U.S. Election Assistance Commission

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A record number of Americans participated yesterday in our nation’s 56th presidential election. On behalf of my colleagues at the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank voters, election officials and poll workers for their participation in and commitment to making our electoral system work for all Americans.

Thank you to the voters who answered the call to exercise their right to vote on Election Day. Your vote was easier to cast in 2008 as a result of the many tools made available by election administrators to check voter status and learn the location of polling places.

Thank you to the volunteer poll workers who answered the call to serve their country by ensuring that citizens in their community were able to have their voices heard.

Thank you to the election officials who worked tirelessly to make sure their jurisdictions were prepared for Election Day by educating voters in advance and ensuring that contingency plans were in place to give all voters the opportunity to cast their ballot in a fair and accurate election.

Thank you to the many public interest groups who have held our elections system to a high standard of transparency and accountability.

And thank you to the members of the media for their responsible coverage in support of EAC’s mission to educate voters throughout the campaign and on Election Day.    

The reports of positive voter experiences we’ve been hearing from across the country are a result of the hard work and participation of these stakeholders. However, this election also showed us that additional work is needed to restore full confidence in our electoral system. Our sights are set on the next federal election two years from now, and ensuring we’re doing all we can to assist voters, election officials, and the public to further strengthen our system.

The EAC is an independent commission created by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The EAC serves as a national clearinghouse and resource of information regarding election administration. It is charged with administering payments to states and developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and accrediting voting system test laboratories and certifying voting equipment. It is also charged with developing and maintaining a national mail voter registration form. The four EAC commissioners are Rosemary Rodriguez, chair; Donetta Davidson, vice chair; Gracia Hillman and Gineen Beach.