--Press Release--

Washington, DC - In a ceremony led by Members of Congress, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today installed the Hon. Gracia Hillman as chair of the agency. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) participated in the installation along with Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Congressman Bob Ney (R-OH), chair of the U.S. House Administration Committee. Congressman John Larson (D-CT), ranking member of the House Administration Committee, emceed the proceedings.

Hillman, a former executive director of the League of Women Voters of the U.S., will hold the EAC leadership position for one year. She is a Democratic appointee who served as EAC vice chair during 2004, its first year in existence.

“2004 was a watershed year for election reform in America,” remarked Hillman. “It is my privilege to serve on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission with such a distinguished group of Commissioners. Our first year in office was challenging, but we constructed a solid foundation for our ongoing work. New standards for election systems and statewide voter registration databases top our list of priorities for 2005.”

A Massachusetts native who first entered community service in 1970, Hillman has effectively handled both domestic and international issues throughout her career. Her areas of expertise include nonprofit management, public policy and program development, and the interests and rights of women and minorities, including voting rights.

Prior to her appointment with EAC, Hillman served as president and CEO of WorldSpace Foundation (now First Voice International), a nonprofit organization that uses digital satellite technology to deliver educational programming to Africa and Asia. She also served as the U.S. Department of State’s first senior coordinator for International Women’s Issues, developing agency-wide strategies to ensure that U.S. foreign policy promoted and protected women’s rights.

Her work experience includes having served as 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. She also held positions as executive consultant to the Council on Foundations and coordinator of the Voter Law Policy Project for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

Throughout the 1980's, Hillman championed many nonpartisan and bi-partisan efforts to ensure open access to the voting process for all citizens and the continued voting rights of minority Americans, including work on the historic twenty-five year extension of the national Voting Rights Act. Her political experience includes paid and volunteer positions on numerous campaigns, including a role as senior advisor on congressional and constituent relations for the 1988 Dukakis for President Campaign.

Congress created the U.S. Election Assistance Commission under the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), which authorizes $3.9 billion for states to enact a variety of election reforms. The agency was not formally established until December 2003, when Congress confirmed the appointments of the four Commissioners.

Outgoing EAC Chairman DeForest Soaries, Jr., nominated Hillman for the 2005 chair position. The motion was approved unanimously by her fellow Commissioners. The Honorable Paul DeGregorio will serve as vice chair. In addition to Hillman, Soaries and DeGregorio, the Honorable Ray Martinez is also a member.

Federal law requires EAC to carry out research studies and produce voluntary guidance on a range of topics in 2005. EAC is working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop updated voluntary voting systems standards and recommendations for making e-voting equipment more secure. EAC also plans to issue voluntary guidance for states on provisional ballots, voter identification requirements for first-time voters, statewide voter registration databases and voter information materials.

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