--News Release--

Washington, DC - The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) voted unanimously today to conduct a special audit of California’s use of federal funding for election reforms under the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). Specifically, the special audit will focus on approximately $27 million disbursed to California under Title I, Section 101 of the law that was managed by the California secretary of state’s office. To date, the state has reported spending roughly $6.9 million of that amount.

"I am certain that Congress and the American voters expect EAC to conduct judicious review of state HAVA spending to ensure that these funds are being spent in full compliance with the law," said EAC Chair Gracia Hillman. "The California State Auditor’s report of spending by the office of Secretary of State Kevin Shelley flagged a number of egregious issues that we felt need attention now rather than later."

EAC is authorized under HAVA to conduct special audits of how states spend their funding and request involvement of other federal entities in reviewing HAVA funding matters. Before taking today’s vote on California, the Commissioners first adopted a general policy for the conduct of special audits (to apply to all states). Special audits differ from regular audits in both their timing and scope.

Congress created the four-member EAC under HAVA, which authorizes $3.9 billion for states to enact a variety of election reforms, including the replacement of outdated voting equipment, the creation of statewide voter registration systems, the use of provisional ballots to ensure that eligible voters are not turned away and improvements to poll worker training and voter education programs.

Based upon the outcome of today’s decision on the California special audit, EAC will move forward immediately to contract with another federal agency or private firm to carry out the California special audit. Further details, including a timetable for the release of the special audit results and report, will be available when the contract is established.

Additional information from today’s meeting, including EAC’s policy on conducting special audits, is available online at www.eac.gov.