U.S. Election Assistance Commission

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Senate has confirmed the nominations of Rosemary E. Rodriguez, Donetta L. Davidson, Gracia M. Hillman and Gineen Bresso Beach as Commissioners of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Commissioners Rodriguez, Hillman and Davidson were reappointed to a second term on the Commission. Commissioner Beach was appointed to a first term.

“We are very pleased to welcome Gineen Beach to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission,” said Chair Rodriguez. “Gineen brings a unique and valuable contribution to EAC, having served in positions that focus on both state and federal election law. The EAC, election officials and voters will benefit from her experience and expertise.”

Prior to her appointment with EAC, Commissioner Beach was the minority elections counsel for the Committee on House Administration.  She previously served as a policy advisor to former Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. where her primary area of focus was on election law.  She also served as an attorney-advisor for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Arrie W. Davis, in the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Commissioner Beach replaces Commissioner Caroline Hunter, who resigned in July, 2008. Her term expires on December 12, 2009.

Commissioners Reappointed

Chair Rosemary E. Rodriguez was reappointed for a term expiring on December 12, 2011. She was first nominated to fill the remaining term of Ray Martinez, who resigned in August, 2006. Prior to her appointment with EAC, she was president of the Denver, Colorado City Council. She is the former director of Boards and Commissions for the Denver mayor's office, recorder for the City and County of Denver and acting director of the Denver Election Commission.

Vice Chair Donetta L. Davidson was reappointed for a term expiring on December 12, 2011.  She was first nominated to fill the remaining term of DeForest B. Soaries, Jr., who resigned in April 2005. Prior to her appointment with EAC, Ms. Davidson was appointed by the governor and then elected and reelected Colorado secretary of state after having served as state director of elections. She was also elected first as Bent County Clerk and Recorder and later elected Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder in Colorado.

Commissioner Gracia M. Hillman was reappointed for a term expiring on December 12, 2009.  She was first nominated in December, 2003 to serve an initial two-year term. Ms. Hillman served as chair of the EAC in 2005, after serving as the EAC's first vice chair in 2004. Prior to her appointment with EAC, Ms. Hillman was president and chief executive officer of WorldSpace Foundation and was also the U.S. Department of State's first senior coordinator for International Women's Issues. She is the former executive director of the League of Women Voters of the U.S., the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the National Coalition on Black Voter Participation.

The Help America Vote Act specifies that commissioners are nominated by the President on recommendations from the majority and minority leadership in the U.S. House and Senate. Once confirmed by the full Senate, commissioners may serve two consecutive terms and no more than two commissioners may belong to the same political party.

The EAC is an independent commission created by the 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.