History of the National Clearinghouse on Election Administration

The U.S. Congress first created a National Clearinghouse for Information on the Administration of Elections 

within the General Accounting Office (GAO), under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Congress 

established this office in an effort to combat a specific problem: the country's election administrators were not 

easily exchanging information on election practices and procedures that would enable them to more efficiently 

administer elections.

In 1975, this function was transferred to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by the Federal Election 

Campaign Act Amendments of 1974. The Act, as revised, specifically calls upon the Commission to serve as 

"a national clearinghouse for the compilation of information and review of procedures with respect to the 

administration of Federal elections." The FEC's National Clearinghouse on Election Administration (the 

Clearinghouse) was established to serve that function. The office was also known as the FEC Office of 

Election Administration (OEA).

The Clearinghouse organized its activities into six program areas: research; information; public speaking; 

election legislation; voting system standards; and voting accessibility. The first four program areas are the 

result of the original Congressional mandate. The Clearinghouse assumed the latter two programs as a result 

of further specific Congressional action in 1980 and 1984, respectively. With the enactment of the National 

Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), the Clearinghouse was charged with (1) developing and maintaining a 

national mail voter registration form; and (2) submitting a biennial survey report to Congress on the impact of 

NVRA and changes in voter registration statistics.

Help America Vote Act (HAVA)

HAVA was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2002 to make sweeping reforms to the nation's voting process. 

HAVA addresses improvements to voting systems and voter access that were identified following the 2000 

election. HAVA mandates that EAC test and certify voting equipment, maintain the National Voter Registration 

form and administer a national clearinghouse on elections that includes shared practices, information for voters 

and other resources to improve elections. Section 803 of HAVA transferred the functions of the FEC's National 

Clearinghouse on Election Administration to an Election Assistance Commission (EAC). HAVA describes the 

clearinghouse role of EAC.

EAC Clearinghouse Provisions

Section 202 of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) describes the duties of the U. S. Election Assistance 

Commission (EAC). HAVA states that the Commission shall serve as a national clearinghouse and resource 

for the compilation of information and review of procedures with respect to the administration of Federal 

elections. EAC shall establish and maintain a clearinghouse of information available to the public on:

• Voluntary guidance adopted by EAC regarding the following HAVA mandates: voting system standards, 

provisional voting and voting information requirements, computerized statewide voter registration list 

requirements and requirements for voters who register by mail

• Information on the experiences of State and local governments in implementing the Voluntary Voting 

System Guidelines and in operating voting systems in general.

• Information relating to the testing, certification, decertification, and recertification of voting system 

hardware and software.

• Information and training on the management of HAVA payments and grants

• The Help America Vote College Program.

• EAC’s responsibilities under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) which includes the 

development and maintenance of the national voter registration form and biennial reports to Congress 

on the impact of NVRA on the administration of federal elections.

• Studies regarding election administration issues and other activities to promote the effective 

administration of Federal elections

• Compilation of federal and state laws and procedures regarding election administration and voting.

SEC. 206. Dissemination of Information. In carrying out its duties, the Commission shall, on an ongoing basis, 

disseminate to the public (through the Internet, published reports, and such other methods as the Commission 

considers appropriate) information on the activities carried out under this Act.