Statement From State Senator Liz Krueger Regarding the Department of Justice Lawsuit Against New York State for Non-Hava Compliance

New York, NY – “I am not the least bit surprised by the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) action against New York State for not complying with the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) regulations.  Since its initial passage in 2002, each state was obligated to comply with the new federal mandate and the state legislative leadership dragged their feet for three years.  The compromise that was passed at the end of the 2005 session punted the responsibility for administering HAVA to the localities.  This was poor public policy that was the result of years of apathy and as such, we are considered to be the worst non-compliant state,” said State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan).

“HAVA was an opportunity that comes around only three or four times a century and New York State has effectively squandered our chance to modernize our voting equipment.  Still, it appears that DOJ is willing to work with us in order to come to a fair settlement.  It’s anybody’s guess what will happen as a result – federal fines, losing HAVA funding, federal court, a DOJ implementation plan.  This soap opera will eventually come to a conclusion, so stay tuned.”

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