WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, January 25^th, Congressman Michael G. Fitzpatrick will join representatives from the Coalition for Voting Integrity to announce his intent to introduce legislation to protect local governments from penalties arising from the “Help America Vote Act.”  The legislation will protect local governments who act in good faith to follow the letter of the law in updating their voting machines, but are unable to meet the March deadline for the Act.  The press conference will take place on the steps of the Doylestown Courthouse at noon.

“The Help America Vote Act is pressuring counties like Bucks to adopt untested equipment in an unreasonable timetable,” Fitzpatrick said.  “The lever voting machines used today by the county work well and the cost to replace them with new electronic machines will place a heavy burden on an already thin County budget.  Counties like Bucks should be given more time to adopt a reasonable solution to the voting machine question and this legislation will do just that.”

Congressman Fitzpatrick will be available to the media for comment after the press conference

WHO:  Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA), along with members of the Coalition for voting Integrity; among others.

WHAT:  Press Conference to announce legislation to shield local governments from penalties arising from the Help America Vote Act.

WHEN:  Wednesday, January 25, 2006 from 12:00 to 12:30.

WHERE:  The Bucks County Court House; 55 E. Court Street Doylestown, PA 18901

CONTACT: Jeff Urbanchuk (office) 202-225-4276 (cell) 202-641-8530 (e-mail) jeff.urbanchuk@mail.house.gov

NOTE:   Please RSVP to Jeff Urbanchuk if you plan to attend the event.