[Federal Register: April 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 67)]
[Notices]
[Page 18738-18739]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07ap08-28]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Current
Population Survey (CPS) Voting and Civic Engagement Supplements
AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on
or before June 6, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet
at dHynek@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Tim Marshall, U.S. Census Bureau, 7H106C,
Washington, DC 20233-8400 at (301) 763-3806 (or via the Internet at
Tim.J.Marshall@census.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The U.S. Census Bureau plans to request clearance for the
collection of data concerning the Voting and Civic Engagement
Supplements to be conducted in conjunction with the November 2008
Current Population Survey (CPS). The Census Bureau sponsors the Voting
Supplement questions, which have been requested biennially since 1964.
The Civic Engagement Supplement will be conducted at the request of the
Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).
The voting supplement has provided statistical information for
tracking historical trends of voter and nonvoter characteristics in
each Presidential or Congressional election since 1964. The data
collected from this supplement relates demographic characteristics
(age, sex, race, education, occupation, and income) to voting and
nonvoting behavior. The November CPS supplement is the only source of
data that provides a comprehensive set of voter and nonvoter
characteristics distinct from independent surveys, media polls, or
other outside agencies. Federal, state, and local election officials
use these data to formulate policies relating to the voting and
registration process. College institutions, political party committees,
research groups, and other private organizations also use the voting
and registration data.
The civic engagement supplement will provide information on the
extent to which American communities are places where individuals are
civically active. It will also provide information on the number of
Americans who are active in their communities, communicating with one
another on issues of public concern, and interacting with public
institutions and private enterprises. The information will also provide
the number of Americans who engage in activities that promote positive
relationships with those of equal and differing socio-economic or
professional levels. This survey will be the only source of nationally-
representative data on such information as: level of participation in
organized groups, extent of political action and knowledge, extent of
connections with other community members, and how often individuals get
news and information from various media sources.
When combined with demographic characteristics (age, sex, race,
education, occupation, income), the data can provide information on the
relationship between these characteristics and the level of civic
engagement in the United States. Government agency analysts and
private, state and local leaders will use this data to compare levels
specific to their geographic area to the national level of civic
engagement, and to formulate policies that foster healthy communities.
II. Method of Collection
The voting and civic engagement supplements will be collected by
both personal visit and telephone interviews in conjunction with the
regular November 2008 CPS interview process. All interviews are
conducted using computer-assisted interviewing.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0607-0466.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 48,000.
[[Page 18739]]
Estimated Time per Response: 9 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,200.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13, U.S.C., Section 182, and Title 29,
U.S.C., Sections 1-9.
IV. Request for Comments
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
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
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.
Dated: April 1, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-7108 Filed 4-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P