2022 Post-Election Voting Survey of State Election Officials

2022 Post-Election Voting Survey of State Election Officials

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Welcome

Security Protection Advisory [OMB Control Number: 0704-XXXX]

[Expiration Date: XX/XX/XXXX]

You have been selected to take a survey about your experience as a state election official and your use of FVAP products and services in the 2022 General Election. Most people take about 15 minutes to complete the survey.

This survey covers three main topics, including:

• Your office’s experience with five FVAP voting assistance resources

• Your office’s experience with FVAP outreach materials

• Your state’s standard procedures for processing registration and ballot requests for UOCAVA citizens.

After you enter your ticket number and click the Next button below, you will be asked to:

• Read the Agency Disclosure Notice and Privacy Advisory Statement

• Take the brief survey

Please enter your ticket number and click Next to begin the survey.

Ticket number

We also have some additional information available to you about this survey and website privacy. Select the additional pages you would like to read below, if any, before proceeding with the survey.

 Frequently Asked Questions
 Security Protection Advisory (i.e., website privacy and cookies)

If you would like to view all survey questions before you start this online survey, a printable pdf version of the survey can be found here: [insert url for pdf of full survey here]

Thank you for your time and participation.

Bottom of Form

For questions or concerns about this survey, e-mail: [email protected]

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How to Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this survey, please email [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)?
What is the Post-Election Voting (PEV) Program?
What is UOCAVA?
How do I know this is an official, approved DoD survey?
How did you pick me?
Why should I participate?
What is [email protected]?

Why am I being asked to use the web?
Do I have to answer all questions?
Will my answers be kept private?
Can I withdraw my answers once I have started the survey?
Will I ever see the results of the survey?

What is the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)? Top

• FVAP administers the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) on behalf of the Secretary of Defense. FVAP works to ensure that all Service members, their eligible family members, and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so from anywhere in the world.

What is the Post-Election Voting (PEV) Program? Top

• Post-Election Voting (PEV) surveys are sponsored by the Director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) as the presidential designee to administer the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986. UOCAVA, as amended by the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, requires FVAP to provide to Congress an assessment of voter registration and participation by absent Uniformed Services voters and the effectiveness of FVAP activities. The PEV surveys are designed to assist FVAP in administering UOCAVA and are used to develop ways to further improve the absentee voting process for military personnel and overseas citizens.

What is UOCAVA? Top

• The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) was enacted in 1986 and permits members of the Uniformed Services and Merchant Marines, their eligible family members, and U.S. citizens residing overseas to register and vote absentee in elections for federal offices. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) administers the federal requirements of the law and works to ensure UOCAVA-covered citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so from anywhere in the world.

How do I know this is an official, approved DoD survey? Top

• In accordance with DoD Instruction 8910.01, all data collection in DoD must be licensed and show that license as an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number with an expiration date. The OMB control number for this survey is 0704-XXXX, expiring XX/XX/XXXX.

How did you pick me? Top

• FVAP has you in our records as the state election official for your state or territory. Our survey contacts every state election office from each state and attempts to survey the head of the office or the person most knowledgeable about UOCAVA voters.

Why should I participate? Top

• This survey will provide the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) with critical information to help improve the services and information they provide you and other state election officials. Your input will be used to shape the absentee voting program in ways that directly affect your office.

What is [email protected]? Top

• [email protected] is the official e-mail address for communicating with state election officials about Post-Election Voting (PEV). The SEO in "[email protected]" is short for State Election Officials survey.

Why am I being asked to use the web? Top

• Web administration enables us to get survey results out faster.

Do I have to answer all questions? Top

• No, it is not necessary to answer every question. We know you are very busy, so the survey will let you start and stop as necessary while continuing to save your progress.

• Within the survey screen, you have two control buttons: Continue (→) and Previous (←). Use these buttons to navigate through the survey or skip questions. When you return to the survey website, enter your ticket number to get to the place in the survey where you had stopped.

Will my answers be kept private? Top

• Data you provide may be identifiable to DoD or the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). Please review the Privacy Advisory.

• We encourage you to safeguard your Ticket Number to prevent unauthorized access to your survey. In addition, to ensure your privacy, be aware of the environment in which you take the survey (e.g., take the survey when no one else is home; take care to not leave the survey unattended).

Can I withdraw my answers once I have started the survey? Top

• If you wish to withdraw your answers, please notify the survey helpdesk prior to February 28, 2023 by sending an email to [email protected]. Include your name and Ticket Number.

Will I ever see the results of the survey? Top

• The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) will post survey results and a corresponding post-election report to Congress at http://www.FVAP.gov/.

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[Next]

Security Protection Advisory

WEBSITE PRIVACY: The Department of Defense (DoD) will not collect personal information about you when you visit this website unless you choose to provide it yourself. Data you provide may be identifiable to DoD or the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP).

Use of "Cookies:" Our system uses two types of "cookies," which are files placed on your computer's hard drive in order to monitor your use of the site or the web. We use session "cookies" for performance and load balancing issues.

For more information about your privacy rights, please read the Privacy Advisory at the start of the survey. This website does collect certain data from your visit but does not store it in a way that it can be linked to you. This non-personal information helps us make the site more useful by recognizing the types of technology being used. The data collected are listed below:

1. The Internet Protocol (IP) address for the computer and the server being used on the Internet (for example, www.verizon.com, www.comcast.com, 122.3.55.34). Depending on your Internet service provider, IP addresses may identify your computer; in other cases, they identify no more than your Internet service provider (such as Verizon or Comcast).

2. The type and version of the browser and operating system used to access our site.

3. The date and time this site was accessed.

4. Number of bytes sent and received.

5. The pages visited.

This information is stored permanently for troubleshooting technical problems and for future capacity planning. It cannot be linked to any survey response data and resides in a completely different database. It may be shared with DoD as required for troubleshooting connections from DoD computers. None of this information will be revealed publicly or used to identify you.

[Next]

For questions or concerns about this survey, e-mail: [email protected].

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How do I know this is an official, approved DoD survey?

• The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is part of the DoD.

• In accordance with DoD Instruction 8910.01, all data collection in the Department must be licensed and show that license as an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number with an expiration date. The OMB Control Number for this survey is 0704-XXXX, expiring XX/XX/XXXX.

Top of Form

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Agency Disclosure Notice

The public reporting burden for this collection of information, 0704-XXXX, is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or burden reduction suggestions to the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, at [email protected]. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.

Privacy Notice

This survey does not collect or use personally identifiable information. Therefore, the information collected is not subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. § 552a). Responding to this survey is voluntary. There is no penalty to you or your office if you choose not to respond. However, maximum participation is encouraged so that the data will be complete. This notice informs you of the purpose of the 2022 Post-Election Voting Surveys and how the findings of these surveys will be used. Please read it carefully.

AUTHORITY: The authority to solicit the information requested in this survey is contained in the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) 52 USC 20301.

PRINCIPAL PURPOSE: This survey is conducted by the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), which works to ensure that all Service members, their eligible family members, and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools to do so - from anywhere in the world. Information collected in this survey will provide FVAP with critical information to help improve the services and information available for state election officials. Data could be used in future research.

ROUTINE USES: None.

DISCLOSURE: Providing information on this survey is voluntary. Most people can complete the survey in 15 minutes. There is no penalty to you or your office if you choose not to respond. However, maximum participation is encouraged so that the data will be complete and representative. This survey is being conducted for program evaluation at the DoD level. Your responses will not be treated as confidential. Identifying information may be used by government and contractor staff engaged in, and for the purposes of, program evaluation. In addition, FVAP will receive data which will identify your election office. Any comments you leave on the survey will be provided verbatim (i.e., exactly as submitted) to FVAP. Do not include any personally identifiable information (PII) in your comments.

SURVEY ELIGIBILITY AND POTENTIAL BENEFITS: A census of state election officials representing all voting jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories, were selected to participate in the survey. There is no direct benefit for your individual participation, however your responses, when taken together with the responses from other state election officials, will make a difference by helping to identify areas where FVAP's products and services can be improved.

STATEMENT OF RISK: The data collection procedures involve disclosure of data which will identify you to the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP).

If you experience any difficulties taking the survey, please contact the Survey Processing Center by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. If you have concerns about your rights as a research participant, please contact the OUSD (P&R) Research Regulatory Oversight Office at 703-575-2677/703-575-3536 or e-mail [email protected].

Once you start answering the survey, if you desire to withdraw your answers, please notify the survey helpdesk prior to February 28, 2023. Please include in the e-mail your name and Ticket Number. Unless withdrawn, partially completed survey data may be used after that date.

Click Next if you agree to do the survey.

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FVAP Products and Services

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The first section of this survey will ask about your experience using five different Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) products and services in 2022.

On the next page, please read the following descriptions of these FVAP products and services carefully. You can reference these descriptions during the survey by using the links at the bottom of your screen.

FVAP.gov

Provides customized, voting-related information and resources for all Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters and election officials. FVAP.gov supplies state-specific election information, including dates, deadlines, and contact information that voters can rely on to adhere to their state’s absentee voting process. Other products and services, such as the election official online training module, are available at FVAP.gov.

Staff Support

FVAP staff is available to provide support to election officials, including voting information, voter outreach materials, and state-specific updates that can be communicated with voters. FVAP staff can be reached by email at [email protected] or by using a toll-free telephone service.

State Affairs Specialists

These specialists work closely with election officials and states on legislation and regulations related to UOCAVA voters. Their goal is to strengthen the relationship between states and FVAP. They are the primary FVAP points of contact for state election officials (SEO) and local election officials (LEO). These specialists provide UOCAVA training and conference briefs. They are also available to answer questions on UOCAVA policy, election official best practices, and UOCAVA-related problems.

Address Look-Up Service

Election officials can contact FVAP when a ballot sent to a military Service member is returned and FVAP will attempt to find the member’s current address information.

Election Official (EO) Online Training

A short, interactive course created for election officials. It provides information on UOCAVA-related laws, clarifies the absentee voting process, and includes an overview of FVAP’s role in assisting your office with UOCAVA voters.

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Item #: 1

Question Type: Grid

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QUSE. In 2022, did your office use any of the following FVAP products or services? Mark “Yes” or “No” for each item.

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QUSEWEB	FVAP.gov	Q1a: FVAP.gov use
QUSESTF	FVAP staff support	Q1b: FVAP staff support use
QUSESAS	FVAP state affairs specialists	Q1c: FVAP state affairs specialist use
QUSETRN	FVAP EO online training	Q1d: FVAP EO online training use

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
98	Not applicable; my office was not aware of this FVAP product/service
-99	Refused

Item #: Q2

Question Type: Grid

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QSAT. How satisfied was your office with the following FVAP products or services?

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QSATWEB	FVAP.gov	Q2a: FVAP.gov satisfaction
QSATSTF	FVAP staff support	Q2b: FVAP staff support satisfaction
QSATMAL	FVAP military address look-up	Q2c: FVAP military address satisfaction
QSATTRN	FVAP EO online training	Q2d: FVAP EO online training satisfaction

Value	Value Label
5	Very satisfied
4	Satisfied
3	Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
2	Dissatisfied
1	Very dissatisfied
-99	Refused
-100	Valid Skip

Item #: Q2sp

Question type: Open End Essay

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QSATSP: Please explain why you were not satisfied with the following products or services from FVAP: [INSERT “FVAP.gov” if QSATWEB = 1|2, INSERT “FVAP staff support” if QSATSTF = 1|2, INSERT “FVAP military address look-up service” if QSATMAL = 1|2, INSERT “FVAP EO online training” if QSATTRN = 1|2]. Do not provide any personally identifiable information (PII).

Variable Label: Q2sp: FVAP products dissatisfied reason

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Item #: Q3

Question Type: Grid

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QREF. In 2022, did your office refer any local election officials (LEO) to the following FVAP products or services? Mark “Yes” or “No” for each item.

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QREFWEB	FVAP.gov	Q3a: FVAP.gov referred LEO
QREFSTF	FVAP staff support	Q3b: FVAP staff support referred LEO
QREFADD	FVAP military address look-up service	Q3c: FVAP military address referred LEO
QREFTRN	FVAP EO online training	Q3d: FVAP EO online training referred LEO

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
98	Not applicable; my office was not aware of this FVAP product/service
-99	Refused

FVAP.gov

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Item #: Q4

Question type: Single punch

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QWEBNOT: In 2022, what was the main reason your office did not share information about FVAP.gov with local election officials (LEO)?

Variable Label: Q4: Reason not shared FVAP.gov

Value	Value Label
1	Did not believe FVAP.gov offered the assistance LEOs needed.
2	Did not believe FVAP.gov offered accurate information.
3	LEOs received comparable assistance from another resource.
4	LEOs did not need assistance or information available on FVAP.gov.
5	Some other reason
-99	Refused
-100	Valid Skip

Item #: Q5

Question type: Single punch

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QFVAPNAV: How much do you agree or disagree with this statement: LEOs found it easy to navigate and find information on FVAP.gov

Variable Label: Q5: Easy to Navigate FVAP.gov

Value	Value Label
5	Strongly agree
4	Agree
3	Neither agree nor disagree
2	Disagree
1	Strongly disagree
-99	Refused
-100	Valid Skip

Item #: Q5sp

Question type: Open End Essay

QWEBNOTSP: How can FVAP improve FVAP.gov? Do not provide any personally identifiable information (PII).

Variable Label: Q5sp: How to improve FVAP.gov

FVAP Staff Support

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Item #: Q6

Question Type: Grid

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QSTFRE. In 2022, did your office refer any local election officials (LEO) to FVAP staff support for any of the following reasons? Mark “Yes” or “No” for each item.

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QSTFREA	To request FVAP voting supplies or outreach materials	Q6a: Request voting supplies
QSTFREB	To receive information about training and/or other FVAP resources	Q6b: Receive training or resources
QSTFREC	To resolve a problem for an LEO	Q6c: Resolve LEO problem
QSTFRED	To suggest changes to FVAP publications or programs	Q6d: Suggest FVAP changes
QSTFREE	To update contact information for a local election office	Q6e: Update LEO contact info
QSTFREF	To obtain clarification about UOCAVA laws	Q6f: Obtain UOCAVA clarification
QSTFREG	Some other reason	Q6g: Some other reason

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
-99	Refused
-100	Valid Skip

Item #: Q6sp

Question type: Open End Essay

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QSTFRESP: Please specify the other reason(s) your office referred LEOs to FVAP staff support in 2022. Do not provide any personally identifiable information (PII).

Variable Label: Q6sp: Other reasons referred to staff support

Item #: Q7

Question type: Single punch

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QSTFNOT: In 2022, what was the main reason your office did not refer local election officials (LEO) to FVAP staff support for assistance?

Variable Label: Q7: Reason not referred staff support

Value	Value Label
1	Did not believe FVAP staff offered the assistance LEOs needed.
2	Did not believe FVAP staff offered accurate information.
3	Did not believe FVAP staff provided timely responses.
4	LEOs received comparable assistance from another resource.
5	LEOs did not need assistance or information from FVAP staff.
6	Some other reason
-99	Refused
-100	Valid Skip

Item #: Q7sp

Question type: Open End Essay

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QSTFNOTSP: How can FVAP improve the assistance provided by FVAP staff support? Do not provide any personally identifiable information (PII).

Variable Label: Q7sp: How to improve staff support

FVAP Policy and Research

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Item #: Q8

Question type: Grid

QSASP: During 2022, did your office use any of the following FVAP policy-related products? Mark “Yes” or “No” for each item.

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QSASPA	Public policy papers	Q8a: Public policy papers used
QSASPB	FVAP research (e.g., Post-Election Voting Survey or comparisons of military and civilian voting rates)	Q8b: FVAP research used
QSASPC	FVAP congressional reports	Q8c: Congressional reports used
QSASPD	Monthly EO newsletter	Q8d: EO newsletter used

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
-99	Refused

Item #: Q9

Question type: Open End Essay

QRESTOP: FVAP conducts periodic research on important election topics. On what policy topic(s) would you most want FVAP to disseminate new research? Do not provide any personally identifiable information (PII).

Variable Label: Q9: Research topics

FVAP Election Official (EO) Online Training

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Item #: Q10

Question type: Single punch

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QTRNNOT: In 2022, what was the main reason your office did not refer local election officials (LEO) to the FVAP EO online training?

Variable Label: Q10: Reason not referred FVAP EO online training

Value	Value Label
1	Did not believe FVAP EO online training offered the assistance LEOs needed.
2	Did not believe FVAP EO online training offered accurate information.
3	LEOs received comparable assistance from another resource.
4	LEOs did not need any training.
5	Some other reason
-99	Refused
-100	Valid Skip

Item #: Q10sp

Question type: Open End Essay

QTRNNOTSP: How can FVAP improve the FVAP EO online training? Do not provide any personally identifiable information (PII).

Variable Label: Q10sp: How to improve FVAP EO online training

Item #: Q11

Question Type: Grid

QTRNTYPE. FVAP provides training to election officials in various formats. How useful would each of the following types of training formats be for local election officials (LEO) in your state? Mark one answer for each statement.

Variable Name		Variable Text		Variable Label
QTRNTYPEA		Online training modules		Q11a: Online training modules
QTRNTYPEB		In-person training		Q11b: In-person training
QTRNTYPEC		Presentation at your state’s conference		Q11c: Presentation at your state’s conference
QTRNTYPED		Webinar		Q11d: Webinar
QTRNTYPEE		Some other training format		Q11e: Some other training format
Value	Value Label
4	Very useful
3	Useful
2	Somewhat useful
1	Not useful
-99	Refused

Item #: Q11sp

Question type: Open End Essay

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QTRNTYPESP: Please describe the other training format(s) that would be valuable to your office. Do not provide any personally identifiable information (PII).

Variable Label: Q11sp: Other training formats

Improvement of Services

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The following questions ask about how FVAP can improve communication with your office and improve FVAP products and services.

Item #: Q12

Question Type: Grid

QHELPS. Across all of FVAP’s products and services, how much do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about the information provided by FVAP? Mark one answer for each statement.

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QHELPSA	It helps my office increase our understanding of UOCAVA laws.	Q12a: Helps with UOCAVA laws
QHELPSB	It helps resolve questions my office receives from LEOs.	Q12b: Helps resolves LEO questions
QHELPSC	It helps my state’s LEOs be more effective at their jobs.	Q12c: Helps LEOs be more effective

Value	Value Label
5	Strongly agree
4	Agree
3	Neither agree nor disagree
2	Disagree
1	Strongly disagree
-99	Refused

ITEM #: Q13

Question type: Open End Essay

QIMPRVCOMM: How can FVAP help improve communication between SEOs and LEOs? Do not provide any personally identifiable information (PII).

Variable Label: Q13: How to improve SEO and LEO communication

Registration and Ballot Requests

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The following questions will help us better understand your state’s standard procedures for processing registration and ballot requests during the 2022 General Election. Most of these questions ask about UOCAVA citizens and the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), described below:

UOCAVA Citizens: U.S. citizens who are active members of the Uniformed Services, their eligible family members or U.S. citizens residing outside of the United States.

FPCA: The FPCA is a single form that can be used to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot for federal elections.

Each state has unique policies, so you might not see an answer that exactly represents your state’s procedures. Please select the answer to each question that best represents your state’s procedures. If you would like to add any additional comments about your state’s procedures, please do so in your answer to the open-end question at the end of the survey.

Item #: Q14

Question type: Single punch

QFPCADATE: States have varying dates for when they begin accepting FPCAs before the current federal election year. Did your state accept FPCAs for the 2022 General Election before January 1, 2022?

Variable Label: Q14: Date state began accepting FPCAs

Value	Value Label
1	Yes, my state began accepting FPCAs before January 1, 2022.
0	No, my state only accepted FPCAs received after January 1, 2022.
-99	Refused

Item #: Q15

Question type: Single punch

QONREG: In 2022, did your state allow UOCAVA voters to register online?

Variable Label: Q15: State online voter registration

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
2	It varies by jurisdiction within my state
-99	Refused

Item #: Q15sp

Question type: Open End Essay

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QONREGSP : Please provide additional information about how online registration varied by jurisdiction. Do not provide any Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

Variable Label: Q15sp: State online voter registration other

Item #: Q16

Question type: Single punch

QFPCATIME: In 2022, did your state have a statutory requirement for processing FPCAs in a timely manner (e.g., FPCAs must be processed within 1 business day)?

Variable Label: Q16: State has FPCA processing requirement

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
-99	Refused

ITEM #: Q16sp

Question type: Open End Numeric

// Limit to 0 through 999, soft prompt “Please enter a number between 0 and 999.” //

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QFPCATIMESP: In 2022, what was the statutory time limit in days for processing FPCAs? Do not provide any personally identifiable information (PII).

Variable Label: Q16sp: FPCA processing day limit

Item #: Q17

Question type: Single punch

QFPCAPERM: In some states, if voters register using the FPCA, they are considered permanently registered under the National Voter Registration Act (i.e., the voter will be placed on your state’s voter registration roll). In other states, voters must submit a separate registration form to be permanently registered.

In 2022, did your state consider voters to be permanently registered if they registered using an FPCA?

Variable Label: Q17: Permanently registered if using FPCA

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
-99	Refused

Item #: Q18

Question type: Single punch

QFPCARECP: In 2022, did your State policy require that either state election officials (SEO) or LEOs provide proactive confirmation of receipt for an FPCA or other UOCAVA registration request to UOCAVA voters (i.e., a confirmation was sent automatically without a voter inquiring about the registration or ballot request status)?

Variable Label: Q18: Confirmation of receipt if using FPCA

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
-99	Refused

Item #: Q19

Question type: Single punch

QFPCAPROC: In 2022, if an FPCA from an unregistered voter was received after the voter registration deadline but before the absentee ballot request deadline, how was the FPCA processed in your state?

Variable Label: Q19: FPCA after registration before ballot request deadline

Value	Value Label
1	The applicant was not registered to vote and was not sent an absentee ballot for the 2022 election.
2	The applicant was not registered to vote for future elections but was sent an absentee ballot for the 2022 election.
3	The applicant was registered for future elections but was not sent an absentee ballot for the 2022 election.
4	The applicant was registered to vote for future elections and was sent an absentee ballot for the 2022 election.
5	Not applicable; the voter registration deadline is not earlier than the absentee ballot request deadline in my state.
6	Other
-99	Refused

Item #: Q19sp

Question type: Open End Essay

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QFPCAPROCSP : If you would like to provide additional information, please do so. Do not provide any personally identifiable information (PII).

Variable Label: Q19sp: FPCA after registration before ballot request deadline other

Item #: Q20

Question type: Multi punch

QPROTECT: Military members and U.S. citizens residing overseas may request absentee ballots using different forms, including FPCAs and state forms. We are interested in whether these types of voters receive the same UOCAVA protections if they use non-FPCA forms.

From the list below, mark all types of absentee ballot request forms that would allow a military member, eligible family member, or U.S. citizen residing overseas to receive UOCAVA protections in your state.

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QPROTECTA	FPCA	Q20a: FPCA
QPROTECTB	State form with a UOCAVA classification selected	Q20b: State form with UOCAVA classification
QPROTECTC	State form without a UOCAVA classification selected, but otherwise indicates the voter is covered under UOCAVA (e.g., voter has an overseas mailing address)	Q20c: State form without UOCAVA classification
QPROTECTD	Online registration	Q20d. Online registration
QPROTECTE	Any other form that indicates the voter is covered under UOCAVA	Q20e: Other form

Value	Value Label
1	Marked
0	Not Marked
-99	Refused

Ballot Processing

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The following questions will help us better understand your state’s standard procedures for processing backup ballots during the 2022 General Election. Most of these questions ask about UOCAVA citizens and the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB), described below:

UOCAVA Citizens: U.S. citizens who are active members of the Uniformed Services, their eligible family members, or U.S. citizens residing outside of the United States.

FWAB: The FWAB is a single form that can be used as a backup absentee ballot for UOCAVA voters who have not yet received their ballot. Many states have expanded use of the FWAB for other purposes, such as voter registration.

Each state has unique policies, so you might not see an answer that exactly represents your state’s procedures. Please select the answer to each question that best represents your state’s procedures. If you would like to add any additional comments about your state’s procedures, please do so in your answer to the open-end question at the end of the survey.

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Item #: Q21

Question type: Multi punch

QFWABPROC: In 2022, if a FWAB was received from a voter who did NOT indicate a preference for registering and requesting a ballot for future elections in Section 5 (shown above), then how was the FWAB processed in your state? Mark all that apply.

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QFWABPROCA	The FWAB was counted as a backup ballot.	Q21a: FWAB counted as backup ballot
QFWABPROCB	The FWAB was processed as a voter registration application.	Q21b: FWAB processed as voter registration application
QFWABPROCC	The FWAB was processed as an absentee ballot application.	Q21c: FWAB processed as absentee ballot application
QFWABPROCD	The FWAB was used to update the voter’s registration record if the voter was already registered.	Q21d: FWAB used to update registration record
QFWABPROCE	The FWAB was used to update the voter’s absentee ballot application record if the voter had previously submitted an application.	Q21e: FWAB used to update absentee ballot application

Value	Value Label
1	Marked
0	Not Marked
-99	Refused

Item #: Q22

Question type: Multi punch

QCONFLVL: In your state in 2022, confirmation of receipt for a completed ballot was provided to UOCAVA voters at the :

Mark all that apply.

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QCONFLVLA	State level	Q22a: Ballot receipt notification by state
QCONFLVLB	Local level	Q22b: Ballot receipt notification by local

Value	Value Label
1	Marked
0	Not Marked
-99	Refused

Item #: Q23

Question type: Multi punch

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QBALCONF: In your state in 2022, which methods did state or local election officials use to provide confirmation of receipt for a completed ballot to UOCAVA voters? Mark all that apply.

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QBALCONFA	Email	Q23a: Ballot receipt notification by email
QBALCONFB	Mail	Q23b: Ballot receipt notification by mail
QBALCONFC	Website or online system	Q23c: Ballot receipt notification by website or online system
QBALCONFD	Phone	Q23d: Ballot receipt notification by phone
QBALCONFE	Other	Q23e: Ballot receipt notification by other
QBALCONFF	None; no ballot confirmation is provided	Q23f: Ballot receipt notification - none

Value	Value Label
1	Marked
0	Not Marked
-99	Refused

Item #: Q24

Question type: Single punch

QPROCONF: In 2022, did your state policy require that either state or local election officials provide proactive confirmation of receipt for a completed ballot to UOCAVA voters (i.e., a ballot confirmation was sent automatically without a voter inquiring about the ballot status)?

Variable Label: Q24: State required proactive confirmation

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
-99	Refused

Item #: Q25

Question type: Single punch

QBALSEC: In 2022, if a voter returned a voted ballot without enclosing it in a ballot secrecy envelope, how did your state process the ballot?

Variable Label: Q25: Processed without ballot secrecy envelope

Value	Value Label
1	The ballot was accepted.
2	The ballot was rejected.
3	The ballot was rejected, unless it was a FWAB.
-99	Refused

CSG Overseas Voting Initiative

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This section of this survey will ask about your state’s awareness and implementation in 2022 of several key recommendations from the Council of State Governments (CSG).

On the next page, please read the following descriptions of these recommendations.

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In December 2016, the CSG Overseas Voting Initiative Technology Working Group released recommendations for improvements to state policies regarding the UOCAVA voting process, beyond UOCAVA and the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act requirements, in three key areas:

1. Unreadable/Damaged Ballot Duplication—Recommend that states use a ballot duplication process for unreadable and damaged ballots appropriate for the number of paper ballots they process, and that states establish clear audit procedures.

2. Common Access Card (CAC)/Digital Signature Verification—Recommend that states allow the use of CAC digital signatures in the election process for UOCAVA voters and that states develop materials to facilitate their acceptance and use.

3. Data Standardization/Performance Metrics—Recommend that states adopt the Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS) Section B Data Standard, that states identify methods and partners to support automated data collection and validation, and that states establish data repositories.

ITEM #: Q26

Question Type: Grid

QCSGDUPL: The CSG Overseas Voting Initiative Technology Working Group made several recommendations regarding unreadable/damaged ballot duplication. Does your state plan to implement any of the following before the November 2024 election? Mark one answer for each statement.

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QCSGDUPLA	Select a ballot duplication process that is appropriate for the number of paper ballots your state processes.	Q26a: Appropriate ballot duplication process
QCSGDUPLB	Establish clear procedures to ensure auditability.	Q26b: Clear auditability procedures
QCSGDUPLC	Make technologies for ballot duplication easy to use for state and local jurisdictions.	Q26c: Technologies to improve duplication process
QCSGDUPLD	Ensure that technologies for ballot duplication promote transparency for election officials and external observers.	Q26d: Technologies to promote transparency

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
2	Already implemented
-99	Refused

ITEM #: Q27

QCSGDUPLNOT: What are the main reasons your State may not implement the CSG Overseas Voting Initiative Technology Working Group recommendations regarding unreadable/damaged ballot duplication by the November 2024 election? Do not provide Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

Variable Label: Q27: Reasons to not implement CSG duplication recommendations

ITEM #: Q28

Question Type: Grid

QCSGSIG: The CSG Overseas Voting Initiative Technology Working Group made several recommendations regarding common access card (CAC)/digital signature verification. Does your state plan to implement any of the following before the November 2024 election? Mark one answer for each statement.

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QCSGSIGA	Allow the use of a digital signature to complete election-related activities (e.g., register to vote, request an absentee ballot).	Q28a: Allow digital signature to complete absentee ballot activities
QCSGSIGB	Provide an option for military personnel to designate their UOCAVA voting status using your state’s online election portal.	Q28b: Provide military option to designate UOCAVA status
QCSGSIGC	Allow the use of digital signatures in the election process for UOCAVA voters (e.g., treat digital signatures equally to handwritten ones).	Q28c: Allow use of digital signatures in election
QCSGSIGD	Develop procedures and training materials regarding acceptance and use of digital signatures.	Q28d: Develop procedures for using digital signature
QCSGSIGE	Develop educational resources for UOCAVA voters about using digital signatures.	Q28e: Develop educational resources about using digital signature
QCSGSIGF	Coordinate educational efforts with local military installations.	Q28f: Coordinate educational efforts with military

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
2	Already implemented
-99	Refused

ITEM #: Q29

QCSGSIGNOT: What are the main reasons your State may not implement the CSG Overseas Voting Initiative Technology Working Group recommendations regarding common access card/digital signature verification by the November 2024 election? Do not provide Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

Variable Label: Q29: Reasons to not implement CSG signature recommendations

ITEM #: Q30

Question Type: Grid

QCSGSTD: The CSG Overseas Voting Initiative Technology Working Group made several recommendations regarding data standardization/performance metrics. Does your state plan to implement any of the following before the November 2024 election? Mark one answer for each statement.

Variable Name		Variable Text		Variable Label
QCSGSTDA		Identify a method or partner agency that can support automated data collection and validation to ensure continued use of the EAVS Section B Data Standard.		Q30a: Support automated data collection and validation for ESB
QCSGSTDB		Establish standards to support the long-term sustainability of the EAVS Section B Data Standard.		Q30b: Establish standards to support long-term sustainability of ESB
QCSGSTDC		Assist future EAC efforts to facilitate post-election reporting requirements.		Q30c: Facilitate post-election reporting requirements
QCSGSTDD		Ensure that the EAVS Section B Data Standard is incorporated into appropriate election technology provider contracts so that data can be exported using it.		Q30d: Incorporate ESB Data Standard into contracts
Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
2	Already implemented
-99	Refused

ITEM #: Q31

QCSGSTDNOT: What are the main reasons your State may not implement one or more of the CSG Overseas Voting Initiative Technology Working Group recommendations regarding data standardization/performance metrics by the November 2024 election? Do not provide Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

Variable Label: Q31: Reasons to not implement CSG data standardization recommendations

ITEM #: Q32

Question Type: Single Punch

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QCSGSIGNES: To the best of your knowledge, does your state allow the use of a digital signature for any non election-related state activities (e.g., tax forms, real estate transactions)?

Variable Label: Q32: Allow use of digital signature for non election-related activities

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
-99	Refused
-100	Valid Skip

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) versus State Forms

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ITEM #: Q32

Question Type: Open End Essay

QFPCAINFO: What additional information, if any, does your state require voters to provide in order to register to vote and request an absentee ballot using Section 6 of the FPCA (pictured above)? Do not provide any personally identifiable information (PII).

Variable Label: Q32: Additional absentee requirements

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ITEM #: Q33

Question Type: Grid

QFPCAREG: Does your state require the following information captured in Section 1 of the FPCA (pictured above) to process voter registration?

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QFPCAREGA	Asking voters to specify the reason for their UOCAVA status (e.g., military member, overseas citizen)	Q33a: Require specify UOCAVA status
QFPCAREGB	Asking voters to identify their formal title (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Miss)	Q33B: Require identify formal title

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
-99	Refused

ITEM #: Q34

Question Type: Grid

QFPCALEO: In 2022, did your office assist local election officials (LEO) with any of the following tasks? Mark “Yes” or “No” for each item.

Variable Name	Variable Text	Variable Label
QFPCALEOA	Sharing and/or referring FVAP resources	Q34a: Assist LEO sharing/referring FVAP resources
QFPCALEOB	Registration and ballot request issues for UOCAVA voters	Q34b: Assist LEO UOCAVA registration and ballot request issues
QFPCALEOC	Implementing CSG Overseas Voting Initiative Technology Working Group recommendations	Q34c: Assist LEO implementing CSG recommendations

Value	Value Label
1	Yes
0	No
-99	Refused

Suggested Improvements

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Item #: Q35

Question type: Open End Essay

QCHANGE: FVAP strives to provide excellent products and services to state election officials (SEO). What changes could FVAP make to improve our products and services to better assist your office and the local election officials (LEO) you serve? Do not provide any personally identifiable information (PII).

Variable Label: Q35: Changes to improve FVAP products and services

The OMB Control Number for this survey is 0704-XXXX, expiring XX/XX/XXXX.