate for this expensive new Federal mandate on the states” (CHA, 34).
