Joe Lieberman: “very briefly, this amendment responds to a problem that exists with implementing the election laws of our country which…”

“very briefly, this amendment responds to a problem that exists with implementing the election laws of our country which will be greatly strengthened if we pass the bill that is before the Senate now. That problem is the shortage of nonpartisan poll workers, documented by the GAO and the commission headed by Presidents Carter and Ford. This amendment builds on a successful program started, at least one I know of, in Los Angeles County and in the State of California to allow civil servants--not political appointees but civil servants--to take election day off at the request of local election officials, to work as nonpartisan poll workers while continuing to be paid for their Federal employment, receiving no compensation from the election officials of local jurisdiction. I have the feeling I have sufficiently described what I believe is a very meritorious amendment. I urge its adoption.”