Bush Signs Bill to Fix Voting Problems

WASHINGTON — President Bush signed legislation Tuesday that Congress approved overwhelmingly to correct the sort of voter registration mix-ups and confusing ballots that threw his own election into bitter dispute two years ago.

The "Help America Vote Act of 2002" will give states $3.9 billion to replace -- in time for the 2004 presidential election that will likely include Bush's bid for a second term -- outdated punch-card and lever voting machines, and to improve voter education and the training of workers assigned to polling places.

Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said Bush was merely "posing for a White House photo-op."

The bill will not affect Tuesday's election.

The new law also requires statewide voter databases that are designed to make it easier to register and to detect fraud.

"Every registered voter deserves to have confidence that the system is fair and elections are honest, that every vote is recorded, and that the rules are consistently applied," Bush said.