Led by former Presidents Ford and Carter, the National Commission on Federal Election Reform undertook a study of the American electoral system. The resulting report describes where and what went wrong during the 2000 election, and makes clear and specific recommendations for reform, directed at state government, Congress, news organizations, and others. Many of the commission’s recommendations were included in the 2002 Help America Vote Act, the landmark legislation designed to overhaul election systems across the country.

The National Commission on Federal Election Reform was organized by The Century Foundation and the Miller Center of Public Affairs, University of Virginia, and was supported by The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.