The State Election Commission on Wednesday released its preliminary plan for compliance with the federal Help America Vote Act.

The federal legislation requires states to create a long-term plan for HAVA implementation. It was passed in 2002, after Florida's voting debacle in the 2000 presidential election, to replace punch-card voting systems and provide minimum election standards for states.

The state's plan, which can be updated as needed over time, calls for implementation of a statewide uniform electronic voting system, support for disabled voters, and enhancements to election administration and training for voters, poll workers and election officials.

The preliminary plan is available for public review until July 25.

South Carolina already has received $6.8 million in federal funds to help with the changes and is entitled to an additional $42 million over the next three years, said Marci Andino, executive director of the State Election Commission.

The federal law requires states to provide a 5 percent match for the funds during the three years.

But the state stands to lose millions because Gov. Mark Sanford vetoed a portion of the budget that provides $700,000 for HAVA.

That money was contingent upon receiving more than $5 million in abandoned property from the demutualization of insurance companies.

In his veto letter from last week, Sanford said the HAVA appropriation is an important expenditure, but he said it was "not really funded" by the General Assembly.

"Items that merit funding should be funded with real dollars, not placed on a 'wish list.' This practice creates unrealistic expectations and avoids the prioritization and hard decisions that are necessary in our current budget environment," Sanford wrote.

Andino said her agency is investigating other sources for the funding vetoed by the governor. One source is a budget proviso that includes $1 million in funds left over from state primaries.

Normally, money not spent for primaries is put in the fund and carried over for future primaries, Andino said. But the Election Commission could use that money for things like replacing punch card machines or purchasing machines for disabled voters, she said.

"It would be a shame to let millions of dollars go," Andino said.