[Federal Register: December 19, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 245)]
[Notices]
[Page 77634-77644]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19de08-68]
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UNITED STATES ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
Notice of Request for Public Comment on Proposed Strategic Plan
AGENCY: United States Election Assistance Commission.
ACTION: Notice: Request for Public Comment.
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SUMMARY: The EAC seeks public comment on a ``U.S. Election Assistance
Commission Draft Strategic Plan Fiscal Years: 2009 Through 2014.'' The
EAC developed a strategic plan that lays out an approach to create a
receptive and productive agency fully capable of the unique leadership
role it has been given as a national clearinghouse, a manager of
Federal financial assistance, a certifier of voting systems, and a
resource for election officials throughout the country regarding the
administration of Federal elections. EAC issues this notice according
to a policy adopted on September 18, 2008 that requires EAC to provide
notice and an opportunity for public comment on, among other things,
advisories being considered for adoption by the U.S. Election
Assistance Commission.
DATES: Comments must be received by 5 p.m. EST on January 20, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted: Via e-mail at havainfo@eac.gov,
via mail addressed to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 1225 New
York Ave, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005, or by fax at 202/566-
3127. Commenters are encouraged to submit comments electronically and
include ``Strategic Plan'' in the subject line, to ensure timely
receipt and consideration.
Person To Contact for Information: Bryan Whitener, Telephone: (202)
566-3100.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is the complete text of the
proposed Strategic Plan the EAC is seeking public comment on. The
proposed strategic plan may also be viewed on the EAC Web site at
http://www.eac.gov.
U.S. Election Assistance Commission Draft Strategic Plan
[Fiscal Years: 2009 Through 2014]
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Table of contents Page No.
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Background.................................................. 1
Funding State Improvements to Elections................. 1
Standards for Voting Systems............................ 1
Election Assistance Commission.......................... 2
Guiding Principles...................................... 3
The Planning Process.................................... 4
VISION AND MISSION.......................................... 5
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES........................................ 6
GOAL 1--Communicate......................................... 6
GOAL 2--Fund and Oversee.................................... 9
GOAL 3--Study, Guide, and Assist............................ 12
GOAL 4--Test and Certify.................................... 16
GOAL 5--Manage.............................................. 19
EXTERNAL FACTORS THAT IMPACT ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE GOALS AND 21
OBJECTIVES.................................................
APPENDICES.................................................. 22
1. Organization Chart................................... 22
2. Stakeholders......................................... 23
3. Summary of Goals, Objectives, & Measures............. 24
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Background
In October 2002, Congress, with the leadership and overwhelming
bipartisan support of the members of the U.S. House Committee on House
Administration, passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). HAVA
represents an unprecedented effort by Congress to enhance the
administration of Federal elections through funding, guidance and
policies.
HAVA was not contemplated as a short-term or partial solution to
the issues and problems with the administration of Federal elections
that came to the forefront during the 2000 elections. The law
recognized the need to invest in our election infrastructure and set
out a comprehensive program of funding, guidance, and ongoing research
that spans the course of many years.
Funding State Improvements to Elections
The Congress initially appropriated approximately $3 billion for
payments to states during fiscal years 2003 and 2004. These funds were
authorized under three separate sections of HAVA. Section 101 funds may
be used to improve the administration of elections for Federal office.
Section 102 funds may be used to replace punch-card and lever-action
voting systems. Section 251 funds may be used to (1) improve voting
systems, (2) establish and implement statewide voter registration
databases, (3) implement provisional voting, (4) provide information to
the voting public in the polling place, and (5) otherwise improve the
administration of elections for Federal office. Congress appropriated
an additional $115 million of Section 251 funds in fiscal year 2008.
Generally, the funds are available to states until expended.
Standards for Voting Systems
A major provision of HAVA established minimum requirements for
voting systems used in Federal elections. Each voting system must:
Permit the voter to verify the selections made prior to
casting the ballot;
Permit the voter to change a selection prior to casting
the ballot;
Notify the voter when an overvote (making more than the
permissible
[[Page 77635]]
number of selections in a single contest) occurs;
Notify the voter of the ramifications of an overvote;
Produce a permanent paper record that can be used in a
recount or audit of an election;
Provide accessibility to disabled voters;
Provide foreign language accessibility in jurisdictions
covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act; and
Meet the error rate standard established in the 2002
Voting System Standards.
Election Assistance Commission
To foster those programs and to promote and enhance voting for
United States citizens, HAVA established the Election Assistance
Commission (EAC). EAC is an independent bipartisan commission. Four
full-time commissioners, appointed by the President and confirmed by
the U.S. Senate, guide the EAC. Through the agency, the Federal
government has assumed a role in the administration of Federal
elections. Specifically, EAC is statutorily required to:
Create a clearinghouse of information for election
officials and the public.
Distribute and monitor HAVA funds to states for election
administration improvements.
Conduct periodic studies of election administration
issues.
Establish best practices and guidelines on election
administration for state and local election officials.
Issue, and periodically review and modify, as necessary,
voluntary voting system guidelines.
Accredit voting system test labs and test and certify
voting equipment.
Develop requirements for voter registration form design
for states.
Provide Congress with a bi-annual report to assess the
impact of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).
HAVA also set up a Standards Board and the Board of Advisors to
counsel EAC. In addition, the law established a Technical Guidelines
Development Committee (TGDC) to assist EAC in the preparation of the
voluntary voting system guidelines.
EAC has 39 full-time employees and four part-time employees,
including the four commissioners and their four special assistants. EAC
is located in Washington, D.C., is managed by an Executive Director,
and is organized (Appendix 1) to provide responsive service to its
stakeholders (Attachment 2). Its budget for internal operations in
fiscal year 2008 was $13,280,000.
Guiding Principles
EAC is committed to:
Bipartisan collaboration to serve the best interests of
the American voters.
Transparency in its work.
Professionalism, excellence, and adherence to the highest
level of performance standards for EAC staff and contractors.
Accountability and integrity in the management and conduct
of all EAC activities and programs.
Careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars and overall fiscal
responsibility.
Timely performance of its duties.
Performance and public service without regard to race,
sex, religion, national origin, age, special needs, sexual orientation,
gender identification, or political affiliation in everything it does.
Thorough and efficient distribution of appropriate
election administration information it gathers.
The Planning Process
To meet the challenge of supporting the states and local
governments in implementing HAVA reforms, EAC developed a strategic
plan that provides the framework for how it will use its resources
effectively. The plan lays out an approach to create a receptive and
productive agency fully capable of the unique leadership role it has
been given as a national clearinghouse, a manager of Federal financial
assistance, a certifier of voting systems, and a resource for election
officials throughout the country regarding the administration of
Federal elections.
The plan is a valuable opportunity for EAC to work together as a
team to consider a collective strategic outlook. With the help of the
Commissioners, a vision and mission were reconfirmed. EAC's senior
management team then took on the task of identifying the critical
issues facing EAC in the coming years and determined how best to meet
them. The plan focuses on these issues and is intended to be the
foundation from which to address issues that arise during fiscal years
2009 through 2014. EAC is committed to thinking both critically about
its niche and strategically at how to make improvements in crucial
areas, and this plan embraces the next steps to further that effort.
The senior management team identified five strategic goals which are
described in detail in this document and summarized in Appendix 3.
Vision and Mission
Vision
Lead election reform that reaffirms the right to vote and to have
all eligible votes counted accurately.
Mission
Assist the effective administration of Federal elections.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Communicate
Communicate timely and accurate information on the effective
administration of elections for Federal office and on the operations
and services offered EAC.
Increased interest in elections, new Federal funding, the rapid
pace of change in election administration, and Congressional direction
has led EAC to operate a national clearinghouse of election
information. EAC obtains election information through in-house research
and chartered studies and from other credible sources. EAC presents
this information to the election community, the public, the media, and
EAC employees principally through its Web site. Also, EAC must be
responsive to valid inquiries about its programs and operations.
Outcome
The Congress, Federal agencies, state and local election officials,
and the public receive reliable, accurate, and non-partisan information
about administering, conducting, and participating in Federal elections
and how, where, and when Americans vote.
Objective 1: Operate the EAC clearinghouse effectively.
Means and strategies for accomplishing objective:
(a) Set EAC policy for a Web-based clearinghouse that will (i)
establish the physical description of the clearinghouse and (ii)
describe the contents to be presented to the public.
(b) Launch a public information initiative about the contents and
uses of the EAC Clearinghouse.
(c) Maintain current and relevant information on the EAC Web site.
(d) Conduct regular information audits of all EAC divisions to
update the Clearinghouse and Web site with EAC input.
Performance Measure
Issue clearinghouse policy within 6 months.
Post applicable information on the Web-based clearinghouse
within 24 business hours of receipt.
Distribute at least one e-mail update per month to
stakeholders about the Web-based clearinghouse.
Objective 2: Respond to outside requests about the EAC timely and
accurately.
Means and strategies for accomplishing objective:
[[Page 77636]]
(a) Establish and implement policies and procedures for tracking
requests, gathering information from EAC, responding to requests,
verifying and documenting responses, and updating information for
stakeholders.
(b) Coordinate Commissioner and staff briefings for Members of
Congress and Congressional staffers.
(c) Maintain and make available to EAC staff an electronic Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA) reading room and a database of media and
Congressional inquiries and responses.
(d) Maintain a physical FOIA reading room.
(e) Provide (FOIA) training to EAC staff to improve response rates.
Performance Measure
Issue policies and procedures concerning request process
within 6 months.
Distribute media and Congressional inquiry and response
log to the EAC staff on a daily basis.
Respond to FOIA requests in accordance with requirements.
Respond to 75 percent of non-FOIA requests within 72
hours.
Objective 3: Convey the results of EAC operations and
accomplishments.
Means and strategies for accomplishing objective:
(a) Identify technologies and other communication opportunities
that will ensure rapid delivery of information to a wide variety of
stakeholders.
(b) Actively promote the EAC electronic newsletter to expand the
stakeholder database.
(c) Inform Members of Congress and Congressional staffers about EAC
initiatives and programs in general and in their districts.
(d) Edit EAC materials and deliverables to ensure their accuracy
and consistency.
(e) Produce speeches and talking points for commissioners and EAC
staff that accurately capture EAC activities and output.
(f) Create an atmosphere of creativity and customer service.
Performance Measure
Provide regular updates about EAC activities and election
administration issues to EAC employees.
Produce an annual report that accurately captures EAC
activities during the respective time period.
Produce an annual FOIA report to chronicle requests and
responses.
Issue quarterly press releases summarizing EAC
accomplishments.
Provide regular briefings regarding EAC activities to
Congressional staffers.
Produce the annual report to the Congress by January 1 of
each year for the preceding year ending September 30.
Issue at least 12 EAC newsletters per year.
Program Evaluation
To evaluate the program:
Establish feedback mechanism to gain public input on
effectiveness and relevance of Web-based clearinghouse.
Conduct monthly information audits on Web-based clearing
house to ensure content is accurate and updated.
Goal 2: Fund and Oversee
Deliver and manage Federal funds effectively.
For the first time, the Federal government has funded improvements
to the voting process. EAC is responsible for the distribution and
oversight of approximately $3 billion in payments to states and for
other grant programs to improve Federal elections and gather election
data. Most of the funding to States was used for purchasing new voting
equipment that meets the standards in HAVA; establishing a computerized
statewide voter registration list; educating voters about voting
procedures, rights, and technology; training election officials, poll
workers, and election volunteers; improving the accessibility and
quantity of polling places; and otherwise improving the administration
of elections for Federal office. EAC is responsible for the
administration of these funds.
Outcome
States and other recipients promptly and accurately receive Federal
funds administered by EAC and use the funds appropriately to improve
the administration of elections for Federal office.
Objective 1: Accurately and timely disburse Federal financial
assistance administered by EAC.
Means and strategies for accomplishing objective:
(a) Develop program manual, including rules of general
applicability, for each Federal financial assistance program
administered by the EAC.
(b) Thoroughly review all grant applications to select appropriate
recipients.
(c) Thoroughly review requests for payments/state plans under all
programs to help assure recipients use funds for appropriate purposes.
(d) Timely publish state plans and amendments to state plans.
(e) Timely disburse funds on the basis of requests for
reimbursement, certifications, and/or amendments to state plans.
(f) Recoup and redistribute unspent Section 102 funds.
Performance Measure
Publish program manual by January 2009.
Award grants within established timeframes.
Submit state plans for publication in the Federal Register
within 30 days of receipt of the plan.
Submit payment requests to GSA with 10 days of receipt of
acceptable requests/certifications.
Recoup and redistribute unspent Section 102 funds by May
2009
Objective 2: Effectively monitor Federal financial assistance
administered by the EAC.
Means and strategies for accomplishing objective:
(a) Include in Program Manual reporting requirements and monitoring
procedures.
(b) Timely review all financial and narrative reports submitted.
(c) Follow up on anomalies in reports or on non-reporting entities.
(d) Prepare a timely annual report to the Congress on State use of
HAVA Section 251 funds (requirements payments).
(e) Review audit reports to identify internal control weaknesses
and questionable uses of Federal funds administered by the EAC.
(f) Conduct sight visits of recipients for whom EAC has found
significant problems in financial and/or narrative reports and/or in
audit reports.
(g) Timely negotiate indirect cost rates with state election
agencies..
Performance Measures
Send follow up letters to recipients regarding reporting
anomalies or failure to file within 30 days of knowledge of such
conditions.
Resolve 100 percent of audit findings within established
timeframes.
Conduct site visits to at least three high priority
grantees each year.
Negotiate indirect cost rates within 30 days of receipt of
acceptable indirect cost proposals.
Issue the annual report to Congress on the expenditure of
HAVA funds by July 15 of each year.
Objective 3: Provide technical assistance and guidance on the
management of Federal financial assistance administered by EAC to
reduce the risk of inappropriate use of funds and accounting errors.
Means and strategies for accomplishing objective:
(a) Include in Program Manual guidance/references on use of funds,
allowable costs, and managing funds.
[[Page 77637]]
(b) Offer workshops and training sessions on management, use and
reporting of Federal financial assistance administered by EAC.
Performance Measures
Submit to the Commissioners all recommended policy and
guidance concerning the administration of Federal financial assistance
administered by the EAC within established timeframes.
Offer at least one workshop per year.
Respond to all inquires by recipients about the use and
administration of funds in accordance with EAC requirements.
Program Evaluation
Assess the results of (1) audits (EAC Office of Inspector General
and State) of recipient expenditure of Federal financial assistance
administered by EAC, (2) EAC monitoring visits, and (3) EAC reviews of
recipient annual financial reports. Implement additional controls over
EAC administration of Federal financial assistance, as appropriate, on
the basis of the assessments.
Goal 3: Study, Guide, and Assist
Identify and develop information on areas of pressing concern
regarding the administration of elections for Federal office and issue
recommended improvements, guidance, translations, and best practices as
required by HAVA, and carry out responsibilities under the National
Voter Registration Act (NVRA).
HAVA mandates that the EAC conduct research on current election
administration issues with the aim of promoting methods of voting and
administering elections which will be the most ``convenient,
accessible, and easy to use;'' ``will yield the most accurate, secure,
and expeditious system for voting and tabulating election results;''
``will be nondiscriminatory;'' and ``will be efficient and cost-
effective.'' HAVA also requires that EAC produce guidelines and best
practices for state use in implementing HAVA. HAVA also transfers from
the Federal Election Commission to the EAC the responsibility for
updating and maintaining the national mail voter registration
application and for reporting on the impact of the NVRA on elections
for Federal office.
Outcome
As a result of this goal (1) the election community and other key
stakeholders improve the administration of elections for Federal office
on the bases of pertinent, impartial, timely, and high-quality
information, recommendations, guides and other tools on election and
voting issues and (2) eligible citizens use the mail voter registration
application to register to vote, register with a political party, or
report a change of name, address, or other information.
Objective 1: Complete research on relevant issues that improve the
administration of elections for Federal office and expeditiously report
on critical administration subjects and election data.
Means and strategies for accomplishing objective:
(a) Analyze unfinished research mandated by HAVA, and develop and
prioritize an inventory of ideas for potential new projects internally
and on the basis of input from stakeholders.
(b) Establish, based on the inventory, annual research plans for
completing research projects by EAC and by contractors in order of
priority. Present plan to Board of Advisors and Standards Board for
information and comments only. Obtain Commissioners approval for the
plan and inform the Congress of any mandated research that is no longer
useful.
(c) Monitor research projects; tracking progress, checking the
accuracy of results, and preparing reports.
(d) Prepare, on the basis of data collected, recommendations for
improvements for the election community.
Performance Measures
Complete inventory of potential projects by July 2009.
Start 100 percent of annual planned and funded projects.
Meet the milestones for the completion of contracted
research projects in accordance with contract schedules and
deliverables.
Disseminate all completed research project reports to
stakeholders.
Establish, in fiscal year 2009, a baseline for measuring
stakeholder use of EAC research products to improve the administration
of elections for Federal office. In subsequent years, increase the
percentage of stakeholder use of EAC research products.
Objective 2: Identify and collect required and useful data on
election administration practices and on voting methods and
demographics and make recommendations for improving the quality of
practices, methods, and data.
Means and strategies for accomplishing objective:
(a) Identify data required to be collected by law and data needed
by the Congress, election officials, and other stakeholders.
(b) Interact with state and local election data collection agencies
and election associations to exchange information on data collection
practices and identify ways to ensure data quality.
(c) Amend EAC's Election Day survey to include the collection of
data on new election administration topics and on changes in required
and desirable data elements.
(d) Recommend improvements to the data collection process to the
Congress and issue reports presenting data required by the Uniformed
and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and EAC's Election Day
Survey.
Performance Measure
Establish a baseline in fiscal year 2009 on the accuracy
and completeness of data reported by states in response to EAC surveys.
Increase the accuracy and completeness of reported data in each of the
succeeding years.
Include recommendations to improve election administration
and data to the Congress in the annual report on the Election Day
survey.
Issue required reports to the Congress by the dates
required by law.
Objective 3: Issue guides, translations and other tools that are
timely and useful.
Means and strategies for accomplishing objective:
(a) Provide guidance to states concerning the proper implementation
of the HAVA Title III requirements.
(b) Develop and administer the EAC Language Accessibility Program
to assist election officials in meeting the needs of limited English
proficiency voters.
(c) Develop guidelines in Native American Languages.
(d) Develop and maintain A Voter's Guide to Federal Elections in
Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.
(e) Create interactive versions of the various Glossaries of Key
Election Terminology on the EAC Web site.
(f) Coordinate with the Department of Justice Voting Section to
provide EAC language resources to jurisdictions required to meet the
language minority requirements in Sections 203 and 404 of the Voting
Rights Act.
(g) Develop election management guidelines that can be easily
adapted to suit an election jurisdiction's needs.
Performance Measures
Complete guidance on HAVA Title III requirements by
October 2010.
Complete the Voters Guide to Federal Elections in Spanish,
Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Tagalog by September 2009.
[[Page 77638]]
Complete guidance for Native Americans by October 2010.
Complete interactive glossaries and management guidelines
by October 2011.
Objective 4: Update and maintain a national mail voter registration
application and report to the Congress as required by NVRA
Means and strategies for accomplishing objective:
(a) Implement procedures to improve and maintain the national mail
voter registration application and to govern state requests for changes
to the application.
(b) Provide guidance to states concerning the proper implementation
of the NVRA.
(c) Translate the form into Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean,
Vietnamese, and Tagalog.
Performance Measures
Publish regulations governing the administration of the
application by December 2009.
Process all accepted requests to change the mail voter
registration form within prescribed timeframes.
Issue the bi-annual report on the impact of NVRA by June
30 of each odd-numbered year.
Program Evaluation
Develop an assessment tool to monitor election community acceptance
of EAC recommendations and guides.
Goal 4: Test and Certify
Build public confidence in elections by testing and certifying
voting systems to improve system security, operation, and
accessibility.
Before the passage of HAVA, the Federal government was not involved
in the testing of voting systems used in Federal elections. EAC's first
step in instituting a Testing and Certification Program was to work
with its advisory committees and the National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST) to develop voluntary voting system guidelines
against which voting systems will be evaluated. EAC completed the first
iteration of the VVSG in 2005, and will regularly update the VVSG. In
addition, EAC works with NIST to accredit laboratories to test voting
equipment. Based on the tests of equipment and software conducted by
laboratories, EAC will certify, decertify, or recertify voting systems,
as appropriate.
Outcome
Voting equipment operates more reliably and securely and is more
accessible to the disabled. States use the EAC testing and
certification program to ensure voting systems meet standards.
Objective 1: Develop and update the voluntary voting system
guidelines.
Means and strategies for accomplishing objective:
(a) Develop updated voluntary voting system guidelines in plain
English that adequately address accuracy and reliability of voting
systems and that are cost effective.
(b) Develop and maintain testable, objective, and repeatable
voluntary voting system test suites and (or) test methods.
(c) Submit an updated draft of VVSG, prepared by the TGDC, to the
Federal Register for public comment and hold public meetings with
stakeholders on the proposed guidelines.
(d) Consider comments on the draft TGDC version of the VVSG and
prepare an EAC draft VVSG. Publish the EAC draft in the Federal
Register for public comment.
(e) Prepare, after consideration of comments, a final version of
guidelines and present them at a public meeting for a vote of the
Commissioners.
Performance Measure
Produce updates to the VVSG no later than 2009 and 2012.
Objective 2: Provide for the accreditation and revocation of
accreditation of independent, non-federal laboratories qualified to
test voting systems to Federal standards.
Means and strategies for accomplishing objective:
(a) Develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures for
the accreditation and revocation of accreditation of voting system test
laboratories (VSTLs).
(b) Collaborate with NIST's National Voluntary Laboratory
Accreditation Program (NVLAP) to accredit laboratories and ensure
compliance with accreditation requirements.
(c) Implement a monitoring program to ensure the integrity of
laboratories which test voting systems for Federal certification.
Performance Measure
Complete accreditation reviews for all laboratories
recommended to EAC by NIST and for all emergency actions within 90
days.
Test and document the results of the review of compliance
with procedures by at least 100 percent of accredited laboratories
every 2 years.
Objective 3: Administer the testing, certification,
decertification, and recertification of voting system hardware and
software by accredited laboratories.
Means and strategies for accomplishing objective:
(a) Develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures for
the testing, certification, decertification, and recertification of
voting system hardware and software by accredited VSTLs.
(b) Implement the most recent voluntary voting system guidelines
into the EAC's testing and certification program and all of its
components.
(c) Monitor, in accordance with Chapter 8 of the Voting System
Testing and Certification Program Manual, EAC-certified voting systems
to ensure that the systems continue to meet the requirements of the
Federal standards to which they were certified.
(d) Conduct field reviews in state and local jurisdictions of EAC
certified voting systems to ensure the systems fielded (i) match the
system certified by the EAC and (ii) meet the requirements of the
Federal standards to which they were certified.
Performance Measure
Test 100 percent of systems qualifying for testing.
Conduct at least one review of a manufacturing facility of
a registered manufacturer a least once every 4 years.
Conduct field reviews for at least 50 percent of
jurisdictions that volunteer for reviews. (Measures may be modified
after EAC determines average number of volunteers.)
Respond to requests for interpretations of voting system
standards with 45 days. (Measures may be modified after EAC determines
average number of requests.)
Program Evaluation
Assess comments to Federal Register publications and results of EAC
oversight reviews of laboratory testing and election system compliance
with standards.
Goal 5: Manage
Achieve organizational and management excellence.
HAVA established the EAC to help implement mandated improvements to
Federal elections. To that end, EAC will employ a variety of plans,
resources, skills, processes, and technologies to ensure effective and
efficient agency management.
Outcome
EAC Commissioners and staff of the testing and certification,
payments and grants, election administration improvement, research,
administration, and legal programs proficiently carry out EAC's
strategic objectives.
[[Page 77639]]
Objective--Implement a high performance organization
Means and strategies for accomplishing goal:
(a) Foster a leadership environment that inspires, motivates and
guides employees toward the strategic goals; coaches, mentors, and
challenges staff; provides needed training and sharing of knowledge;
and, models high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, and respect
for all individuals.
(b) Establish an organization structure, management systems, and
decision-making processes that improve coordination and cooperation
across the EAC and that support the efficient accomplishment of goals
and priorities.
(c) Clarify roles and responsibilities of commissioners and staff.
(d) Attract and maintain a high-performing workforce that is
diverse and that includes those with disabilities through outreach,
competitive compensation, meaningful training, pleasant work space,
flexible work schedules, telework, and state-of-the-art equipment.
(e) Obtain sufficient funds, plan activities, and budget resources
to accomplish the goals and objectives of EAC.
(f) Provide effective financial management to programs.
(g) Provide effective legal support to program operations.
(h) Monitor EAC division progress in meeting goals and objectives.
Performance Measure
Meet annual performance measures.
Obtain a clean audit opinion on agency financial
statements within 2 years of the initial statement preparation.
Institute an internal integrated budget and financial
management system within 6 months.
Implement 90 percent of OIG audit recommendations within
agreed upon timeframes.
Program Evaluation
Implement an effective internal control assessment process that
meets the requirements of Office of Management and Budget Circular A-
123, Management's Responsibility for Internal Controls. Promptly
implement agreed upon recommendations contained in EAC's annual audit
of its Performance and Accountability Report.
External Factors That Impact Accomplishment of the Goals and Objectives
EAC has an opportunity to remain a leader in the election community
and have positive name recognition outside of the Federal government.
However, the agency's ability to accomplish such an end is dependent
upon a number of external factors that are not all within the agency's
control.
Acceptance by the Election Community
HAVA strictly limits EAC's regulatory authority to that held by the
Federal Election Commission (FEC) over the NVRA. As such, a significant
number of EAC's research and guidance is voluntary. It is critical to
have state and local election officials adopt and apply these voluntary
principles if EAC's efforts are to succeed.
Budget
Adequate funding for the maintenance of staff and support functions
is essential for attainment of EAC goals and strategic objectives.
Legislative Changes
Statutory changes to either the agency's enabling legislation or to
other statutes that directly impact the agency could affect the EAC's
ability to meet its goals and strategic objectives.
Technology
Developments in technology that are rapidly changing our world
could provide both new opportunities and new risks for EAC.
BILLING CODE 6820-KF-P
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[[Page 77641]]
Appendix 2 Stakeholders
Government Entities With Oversight & Decision-Making Authority
Regarding EAC
White House Staff
Members of Congress
Office of Management & Budget
Groups Directly Affected by EAC Activities That Also Impact EAC
Decision-Making
Chief Election Authorities in Each State
Local Election Officials
EAC Standards Board
EAC Board of Advisors
EAC Technical Guidelines Development Committee
Other Government Entities With HAVA Implementation Responsibilities or
Interest in HAVA
Federal Agencies
Governors (Mayor in Washington, DC)
State Legislatures (City Council in Washington, DC)
Non-Government Groups Affected by HAVA Implementation
Professional Groups for Election Officials
Professional Groups Representing State & Local Government
Election Equipment & Services Vendors
National Political Parties
Other Groups Interested in EAC Activities & HAVA Implementation
U.S. Citizens here and abroad
Voter Advocacy Groups
Universities and Academics
Think Tanks
International Organizations/Interests
State and Local Election Officials
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Thomas R. Wilkey,
Executive Director, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
[FR Doc. E8-30195 Filed 12-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-KF-C