THE U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

FISCAL YEAR 2017

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET JUSTIFICATION

February 9, 2016
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Vision and Mission ..........................................................................................5

FY 2017 Priority Goals.......................................................................................5

Appropriations Language.....................................................................................6

Legislative Proposals..........................................................................................6

The EAC Background and Mission..............................................................................6

The EAC’s Goals and Structure............................................................................7

Organization Chart...........................................................................................8

Operating Plan Summary.....................................................................................9

Budgetary Changes...........................................................................................10

Budget Requests and Performance Measures by Strategic Plan Goal................................10

Status of Management Challenges.........................................................................28

Improper Payments..........................................................................................29

Mandated Reports to Congress.............................................................................29

Appendix -- FY 2015 Annual Performance Report
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VISION AND MISSION

Vision

For the EAC to be a service agency and the go-to resource on election information, best practices, 

data, technology, technical advice and assistance for election administrators, officials, and voters 

across America.

Mission 

For the EAC to assist the effective administration of Federal elections.

FY 2017 Priority Goals 

--Ensure that voting systems and modifications of already certified systems submitted to the 

EAC’s Voting System and Certifications program are successfully and efficiently tested to 

Federal standards.

--Administer the 2016 Election Administration and Voting Survey, the EAC instrument used to 

collect State-by-State data on the administration of Federal elections.

--Serve as a clearinghouse of voting information by providing election officials and voters with 

necessary and timely information and materials regarding the elections process.

--Provide election officials with information and resources to support effective and efficient 

election administration of Federal elections.

Salaries and Expenses Resources Available for Obligation

FY 2015

Enacted

FY 2016

Enacted

FY 2017

President’s Budget

FTE Dollars FTE Dollars FTE Dollars

25 $10,000,000 31 $9,600,000 28 $9,800,000
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Appropriations Language

For necessary expenses to carry out the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-252), 

[$9,600,000] $9,800,000, of which $1,500,000 shall be transferred to the National Institute of 

Standards and Technology for election reform administration activities authorized under the 

Help America Vote Act of 2002. (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016)

Legislative proposals

No legislative proposals are being submitted at this time.

The EAC Background and Mission

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) was established by the Help America Vote 

Act of 2002 (HAVA). The EAC is an independent, bipartisan commission charged with:

• adopting voluntary voting system guidelines for use by the States,

• accrediting voting system testing laboratories and certifying voting systems, 

• developing guidance for State and local election officials to meet HAVA requirements,

• serving as a national clearinghouse of information on election administration including 

tools and best practices,

• maintaining the national mail voter registration form developed in accordance with the 

National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993, 

• promoting accessibility for voters with disabilities,

• providing grantees with technical assistance on use of payments/grant funds, and 

• auditing the use of HAVA funds.

HAVA established the Standards Board and the Board of Advisors to advise the EAC. The law 

also established the Technical Guidelines Development Committee (TGDC) to assist the EAC 

in the development of voluntary voting system guidelines. Statutorily, the EAC is headed by 

four bipartisan Commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. 

Currently, there are three Commissioners. 

The EAC is required to testify periodically about HAVA progress and related issues. The 

Commission also holds Public Meetings and hearings to inform the public about its progress 

and activities. Further, roundtables, symposia, summits and webinars are used to gather 

information from election officials and other election experts on topics such as, “Priorities, 

Policy, and Strategy: Next Steps for the EAC.”

Among the EAC’s key stakeholders are election officials. Leading up to an election, State and 

local election officials are faced with the enormous responsibility of informing voters about 

where, when and how to vote; training early voting and Election Day poll workers; and 

conducting fair, accessible, accurate and secure elections. Federal elections are administered in 

approximately 11,000 jurisdictions. Election practices, policies and laws vary from State-toState and jurisdiction-to-jurisdiction.
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Election officials are considering new technology and practices in voting such as remote access 

voting for Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters, vote on a 

portable ballot marking device, and accessible equipment for voters with disabilities. To assist 

the States, the EAC has produced reports including, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 

Absentee Voting Act Registration and Voting Process, UOCAVA Pilot Program Testable 

Requirements, and A Survey of Internet Voting. The EAC awarded two grants totaling $7 

million for the Accessible Voting Technology initiative to support research and development of 

new, existing, and emerging technological solutions. These grants resulted in over 45 research 

and development proposals, some of which have been adopted by the voting system vendors. 

Additionally, a number of the EAC-funded technological solutions have been adopted by the 

States to improve elections.

The EAC’s Goals and Structure

The EAC’s offices are aligned to address the goals in the EAC Strategic Plan: Goal 1,

Communicate, is administered by the Office of Communications and Clearinghouse; Goal 2, 

Fund and Oversee, is administered by the Payments and Grants Management and Inspector 

General Offices; Goal 3, Study, Guide, and Assist, is administered by the Research, Program,

and Policy unit; Goal 4, Test and Certify is administered by the Voting System Testing and 

Certification unit; Goal 5, Operate, is administered by the Boards, Commissioners, Executive 

Director, General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief 

Information Officer.

A cost allocation model distributing administrative costs to the four program goals is part of the 

annual Agency Financial Report. The model is reviewed by the EAC’s independent financial 

statement auditors and is used to present the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 agency budget request. 

The current EAC strategic plan covered the period FY 2009 through FY 2014. A new plan 

requires a vote of Commissioners. In order to comply with guidance, the EAC presents an 

interim FY 2017 plan and performance measures, which serve as a draft annual performance 

plan. Management improvement efforts are described in Goal 5.
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Commissioners

3, 1 vacancy

Inspector General

1

Executive Director

1

General Counsel

2, 1 vacancy

Chief Financial Officer/

Budget Director

1

Chief Operating 

Officer

1

Communications & 

Clearinghouse

1, 1 vacancy

Advisory Board (37 members)

Standard Board (110 members) &

Technical Guidelines Development 

Committee (15 members)

Statutory, non-monetary positions

Grants 

Management

3, 1 P-T

Accounting

1 vacant

Procurement

BFS MOU

Voting System 

Testing and 

Certification

4, 3 P-T, 1 vacancy

Research, Policy & 

Programs

2, 3 P-T

Information 

Technology Service

2

Human Resources

1

Administrative 

Services

1

ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION 

ORGANIZATION CHART
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Operating Plan Summary

Salaries and Expenses FY 15 Enacted FY 16 Request FY 17 Request

Full-Time Equivalent Staff (FTE) 25 31 28

Full-Time Staff 22 28 26

Other than Full-Time Staff 7 5 5

Payroll Full-time Personnel $3,158,779 $3,286,053 $ 3,064,525

Payroll Other than Full-time Personnel 294,927 301,128 320,128

Subtotal Personnel Compensation 3,453,706 3,587,181 3,384,209

Personnel Benefits 921,242 919,018 902,579

Transit and Parking Benefits 21,873 38,268 38,268

Subtotal Benefits 943,115 957,286 940,847

Subtotal PC&B 4,396,821 4,544,467 4,325,056

Travel 499,434 411,085 543,085

Rent 216,310 260,134 260,134

Communications, Equipment Rentals 187,505 127,681 125,826

Printing, Reproduction 28,332 30,560 26,276

Other Services 2,664,205 2,642,318 2,938,996

NIST 1,900,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 

Supplies and Subscriptions 65,643 72,255 69,127

Equipment 41,750 11,500 11,500

Subtotal, Non-personnel 5,603,179 5,055,533 5,474,944

Total Salaries and Expenses $10,000,000 $9,600,000 $ 9,800,000

Note: FY 2017 assumes a 1.6 percent Cost of Living Adjustment, a .5% increase in FERS benefits, and a zero nonpay inflationary increase.
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Budgetary Changes FY 2016 Enacted to FY 2017 Request

(in whole dollars)

Personnel Compensation and Benefits (-$219,411)

Reflects decrease of two positions; 1.6 percent cost of living adjustment 

$63,330

Travel ($132,000)

Invitational travel to roundtables to develop best practices, Commissioner 

stakeholder listening tours 

Other Services ($296,678)

Production of videos ($120,000) online training for election officials, poll workers 

and U.S. voters ($195,600); decrease in Inspector General audits (-$35,874); and 

miscellaneous increases and decreases in existing contracts ($16,952)

Miscellaneous (-$9,268)

Decreases for communications and rentals (-$1,855), printing (-$4,285), 

supplies and subscriptions (-$3,128)

Budget Requests and Performance Measures by Strategic Plan Goal

COMMUNICATE

Strategic Plan Goal 1: Communicate timely and accurate information on the effective 

administration of elections for Federal office and on the operations and services offered by 

the EAC. The anticipated outcome of the goal is to provide Congress, Federal agencies, State 

and local election officials, and the public with reliable, accurate, and non-partisan information 

about the administration of Federal elections.

FY 2015

Enacted

FY 2016 FY 2017

Request Request

Direct Costs $483,939 $487,163 $637,262

Indirect Costs 736,684 650,672 537,751

Total, Communicate

 

$1,220,623 $1,137,835 $1,175,013

Goal 1’s aim of communication of timely and accurate information is the responsibility of the 

Office of Communications and Clearinghouse. The goal will be achieved via three strategic 

objectives: 
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1) operate the EAC Clearinghouse effectively; 

2) respond to outside requests about the EAC timely and accurately; and 

3) convey the results of the EAC’s operations and accomplishments.

The EAC’s Communications Division is responsible for communicating with the media and 

stakeholders, including election officials, academics, policy-makers, advocacy groups and the 

public. The Communications Division is responsible for administration of the agency’s website, 

www.eac.gov, which contains thousands of documents with information about voting system 

test plans, agency correspondence, and testimony from the EAC Public Meetings, roundtable 

discussions, symposia, and hearings. The website also contains external and internal 

communications such as press releases, news articles and speeches, informational videotapes 

about the programs, a Twitter account, the Election Official Exchange of information, a blog, a 

monthly newsletter about the EAC’s activities and events that goes to approximately 2,200 

subscribers, and a monthly email on internal operations. The Division coordinates with the EAC 

staff to communicate policies, guidance, research, and other agency initiatives to the public. 

Open Government and Public Participation Activities

The EAC’s Open Government activities are available at www.eac.gov/open, and general 

comments can be submitted to www.eac.gov/contact. Throughout the EAC’s website, the 

agency has applied the concept of open government and implemented tools to facilitate a 

conversation with the public about voting and election administration. There are several 

mechanisms through which the public can provide direct feedback to the EAC on agency 

activities and operations. For example, the public can rate and comment on the nearly 200 EAC 

reports, policies, manuals and Election Management Guidelines in the Election Resource 

Library. In addition, the EAC’s Public Comment section makes it easier for the public to keep 

track of the draft EAC policies on which the agency is seeking public input.

Users can also customize their online experience by signing up for automatic e-mail alerts on a 

variety of election topics and events, including public meetings, advisory board meetings, 

reports, policies and agency news. Other features include a multimedia center that provides 

training and educational videos on polling place management, election contingency planning, 

voting accessibility, and voting system testing and certification.

The EAC Elections Clearinghouse

The Elections Clearinghouse is required under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 

and provides a public portal for information about elections. The EAC’s website serves as a 

national Clearinghouse of election administration information. Among its thousands of pages of 

content are test plans and reports of voting system manufacturers seeking Federal certification, 

datasets containing detailed information by State on voter registration and turnout statistics in 

recent Federal elections, and information for voters on how to register to vote and contact their 

State elections offices.

The primary purposes of the Clearinghouse are to: 

• disseminate election information to the public,
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• supplement States’ efforts to provide information to assist voters,

• provide a central location for best practices, shared practices, innovation and creative 

solutions in election administration,

• share research findings and data about elections,

• provide information about the EAC’s voluntary voting system certification and testing 

program, including information regarding voting system experiences and anomalies 

submitted by State and local election jurisdictions,

• notify the public about any of the EAC’s funding opportunities,

• report on the expenditure of HAVA funds.

The FY 2017 Request

Efforts will continue in FY 2017 to post and disseminate additional information on election 

administration topics to achieve the goal of serving as the trusted source for information about 

elections and election administration. Website analytics and user feedback will be utilized to 

help ensure effectiveness and relevance of materials on eac.gov.

The FY 2017 request includes funds to produce videos that will be made available through the 

EAC website and YouTube. The videos can be produced at a low cost via an interagency 

agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Creative Media and Broadcast 

Center. For example, USDA in conjunction with the EAC staff members, produced a video on 

the voting system testing and certification program for $8,500. The video is available on 

YouTube and eac.gov. Videos on, “Polling Place Accessibility,” “Election Contingency

Planning,” and “Polling Place Management” are also available. Planned updates and additional

video topics include what happens inside the polling place; accessible voting equipment, set up

and use; registering to vote; and highlights of the EAC meetings.

The FY 2017 request includes funds for staff payroll and benefits; the EAC website contract at

$176,550; $120,000 for videos; $8,770 for travel, and $22,000 for supplies and media service 

subscriptions.

Strategic Goal One: Communicate Performance Measures

Performance Indicator

FY 2013

Actual

FY 2014

Actual

FY 2015

Actual

FY 2016

Planned

FY 2017

Planned

Operate the EAC clearinghouse effectively.

Post up-to-date, accurate, relevant and 

consistent information on the website, 

using state-of-the-art technologies 

within 24 hours of receipt.

100% of data 

posted in 24 hours

100% of data

posted in 24 

hours

100% of data 

posted in 24 

hours

100% of data 

posted in 24 

hours

100% of data 

posted in 24 

hours

Establish a separate location on the EAC 

website to present and manage all 

clearinghouse information; launch a 

public information initiative about 

content and uses.

Linked to state and 

local election 

social media sites 

as requests were 

received

Establish a 

separate 

location for the 

Clearinghouse 

by 3/31/16 and 

publicize

Maintain the 

Clearinghouse
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Note: all indicators are outputs

FUND AND OVERSEE

Strategic Plan Goal 2: Deliver and manage Federal funds effectively. The 

anticipated outcome of the goal is for States and other recipients to promptly and 

accurately receive Federal funds administered by the EAC and use the funds 

appropriately to improve the administration of elections for Federal office in accordance 

with HAVA.

FY 2015

Enacted

FY 2016

Request

FY 2017

Request

Payments and Grants Management

Direct Costs $229,324 $287,055 $490,261

OIG Direct Costs 1,157,241 1,157,241 1,121,367

Indirect Costs 736,684 976,009 1,029,940

Total, Fund and Oversee $2,123,249 $2,420,305 $2,821,568

 

Goal 2 consists of three strategic objectives:

1) accurately and timely disburse Federal financial assistance administered by the 

EAC;

2) effectively monitor Federal financial assistance administered by the EAC; and

3) provide technical assistance and guidance on the management of Federal

financial assistance administered by the EAC to reduce the risk of inappropriate 

use of funds and accounting errors. 

Respond to outside requests about the EAC timely and accurately.

Issue policies and procedures to process 

requests from outside the agency.

In final draft. Executive 

Director

finalizes a 

communications plan

Distribute media, Congressional and other 

stakeholder inquiries and responses to EAC 

staff when responses are sent.

Q&A summaries 

distributed and 

included w/ 

monthly reports

Q&A summaries 

distributed and 

included w/ 

monthly reports

Q&A summaries 

distributed and 

included w/ 

monthly reports

Q&A 

summaries 

distributed and 

included w/ 

weekly reports

Q&A 

summaries 

distributed and 

included w/ 

weekly reports

Convey the results of the EAC’s operations and accomplishments.

Regularly issue blog posts, press releases, 

newsletters, email alerts to subscribers, and 

notifications to stakeholders and staff on the 

EAC activities and election administration 

issues.

67 blog posts in 

lieu of press 

releases, 29 

newsletters, 29 

emails to 

subscribers, 52 

weekly staff 

updates

58 blog posts in 

lieu of press 

releases, 21 

newsletters, 36 

emails to 

subscribers, 52 

weekly staff 

updates

34 blog posts, 5 

press releases, 16 

newsletters, 33 

emails to 

subscribers, 52 

weekly staff 

updates

60 blog posts, 

12 press 

releases, 12 

newsletters, 12 

emails to 

subscribers, 52 

weekly staff 

updates

60 blog posts, 

12 press 

releases, 12 

newsletters, 12 

emails to 

subscribers, 52 

weekly staff 

updates

Provide regular briefings regarding the 

EAC’s activities to Congressional staff.

2 formal briefings 2 formal 

briefings

2 formal 

briefings

2 formal 

briefings

2 formal 

briefings

Produce the mandated annual report, that 

accurately captures the EAC activities, by 

January 31 of each year for the preceding 

year ending September 30.

Report 

disseminated 

1/31/13

Report 

disseminated 

1/31/14

Report 

disseminated 

2/3/15

Report 

disseminated 

1/31/16

Report 

disseminated 

1/31/17
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Goal 2 is administered by the Payments and Grants Management unit and the Office of the 

Inspector General (OIG). 

Payments and Grants Management

The EAC’s Payments and Grants Management unit is responsible for distributing payment and 

grant funds; monitoring grantee performance; providing technical assistance to States and 

grantees on the use of funds; and reporting on requirements payments, other formula funds, and 

discretionary grants to improve administration of elections for Federal office. The office 

recommends actions to resolve audit findings on the use of HAVA funds. Via a Memorandum 

of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the unit sets indirect 

cost rates with grantees. 

The FY 2017 Request

For FY 2017, goals include achieving the performance targets for timeliness, including 

resolving 100 percent of audit findings within established timeframes, awarding grants in 

established timeframes, and submitting references to State Plans to the Federal Register within 

30 days of receipt.

The request includes funds for staff; an estimated $800 for site visit travel, $1,500 for 

webinar services to reduce travel costs;$2,334 to print references to State Plan

revisions; $24,000 for the Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services for indirect cost rate negotiation services; and $50 for 

supplies.

Strategic Goal Two: Fund and Oversee Performance Measures

Performance Indicator

FY 2013

Actual

FY 2014

Actual

FY 2015

Actual

FY 2016

Planned

FY 2017

Planned

Accurately and timely disburse Federal financial assistance administered by the EAC.

Submit State plans for publication in 

the Federal Register within 30 days 

of receipt of the plan.

100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Submit payment requests to the 

Bureau of the Fiscal Service within 

10 days of receipt of acceptable 

requests/certifications.

99% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Effectively monitor Federal financial assistance administered by the EAC.

Review financial and performance 

reports and notify recipients of 

reporting anomalies or failures to 

file within 30 days of knowledge of 

conditions in writing in all cases and 

by phone as time permits to offer 

assistance & answer questions.

100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Resolve 100 percent of audit 

findings within established time 

frames.

100% audit 

resolution

88% audit 

resolution (7 of 8 

audits)

60% audit 

resolution (3 of 5 

audits)

100% 

audit resolution

100% 

audit resolution

Conduct site visits to at least three 

high priority payments and grant 

recipients each year.

0 site visits 5 site visits 3 site visits 3 site visits 3 site visits
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Note: all indicators are outputs

Office of Inspector General

BACKGROUND

The United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is a bipartisan Commission created 

and authorized by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). The Office of Inspector 

General (OIG) was established by HAVA and the Inspector General Act of 1978 (IG Act), as 

amended, to provide independent and objective reporting to the EAC and Congress through its 

audit and investigative activities. 

Charged with the identification and prevention of waste, fraud, and abuse of Federal resources, 

the OIG strives to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the EAC programs and 

operations. To accomplish this goal, OIG conducts regular audits of recipients of grant funds 

distributed by the EAC, annual audits of the EAC’s operations, and periodic reviews and audits

of the EAC program operations and transactions. In addition, OIG conducts investigations in 

response to allegations against the EAC, its grant recipients, or other third parties involved in 

the EAC programs.

THE BUDGET IN SUMMARY

For fiscal year (FY) 2017, OIG is requesting $904,492 for contract audits and investigations. 

The request includes $3,125 as a transfer to the Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and 

Efficiency (CIGIE) in keeping with the provisions of the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008. 

The request also includes $5,000 for costs associated with training and professional 

development for OIG’s full-time employee, $10,000 for travel, $3,000 for printing, $4,000 for 

supplies, and $5,000 for equipment. 

OIG ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS

OIG primarily engages in three activities or projects: auditing grant programs, conducting 

investigations of grant recipients or other third parties related to the EAC programs, and 

conducting audits and investigations of the EAC programs and operations.

Provide technical assistance and guidance on the management of Federal financial assistance administered by the 

EAC to reduce the risk of inappropriate use of funds and accounting errors.

Submit all recommended policy and 

guidance concerning the administration 

of Federal financial assistance 

administered by the EAC to the 

Commissioners within established time 

frames.

N/A N/A 100% -- 10 

Advisory Opinions 

and a policy 

expediting 

responses to 

routine use of 

funds adopted

100% 100%

Offer at least one webinar each year. Provided one-onone technical 

assistance (T/A)

1 webinar Provided T/A on a 

one-on-one basis, 

and in-office T/A

1 webinar 1 webinar

Respond to all phone and email inquiries 

by recipients about the use and 

administration of funds within 24 hours.

85% 90% 100% 100% 100%
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Auditing Grant Programs

Section 902 of HAVA gives the EAC and other agencies making a grant or payment the 

authority to conduct audits of any recipients of funds. The EAC is further authorized to conduct 

regular audits of funds distributed under HAVA. OIG conducts those audits on behalf of the 

EAC. 

Over the past several years, OIG has focused on auditing the large grants distributed to states 

under Title II of HAVA. These grants represent the vast majority of grant funds distributed by 

the EAC. The objectives of the State audits are to determine whether the State: (1) expended 

HAVA payments in accordance with HAVA and related administrative requirements; and (2) 

complied with HAVA requirements for replacing punch card or lever voting machines, 

establishing an election fund, appropriating five percent matching funds, and maintaining State 

expenditures for elections at a level not less than expended in the State’s base fiscal year.

OIG’s program to ensure economy, efficiency and integrity in the use of funds is not limited to 

audits. OIG has also worked with the EAC to help educate States on the requirements that are 

associated with federal funding. 

In the coming fiscal years, OIG will continue to work to protect the federal investment in the 

electoral process and to promote economy, efficiency, and integrity in the EAC grant programs 

through its audit and education programs.

Investigations

When allegations are made concerning the misappropriation of HAVA funds, OIG is 

responsible for investigating those allegations. OIG has instituted a number of activities to 

improve and increase information available to the EAC employees and the general public about 

how and when to make complaints of fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement. OIG operates a 

website that includes the ability to file an on-line complaint. 

OIG does not currently employ an investigator. When issues arise that require investigation, 

OIG contracts with other government agencies for investigative services. 

Internal Audits

OIG is also responsible for conducting reviews, audits, and investigations of the EAC’s internal 

policies, procedures, and actions. Over the past several fiscal years, OIG has conducted a 

number of internal reviews. OIG has issued a total of 19 reports regarding the EAC’s 

operations. These reports assess the efficiency of the EAC’s operation and its compliance with 

governing statutes and regulations, including compliance with the Federal Information Security 

Management Act (FISMA) and compliance with Federal Travel Regulations.
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OIG GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In FY 2017, the OIG will continue its programs of auditing the EAC grant recipients, 

conducting external investigations, and auditing and investigating the EAC programs and 

operations. The OIG is currently staffed by one full-time employee: the Inspector General. The 

attorney position is currently vacant. OIG will continue to use contract auditors in FY 2017 to 

conduct audits. 

GOAL 1: Protect the Federal investment in our electoral system.

The Federal government has made a sizable investment in the American electoral system. 

Congress has appropriated $3.25 billion in grant funds to the States for improvement of election 

infrastructure and processes. 

OIG relies primarily on contract auditors to conduct audits of these grants to states. Budgetary 

restrictions will require that we continue to rely on contractors to conduct the majority of the 

audits of grant recipients. OIG will continue to focus its efforts on the $3.25 billion in grants 

appropriated to the States. As resources allow, OIG is auditing the EAC’s other grant programs, 

including the Mock Election, College Poll Worker, Election Data Collection, Military Heroes 

Initiative, and other grant programs administered by the EAC.

GOAL 2: Promote economy, efficiency and integrity in the EAC programs and operations.

A critical portion of the OIG mission is to promote economy and efficiency in government 

programs and operations and to detect and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in 

government programs and involving government resources. The OIG fulfills this portion of its 

mission by conducting audits and evaluations of the EAC operations, including contracting for 

an annual audit of financial statements and a review of compliance with the Federal Information 

Security Management Act (FISMA). While these two reviews cover a large portion of the 

EAC’s operations on an annual basis, the OIG also conducts audits and evaluations of programs 

or specific EAC transactions. 

The OIG is also charged with identifying and investigating waste, fraud and abuse in the EAC 

programs and operations. To meet this requirement, the OIG operates a hotline that allows 

people to make complaints via telephone, fax, email, mail, and on-line. Using the website, the 

OIG reaches out to those persons involved with the EAC and its programs, as well as those 

impacted by those programs to ensure they know how and where to make complaints of fraud, 

waste, abuse, or mismanagement.

The OIG can help ensure integrity in the EAC programs and operations by investigating alleged 

waste, fraud or abuse. Complaints from the hotline as well as information from audits and 

evaluations can identify potential civil or criminal wrongdoing. When the OIG identifies 

potential wrongdoing, it can institute an investigation. The OIG will continue to rely upon 

interagency agreements with other Offices of Inspector General to conduct investigations of 

fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement.
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GOAL 3: Effectively communicate successes and opportunities for improvement.

The OIG uses various tools to communicate with the EAC, Congress, and the general public 

concerning the status of the EAC’s programs and operations as well as OIG’s activities in 

conducting audits, evaluations, inspections, and investigations. OIG issues reports following 

each formal engagement, regardless of type. Reports are disbursed to the entity that is subject of 

the audit or evaluation, as well as to the EAC and oversight and appropriations committees of 

Congress.

The OIG also produces two semi-annual reports to Congress each fiscal year. The reports 

summarize the audit, evaluation, inspection and investigation reports issued by OIG during the 

relevant six months. The document also reports on OIG activities by including statistics such as 

the number of findings that are outstanding, the amount of costs that were questioned, as well as 

the amount of federal funding that could be put to better use.

The OIG also uses technology to communicate with its stakeholders and the public. OIG 

operates a website where it makes information available concerning its operations, issued 

reports, rights and protections for whistleblowers, as well as an on-line form for making 

complaints of fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement. 

In FY 2017, the OIG will continue its outreach efforts to keep the EAC, Congress and the 

public informed of the OIG’s activities as well as its reviews of the EAC programs and 

operations.

GOAL 4: Effective and efficient OIG operations.

As the OIG evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of the EAC programs and operations, it is 

important for the OIG to ensure that its operations are effective and efficient, including having 

the needed policies, procedures and practices to underpin its operations. OIG will focus on 

providing a supportive working environment including providing professional education and 

training for its employees. All OIG employees will be required to meet the continuing education 

requirements applicable under the Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards.

OIG BUDGET REQUEST BY OBJECT CLASS

FY 2015

Enacted

FY 2016

Request

FY 2017

Request

Personal Compensation and Benefits

11.1 Full-time permanent $147,250 $147,250 $147,250

11.9 Total personal compensation 147,250 147,250 147,250

12.1 Civilian personnel benefits 39,500 39,500 39,500

Contractual Services and Supplies

21 Travel and transportation of persons 10,000 10,000 10,000 

24 Printing and reproduction 3,000 3,000 3,000 

25.2 Other services 939,891 939,891 909,492 
 U. S. Election Assistance Commission

 Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request

19

25.3 Other purchases of goods and services 

from Government accounts

 

26 Supplies and materials 4,000 4,000 4,000 

Acquisition of Assets

31 Equipment 5,000 5,000 5,000 

94 Financial Transfers 3,600 3,600 3,125

Total Program $1,157,241 $1,157,241 $1,121,367

STUDY, GUIDE AND ASSIST

Strategic Plan Goal 3: Identify and develop information on areas of pressing concern 

regarding the administration of elections for Federal office, issue research reports as 

required by HAVA, provide suggested best practices and translations of materials 

required by HAVA, and carry out responsibilities under the National Voter Registration 

Act (NVRA). The anticipated outcomes for this goal are: 1) that the elections community and 

other key stakeholders may improve the administration of elections for Federal office based on

having pertinent, impartial, high-quality information, recommendations, guides and other tools 

on election and voting issues, and 2) that the national mail voter registration form is available to 

citizens to register to vote, register with a political party, or report a change of name, address, or 

other information.

Goal 3 consists of three strategic objectives:

1) collect and release data on certain election administration practices, on various voting 

methods and on various voting practices that are useful and required by HAVA; 

2) administer programs and release information which provides timely and useful 

guidance for election officials and voters; and 

3) administer the National Mail Voter Registration Form.

The Research, Policy and Programs division administers and oversees: 

1) The biennial Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS) to 55 States, the District of 

Columbia, and territories, the only comprehensive collection and report of data on elections 

in the United States;

FY 2015

Enacted

FY 2016 FY 2017

Request Request

Direct Costs $1,075,709 $914,299 $1,112,107

Indirect Costs 942,130 976,008 672,189

Total, Study, Guide, and Assist

 

$2,017,839 $1,890,307 $1,784,296
 U. S. Election Assistance Commission

 Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request

20

2) Mandatory reports to Congress on the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and 

Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) that are based on the 

survey; 

3) The National Mail Voter Registration Form as prescribed by the National Voter Registration 

Act of 1993 (NVRA), also known as “Motor Voter, updating states’ instruction in English 

and other required languages on eac.gov. Each state, the District of Columbia, and the 

territories have their own instructions on how to complete the form, with voter registration 

rules and regulations. The form is available on eac.gov in seven languages;”

4) The Election Management Program, including abbreviated user-friendly Quick Start Tips 

educational materials, that provide information to State and local election officials and voters

on various topics such as polling place management, contingency planning, voter 

registration, educating voters, poll worker training and recruitment; and

5) The Language Accessibility Program, which provides informational materials on the Federal 

election process and election terminology in languages other than English. 

The FY 2017 Request

In June 2017, the EAC will release the findings from its 2016 Election Administration and 

Voting Survey. By June 30, 2017 the EAC will provide Congress with its Comprehensive 

Report on the 2016 Election Administration and Voting Survey. The report will include 

mandatory reporting on The Impact of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) on the 

Administration of Elections for Federal Office and on the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 

Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). The 2016 Statutory Overview (a review of certain State 

election laws) will be released in mid-2017 as part of the comprehensive report. 

The request includes $195,600 for production of online training geared toward election officials, 

voters, and poll workers. Interactive training modules are planned on topics such as voting 

system and physical security at the poll place, provisional voting, and conducting election 

audits. The modules are envisioned as a customer service for new election officials, voters, 

academicians, voter advocates, associations, and others interested in the field of elections.

Funds are also requested for development of a wide range of best practices for use on the EAC 

website. For example, creating suggested best practices on subjects such as reaching voters with 

disabilities, vote centers, electronic pollbook use, early voting, and developing and maintaining 

online registration databases. 

The FY 2017 request includes funds for forums to bring together election officials, technology 

innovators, individuals with disabilities, accessibility equipment and voting system 

manufacturers, academics, computer programmer and security experts, voting system standards 

developers, and website developers and designers.

The FY 2017 request includes funds for staff; $564,400 for research; $195,600 for online 

training; $10,000 for printing; $10,000 for webinar services; $4,000 for staff and invitational 
 U. S. Election Assistance Commission

 Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request

21

travel for discussion groups at the EAC; $2,000 for publication design services; $1,000 for 

conference registration fees and staff training; and $500 for supplies.

Note: all indicators are outputs

Strategic Goal Three: Study, Guide, Assist Performance Measures

Performance Indicator FY 2013

Actual

FY 2014

Actual

FY 2015

Actual

FY 2016

Planned

FY2017

Planned

Collect and release data on certain election administration practices, on various voting methods and on various voting 

practices that are useful and required by HAVA.

Meet milestones for the completion of 

research projects in accordance with 

schedules and deliverables each year. 

Disseminate completed research reports 

to stakeholders.

N/A N/A 100% --

Adopted and 

disseminated the 

mandated 

HAVA 

241(b)(15) 

Urban Rural 

Study Report

Meet 

milestones, 

disseminate 

reports. 

Meet milestones, 

disseminate reports.

Issue required reports (UOCAVA, 

NVRA-- collection of voter registration 

data to fulfill reporting requirements to 

Congress on the NVRA) to Congress by 

statutory deadlines, including 

recommendations to improve election 

data collection and data provided to 

Congress in the biennial report on the 

Election Administration and Voting

Survey

3 reports 

submitted 

6/30/2013

N/A 1 combined 

report submitted 

6/30/2015

N/A Submit 1 combined 

report by 6/30/2017

Administer programs and release information which provides timely and useful guidance for election officials and 

voters.

Produce and distribute Quick Start

Tips/Guides (concise tips on a wide range 

of election topics with links to best 

practices in the administration of Federal 

elections) and Guidebooks.

Created and 

widely 

distributed, 

“Voter Tips” 

cards; conducted 

9 webinars for 

election officials 

on Best Practices 

in Election 

Management. 

Data gathered 

used for new 

Quick Tips

Published 4 

new Quick Tips 

on: Managing 

the Voting 

Process; 

Educating 

Voters; Poll 

Worker 

Recruitment 

and Training, 

and Why Good 

Data Matters

Wrote and posted 

to eac.gov fliers 

on “10 Tips to 

Enhance Your 

Voting 

Experience” and 

“14 Facts About 

Voting in Federal 

Elections”; 

issued 13 new 

Quick Tip 

Guides in a 

toolkit,

distributed 300 

sets to state 

election 

administrators

Determine 

priority election 

topics with 

Commissioners; 

hold roundtable 

meetings with 

election 

officials and 

other 

stakeholders; 

produce at least 

4 tips/guides.

Determine priority 

election topics with 

Commissioners; 

hold roundtable 

meetings with 

election officials 

and other 

stakeholders; 

produce at least 4 

tips/guides

Administer the National Mail Voter Registration Form.

Review and approve NVRA-compliant 

State requests to change State-specific 

instructions on the National Mail Voter 

Registration form.

Reviewed and 

approved 1 

request, 

responded to 3 

additional 

requests

Reviewed and 

approved 2

requests, 

responded to 3 

additional 

requests

Reviewed and 

responded to 1 

request 

Review and 

approve 

requests

Review and 

approve requests
 U. S. Election Assistance Commission

 Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request

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TEST AND CERTIFY

Strategic Plan Goal 4: Build public confidence in elections by testing and certifying 

voting systems to improve system accessibility, security, and functionality. The 

anticipated outcome of the goal is voting equipment that operates more reliably and 

securely, and is more accessible to individuals with disabilities. States voluntarily 

participate in the EAC testing and certification program to help ensure that their voting 

systems meet the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) standards and voting 

system manufacturer specifications.

Goal 4 consists of three strategic objectives: 

1) develop and update the VVSG;

2) provide for the accreditation of independent laboratories qualified to test voting 

systems to Federal standards, and for the revocation of accreditation as appropriate; 

and

3) administer the testing, certification, decertification, and recertification of voting 

system hardware and software by accredited laboratories.

Under HAVA, the EAC is responsible for assisting States with improvements to voting systems 

through the distribution of Federal funds and by providing a voluntary Federal certification 

program. The voluntary Voting System Testing and Certification Program for the States also 

provides transparency to the testing process including the publication of all test plans, test 

reports and related information as well as reports on voting system anomalies in the field during 

use in an election.

The EAC works continuously to reduce the cost of voting system testing without compromising 

system quality and conformance through efforts to implement the use of automated source code 

review tools by the EAC-accredited Voting System Test Laboratories (VSTLs) and similar 

innovative uses of technology. Comprehensive procedures for the program are detailed in the 

EAC’s Voting System Testing and Certification Program Manual. 

The program also:

• supports local election officials in the areas of engineering change order (ECO) updates, 

acceptance testing, and pre-election system verification for the EAC-certified systems, 

issuance of Requests for Procurement (RFPs) and information on how to maintain aging 

voting technology;

FY 2015

Enacted

FY 2016 FY 2017

Request Request

Direct Costs $896,580 $862,204 $905,870

Indirect Costs 1,841,709 1,789,349 1,613,253

Total, Test and Certify $2,738,289 $2,651,553 $2,519,123
 U. S. Election Assistance Commission

 Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request

23

• increases quality control in voting system manufacturing by means of periodic 

manufacturing facility audits of the EAC-registered manufacturers; and

• provides procedures to manufacturers for the testing and certification of voting systems 

to specified Federal standards as required by HAVA Section 231(a)(1).

In addition to its certification duties, the unit works in a cooperative and coordinated manner 

with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to evaluate and accredit 

VSTLs. As a condition of accreditation, all VSTLs must hold a valid accreditation from NIST’s 

National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP). 

NVLAP accreditation is the primary means by which the EAC helps ensure that each VSTL 

meets and continues to meet the technical requirements of the EAC program. NVLAP uses the 

international standards (ISO 17025) to review each VSTL’s technical, physical and personnel 

resources, as well as its testing, management, and quality assurance policies and protocols. The 

EAC monitors VSTLs through a comprehensive compliance management program. Further, the 

EAC performs on-site reviews to ensure that VSTLs meet all program requirements. 

In addition to voting system certification and laboratory accreditation, the EAC along with its 

110-member Standards Board, 37-member Board of Advisors, and 15-member Technical 

Guidelines Development Committee (TGDC) (chaired by the director of NIST) work together 

to update and implement voluntary testing guidelines for voting systems. 

The FY 2017 Request

The Voting System Testing and Certification division will work on providing information on 

voting system sustainability. The division will continue ongoing efforts to educate and train 

users on revisions to the VVSG. Efforts continue into research and development of alternative 

guidelines for the next iteration VVSG document. The EAC continues to work on the next 

iteration of the VVSG with NIST, the TGDC and the Commissioners. Once the document is 

drafted, goes through the public comment process, and comments are incorporated as 

appropriate, the next version of the VVSG will be reviewed by the Commissioners, adopted and 

published.

The FY 2017 request includes payroll and benefits for staff and part-time technical reviewers; 

$70,000 for travel including educational meetings on the next iteration of the VVSG; $5,000 for 

printing of the VVSG; $15,500 for webinar services to reduce travel costs and travel time; and 

$3,500 for training and conference registration fees. 

In 2017, the EAC total includes the annual non-expenditure transfer to NIST via interagency 

agreement for activities required under HAVA Sections 221 Technical Guidelines Development 

Committee (TGDC), 231 Certification and Testing of Voting Systems, and 245 Study and 

Report on Electronic Voting and the Electoral Process. The EAC and NIST continue to work in 

cooperation with the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) of the U.S. Department of 

Defense on the development of testable guidelines for remote electronic voting systems to assist 

absentee voters covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act as 

required by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.
 U. S. Election Assistance Commission

 Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request

24

Goal Four: Test and Certify Performance Measures

Performance Indicator

FY 2013

Actual

FY 2014

Actual

FY 2015

Actual

FY 2016

Planned

FY 2017

Planned

Develop and update the VVSG.

Produce updates to the VVSG. Received public 

comments on 2nd

draft revision to 

VVSG 1.1, 

worked with NIST 

to resolve 

comments and 

prepare VVSG 1.1 

revised draft for 

final formatting

Pending 

adoption

Adopted VVSG 

1.1; initiated 

development of 

next generation 

VVSG 

document; 

created working 

group plan 

w/TGDC and

NIST to focus 

on subjects

Ongoing work 

on the next 

iteration VVSG 

with the 

Commissioners, 

NIST, and the 

TGDC; 

undergo public 

comment 

period

Adopt the next 

iteration

VVSG by 

12/2017

Provide for the accreditation of independent laboratories qualified to test voting systems to Federal standards, and 

for the revocation of accreditation as appropriate.

Meet or exceed the review and response 

timeframes related to laboratory 

accreditation or re-accreditation 

submissions contained in the Certification 

Division Standard Operating Procedures 

(SOPs) and Voting System Test 

Laboratory Program Manual.

N/A 100% complete 

in 90 days.

Published 3

Notices of 

Clarification to 

Program 

Manuals

100% complete 

in 90 days; 

updated the 

Test Laboratory

Program 

Manual

95% complete 

in 90 days

95% complete 

in 90 days

Complete accreditation reviews for all 

laboratories recommended to the EAC by 

NIST and for all emergency actions 

within 90 days.

100% 1 lab reaccreditation audit 

complete w/in 90 

days

100% 2 lab reaccreditation 

audits 

completed w/in 

90 days, and a 

follow-up to an 

initial new lab 

accreditation 

audit conducted

N/A No 

reaccreditation 

audits 

conducted in 

FY15. 1 review 

conducted 

11/2015 (w/in 

120 days)

100% complete 

in 90 days

100% 

complete in 90 

days

Test and document the results of the 

review of compliance with procedures by 

100 percent of accredited laboratories 

every 2 years.

100% N/A 100% N/A 100%

Administer the testing, certification, decertification, and recertification of voting system hardware and software by 

accredited laboratories.

Test and certify voting systems. Certified 1 full 

system, and 1 

system 

modification; 

performed testing 

for 11 voting 

systems and

system

modifications

Certified 6 

voting systems; 

worked on test 

campaigns for 5 

systems

Certified 6 

voting systems; 

managed test 

campaigns for 3 

systems

Certify and test 

voting systems

Certify and 

test voting 

systems

Meet or exceed the review and response 

timeframes to voting system 

manufacturer and VSTL submissions 

contained in the Certification Division 

SOP’s and Testing Certification Program 

Manual.1/

100% -- 20 

days or less for 

initial Test 

Plan/Test 

Report 

submissions; 10 

days or less for 

amended Test 

Plans/Reports

20 days or less 

for initial Test 

Plan/Test 

Report 

submissions;

10 days or less 

for amended

Test 

Plans/Reports

20 days or less 

for initial Test 

Plan/Test 

Report 

submissions;

10 days or less 

for amended 

Test Plans/ 

Reports
 U. S. Election Assistance Commission

 Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request

25

Meet or exceed a one business day 

response timeframe for requests for 

assistance with the EAC-certified voting 

system anomalies from State or local 

election officials. 1/

100% - 1

business day 

response or less

1 business day 

response or less

1 business day 

response or 

less

Conduct at least one audit of a 

manufacturing facility of a registered 

manufacturer at least once every 4 years.

N/A. No new 

voting systems 

manufactured in 

2013

100% -

completed 2 

audits

100% -

completed 1

audit

N/A N/A

Plan to conduct field reviews for at least 

75 percent of jurisdictions that volunteer 

for reviews.

N/A. No requests 

were made in 

FY13

N/A. No 

requests were 

made in FY14

N/A. No 

requests were 

made in FY15

Review at least 

75% of 

jurisdictions 

requesting 

review

Review at 

least 75% of 

jurisdictions 

requesting 

review

Respond to requests for interpretations 

(RFIs) of voting system standards within 

45 days.

50% - responded 

to 3 of 6 RFIs in 

less than 45 days), 

60.25 day average 

response time

100% -

responded to 4 

RFIs w/in 45 

days

100% -

responded to 3 

RFIs w/in 45 

days; drafted 2 

RFIs

100% response 

to RFIs w/in 45 

days

100% 

response to 

RFIs w/in 45 

days

1/New measure in FY 2015

 Note: all indicators are outputs

OPERATE

Strategic Plan Goal 5 Operate is to implement a high-performance organization. The 

anticipated outcome of the goal is that the EAC Commissioners and staff proficiently and 

efficiently carry out the EAC’s strategic objectives. Goal 5 consists of three strategic objectives: 

1) improve performance; 

2) strengthen internal controls; and

3) maximize efficiencies. 

As mentioned previously, the EAC has four programs administered by five offices aligned with 

the agency’s Strategic Plan: Communications; Payments and Grants Management, and 

Inspector General; Research, Policy and Programs; and Testing and Certification. 

Performance Improvement

Management works to foster a culture of accountability among staff to meet annual performance 

measures. The agency is seeking to achieve management excellence through continuous 

improvement of internal controls. Agency directors responsible for implementation of the EAC 

Strategic Plan goals report on their division metrics for: 1) the Agency Financial Report each 

November, 2) the Annual Performance Report, along with the Congressional Budget 

Justification, usually in February each year, and 3) actual and planned metrics in the OMB 

Budget Justification each September. 

The EAC will continue to focus on working with managers on the relationship between budget 

and performance, maximizing efficient use of staff and financial resources, and training EAC 

staff on financial management processes and their specific, individual responsibilities.
 U. S. Election Assistance Commission

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26

Internal Controls

The EAC’s Goal 5 performance measure, “Obtain a clean audit opinion on agency financial 

statements” was achieved in FYs 2014 and 2015. For the FY 2015 audit, the EAC has a shared 

drive repository of internal control testing and other back-up materials. The repository idea was 

recommended in the 2013 procurement audit to make record retrieval easier with any changes in 

personnel.

Effectiveness and Efficiency Measures

The EAC strives to improve effectiveness, particularly as it relates to customer service to 

citizens, and efficiency as it relates to productivity and cost savings:

Transfer to one of the four Federal Shared Services providers 

In line with guidance in the President’s Management Agenda, and the performance government 

cross-agency priority goal, the EAC switched financial and procurement services to the 

Department of Treasury. The EAC is planning on moving human resources services to Treasury 

at such time as the National Finance Center is prepared to take new clients. 

Treasury is one of the four agencies, in addition to Agriculture, Transportation and Interior, 

chosen for the effort to eliminate duplication and enable agencies to direct more resources from 

administrative expenses to programs.

Streamline Acquisitions

In February 2012, the EAC outsourced the contracting officer function to the Department of

Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service (BFS). The EAC fully-automated its procurement function 

on July 1, 2012 by implementing the BFS PRISM system, replacing use of hard-copy 

procurement forms. Further, purchase-card order payments have been automated with CitiDirect 

Services through the Memorandum of Understanding with BFS.

The EAC relies on General Services Administration schedule procurements for negotiated-rate 

contracts and on Memoranda of Understanding with, or transfers of funds to, other Federal 

agencies. Both mechanisms provide low-risk procurements at substantial cost savings in terms 

of lower prices, strategic sourcing, award time and internal operational efficiencies. Further, the 

EAC uses BFS-required performance work statements in lieu of cost-reimbursement and timeand-materials contracts to improve the quality of proposals and performance from vendors. 

e-Travel

On July 1, 2012, the EAC implemented BFS’s GovTrip e-travel system. Travel authorizations 

and vouchers are fully automated, replacing hard copy authorization and voucher forms. 

Outstanding balances are removed from authorizations when vouchers are processed.

Minimize utilization of office and storage space

The EAC moved to open office space in October 2013 in a Federal building located at the Silver 

Spring, Maryland metro station. The EAC’s lease on New York Avenue in Washington, DC 

expired in March 2014 with no renewal option. 
 U. S. Election Assistance Commission

 Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request

27

Consistent with the: 

1) National Strategy for Real Property, which states, “The advent of electronic payment 

systems, employee telework, dissemination of information and the provision of services 

to citizens over the Internet, and other digital technologies has changed the dynamics of the 

portfolio resulting in a need for less space.” It also directs agencies to conserve resources for 

service and mission delivery; 

2) M-12-12: "Promoting Efficient Spending to Support Agency Operations”; 

3) M-12-12 attendant "Freeze the Footprint" implementation policy; 

4) subsequent Reduce the Footprint guidance (Management Procedures Memorandum No. 

2015-01), requiring use of property as efficiently as possible and reduction of agency portfolios 

though annual reduction targets that will provide value to the taxpayer; and 

5) the Performance Government Priority Goal.

The EAC reduced the amount of leased space from 17,548 square feet of space to 6,900 in the 

replacement lease.

The smaller space in Silver Spring allows for a savings of nearly $700,000 annually on rent. 

The configuration encourages collaboration. The building offers free conference space for its 

multi-agency tenants on a space-available basis. Small rooms have been set aside for meetings 

and individual telephone calls to protect privacy and reduce ambient noise. Further, the EACimplemented hoteling concept provides flexibility for accommodating changes in staffing levels 

using staggered telecommuting schedules.

In order to fit into a smaller footprint and comply with records management requirements, the 

EAC has completed the majority of the work needed for a paperless office environment, with 

files stored electronically or inexpensively at the National Archives and Records Administration 

(NARA) Federal Records Center in Suitland, Maryland, according to their retention schedules. 

NARA can return boxes to the agency as needed so staff can update or refer to materials in the 

stored files. The EAC stores records at NARA in lieu of housing files in higher cost leased 

office space.

Telecommuting

Pursuant to the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, some of the EAC staff participates in 

telecommuting. The agency saves on rent cost with the smaller open-space environment, 

emissions are decreased (a majority of staff participate in the subsidized public transit program 

further reducing emissions), commuting time and transit costs are generally decreased, and 

work-life balance is improved because individuals are better able to balance work and personal 

obligations. The EAC is equipped to deal with continuity of operations disruptions by operating 

off-site: individual staff electronic files and emails are not stored on assigned computers at the 

office. Regardless of location or computer used, staff is able to access a “virtual office” of email 

data, and personal and shared computer drive files and folders from a centralized location. 
 U. S. Election Assistance Commission

 Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request

28

Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure

The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) continues to explore new innovations to 

update and improve network services for security, availability, efficiency and productivity. For 

example, the EAC is working with GSA to leverage GSA’s cloud computing strategy to host the 

EAC continuity of operations plan (COOP) site. 

The EAC operates its own infrastructure, using GSA’s backbone for security purposes. The IT 

staff maintains personal computers, smart phones, and servers; provides software requested by 

the EAC staff, remote access services, VOIP and IVR; and performs vulnerability scans (in 

addition to GSA’s backbone infrastructure scans) and remediates and updates security patches 

so that staff are equipped to perform work both on- and off-site in a secure environment. The 

EAC is in the process of establishing an intranet where policies and procedures can be posted in 

place of use of a shared drive to improve usability and communications. 

For security purposes, the EAC uses GSA’s network backbone for its infrastructure, and GSA 

manages a firewall, external intrusion detection, T1 lines and routers and switches for Federal 

Information Security Management Act (FISMA) compliance on the EAC’s behalf. The EAC’s 

cyber security management needs are covered by GSA through an annual Memorandum of 

Understanding for IT services and equipment at approximately $88,500 for FY 2017. The 

agreement funds the tools that enable GSA to continuously monitor the EAC's IT systems 

security as described in OMB M-10-15, FY 2010 Reporting Instructions for the FISMA and 

Agency Privacy Management dated April 21, 2010. In FY 2015, the EAC received a clean 

opinion on its FISMA audit.

 Goal 5: Operate Performance Measures

 Note: all indicators are outputs

Status of Management Challenges

The EAC’s Inspector General reported on two categories of management challenges in October 

2015: performance management and accountability, and records management. The former 

consists of pending Communications and Clearinghouse policy and procedures which is under 

Performance Indicator

FY 2013

Actual

FY 2014

Actual

FY 2015

Actual

FY 2016

Planned

FY 2017

Planned

Implement a high performance organization-improve performance, strengthen internal controls, and maximize 

efficiencies.

Obtain an unmodified (“clean”) opinion on 

the annual agency financial statement audit.

Disclaimer 

opinion received

Clean opinion 

received

Unmodified 

“clean” 

opinion with 

no findings

received

Receive 

unmodified

opinion 

Receive 

unmodified

opinion 

Implement Office of the Inspector General 

financial statement and operational audit 

recommendations within agreed upon 

timeframes.

97.6% of 

operational audit 

recommendation

s resolved 

97.6% of 

operational 

audit 

recommendations resolved 

97.6% of 

operational 

audit 

recommendations resolved 

100% 100%
 U. S. Election Assistance Commission

 Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request

29

review. Regarding records management, the EAC expects to submit records retention schedules 

for the Research, Policy, and Programs (RPP) Division in January 2016. The schedule for

Testing and Certification was submitted to and returned by NARA for changes. The target for 

resubmission is January 2016. Finally, the EAC is planning a system to organize and archive

the EAC’s emails.

Improper Payments

The Improper Payments Act requires each Federal agency to assess all programs and identify 

which, if any, may be subject to high risk with respect to improper payments. The EAC does not 

believe that it has any programs where the erroneous payments could exceed 2.5 percent of 

program payments or the $10.0 million threshold set in OMB Guidance to trigger further 

agency action.

Mandated Reports to Congress 

The EAC continues to provide an annual report of the EAC’s activities to Congress by January 

31 of each year for the preceding year ending September 30. The current report was released 

February 2, 2015.

The EAC continues to provide a biennial report on the impact of the NVRA by June 30 of each 

odd-numbered year. The latest report was released on June 30, 2015.

The EAC provides recommendations to improve election data collection and data provided to 

Congress in the biennial report on the Election Administration and Voting released in the fall of 

the year subsequent to the Federal election. The current report was released on June 30, 2015.
 U. S. Election Assistance Commission

 Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request

30