[Federal Register: October 27, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 208)]
[Notices]
[Page 63699-63705]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27oc08-52]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
Publication of State Plan Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act
AGENCY: U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to sections 254(a)(11)(A) and 255(b) of the Help
America Vote Act (HAVA), Public Law 107-252, the U.S. Election
Assistance Commission (EAC) hereby causes to be published in the
Federal Register changes to the HAVA State plans previously submitted
by Idaho, Iowa, and Pennsylvania.
DATES: This notice is effective upon publication in the Federal
Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Whitener, Telephone 202-566-3100
or 1-866-747-1471 (toll-free).
Submit Comments: Any comments regarding the plans published
herewith should be made in writing to the chief election official of
the individual State at the address listed below.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 24, 2004, the U.S. Election
Assistance Commission published in the Federal Register the original
HAVA State plans filed by the fifty States, the District of Columbia
and the Territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.
Virgin Islands. 69 FR 14002. HAVA anticipated that States, Territories
and the District of Columbia would change or update their plans from
time to time pursuant to HAVA section 254(a)(11) through (13). HAVA
sections 254(a)(11)(A) and 255 require EAC to publish such updates.
This is Idaho's first revision to its State plan; Iowa's second
revision to its State plan; and Pennsylvania's third revision to its
State plan.
The revised State plans from Idaho, Iowa, and Pennsylvania address
changes in the respective budgets of the previously submitted State
plans and account for the use of Fiscal Year 2008 requirements
payments. In accordance with HAVA section 254(a)(12), all the State
plans submitted for publication provide information on how the
respective State succeeded in carrying out its previous State plan. The
States all confirm that these changes to their respective State plans
were developed and submitted to public comment in accordance with HAVA
sections 254(a)(11), 255, and 256.
Upon the expiration of thirty days from October 27, 2008, the State
is eligible to implement the changes addressed in the plan that is
published herein, in accordance with HAVA section 254(a)(11)(C).
EAC wishes to acknowledge the effort that went into revising these
State plans and encourages further public comment, in writing, to the
State election officials listed below.
Chief State Election Official
The Honorable Ben Ysursa, Secretary of State, P.O. Box 83720,
Boise, Idaho 83720-0080, Phone: (208) 334-2852, Fax: (208) 334-2282.
The Honorable Michael A. Mauro, Secretary of State, 1007 East Grand
Avenue, Room 105, State Capitol, Des Moines, IA 50319, Phone: (515)
281-5204, Fax: (515) 242-5952.
The Honorable Pedro A. Cort[eacute]s, Secretary of the
Commonwealth, 302 North Office Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
17120, Phone: (717) 787-8727, Fax: (717) 787-1734.
Thank you for your interest in improving the voting process in
America.
Dated: October 21, 2008.
Thomas R. Wilkey,
Executive Director, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
Office of the Iowa Secretary of State
Michael A. Mauro, Secretary of State, Lucas Building, 1st Floor, Des
Moines, IA 50319.
September 10, 2008.
Edgardo Cortes,
Acting Director, Election Administration Support Division, U.S.
Election Assistance Commission, 1225 New York Ave., NW., Ste. 150,
Washington, DC 20005.
RE: Iowa Revised State Plan.
Dear Mr. Cortes:
Enclosed is the Revised HAVA State Plan for Iowa. The Plan only
addresses the sections of the original Plan that have been revised.
All other sections remain the same.
Please let Ann Clary know if additional information is required
or if you have any questions. Ann may be contacted at 515-281-8361
or ann.clary@sos.state.ia.us.
Your assistance with this process is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Michael Mauro,
Secretary of State.
Enclosure.
Phone 515-281-5204; Fax 515-242-5953; http://www.sos.state.ia.us.
sos@sos.state.ia.us.
Section 12: Changes to State Plan From Previous Fiscal Year
Plan Element 12. In the case of a State with a State plan in
effect under this subtitle during the previous fiscal year, a
description of how the plan reflects changes from the State plan for
the previous fiscal year and of how the State succeeded in carrying
out the State plan for such previous fiscal year.
The initial Iowa State Plan was adopted in 2003 and amended in
2005. This amendment reflects changes in the plan in anticipation of
the receipt of additional requirements payments in 2008.
Section 1: State Plan Required Elements
301. Voting Systems Standards
In 2005 and 2006 Iowa completed the purchase and deployment of
HAVA-compliant voting systems in 96 of 99 counties. Three counties, in
anticipation
[[Page 63700]]
of additional improvements to voting equipment chose to lease HAVA-
compliant equipment. The equipment purchased and leased falls into the
following categories:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Type of voting system counties
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-DRE.................................................... 19
Blended systems: Optical scan with DRE for accessibility... 59
Optical scan with ballot marking device for accessibility.. 21
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace DRE Voting Systems With Optical Scan Voting Systems
In 2008 the State of Iowa changed its voting equipment laws to
prohibit use of DRE voting equipment and mandated that the counties
replace all DREs with optical scan voting systems and accessible ballot
marking devices. This change must be implemented for the November 4,
2008, General Election. See Appendix A: Senate File 2347.
The 2008 requirements payment will be used to purchase optical scan
voting systems with ballot marking devices for three counties that have
not yet purchased voting equipment using HAVA funds. Remaining HAVA
funds will be used to replace DRE voting equipment in 78 Iowa counties.
The DRE voting equipment will be replaced with optical scan systems (in
all-DRE counties) and ballot-marking devices to provide nonvisual
accessibility for blind and visually impaired voters in a manner that
provides the same opportunity for access and participation (including
privacy and independence) as for other voters, as required by HAVA
section 301(a)(3). One optical scan device and one ballot-marking
device will be provided for each general election precinct in the all-
DRE counties. Optical scan devices will also be purchased for
tabulation of absentee ballots.
Meeting Accessibility Requirements
All DRE voting equipment that was purchased to satisfy the HAVA
accessibility requirements will be replaced with ballot marking devices
to provide nonvisual accessibility for blind and visually impaired
voters in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and
participation (including privacy and independence) as for other voters,
as required by HAVA section 301(a)(3). Ballot-marking devices will be
purchased for in-person absentee voters in the 78 counties changing
from DREs. In addition, ballot-marking devices will be purchased for
five counties currently using optical scan systems that had not
previously purchased ballot-marking devices for use by in-person
absentee voters.
Voting Equipment Technical Support Services
This section of the Plan is rescinded. The Secretary of State did
not implement this program in the original plan. This program is
described in the original plan as follows: To assist with the
conversion process to DRE based systems in the lever counties and in
each precinct to meet accessibility requirements, it is recommended
that a technical support staff with extensive training on the prevalent
voting equipment be established. The technical support services shall
initially be funded entirely with HAVA funds. After the establishment
of the program the funding will be re-evaluated and funding this
position through a county and state partnership will be considered.
302. Provisional Voting and Voting Information Requirements
Iowa has met the requirements of section 302.
303. Computerized Statewide Voter Registration List Requirements and
Requirements for Voters Who Register by Mail
Iowa has met the requirements of section 303 and continues to use
HAVA funds for maintenance of the system. No change from previous plan.
304. Minimum Requirements
No change to this section.
305. Methods of Implementation Left to Discretion of State
No change to this section.
312. Adoption of Voluntary Guidance by Commission
No change to this section.
251(b)(2) Other Activities
No change to this section.
Section 2: Distribution of Requirements Payments
The State will purchase the voting equipment necessary to replace
all DREs in the state and will transfer ownership of the equipment to
the counties. The HAVA 2008 Requirements Payment will be used to
reimburse the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund for part of the cost of
the voting equipment.
Program Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description Costs Resources
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Voting equipment, Premier....... $8,577,155.00 .................
2 Voting equipment, ES&S.......... $1,181,940.00 .................
-------------------------------------
3 Total initial cost.......... $9,759,095.00 .................
Less vendor discounts & credits:
4 Premier: Quantity........... $250,000.00 .................
5 Premier: Trade-in........... $455,100.00 .................
6 Premier: lease credit....... $428,000.00 .................
7 ES&S: Trade-in.............. $32,230.00 .................
-------------------------------------
8 Total discounts & $1,165,330.00 .................
credits..................
9 Final cost of equipment. $8,593,765.00 .................
State match for 2008 Req. $61,000.00 .................
Pmt......................
Total Project Amount...... $8,654,765.00 .................
10 Current remaining HAVA budget ................. $1,618,386.00
for 3 counties...................
11 Remaining HAVA equipment budget ................. $135,499.00
-------------------------------------
12 Total existing HAVA ................. $1,753,885.00
equipment....................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 State appropriation 2007....... ................. $2,000,000.00
14 State appropriation 2008....... ................. $4,900,880.00
-------------------------------------
[[Page 63701]]
15 Total state appropriation.. ................. $6,900,880.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 Current available funding...... ................. $8,654,765.00
2008 Requirements payment......... ................. $1,167,798.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Iowa General Assembly has appropriated a total of $6,900,880 to
fund the purchase of optical scan voting systems and ballot marking
devices with the condition that any federal funds that are received
will be used to reimburse the fund from which those funds were
appropriated.
Sixty-six percent of the project cost will be funded with state
appropriations. Existing HAVA funds represent 20.25%; the 2008
requirements payment represents 13.49%.
The Secretary of State has adopted Administrative Rules defining
the method of distributing and monitoring the funds for this program.
See Appendix B.
Maintenance of Effort
Iowa has maintained the expenditures of the State for activities
funded by the HAVA payments at a level that is not less than the level
of such expenditures maintained by the State for the fiscal year July
1, 1999 through June 30, 2000.
Title I Funds
Iowa has no remaining funds received under HAVA Title I.
HAVA Plan Committee
Secretary of State Michael Mauro has appointed a new HAVA Plan
Committee. The members are:
Jamie Fitzgerald, Polk County Auditor.
Joel Miller, Linn County Auditor.
Ken Kline, Cerro Gordo County Auditor and President of the Iowa
State Association of County Auditors.
Rik Shannon, Governor's Developmental Disability Council,
Department of Human Services, Des Moines.
Linda Langenberg, Deputy Secretary of State.
Appendix A
Senate File 2347
SENATE FILE --------
BY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 3262)
Passed Senate, Date --------
Vote: Ayes -------- Nays --------
Passed House, Date --------
Vote: Ayes -------- Nays --------
Approved ----------------
A BILL FOR
1 An Act relating to the use of optical scan voting systems in
2 every county, making an appropriation for the cost of
3 purchasing and distributing optical scan voting systems,
4 reducing certain appropriations, providing for continuing
5 education for certain election personnel, and providing an
6 effective date.
7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
8 SF 2347
9 sc:rj/cc/26
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAG LIN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................................. 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 47.10
OPTICAL SCAN VOTING SYSTEM
1................................. 2 FUND.
1................................. 3 An optical scan voting system fund
is established in the
1................................. 4 office of the treasurer of state
under the control of the
1................................. 5 secretary of state. Moneys in the
fund are appropriated to
1................................. 6 the office of the secretary of
state for purchase and
1................................. 7 distribution of optical scan
voting system equipment to
1................................. 8 counties to assist county
compliance with section 52.2,
1................................. 9 subsection 2. The secretary of
state, in consultation with
1................................. 10 the department of administrative
services, shall establish a
1................................. 11 procedure for purchasing and
distributing the equipment.
1................................. 12 Sec. 2. Section 49.124, Code
2007, is amended to read as
1................................. 13 follows:
1................................. 14 49.124 TRAINING COURSE BY
COMMISSIONER--CONTINUING
1................................. 15 EDUCATION PROGRAM.
1................................. 16 1. The commissioner shall
conduct, not later than the day
1................................. 17 before each primary and general
election, a training course
1................................. 18 for all election personnel, and
the commissioner may do so
1................................. 19 before any other election the
commissioner administers. The
1................................. 20 personnel shall include all
precinct election officials and
1................................. 21 any other persons who will be
employed in or around the
1................................. 22 polling places on election day.
At least two precinct
1................................. 23 election officials who will serve
on each precinct election
1................................. 24 board at the forthcoming election
shall attend the training
1................................. 25 course. If the entire board does
not attend, those members
1................................. 26 who do attend shall so far as
possible be persons who have not
1................................. 27 previously attended a similar
training course.
1................................. 28 2. A continuing education program
shall be provided to
1................................. 29 election personnel who are full-
time or part-time permanent
1................................. 30 employees of the commissioner's
office. The state
1................................. 31 commissioner of elections shall
adopt rules pursuant to
1................................. 32 chapter 17A to implement and
administer the continuing
1................................. 33 education program.
[[Page 63702]]
1................................. 34 Sec. 3. Section 52.2, subsection
2, Code Supplement 2007,
1................................. 35 is amended by striking the
subsection and inserting in lieu
2................................. 1 thereof the following:
2................................. 2 2. Notwithstanding any provision
to the contrary, for
2................................. 3 elections held on or after
November 4, 2008, a county shall
2................................. 4 use an optical scan voting system
only. The requirements of
2................................. 5 the federal Help America Vote Act
relating to disabled voters
2................................. 6 shall be met by a county through
the use of electronic ballot
2................................. 7 marking devices that are
compatible with an optical scan
2................................. 8 voting system.
2................................. 9 Sec. 4. Section 52.7, subsection
1, paragraph l, Code
2................................. 10 Supplement 2007, is amended by
striking the paragraph.
2................................. 11 Sec. 5. OPTICAL SCAN VOTING
SYSTEM FUND--APPROPRIATION.
2................................. 12 There is appropriated from the
rebuild Iowa infrastructure
2................................. 13 fund to the office of the
secretary of state for the fiscal
2................................. 14 year beginning July 1, 2007, and
ending June 30, 2008, the
2................................. 15 following amount, or so much
thereof as is necessary, to be
2................................. 16 used for the purpose designated:
2................................. 17 For deposit into the optical scan
voting system fund, as
2................................. 18 established in section 47.10,
notwithstanding section 8.57,
2................................. 19 subsection 6, paragraph ``c'':
2................................. 20
...................................
............... $4,900,880
2................................. 21 1. If any federal funding is
received for the same or
2................................. 22 similar purposes authorized in
section 47.10, as enacted by
2................................. 23 this Act, of the amount
appropriated in this section,
$61,000
2................................. 24 is allocated for matching such
federal funding, and an amount
2................................. 25 equal to the federal funding
received shall revert from the
2................................. 26 amount appropriated to the
rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund at
2................................. 27 the end of the fiscal year.
2................................. 28 2. Notwithstanding section 47.9,
as of the effective date
2................................. 29 of this Act, all remaining moneys
in the voting machine
2................................. 30 reimbursement fund established in
section 47.9 shall be
2................................. 31 transferred to the optical scan
voting system fund established
2................................. 32 in section 47.10. Notwithstanding
section 8.33, except as
2................................. 33 otherwise provided in subsection
1, the moneys appropriated
2................................. 34 and transferred in accordance
with this section shall not
2................................. 35 revert to the fund from which
appropriated or transferred.
3................................. 1 3. On or before December 31, 2008,
the secretary of state
3................................. 2 shall submit a report to the
chairpersons and ranking members
3................................. 3 of the joint appropriations
subcommittee on administration and
3................................. 4 regulation regarding the
expenditures of moneys from the
3................................. 5 optical scan voting system fund
and distribution of equipment
3................................. 6 to counties appropriated in this
section.
3................................. 7 Sec. 6. [not applicable and
omitted intentionally]
4................................. 1 Sec. 7. [not applicable and
omitted intentionally]
4................................. 10 Sec. 8. Section 47.9, Code
Supplement 2007, is repealed.
4................................. 11 Sec. 9. EMERGENCY RULES. The
secretary of state may adopt
4................................. 12 emergency rules under section
17A.1, subsection 2, and section
4................................. 13 17A.5, subsection 2, paragraph
``b'', to implement the
4................................. 14 provisions of this Act relating
to optical scan voting
4................................. 15 systems, and the rules shall be
effective immediately upon
4................................. 16 filing unless a later date is
specified in the rules. Any
4................................. 17 rules adopted in accordance with
this section shall also be
4................................. 18 published as a notice of intended
action as provided in
4................................. 19 section 17A.4.
4................................. 20 Sec. 10. EFFECTIVE DATE. This
Act, being deemed of
4................................. 21 immediate importance, takes
effect upon enactment.
4................................. 22 SF 2347
4................................. 23 sc:rj/cc/26
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix B
Administrative Rules defining the method of distributing and
monitoring the funds for this program.
ARC 6727B.
SECRETARY OF STATE [721]
Adopted and Filed Emergency
Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code chapter 17A and 2008 Iowa
Acts, Senate File 2347, section 9, the Secretary of State hereby amends
Chapter 22, ``Voting Systems,'' Iowa Administrative Code.
The amendment to Chapter 22 rescinds and replaces rule 721-
22.32(52), which was first adopted in 2007 to implement the addition of
voter-verifiable paper audit trails to direct recording electronic
(DRE) voting equipment currently in use in Iowa. In 2008, the General
Assembly outlawed the use of DRE voting equipment and mandated its
replacement with optical scan voting equipment and ballot-marking
devices. New rule 721-22.32(52) provides a process for the purchase of
the new voting equipment.
The Agency finds, in compliance with Iowa Code section 17A.4(2),
that notice
[[Page 63703]]
and public participation are impracticable because 2008 Iowa Acts,
Senate File 2347, which became effective on April 1, 2008, authorizes
the Secretary of State to adopt emergency rules to implement the
provisions of Senate File 2347 relating to optical scan voting systems.
The Agency also finds, pursuant to Iowa Code section
17A.5(2)``b''(1), that the normal effective date of this rule should be
waived and this rule should be made effective upon filing with the
Administrative Rules Coordinator on April 2, 2008, as authorized by
2008 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2347, section 9.
This rule is also published herein under Notice of Intended Action
as ARC 6728B, as required by 2008 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2347, section
9, in order to allow for public comment.
The Secretary of State adopted this rule on April 2, 2008.
This rule became effective on April 2, 2008.
This rule is intended to implement 2008 Iowa Acts, Senate File
2347.
The following amendment is adopted.
Rescind rule 721-22.32(52) and adopt the following new rule in lieu
thereof:
721-22.32(52) Optical scan voting system purchase program. The
secretary of state shall negotiate with the voting system vendors who
serve Iowa counties for a uniform price for each vendor's optical scan
voting system components. Counties currently using all direct recording
electronic (DRE) voting machines shall purchase one optical scan
tabulator and one ballot-marking device for use in each general
election voting precinct. Counties currently using an optical scan
tabulator with a DRE voting machine as the accessible component in each
precinct shall purchase one ballot-marking device for each precinct
used in general elections to replace the DRE voting machine. Allocation
agreements setting forth the amount of funding each county in need of
optical scan voting equipment will be allocated shall be prepared by
the secretary of state. The secretary of state, the vendor, and each
county shall sign the allocation agreements.
22.32(1) Contractual agreements. Contracts for purchase shall be
between the vendor and the county.
22.32(2) Distribution of equipment. The appropriate vendor shall
deliver the equipment to each county with which the vendor has a
contract for purchasing voting equipment.
22.32(3) Acceptance testing. Upon receipt of the voting equipment,
the commissioner shall conduct acceptance testing pursuant to rule 721-
22.31(52).
22.32(4) Documentation. The commissioner shall provide the
following information to the secretary of state:
a. A report showing that the county has subjected all equipment to
acceptance testing and that the equipment is acceptable.
b. A copy of the invoice showing the date the county received the
equipment and the total cost of the equipment.
c. Counties currently using the AccuVote TSX DRE shall provide an
affidavit showing that the AccuVote TSX DRE was returned to the vendor.
22.32(5) Payment. Upon receipt of the required information, the
secretary of state shall pay the vendor the amount agreed to in the
county allocation agreement.
This rule is intended to implement 2008 Iowa Acts, Senate File
2347.
[Filed Emergency 4/2/08, effective 4/2/08.]
[Published 4/23/08.]
State of Idaho
State Plan
As required by Public Law 107-252, Help America Vote Act 2002,
Section 253 (b).
Ben Ysursa, Secretary of State, 700 West Jefferson, PO Box 83720,
Boise, Idaho 83720-0080, (208) 334-2852.
Idaho Votes.
Every Vote Counts.
2004.
Amended 2008.
6. Idaho's HAVA Budget
The State's proposed budget for activities under this part, based
on the State's best estimates of the costs of such activities and the
amount of funds to be made available, including specific information
on--
(A) The costs of the activities required to be carried out to meet
the requirements of title III;
(B) the portion of the requirements payment which will be used to
carry out activities to meet such requirements; and
(C) the portion of the requirements payment, which will be used to
carry out other activities.--HAVA Section 254(a)(6)
Section 101 money deposited into the Democracy Fund should be used
in the following order of priority:
1. Statewide voter registration list
2. Voting System Replacement
3. Election Worker Training
4. State Plan Development and Compliance Monitoring
Grants available from U.S. Health and Human Services for polling
place accessibility will continue to be applied for by the Secretary of
State to develop training materials and to assist counties in meeting
their accessibility needs.
Title II money received will be used to purchase equipment that
meets the requirements of Title III, including the accessible voting
device for the blind and visually impaired in each polling place, and
will be deposited in the Democracy Fund to be made available to the
various counties to upgrade or replace their voting systems. Funds will
also be used to develop a statewide voter registration system and will
also be deposited and maintained in the Democracy Fund to provide
ongoing operation and support for the system.
The chart below lists the activities and costs of HAVA activities
to be implemented in Idaho using both Title I and Title II monies for
each activity. The chart reflects the dollars to be used if HAVA is
fully funded and the state received its full share of the funds.
Overall HAVA Compliance Budget
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HAVA requirement Estimated cost Title II funds Title I funds
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statewide voter registration system development................. $5,000,000 $4,500,000 $500,000
Statewide voter registration system operations and support...... 1,800,000 1,000,000 800,000
Accessible voting device for each polling place................. 6,300,000 6,300,000 ..............
Voting system upgrade grant program for counties................ 6,300,000 3,000,000 3,300,000
Voter education and outreach.................................... 200,000 100,000 100,000
Election worker training........................................ 200,000 100,000 100,000
State plan development and HAVA compliance monitoring........... 200,000 .............. 200,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 63704]]
10. Effect of Title I Payments
If the State received any payment under Title I, a description of
how such payment will affect the activities proposed to be carried out
under the plan, including the amount of funds available for such
activities.--HAVA Section 254(a)(10)
Section 101. Payments to States for activities to improve
administration of elections.
Idaho is eligible for approximately $5 million under Section 101.
These funds will be used for activities to meet the following
requirements:
1. Statewide voter registration system....................... $500,000
2. On-going support of voter registration system............. 800,000
3. Voter Education........................................... 100,000
4. Election Worker Training.................................. 100,000
5. Plan development and administration....................... 200,000
6. Voting System Upgrades.................................... 3,300,000
Total.................................................... 5,000,000
Idaho is a ``minimum state'' for receiving HAVA funds. All of the
funds received under Title I will be required to be used in meeting the
requirements of Title III and to purchase replacement voting systems
that meet the requirements of Title II.
12. Changes to State Plan From Previous Fiscal Year
In the case of a State with a State plan in effect under this
subtitle during the previous fiscal year, a description of how the plan
reflects changes from the State Plan for the previous fiscal year and
of how the State succeeded in carrying out the State Plan for such
previous fiscal year.--HAVA Section 254(a)(12).
The 2004 Plan has been updated with this 2008 Amended Plan. Changes
in the Plan consist of the following:
Addition of $575,000 in Title II funds to provide full
funding of the amount authorized by Congress under HAVA.
Details the use of Title I and Title II funds to meet the
requirements of HAVA.
Changes the budget of the Title I funds
Summary of Successes to Date
The State of Idaho has been working diligently to address the
requirements of HAVA. Below are some of the successes to date and the
State's ongoing efforts to meet the requirements and improve federal
elections.
Statewide Voter Registration System
In order to meet the requirement of HAVA Section 303, the State
entered into a contract with Covansys (now Saber Government Solutions)
to develop a statewide voter registration system. The contract included
all application programming and hardware specifications, which were
purchased separately, along with the conversion of each county's
database to the statewide database and to provide access to each county
elections office over a secure state intranet.
As with any new computer application, the system requires ongoing
maintenance and support in order to achieve optimum performance and the
State is working with the various counties and Saber to achieve that.
Accessible Voting Equipment
The State purchased a voter assistance device for each polling
place in the state. The devices allow those with disabilities,
including the blind and sight impaired, to vote privately and
independently on an optical scan ballot.
Voting System Upgrades
Idaho uses three method of voting in federal elections: (1) Hand
counted paper ballots, (2) punch cards and (3) optical scan ballots. In
order to provide voting systems that meet the requirements of Section
301 of HAVA, the State has set up a grant program that allows the
counties to request funding to upgrade their current system by
purchasing new equipment. The grant program requires the counties to
provide a 20% match to the money provided by the State.
Voter Education and Poll Worker Training
Idaho counties utilize both central count and precinct count vote
tabulation. Since approximately one-third of the counties use hand
count paper ballots and others use central count systems, an extensive
voter education and poll worker education program has been set up and
is ongoing to make certain that voters are instructed on the effect of
casting multiple votes for an office, instructions on how to correct an
error made in voting before the ballot is cast and the accessibility of
polling places.
Training materials, including video presentations, have been
developed or updated and distributed for instructing election workers
on the proper setup and operations of the voter assistance device and
to heighten the awareness and sensitivity of election workers to the
special needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities.
13. State Plan Development and Committee
A description of the committee which participated in the
development of the State plan in accordance with section 255 and the
procedures followed by the Committee under such section 255 and section
256.--HAVA Section 254(a)(13)
The HAVA State Planning Committee consists of individuals
representing a cross-section of election stakeholders. The Committee
was selected by Secretary of State Ben Ysursa.
Members of the State Planning Committee are as follows:
Dr. James Weatherby, Professor Emeritas, Boise State University, 1910
University Drive, Boise, Idaho 83725-1935;
Kelly Buckland, Idaho State Independent Living Council, 350 N. 9th
Street, Ste. 102, PO Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83702;
Dan English, Kootenai County Clerk, PO Box 9000, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
83816-9000;
Rose Gehring, Idaho County Clerk, 320 w. Main, Rm. 5, Grangeville,
Idaho 83530;
David Navarro, Ada County Clerk, 200 W. Front Street, Boise, Idaho
83702;
Barbara Roberts, Democratic Party, 1701 N. 21st., Boise, Idaho 83702;
Norm Semanko, Chairman, Idaho Republican State Party, P.O. Box 2267,
Boise, Idaho 83701;
The Honorable Shirley Ringo, State Representative, Legislative District
6, STATEHOUSE MAIL;
The Honorable Ken Roberts, State Representative, Legislative District
8, STATEHOUSE MAIL;
Tony P.O.inelli, Association of Counties, P.O. Box 1623, Boise, Idaho
83701;
Dave Gipson, %Caxton Printers, 312 Main Street, Caldwell, Idaho 83605;
Sharon Widner, Washington County Clerk, P.O. Box 670, Weiser, Idaho
83672;
Eleanor Chehey, League of Women Voters, Boise, Idaho 83703;
Brian Kane, Office of the Attorney General, Statehouse, Boise, Idaho
83720;
Tim Hurst, Office of the Secretary of State, Statehouse, Boise, Idaho
83720;
Jim Mairs, Office of the Secretary of State, Statehouse, Boise, Idaho
83701.
Addendum to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Plan as Required by
Public Law 107-252
The Help America Vote Act
July 21, 2008
In accordance with Section 255 of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
of 2002,
[[Page 63705]]
the Pennsylvania Department of State is pleased to file this addendum
to Elements 6, 12 and 13 of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State
Plan.
Element 6
Element 6 sets forth the Commonwealth's budget for activities under
Part II of HAVA, based on an estimate of the costs of such activities
and the amount of funds to be made available. The funding granted by
the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 will provide
an additional $4,919,086 in Title II funding to Pennsylvania, bringing
the total allocation to Pennsylvania from this fund to $105,497,915.
The additional funds allocated to Pennsylvania under the Omnibus
Appropriations Act for FY 2008 will be reserved for use by the
Commonwealth government. The Commonwealth plans to expend the HAVA
funds provided by the Election Assistance Commission for FY 2008 to
improve efficiency and implement technological upgrades to
Pennsylvania's Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors (SURE), the
centralized voter registration database. The Commonwealth will spend an
estimated $3,921,086 for SURE for the following: SURE system
enhancements ($2,221.086), SURE P.O.rtal enhancements ($850,000), and
SURE interface upgrades ($850,000). The Commonwealth plans to use the
remaining $998,000.00 of its FY 2008 funds for administrative costs,
including personnel and operating costs, to administer HAVA.
In its budget for FY 2008, the Commonwealth has budgeted an
estimated $7,700,000 for the ongoing implementation, enhancement, and
operation of SURE. This amount exceeds the 5% matching funds ($258,899)
required in order to be eligible to receive these additional funds.
Elements 12 and 13
Under Elements 12 and 13 of the State Plan, the Commonwealth
discusses the State Plan Advisory Board (Board) that was created by the
Pennsylvania General Assembly under section 205 of the Pennsylvania
Election Code to be the committee required by section 255 of HAVA to
develop the State Plan. The Department relies on the supP.O.rt and
consultation of the Board for continued success in reaching HAVA's
goals and objectives. The original Board members served for a term of
five years, which expired in 2007. As of July 7, 2008, the new Board
members are as follows:
Gladys M. Brown, Public At Large Member
Elaine Welch, Blind & Visually Impaired Pennsylvanians
Vice-Chair Deena K. Dean, Director of Elections, Bucks County
(county of the second class A)
Joyce McKinley, Director of Elections for Centre County
(county of a fifth class county)
Denise W. Jones, Chief Clerk/Director of Elections, Venango
County (county of the sixth class)
Sandra Lewis, Elections Director, P.O.tter County
Patricia P. Nace, Director of Elections, Snyder County (county
of the seventh class)
Chair Robert Lee, Jr., Voter Registration Administrator,
Philadelphia County (county of the first class)
Thomas M. Michin, Legislative Committee Chairman, Disabled
American Veterans of PA
Robert A. Gleason Jr., Chairman, Republican State Committee of
PA
Leonard C. Piazza, III, Director of Elections, Luzerne County
(county of the third class)
Representative T.J. Rooney, Chair, Democratic State Committee
of PA
Larry Spahr, Director of Elections, Washington County (county
of the fourth class)
Josh Wilson, Public At Large Member
Mark Wolosik, Division Manager for Elections, Allegheny County
(county of the second class)
[FR Doc. E8-25455 Filed 10-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-KF-P