The proposed information collection is
necessary to meet requirements of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15301). HAVA §241(a) requires the U.S. Election
Assistance Commission (EAC) to conduct and make available to the
public studies regarding the election administration issues
described in subsection (b). The goal of these studies is to
promote methods of voting and administering elections which: (1)
will be the most convenient, accessible, and easy to use for
voters, including members of the uniformed services and overseas
voters, individuals with disabilities, including the blind and
visually impaired, and voters with limited proficiency in the
English language; (2) will yield the most accurate, secure, and
expeditious system for voting and tabulating election results; (3)
will be nondiscriminatory and afford each registered and eligible
voter an equal opportunity to vote and to have that vote counted;
and (4) will be efficient and cost effective for use. Section
241(b)(9) of HAVA requires the EAC to periodically study methods of
educating voters about the process of registering to vote and
voting, the operation of voting mechanisms, the location of polling
places, and all other aspects of participating in elections.
Furthermore, Section 245(a)(2)(C) of HAVA indicates that the EAC
may investigate the impact that new communications or Internet
technology systems used in the electoral process could have on
voter participation rates, voter education, and public
accessibility. Based on these requirements, the EAC seeks to
conduct an information collection to determine the current state of
voter information hotlines that are operated by Federal, State, and
local government agencies and election offices. The findings of the
proposed information collection will serve as the basis for
developing recommendations regarding the development and
implementation of voter hotlines. These recommendations will be
part of a report on the key findings of the proposed information
collection, which will be made available to election officials and
the public.
US Code:
42
USC 15301 Name of Law: Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA)
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.