[Federal Register: May 18, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 96)]
[Notices]
[Page 28036-28037]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18my07-46]
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ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
Information Collection Activity; Focus Groups--Study of the
Feasibility and Advisability of Establishing a Program of Free Return
or Reduced Postage for Absentee Ballots
AGENCY: U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission has submitted the
following information collection request to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection was
previously published in the Federal Register on November 14, 2006, at
71 FR 66321. The notice allowed for a 60-day public comment period. Two
comments were received on this information collection during that time
period, and as a result the number of focus groups was increased from
three to nine. In addition, each selected group will now have one focus
group from an urban, rural, and suburban location to ensure the
diversity of responses and participants. The purpose of this notice is
to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. Comments are
encouraged and will be accepted until June 18, 2007. This process is
conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10. Comments are invited on:
(a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether
the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
information collection on respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 18, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed
information collection should be sent to:
OMB Review: Alexander T. Hunt, Office of Management and Budget,
Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, (202)
395-7316.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on this
proposed information collection or to obtain a copy of the proposal and
associated collection instruments, please, write to the above address
or call Ms. Karen Lynn-Dyson at (202) 566-3100.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Study of the Feasibility and
Advisability of Establishing a Program of Free Return or Reduced
Postage for Absentee Ballots--Focus Groups.
OMB Number: Pending.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Needs and Uses: Section 246 of the Help America Vote Act requires
the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), in consultation with the
United States Postal Service, to conduct a study on the feasibility and
advisability of establishing a program under which the U.S. Postal
Service shall waive or otherwise reduce the amount of postage
applicable with respect to absentee ballots returned by voters in
general elections for Federal Office. This study does not address the
cost to the U.S. Postal Service for free postage for sending absentee
ballots but may consider costs to election officials that are related
to implementing such a program including the costs of sending absentee
ballots to voters. It also does not include consideration of the 39
U.S.C. 3406 provisions for the mailing of balloting materials for
military and overseas absentee voters.
As part of the study the Commission is directed to conduct a
nationwide survey of potential beneficiaries, including the elderly and
disabled, and to take into account the results of this survey in
determining the feasibility and advisability of establishing such a
program. This survey will be supplemented by focus groups among
potential beneficiaries--elderly, disabled, low-income--to obtain more
specific information on the challenges these populations face when
participating in election and to assess the potential benefit these
populations might receive from a program of free return or reduced
postage for absentee ballots. At the conclusion of the study effort,
EAC is required to submit a report to Congress with recommendations for
such legislative and administrative action as EAC determines
appropriate. The report shall contain an analysis of the feasibility of
implementing such a program and an estimate of the costs. It is
required to specifically contain recommendations regarding the elderly
and disabled populations, including ways a free absentee ballot return
postage program would target these populations and identify methods to
increase the number or such individuals who vote in elections for
Federal office.
Affected Public: Citizens.
Number of Respondents: 108.
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Burden Per Response: 1.25 hours; focus groups will last
no longer than 1.25 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 135 hours.
Information will be collected through a series of nine focus groups
comprised of potential beneficiaries of a free and/or discounted
absentee ballot postage program. Three (3) focus groups will be
dedicated to issues confronting the elderly population, three (3) focus
groups will be dedicated to issues confronting disabled people and
three (3) focus groups will be dedicated to issues confronting the low-
income citizens. An official from the United States Postal Service will
observe at least one of the planned focus groups. The topics that will
be explored included:
1. The challenges that the particular population faces when
participating in elections.
a. Information on respondents' previous experiences with voting in
Federal elections. Information on any difficulties encountered in the
process of voting and how the issues were resolved.
2. The concerns members of the particular population have about
voting (e.g. voter intimidation, voter confidentiality, security, use
of ballots).
a. Information on particular incidents that has prevented
respondent from being able to vote.
3. The possible remedies to those challenges that would likely
increase the rates of voter participation in the population (e.g.
relaxed absentee voting laws, better accessibility to polling places,
voter education).
a. Information on respondents' interest in absentee ballot voting.
4. The likelihood that a free or discounted absentee ballot postage
program would assist the particular population.
a. Information on respondents' interest in a program of free or
discounted postage for absentee ballots.
5. How the program could possibility by implemented to target the
particular population.
a. Information on creating and implementing the program to ensure
that it benefits the particular population.
[[Page 28037]]
6. The factors that would make reaching the particular population
difficult.
a. Information on advertising such a program to the particular
population so that they can take advantage of the change.
Thomas R. Wilkey,
Executive Director, U.S. Election Assistant Commission.
[FR Doc. 07-2463 Filed 5-17-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-KF-M