U.S. Election Assistance Commission

WASHINGTON- The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) will award five states $2 million each to improve the collection of precinct-level data in the November 2008 election. This marks the first time the federal government will issue grants to states to improve federal elections data.
 
The winning states—Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—will use the funds to develop methods and procedures for collecting data that other states and jurisdictions can replicate. The EAC will include this data in its biennial Election Day Survey, a comprehensive report on how Americans vote in federal elections. The EAC's 2004 and 2006 Election Day Surveys include statistics on key election issues such as voter turnout and registration, overvotes and undervotes, poll workers, and voting equipment and machines, among other topics.
 
"Solid data on how federal elections are carried out in all U.S. states and territories can help local officials make effective, fiscally-sound enhancements to the voting process," EAC chairwoman Rosemary Rodriguez said.
 
Ten states applied for the Election Data Collection grants, and winners were selected through an independent review process. The Omnibus Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2008 and Public Law 110-161 authorize the EAC to distribute the grants. The Act also requires states to submit data they collect to the EAC by March 2009. In turn, the EAC is required to evaluate the grant program's overall success, and provide Congress recommendations for changes to federal laws and regulations to improve the collection of data. Additional information about the program is available in the grant announcement.

The EAC is an independent bipartisan 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; Caroline Hunter, vice chair; Gracia Hillman; and Donetta Davidson.