OMB Control No. 3265-0006 Expiration Date 3/31/2023 i 

 

U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION (EAC) 

2020 Election Administration Policy Survey 

(Prior to 2018 known as the Statutory Overview Survey) 

In order to better understand state laws governing federal elections, the U.S. Election 

Assistance Commission (EAC), as part of its biennial Election Administration and Voting

Survey (EAVS), is collecting information related to your state’s election policies and 

procedures. These answers will help the EAC to better understand the quantitative data 

relating to the 2020 general election that we are collecting from all U.S. states and 

territories. Your responses to these questions should reflect your state’s election laws, 

policies, and practices that will be in place for the November 2020 general election. 

Prior to 2018, the EAC asked states to answer open-ended questions related to specific 

election laws and administrative procedures that governed certain election activities. In 

order to minimize the staff time required to answer the survey and to provide information 

that can be used more readily to understand the EAVS findings, the EAC has restructured 

this survey. All of the questions are now closed-end items, and you should select the option 

that most closely describes your state’s activities. The EAC appreciates that there are often 

subtle differences in how states administer a specific aspect of their elections; however, 

these subtle differences should not affect your ability to answer the questions in this survey. 

Select questions have comments spaces to provide additional nuance to your responses. 

The EAVS team appreciates your cooperation in this important project.

Information supplied by:

Name Title

Office/Agency Name

Address 1

Address 2

City State Zip Code

Email Address Telephone
OMB Control No. 3265-0006 Expiration Date 3/31/2023 1 

Table of Contents 

Election Infrastructure and Answering the Election Administration and Voting Survey ........ 2

Voter Registration and List Maintenance................................................................................. 6

Election Technology ................................................................................................................. 13

By-Mail Voting ........................................................................................................................... 14

In-Person Voting Prior to Election Day .................................................................................... 17

Vote Centers ............................................................................................................................. 17

UOCAVA Voting ......................................................................................................................... 18

Provisional Voting ..................................................................................................................... 19

Election Certification, Recounts, and Audits .......................................................................... 20

Recounts ............................................................................................................................... 21

Audits .................................................................................................................................... 21

Voter Identification ................................................................................................................... 22

Criminal Convictions and Voting ............................................................................................. 22
OMB Control No. 3265-0006 Expiration Date 3/31/2023 2 

Election Infrastructure and Answering the Election Administration and Voting Survey 

Q1. Please provide the name and title of your chief state election official. The National Voter 

Registration Act (NVRA) requires each state to designate a chief state election official who is 

responsible for coordinating the state’s NVRA responsibilities. If your state is exempt from 

the NVRA or otherwise has a separate definition of chief state election official, use the 

comments to describe this variation. 

Title of Chief State Election Official:

Name:

Q1 Comments:

Q1a. Which duties related to the Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS) and other 

EAC functions are the responsibility of the chief state election official in your state? (Select 

all that apply.) 

If another official in your state performs these functions, use the comments to describe.

 Certifies EAVS data submission

 Selects the state election official and supervises the process through which local

election officials select a representative local election official to serve on the EAC

Standards Board

 Receives and certifies spending of HAVA funds on behalf of the state

Q1a Comments: 

Q2. The EAVS asks state election offices to provide responses on behalf of local election 

jurisdictions in their state. This can be complicated in states where there are multiple statelevel offices with shared responsibility for election administration and voter registration.

Please provide the name(s) of state-level offices in your state with responsibilities for 

election administration and voter registration (e.g., Secretary of State’s Office, State Board 

of Canvassers, State Board of Elections, etc.), and indicate whether each office provides 

data to support the state’s EAVS response. 

Office name Supports EAVS response? 

o Yes

o No

o Yes

o No

o Yes

o No

Q2 Comments: 
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Q2a. The EAVS asks state election offices to provide responses on behalf of local election 

jurisdictions in their state. This can be complicated in states where there are multiple offices 

at the local level with shared responsibility for election administration and voter registration, 

as well as in cases where there are multiple levels of local offices responsible for election 

administration and voter registration.

Provide the name(s) of local jurisdiction-level office types in your state with responsibilities 

for election administration and voter registration (e.g., Clerk, Auditor, Recorder, Registrar, 

Board of Elections, etc.), and the associated jurisdiction level (e.g., county, township, etc.). 

Additionally, indicate whether the office exists in every jurisdiction at this level, and whether 

the office provides data to support the state’s EAVS response. Use the Q2a Comments to 

describe any non-uniform local office structures in your state. 

Office type (e.g. Clerk, 

Auditor, Recorder, 

Registrar, Board of 

Elections, etc.) 

Jurisdiction level (e.g. county, 

township, etc.) 

Does this office exist 

in every jurisdiction 

at this level? 

Supports EAVS 

response? 

o Yes

o No

o Yes

o No

o Yes

o No

o Yes

o No

o Yes

o No

o Yes

o No

o Yes

o No

o Yes

o No

Q2a Comments: 

Q2b. Has there been any consolidation of local jurisdictions or the creation of new local 

jurisdictions in your state since the 2018 EAVS was conducted that will change your state’s 

list of reporting jurisdictions for the 2020 EAVS?

o Yes, consolidation of local jurisdictions

o Yes, creation of new local jurisdictions

o Yes, both consolidation and creation

o No

If Q2b = Yes, use the comments to describe.

Q2b Comments: 
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Q2c. Confirm or provide the addresses and public-facing contact information for all state 

and local election offices detailed in Q2 and Q2a. If this information is current and readily 

accessible on a state website, please provide a link in the comments.

Office name Physical 

address 

Mailing 

address 

Phone 

number 

Website E-mail

address

Q2c Comments and/or Links to Contact Information on State Website: 

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Q3. States are able to answer the questions in the EAVS in different ways. For each section 

of the survey, please select the option that best describes how your state answers the 

questions in the EAVS.

Were the questions in the section answered: 

Entirely by the 

state election 

office? 

Entirely by local 

election offices? 

In part by the state and 

in part by local election 

offices? 

Section A: Voter Registration

Section B: UOCAVA

Section C: Domestic By-Mail 

Voting

Section D: In-Person Voting 

and Polling Operations

Section E: Provisional Voting 

Section F: Voting Technology 

As a reminder: 

• Section A covers voter registration, including total registrants, total registration forms

processed during the election cycle, the source of those forms, and the final

disposition of each form. It also covers notices sent to voters who are thought to have

moved and voters removed from the voter registration list.

• Section B covers UOCAVA voting, including ballots transmitted to Uniformed Services

voters and overseas citizens, the manner in which ballots were transmitted (e.g., by

mail, by email, etc.) the number of ballots returned, the manner in which ballots were

returned, and the final disposition of each ballot (accepted, rejected). It also covers

Federal Write-In Absentee Ballots (FWAB), Federal Post Card Applications (FPCA), and

the total number of requests for UOCAVA status received.

• Section C covers domestic by-mail voting, including the number of ballots

transmitted, the number of ballots returned, and the final disposition of every ballot.

It also covers whether any registrants received ballots because they are permanent

absentee voters.

• Section D covers in-person voting and polling operations, including the number of

people casting ballots in person, the number of precincts, and data on poll workers.

• Section E covers provisional voting, including the total number of provisional ballots

cast and the disposition of each ballot.

• Section F covers voter participation and election technologies, including participation

in the election, poll books, the type of voting equipment used in early voting, Election

Day voting, by-mail voting, and voting by individuals with disabilities, and general

comments on the election administration experience.
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Voter Registration and List Maintenance 

Q4. For the November 2020 election, is your state’s voter registration database system best 

described as a bottom-up system, a top-down system, or a hybrid of both? 

(Note: A bottom-up system generally uploads information retained at the local level and 

compiled at regular intervals to form the statewide voter registration list. A top-down system 

is hosted on a single, central platform/mainframe and is generally maintained by the state 

with information supplied by local jurisdictions. A hybrid is some combination of both 

systems described above.)

o Top-down

o Bottom-up

o Hybrid

If Q4 = Top-down, skip to Q5 

If Q4 = Bottom-up or Hybrid, proceed to Q4a 

Q4 Comments: 

Q4a. How often do local jurisdictions transmit registration information to the state voter 

registration database? 

o In real-time

o Daily

o Other (please describe): ___________________________________________________

Q5. For each of the following entities, please report whether your state’s voter registration 

database (or equivalent) conducts electronic transfers of information to maintain the 

accuracy of the voter rolls. For each entity, report whether it electronically transfers data 

with the state’s voter registration database and how often the data transfer occurs. Nonelectronic data transfers, such as information shared through paper copies, should not be 

reported in these questions.

Governmental Entity 1. Has Electronic Data Transfer 2. How Often Transfer Occurs

a. Motor vehicles agency

(e.g., DMV)

o Yes

o No

If response = No, proceed to 

next entity

o Real-time

o Daily

o Weekly

o Monthly

o Other (describe): ___________
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Governmental Entity 1. Has Electronic Data Transfer 2. How Often Transfer Occurs

b. Any state agencies for

people with disabilities

o Yes

o No

If response = No, proceed to 

next entity

o Real-time

o Daily

o Weekly

o Monthly

o Other (describe): ___________

c. Any state public

assistance agencies

o Yes

o No

If response = No, proceed to 

next entity

o Real-time

o Daily

o Weekly

o Monthly

o Other (describe): ___________

d. Other state agencies

(not NVRA-required)

o Yes

o No

If response = No, proceed to 

next entity

o Real-time

o Daily

o Weekly

o Monthly

o Other (describe): ___________

e. Federal agencies (not

NVRA-required)

o Yes

o No

If response = No, proceed to 

next entity

o Real-time

o Daily

o Weekly

o Monthly

o Other (describe): ___________

f. Military recruiting office o Yes

o No

If response = No, proceed to 

next entity

o Real-time

o Daily

o Weekly

o Monthly

o Other (describe): ___________

g. Entities that maintain

death records (e.g., SSA,

state vital statistics)

o Yes

o No

If response = No, proceed to 

next entity

o Real-time

o Daily

o Weekly

o Monthly

o Other (describe): ___________

h. Entities that maintain

felony/prison records

(e.g., state courts, state

police, federal courts,

pardons/paroles agency)

o Yes

o No

If response = No, proceed to 

next entity

o Real-time

o Daily

o Weekly

o Monthly

o Other (describe): ___________

i. Entities that maintain

records of individuals

declared mentally

incompetent

o Yes

o No

If response = No, proceed to 

next entity

o Real-time

o Daily

o Weekly

o Monthly

o Other (describe): ___________
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Q6. Does your state register individuals to vote automatically or via an automated process 

during or as a result of a transaction (either online or in-person) with a state government 

agency, unless the individual affirmatively declines to register to vote? 

Examples of automated processes in some states include those that force a choice on the 

individual (i.e., the individual cannot proceed with the transaction without selecting whether 

or not they wish to register) and those that provide a default option (e.g., the option to 

register is pre-selected, but the individual can choose to opt-out during the transaction).

o Yes 

o No

If Q6 = No, skip to Q7 

If Q6 = Yes, proceed to Q6a 

Q6 Comments: 

Q6a. Which state agency or agencies participate in this program? (Select all that apply.) 

 State motor vehicle agency (e.g., DMV) 

 State agency or agencies for people with disabilities

 State public assistance or social services agency or agencies

 State agencies as designated by the state’s chief election official or governor 

 Other (please describe): ____________________________________________ 

Q6b. If an individual declines to register to vote, at what point can this declination happen?

(Select all that apply.) 

 At the point of service (i.e., during the transaction) 

 In response to a mailer sent to the individual after the transaction

If Q6b = At the point of service, proceed to Q6c 

If Q6b = In response to a mailer sent to the individual after the transaction, skip to Q7 

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Q6c. Please describe your state’s point-of-service automated voter registration process stepby-step. Include details about how declination language is worded on the form and the 

declination process itself, such as whether a default option is provided (e.g., the option to 

register is pre-selected, but the individual can choose to opt-out during the transaction) or a 

forced choice is employed (i.e., they cannot proceed with the transaction without selecting 

whether or not they wish to register). 

Q6c Comments: 

Q7. Does your state have an online, web-based system that interfaces with the state voter 

registration system, and through which individuals can register to vote or update their 

registration on their own, without requiring any paper form to be submitted?

o Yes, individuals can both register to vote and update their registration via the system 

o Yes, individuals can update their registration via the system

o No

If Q7 = No, skip to Q8 

If Q7 = Yes, proceed to Q7a 

Q7a. Does a person need to have a driver’s license or other ID issued by your state in order 

to register to vote or update a registration online?

o Yes 

o No

Q7b. Does the online, web-based voter registration system incorporate any of the following 

features? (Select all that apply.) 

 Custom webpage URLs to track where the voter came from to enter the online 

registration process (such as a particular state agency or third-party organization) 

 Integration of third-party application programming interface (API)

 Mobile phone optimization

 Provides a confirmation number to registrant

 Sends a confirmation email to registrant

 Supports languages other than English 

 Use of motor vehicle agency signature to register to vote 
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Q8. Which of the following voting information lookup and other tools are available on your 

state election office website? (Select all that apply.) 

 Voters may check their registration status 

 Voters may view voter-specific ballot information

 Voters may check the status of UOCAVA ballot delivery, return, and processing 

 Voters may check the status of mail ballot delivery, return, and processing 

 Voters may check their polling site location

 Voters may check the status of provisional ballot processing

 Voters may request to receive a mail or absentee ballot 

Q9. Does your state either have same day voter registration (SDR) or a period of overlap 

between the start of in-person early voting and the close of voter registration when people 

can register to vote and vote on the same day?

Please note that a period of overlap between the mail balloting period and the close of voter 

registration should not be considered SDR for the purposes of this question. 

o Yes 

o No

If Q9 = No, skip to Q10

If Q9 = Yes, proceed to Q9a 

Q9a. Under which circumstances can a voter in your state register on the same day that he 

or she casts a ballot? (Select all that apply.) 

 On Election Day

 During in-person early voting 

 During an overlap between the start of early voting and the close of voter registration 

 Only in very specific cases (e.g., for federal offices only, or for moving between states 

after a registration deadline in a presidential election year; please describe): 

________________________________________________________________________ 

Q10. Does your state allow persons to pre-register to vote before they are 18 years of age 

and become automatically registered to vote once they turn 18? 

o Yes, persons who are at least _____ years of age may pre-register 

o No, our state does not allow for pre-registration

Q10 Comments: 
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Q11. Does your state differentiate between active and inactive voters in your voter 

registration records? 

o Yes, our state differentiates between active and inactive voters 

o No, our state does not use this distinction

If Q11 = Yes, use the comments to describe what your state defines as active and 

inactive voters and to note whether your state uses different terminology, and then 

proceed to Q11a 

If Q11 = No, skip to Q12 

Q11 Comments: 

Q11a. Which of the following actions will result in moving an active voter to the inactive list?

(Select all that apply.) 

 Failure to return a confirmation notice

 Mail sent by election office being returned as undeliverable 

 Other (please describe): __________________________________________________ 

Q11b. Which of the following actions will result in moving an inactive voter to the active list?

(Select all that apply.) 

 Completing a certificate of candidacy

 Online confirmation of a registration record

 Requesting a by-mail ballot or UOCAVA ballot

 Returning a confirmation notice

 Signing a petition

 Voter-initiated update to a registration record 

 Voting in a federal general election 

 Voting in a federal primary

 Voting in a state or local general election 

 Voting in a state or local primary

 Other (please describe): __________________________________________________ 

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Q12. Who is responsible for modifying or removing voter registration records in your state?

o Only state officials 

o Only local officials 

o Both state and local officials

If Q12 = Both, use the comments to specify the roles and responsibilities of state and 

local officials.

Q12 Comments: 

Q13. Does your state send confirmation notices to voters to help identify those who may be 

ineligible to vote in your state? (Select all that apply.) 

In your responses, please include any confirmation notices that are produced through the 

statewide system but mailed by local election offices. 

 Yes, our state sends these notices pursuant to National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) 

Section 8 (d) (1) (B) and Section 8 (d) (2)

 Yes, our state sends these notices pursuant to a state statute

 Yes, our state sends these notices pursuant to formal administrative rule or guidance

 No, our state does not send these notices

If Q13 = No, skip to Q14 

If Q13 = Yes, proceed to Q13a 

Q13a. Which voters are sent confirmation notices? (Select all that apply.) 

 Registered voters who have not voted in two consecutive federal general elections 

 Registered voters whose addresses may have changed (including those who may 

have moved from the jurisdiction in which they are registered) 

 Registered voters who have been convicted of a disqualifying felony 

 Registered voters who have been declared mentally incompetent 

 Registered voters who have surrendered their driver’s license and obtained a new 

license in a different state 

 Registered voters who have mail from an election office returned as undeliverable 

 Registered voters who have requested to be removed 

 Registered voters who have not made contact (as defined by state statute) with the 

state election division in the last ____ years 

 All registered voters routinely receive a non-forwardable notice every ____ years 

 Other (please describe): _______________________________________________ 
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Q14. What data sources are used to identify potentially ineligible voters on your state’s voter 

rolls? (Select all that apply.) 

 Applications for by-mail ballots

 Canvassing (door-to-door verification)

 Commercial data sources

 Data from an interstate data sharing compact (e.g., the Electronic Registration 

Information Center) 

 Entities that maintain felony/prison records (e.g., state courts, state police, federal 

courts, pardons/paroles agencies)

 Entities that maintain records of individuals declared mentally incompetent

 Jury questionnaires 

 Mail ballots returned as undeliverable 

 Other mail from election office (not ballots) returned as undeliverable 

 Motor vehicle agencies (e.g., DMV)

 National Change of Address (NCOA) reports

 Newspaper death notices/obituaries

 Reports/notices from other states that a former resident has registered to vote

 Requests from voters for removal 

 Returned jury summons

 Social Security Administration death records

 State vital statistics office death records

 State agencies that serve persons with disabilities

 State public assistance agencies

 State agencies that are not specified in NVRA

 State tax filings

 Other (e.g., military recruitment offices, etc.; please describe): ___________________ 

Election Technology 

Q15. Which of the following options best describes your state’s policy on voting system 

testing and certification?

o Voting system testing and certification are required by statute

o Voting system testing and certification are required by formal administrative rule or 

guidance

o Our state does not require any type of voting system testing and certification prior to 

voting systems’ approval for purchase

If Q15 = Testing and certification are not required, skip to Q16

If Q15 = Testing and certification are required, proceed to Q15a

Q15 Comments: 
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Q15a. Which of the following categories best describe your state’s policy on voting system 

testing and certification regarding the role of the EAC and federal testing and certification? 

(Select all that apply.) 

 Requires federal certification without specific reference to EAC certification

 Requires federal certification with specific reference to EAC certification 

 Requires certification to the EAC-adopted federal Voluntary Voting System Guidelines 

(VVSG)

 Requires state certification independent of federal certification 

 Requires state certification in addition to federal certification

 Requires testing by an EAC-accredited Voting System Testing Laboratory (VSTL) 

 Requires testing by an independent laboratory separate from the EAC-accredited 

VSTLs 

 Other (please describe): __________________________________________________ 

Q16. Does your state, or any jurisdiction in your state, use electronic poll books?

o Yes 

o No

If Q16 = No, skip to Q17 

If Q16 = Yes, proceed to Q16a

Q16a. Which of the following options best describes your state’s policy on electronic poll 

book testing and certification?

o Electronic poll book testing and certification are required by statute

o Electronic poll book testing and certification are required by formal administrative 

rule or guidance

o Our state does not require any type of electronic poll book testing and certification 

prior to electronic poll books’ approval for purchase 

Q16a Comments: 

By-Mail Voting 

Q17. For the November 2020 election, will your state require an excuse for by-mail 

(absentee) voting? 

o Yes, an excuse is required 

o No excuse required 
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Q18. For the November 2020 election, will your state—or will any jurisdiction in your state—

use an all-vote-by-mail system (i.e., send a mail ballot to every registered voter)? 

o Yes 

o No

If Q18 = No, skip to Q19

If Q18 = Yes, proceed to Q18a

Q18a. Will the all-vote-by-mail system be used statewide or only in certain jurisdictions?

o Statewide

o Only in certain jurisdictions

Q19. For the November 2020 election, will your state allow some or all registered voters to 

request to be a permanent absentee voter? 

o No

o Yes, any registrant can request to be a permanent absentee voter 

o Yes, individuals who meet specific criteria can request to be permanent absentee 

voters 

If Q19 = No, skip to Q20

If Q19 = Yes, any registrant, skip to Q20

If Q19 = Yes, individuals who meet specific criteria, proceed to Q19a

Q19a. Who can be a permanent absentee voter in your state? (Select all that apply) 

 Individuals over a specified age

 Persons with disabilities

 Other (please specify): _______________________________________________ 

Q20. What is the deadline for a domestic civilian (non-UOCAVA) voter to return a by-mail 

ballot? (Select all that apply; specify the number of days if applicable.)

Ballot must be 

postmarked by:

 ____ days before Election Day

 Election Day

Ballot must be received 

by:

□ ____ days before Election Day

□ Election Day

□ ____ days after Election Day

Q20 Comments: 
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Q21. How long does your state track ballots that arrive after the deadlines specified in Q20 

for reporting in EAVS Section C?

o Until canvass is complete

o Until a specified date: ______ 

o Indefinitely 

Q22. What counts in your state as satisfying the postmark requirements for mail ballots? 

(Select all that apply.) 

 Physical postmark

 Postal processing markings

 Hand cancellation

 Intelligent barcode 

 Private express delivery service date stamp

 Date on voter affidavit

 Other (please describe): ___________________________________________________ 

Q23. For the November 2020 election, under which circumstances will domestic civilian 

(non-UOCAVA) voters be able to receive their ballots through an electronic format, such as 

email, fax, online via your state’s online voter registration portal, or through a mobile phone 

app? (Select all that apply) 

□ Domestic civilian voters cannot receive ballots electronically under any 

circumstances

□ During an emergency situation (such as a natural disaster) that hinders in-person 

voting

□ When a replacement ballot is needed 

□ Voters with a specific disability

□ Voters with any disability

□ Voters may receive a ballot electronically for any circumstance

□ Other (please describe): ___________________________________________________ 

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In-Person Voting Prior to Election Day 

Q24. What terminology does your state use to describe the process of allowing individuals to 

cast their ballots in person prior to Election Day? Hand delivered return of mail ballots (e.g., 

via drop-boxes) should not be considered in-person early voting or in-person absentee voting 

for the purposes of this question. (Select all that apply). 

 In-person early voting 

 In-person absentee voting 

 Other (please describe): ___________________________________________________ 

 No in-person voting is allowed prior to Election Day (Note: If you allow persons with 

disabilities or any other specific population of voters to come to a local election office 

and vote in person prior to Election Day, do not select this option and make the 

appropriate selection among the other choices).

If Q24 = No, skip to Q25 

If Q24 = Yes, proceed to Q24a 

Q24a. Is an excuse required for a person to cast a ballot in person prior to Election Day?

o Yes 

o No

Vote Centers 

Q25. For the November 2020 election, on Election Day (not including early voting), will any 

jurisdictions in the state have the option to allow voters to cast their ballots at any polling 

location or vote center in their local jurisdiction?

o Yes 

o No

If Q25 = No, skip to Q26 

If Q25 = Yes, proceed to Q25a 

Q25a. Which of the following best describes the way vote centers operate in your state? 

o Our state requires the use of vote centers statewide. 

o Our state has vote centers, but only in jurisdictions that meet specific requirements. 

o Our state has vote centers, but jurisdictions have the option not to implement vote 

centers. 
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UOCAVA Voting 

Q26. Other than postal mail, which of the following methods can a UOCAVA voter use to 

submit a Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application

(FPCA)? (Select all that apply)

 Email

 Fax

 Online via your state’s Online Voter Registration Portal

 Other (specify): __________________________________________________________ 

Q27. When a UOCAVA voter submits an FPCA, is his or her registration as a UOCAVA voter

permanent or temporary?

o Permanent 

o Temporary 

Q28. When a UOCAVA voter submits an FPCA, for how long does the voter remain eligible to 

receive an absentee ballot? 

o _____ months 

o _____ calendar years 

o _____ general elections 

o Until the voter moves (notified via postal service or voter) 

o Other (please specify): ____________________________________________________ 

Q29. What is the deadline for a domestic military UOCAVA voter to return a by-mail ballot? 

(Select all that apply; specify the number of days if applicable.) 

Ballot must be 

postmarked by:

 ____ days before Election Day

 Election Day

Ballot must be received 

by:

 ____ days before Election Day

 Election Day

 ____ days after Election Day

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Q30. What is the deadline for an overseas UOCAVA voter to return a by-mail ballot? (Select 

all that apply; specify the number of days if applicable.)

Ballot must be 

postmarked by:

 ____ days before Election Day

 Election Day

Ballot must be received 

by:

 ____ days before Election Day

 Election Day

 ____ days after Election Day

Q31. Do the postmark requirements for UOCAVA ballots differ from the requirements for 

mail ballots from domestic civilian voters, as specified in Q22? 

o No

o Yes (please explain): ______________________________________________________ 

Provisional Voting 

Q32. Does your state use provisional ballots?

o Yes 

o No

If Q32 = No, skip to Q33 

If Q32 = Yes, proceed to Q32a 

Q32a. Under what circumstances does your state use provisional ballots? (Select all that 

apply.) 

 A federal or state judge extends polling place hours in a federal election 

 An election official asserts that an individual is not eligible to vote

 Another person (not an election official) challenges a voter’s qualifications and the 

poll worker is not able to resolve the challenge 

 A voter’s name does not appear on the list of eligible voters

 A voter does not have proper identification (as defined by state law)

 A voter is not a resident of the precinct in which he or she is attempting to vote

 A voter has changed their name or address (within the election jurisdiction) but has 

not updated their voter registration to reflect the new information 

 A voter was issued a mail ballot, chooses to vote in person on Election Day instead, 

and does not have the mail ballot to surrender to poll workers

 Other (please describe): ___________________________________________________ 
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Q32b. What is the deadline for adjudicating provisional ballots cast in the November 2020 

general election? 

o Specific date: ______ 

o ____ days after Election Day 

Q32c. In the November 2020 election, how will your state treat a provisional ballot if the 

ballot were cast in the wrong precinct by a voter? 

o Fully count the entire ballot 

o Partially count the ballot (e.g., only count the items on the ballot for which the voter 

would have been eligible had he or she voted in the correct precinct)

o Reject the entire ballot 

Election Certification, Recounts, and Audits 

There are several ways of conducting election audits and recounts, and several reasons why 

they would be conducted. The following questions ask about your state’s deadline for 

certifying the November 2020 election results, various types of election recounts and audits, 

and whether your state requires such recounts and/or audits through statute, administrative 

requirements, or standard state practice.

Q33. What is your state’s deadline for certifying the results of the November 2020 federal 

general election? 

 _____/______/________ (MM/DD/YYYY) 

Q33 Comments: 

[Survey continues on next page]

 
OMB Control No. 3265-0006 Expiration Date 3/31/2023 21

Recounts 

Q34. An election recount is a repeat tabulation of all votes cast in an election that is used to 

determine the correctness of an initial count. For the November 2020 election, which of the 

following describes a reason why a jurisdiction in your state would conduct a post-election 

recount of ballots? (Select all that apply) 

 Results of a contest are within a specified margin (e.g., the top two candidates are 

within one percentage point)

 An affected candidate or party requests a recount 

 Results of a contest are within a specified margin AND an affected candidate or party 

requests a recount

 Another person or group—such as a voter or group of voters—requests a recount 

(please describe): _______________________________________________________ 

 ONLY if a court orders a recount to be conducted 

Audits 

Q35. A post-election tabulation audit verifies that the voting equipment used to count ballots 

during an election properly counts a sample of voted ballots after an election. Will postelection tabulation audits be required in your state for the November 2020 election? 

o Yes, post-election tabulation audits are required by statute

o Yes, post-election tabulation audits are required by formal administrative rule or 

guidance

o No, our state does not require any type of post-election tabulation audit

o Other (please describe): ___________________________________________________ 

If Q35 = No, skip to Q36 

If Q35 = Yes or Other, proceed to Q35a 

Q35a. What type of post-election tabulation audit will be required in your state for the 

November 2020 election? (Select all that apply) 

 Traditional tabulation audit: records from a fixed percentage of randomly selected 

voting districts or voting machines are compared to the results produced by the 

voting system

 Risk limiting tabulation audit: an audit protocol designed to limit the risk of certifying 

an incorrect election outcome by utilizing statistical principles and methods to select 

the audit sample size

 Other (please describe) : _______________________________________________ 
OMB Control No. 3265-0006 Expiration Date 3/31/2023 22

Voter Identification 

Q36. For in-person voting (not including first-time voters), please select all of the options 

that are appropriate for your state. 

In order to establish their identity, a voter: 

 Is required to show a government-issued form of photo identification

 Can show a non-photo government-issued form of identification

 Can show a non-government form of photo identification

 Can show a non-photo non-government form of identification or proof of residence, 

such as a lease or a utility bill

 Can have a person registered to vote in the precinct/jurisdiction formally vouch for 

his or her identity (including but not limited to signing an affidavit)

 Can sign an affidavit affirming his or her identity (with no other action required for the 

voter to vote) 

 Can sign an affidavit affirming his or her identity, but the voter must later present 

appropriate identification to the election officials before his or her provisional ballot 

is counted

If Q36 = Can sign an affidavit but voter must later present appropriate identification, 

proceed to Q36a 

If Q36 = any other option, skip to Q37 

Q36a. If a voter casts a provisional ballot as a result of not having acceptable identification 

during voting, what is the deadline by which they must present appropriate identification to 

election officials to verify their identity and have their provisional ballot accepted and 

counted? 

o Specific date: _______ 

o ____ days after Election Day 

Criminal Convictions and Voting 

Q37. In some states, an individual loses his or her right to vote when convicted of certain 

crimes. Which of the following best describes the populations whose voting eligibility is 

suspended or revoked due to criminal conviction in your state? (Select all that apply.) 

 Individuals who are convicted of any felony

 Individuals who are convicted of certain felonies

 Individuals who are convicted of other crimes that are not felonies, such as electionrelated crimes 

 No one; criminal convictions do not limit a person’s right to vote 

If Q37 = No one, skip to End

If Q37 = Any individual, proceed to Q37a 
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Q37a. For how long does a person with a disqualifying felony conviction lose his or her right 

to vote? (Select all that apply.) 

 During the period of incarceration

 During any period of probation and parole

 During any additional time (such as a statutorily mandated waiting period)

 Until payment of outstanding fines, restitution, or penalties

Q37b. What is required for a person with a disqualifying felony conviction to become an 

eligible voter again after losing the right to vote due to criminal activity? (Select all that 

apply.) 

 A person’s previous registration is restored with no further action required by the 

voter. 

 A person is immediately eligible and must re-register to vote through the same 

registration process as the general public. 

 A person must present documentation during the registration process showing that 

he or she has completed the requirements for registering to vote. 

 A person must have his or her voting rights restored by the state through a formal 

administrative process (e.g., gubernatorial restoration or action by the state pardons 

and paroles board).

Q37b Comments: 

END OF SURVEY

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