U.S. Election Assistance Commission

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commissioner Rosemary E. Rodriguez today announced her resignation from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), effective February 28, 2009.  She is returning home to Denver to serve as the State Director for United States Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado.

“It has been an honor to serve with Commissioners Beach, Hillman, Davidson, and former Commissioner Hunter," said Commissioner Rodriguez.  "They are committed to implementing the Help America Vote Act and are distinguished in their service to their country.  I am proud to know them.  I urge my colleagues to continue directing resources to the federal government’s first voting system certification program. Conducting thorough reviews of voting systems and holding program participants accountable is more important than ever, and we must properly fund and support these efforts.

“It has also been an honor to work with the EAC's staff,” Commissioner Rodriguez continued. “Due in large part to the hard work and diligence of its staff, the EAC has accomplished a great deal with very few resources.  In just a few years, we have adopted voting system guidelines, built a voting system certification program from the ground up, provided training materials for election officials, conducted research on a host of issues, and provided voter resources in six languages. I am very proud of them, and I will always be grateful for the work they have done on behalf of America’s voters.”

During Commissioner Rodriguez’s tenure at the EAC she focused on transparency, accountability and increased voter access. As EAC chair, she also focused on making internal improvements and providing more support to EAC program staff.  

Using her national platform as chair, she urged the recruitment of 2 million poll workers in 2008, more cooperation between voter registration groups and election officials and better service for military and overseas voters and veterans in long-term care facilities. Other initiatives include brown bag lunches with the public to get additional input; a series of workshops about election administration in the months leading up to the 2008 general election; and a policy requiring the release of public meeting agendas 21 days prior.

The EAC is an independent commission created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002.  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 Gineen Bresso Beach, chair; Gracia Hillman, vice chair; Donetta Davidson; and Rosemary Rodriguez.