Election Law Signed in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge signed into law this week legislation that would enable the state to develop a statewide voter registration database.

When completed, the new system will electronically link the registration systems of the state's 67 counties into a database containing all voter registration information.

The database would allow election officials throughout the state to cross-check and update registration information, eliminate duplicates and protect against voter fraud.

The governor's 2001-02 budget includes $8.5 million for the system.

Most of the provisions contained in the law take effect immediately, but some will not take effect for 60 days, the governor's office said.

The bill was passed with the unanimous support of both houses of the state legislature.

The action is a significant one and would put Pennsylvania in the forefront of those states with sophisticated voter registration systems, said Thomas Mann, the W. Averell Harriman Senior Fellow at the Washington-based Brookings Institution.

"Computerized statewide registration databases are crucial prerequisites for improving the administration of elections," he said.

States such as Florida and Kentucky have very sophisticated systems, while many others lag far behind, he said.

"Congress will likely approve a grant program that helps support this development, but the real action here, as with other features of the election system, rests with the states," Mann said.