**Recommendations to EAC Board of Advisors**

**With respect to specific EAC research and study topics**

**Submitted by Special Committee on EAC Research and Studies**

**[June 6, 2008]{.mark}**

**Topic: Social Security Administration (HAVA Sec. 244(b))**

**The committee considers this a priority action item for EAC.**

**RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Advisors recommends to the U.S.
Election Assistance Commission(EAC) that a working group be formed and
priority be given to completion of the study that is to be conducted in
consultation with the Social Security Administration "on the
advisability and feasibility of using Social Security identification
numbers...to establish...eligibility or identification
requirements,\..."**

\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*

**Topic: Incorporating Communication and Internet Technologies in the
Electoral**

> **Process (HAVA Sec. 245)**

**The committee considers this a priority action item for EAC.**

**RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Advisors recommends to the U.S.
Election Assistance Commission (EAC) that it produce soon an interim
status report on its collective efforts and a plan to complete its study
of the issues and challenges presented by incorporating communications
and Internet technologies in the electoral process.**

\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*

**Topic: Definitions of Voting (HAVA Sec. 241(b)(3) and 303)**

**RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Advisors recommends to the U.S.
Election Assistance Commission (EAC) that it provide guidelines to the
States by defining the following terms:**

> **Early Voting**
>
> **Absentee Voting**
>
> **No Excuse**
>
> **Excused**
>
> **Early Absentee**

**\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \***

**Topic: Provisional Voting Report (HAVA Sec. 241(b)(4) and 303)**

**RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Advisors recommends to the U.S.
Election Assistance Commission (EAC) that it review the Provisional
Ballot Study to determine the facts that contributed to the need for the
use of provisional ballots (such as how and when voter registration
applications were received).**

**The board further recommends that the EAC study data be accompanied by
descriptions of HAVA's goal for provisional voting and how each state
meets that goal.**

\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*

**Topic: Disability Access (Accessibility) (HAVA Sec. 241(b)(5) and
301)**

The committee suggests that EAC examine all elements of Election Day
with respect to accessibility, including voting equipment, official
government information websites and telephone hotlines.

Further, HAVA Sec. 301(a)(3)(C) states that "The voting system shall, if
purchased with funds made available under Title II on or after January
1, 2007, meet the voting system standards for disability access (as
outlined in this paragraph)." (301(a)(3)). The committee suggests that
when EAC begins its work to develop standards and guidelines on
accessible voting equipment, that it considers voting systems in their
broadest definition and uses a working group of stakeholders to examine
the issues and help develop the definition.

**RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Advisors recommends to the U.S.
Election Assistance Commission (EAC) that it examine what research has
been done, if any, on all elements of Election Day as they relate to
accessibility, including official government information websites and
telephone hotlines.** **Further, consideration should be given to the
formation of a working group to advise the EAC on this effort and on the
development of standards and guidelines for accessible voting equipment.
Included in the guidelines should be a definition of Disabled Voter.**

\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*

**Topic: Voting Fraud and Voter Intimidation Report (HAVA Sec. 241(b)(6)
and (7))**

It is recognized that EAC must gather facts when it further studies
voting fraud and voter intimidation. The committee believes that efforts
should be made to look for ways to capture data that has not necessarily
been reported to election officials or law enforcement agencies. It was
suggested that resources used to collect information include a broad
group of individuals and organizations, not only law enforcement
agencies.

**RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Advisors recommends to the U.S.
Election Assistance Commission (EAC) that when it proceeds to conduct
further study on voting fraud and voter intimidation, that it include a
broad group of individuals and organizations in addition to law
enforcement agencies when it collects data and information.**

**The board further recommends that EAC revisit the definitions in its
2006 Election Crimes Report and its classification of what constitute
election crimes.**

\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*

**Topic: Website Design for Public Information Portals (HAVA Sec.
241(b)(9))**

**RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Advisors recommends to the U.S.
Election Assistance Commission (EAC) that it conduct follow up study to
help determine trending.**

\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*

**Topic: Reduced Postage for the Return of Absentee Ballots (HAVA Sec.
246)**

**RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Advisors recommends to the U.S.
Election Assistance Commission (EAC) that its further study of this
issue include consideration of reducing the postage for the return of
Absentee Ballots to one First Class Stamp.**

> \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*