October 4, 2002 - Today, former Presidents Gerald R. Ford and Jimmy Carter, along with Lloyd Cutler and Bob Michel, co-chairs of the National Commission on Federal Election Reform, welcomed the bipartisan agreement struck by the House and Senate Conference Committee on a bill to reform federal elections.

"The bill represents a delicate balance of shared responsibilities between levels of government," Ford and Carter said. "This comprehensive bill can ensure that America's electoral system will again be a source of national pride and a model to all the world." Indeed, all four of the co-chairs share the belief of Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) and others that, if passed by both Houses and signed by President Bush, this legislation can provide the most meaningful improvements in voting safeguards since the civil rights laws of the 1960s.

For more information on the National Commission on Federal Election Reform, please contact Tova Wang ([email protected] ) at 212-452-7704, Ryan Coonerty at 202-321-8862 or Margaret Edwards at 434-466-3587.

# # #