[Federal Register: November 14, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 219)]
[Notices]
[Page 66321-66322]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14no06-29]
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ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
Information Collection; Study of the Feasibility and Advisability
of Establishing a Program of Free Return or Reduced Postage for
Absentee Ballots--Focus Groups
AGENCY: U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The EAC, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork
and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take
this opportunity to comment on a proposed information collection.
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed information collection, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways
to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or
included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 11,
2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments and recommendations on the proposed
information collection in writing to the U.S. Election Assistance
Commission, 1225 New York Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC
20005, Attn: Ms.
[[Page 66322]]
Laiza N. Otero (or via the Internet at lotero@eac.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on this
proposed information collection or to obtain a copy of the Focus Group
Discussion Guide, please, write to the above address or call Ms. Laiza
N. Otero at (202) 566-3100. You may also view the proposed collection
instrument by visiting our Web site at http://www.eac.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Study of the Feasibility and Advisability of Establishing a
Program of Free Return or Reduced Postage for Absentee Ballots--Focus
Groups
OMB Number: Pending.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Needs and Uses: Sec. 246 of the Help America Vote Act requires the
Election Assistance Commission (EAC), in consultation with the United
States Postal Service, to conduct a study on the feasibility and
advisability of establishing a program under which the U.S. Postal
Service shall waive or otherwise reduce the amount of postage
applicable with respect to absentee ballots returned by voters in
general elections for Federal office. This study does not address the
cost to the U.S. Postal Service for free postage for sending absentee
ballots but may consider costs to election officials that are related
to implementing such a program including the costs of sending absentee
ballots to voters. It also does not include consideration of the 39
U.S.C. 3406 provisions for the mailing of balloting materials for
military and overseas absentee voters. As part of the study the
Commission is directed to conduct a nationwide survey of potential
beneficiaries, including the elderly and disabled, and to take into
account the results of this survey in determining the feasibility and
advisability of establishing such a program. This survey will be
supplemented by focus groups among potential beneficiaries--elderly,
disabled, low-income--to obtain more specific information on the
challenges these populations face when participating in election and to
assess the potential benefit these populations might receive from a
program of free return or reduced postage for absentee ballots.
At the conclusion of the study effort, EAC is required to submit a
report to Congress with recommendations for such legislative and
administrative action as EAC determines appropriate. The report shall
contain an analysis of the feasibility of implementing such a program
and an estimate of the costs. It is required to specifically contain
recommendations regarding the elderly and disabled populations,
including ways a free absentee ballot return postage program would
target these populations and identify methods to increase the number of
such individuals who vote in elections for Federal office.
Affected Public: Citizens.
Number of Respondents: 36.
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Burden per Response: 1.25 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 45 hours.
Information will be collected through a series of three focus
groups comprised of potential beneficiaries of a free and/or discounted
absentee ballot postage program: One focus group will be dedicated to
issues confronting the elderly population; one focus group will be
dedicated to issues confronting disabled people; and one focus group
will be dedicated to issues confronting the low-income citizens. At
least one official from the United States Postal Service will observe
each planned focus group. The topics that will be explored include:
1. The challenges that the particular population faces when
participating in elections.
a. Information on respondents' previous experiences with voting in
Federal elections. Information on any difficulties encountered in the
process of voting and how the issues were resolved.
2. The concerns members of the particular population have about
voting (e.g. voter intimidation, voter confidentiality, security, use
of ballots).
a. Information on particular incidents that has prevented
respondent from being able to vote.
3. The possible remedies to those challenges that would likely
increase the rates of voter participation in the particular population
(e.g. relaxed absentee voting laws, better accessibility to polling
places, voter education).
a. Information on respondents' interest in absentee ballot voting.
4. The likelihood that a free or discounted absentee ballot postage
program would assist the particular population.
a. Information on respondents' interest in a program of free or
discounted postage for absentee ballots.
5. How the program could possibly be implemented to target the
particular population.
a. Information on creating and implementing the program to ensure
that it benefits the particular population.
6. The factors that would make reaching the particular population
difficult.
a. Information on advertising such a program to the particular
population so that they can take advantage of the change.
Thomas R. Wilkey,
Executive Director, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
[FR Doc. 06-9191 Filed 11-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-KF-M