President Obama signed an executive order on Thursday establishing a bipartisan commission to examine problems of voter access after complaints of long lines at polling stations during last year’s election.
Mr. Obama promised during his State of the Union address last month that he would appoint such a panel, saying that “we are betraying our values†if voters end up sacrificing their franchise “because they can’t wait for five, six, seven hours just to cast their ballot.â€
The commission will be headed by the lawyers for last year’s presidential campaigns: Robert Bauer, who represented Mr. Obama, and Benjamin Ginsberg, who represented his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney. Mr. Bauer has long been Mr. Obama’s legal adviser and served a stint as his White House counsel. In addition to Mr. Romney, Mr. Ginsberg represented former President George W. Bush during both of his campaigns and the 2000 recount.
Mr. Obama’s order directed the new commission to submit a final report within six months of its first public meeting, but it was not clear when it would gather because seven other members are still to be appointed by the president.
The commission was charged with finding ways to shorten lines and “to promote the efficient administration†of elections.
“That report is intended to serve as a best-practices guide for state and local election officials to improve voters’ experience at the polls under their existing election laws,†said Josh Earnest, a deputy White House press secretary.
