AV.Supporting Statement B

Supporting Statement B
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Alternative Voting Methods Study
B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any
sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g.
establishments, State and local governmental units, households, or persons) in the universe
and the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form. The tabulation must also
include expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has been
conducted before, provide the actual response rate achieved.
The respondent universe for this study includes all adults aged 18 years who reside in one of the 50
U.S. states and Puerto Rico. The sample will be 3,000 respondents, with the aim of obtaining a
response rate of 30%. This is the first collection for the EAC of this kind.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection, including: the statistical methodology for
stratification and sample selection; the estimation procedure; the degree of accuracy needed
for the purpose described in the justification; any unusual problems requiring specialized
sampling procedures; and any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection
cycles to reduce burden.
The survey will be conducted by phone in both English and Spanish using random digit dialing
(RDD) technology. In RDD surveys, telephone exchanges in the United States are selected at
random according the specifications of the sampling plan. The last digits needed to complete the
phone number are generated completely at random. This design ensures full implementation of the
sampling plan and ensures that those with listed and unlisted numbers have an equal chance of
being included in the sample. Within each contacted household, a respondent will be selected
among all adults in the household aged 18 years and who are citizens.

3. Describe the methods used to maximize response rates and to deal with nonresponse. The
accuracy and reliability of the information collected must be shown to be adequate for the
intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided if
they will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.
To maximize the chances of making contact with a potential respondent, as many as 10 attempts
will be made to complete an interview at every sampled household, and calls will be staggered over
times of the day and days of the week.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Tests are encouraged as
effective means to refine collections, but if ten or more test respondents are involved OMB
must give prior approval.

Organizations such as The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, NBC News, and CBS
News have used these questions in previous surveys, thus through other organizations these
questions have already been refined. Additionally, the information collection instrument was pretested on 9 individuals. Demographics describing the 9 respondents are listed in the tables below.
Education
High School or Less
Some College
College Graduate
Post Graduate
Age
Under 30
30 – 44
45 - 60
61 +
Race
White/White Latino
African
American/Black/Black
Latino
Registered to Vote?
Yes
No

Number of
Respondents
2
2
2
3
Number of
Respondents
3
2
2
2
Number of
Respondents
7
2

Number of
Respondents
7
2

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on the statistical aspects
of the design, and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s)
who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.
1. Karen Lynn-Dyson
Research Director
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
1225 New York Avenue, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 566-3100
[email protected]

2. Dr. Karen Buerkle
Senior Researcher
Applied Research Center on Democracy and Elections
IFES
1101 15th St., NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 350-6741
[email protected]