{"id":351502,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/federal-voter-id-requirements-the-help-america-vote-act-hava.html"},"modified":"2024-02-23T11:41:41","modified_gmt":"2024-02-23T16:41:41","slug":"federal-voter-id-requirements-the-help-america-vote-act-hava","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/federal-voter-id-requirements-the-help-america-vote-act-hava.html","title":{"rendered":"The Help America Vote Act of 2002"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Help America Vote Act of 2002<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Voting is one of the fundamental rights of U.S. citizens enshrined in the Constitution. Congress also drafted rules to govern the electoral process. One of the essential laws is the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA).<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Voting is one of the fundamental rights of U.S. citizens enshrined in the Constitution. It’s how Americans make their voices heard in this democratic country.<\/p>\r\n

To ensure a fair and honest election, both state and federal laws addressed the issue. Congress also drafted rules to govern the electoral process. One of the essential laws is the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). Congress passed HAVA in 2002 to improve the electoral process and expand voting access nationwide.<\/p>\r\n

Enhancing Election Administration Practices<\/h2>\r\n

In 1971, the U.S. Congress began the establishment of the National Clearinghouse for Information on Election Administration<\/a>. This move was a part of the Federal Election Campaign Act. The Act addressed the lack of efficient information exchange among election administrators nationwide.<\/p>\r\n

In 1975, Federal Election Campaign Act amendments transferred the functions of the National Clearinghouse to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The revised Act calls upon the FEC to operate as "a national clearinghouse for the compilation of information and review of procedures about the administration of Federal elections."<\/p>\r\n

The Clearinghouse arranged its activities into six program areas:<\/p>\r\n