OMB Control No. 3265-0006 Expiration Date 3/31/2021 i

U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION (EAC) 

2018 Election Administration Policy Survey 

(Previously 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 EAC to better understand the quantitative data relating 

to the 2018 general election that we are collecting from all U.S. states and territories.

In the past, 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, we have 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. 

We appreciate your cooperation in this very important project.

Information supplied by:

Name Title

Office/Agency Name

Address 1

Address 2

City State Zip Code

Email Address

Telephone Fax Number
OMB Control No. 3265-0006 Expiration Date 3/31/2021 ii

Table of Contents 

Answering the Election Administration and Voting Survey......................................................1

Voter Registration ......................................................................................................................2

By-Mail Voting.............................................................................................................................4

In-Person Voting Prior to Election Day ......................................................................................5

Vote Centers...............................................................................................................................6

UOCAVA Voters ...........................................................................................................................6

Provisional Voting.......................................................................................................................7

Election Recounts and Audits ...................................................................................................7

Recounts.................................................................................................................................8

Audits ......................................................................................................................................8

Voter Identification.....................................................................................................................9

Criminal Convictions and Voting ...............................................................................................9
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Answering the Election Administration and Voting Survey 

Q1. States are able to answer the questions in the post-election Election Administration and 

Voting Survey (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 

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, including the total number of ballots cast in the 

election, the total number of precincts, the total number of Election Day and early 

voting precincts, and the total number of poll workers who worked during early voting 

or on Election Day.

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

cast and the disposition of each ballot.

 Section F covers election technologies, including voter registration technology, and 

the type of voting equipment used in early voting, Election Day voting, by-mail voting, 

and voting by individuals with disabilities.
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Voter Registration 

Q2. In the November 2018 election, was 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.) 

 Top-down

 Bottom-up

 Hybrid

If response = Top-down, skip to Q3

If response = Bottom-up or Hybrid, skip to Q2a. 

Q2a. How often do local jurisdictions transmit registration information to the state voter 

registration database? 

 In real-time

 Daily

 Other (please specify) 

 

Q3. For each of the following items, select the option that best describes how your state’s 

voter registration database (or equivalent) shares information electronically with other 

government entities to maintain the accuracy of the voter rolls. 

Governmental Entity No 

Connection

Primarily RealTime Data 

Linkages

Primarily Direct Data 

Linkages, 

Daily/Weekly/Monthly 

Sharing

Primarily OneWay Data 

Sharing from 

Agencies to 

Election Office

Motor vehicles agency 

(e.g., DMV)

Any state agencies for 

people with disabilities

Any state public 

assistance agencies

Other state agencies (not 

NVRA-required)

Federal agencies (not 

NVRA-required)
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Military recruiting offices 

Q4. For each of the following items, select the option that best describes how your state’s 

voter registration database (or equivalent) shares information electronically with other 

government entities to maintain the accuracy of the voter rolls. 

Governmental Entity No 

Connection

Primarily RealTime Data 

Linkages

Primarily Direct Data 

Linkages, 

Daily/Weekly/Monthly 

Sharing

Primarily OneWay Data 

Sharing from 

Agencies to 

Election Office

Entities that maintain 

death records (e.g., SSA, 

state vital statistics)

Entities that maintain 

felony/prison records 

(e.g., state courts, state 

police, federal courts, 

pardons/paroles agency)

Entities that maintain 

records of individuals 

declared mentally 

incompetent

 

Q5. Does your state have an automated voter registration process that allows the electronic

record transfer between a state agency (state motor vehicle office, state tax office, etc.) and 

the elections division? 

If response = No, skip to Q6

If response = Yes, skip to Q5a

 Yes

 No

Q5a. Which state agency or agencies do you conduct the electronic record transfer with? 

 State motor vehicle agency

 State tax office

 Other state agency 

Q6. Does your state have an online portal in which individuals can register to vote on their 

own, fully online, without requiring any paper form to be submitted?

 Yes

 No
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If response = No, skip to Q7

If response = Yes, skip to Q6a

Q6a. Does a person need to have a driver’s license from your state in order to use the online 

voter registration system?

 Yes

 No

Q7. Does your state either have same day voter registration (SDR) or a period of overlap 

between the start of early voting and the close of voter registration when people can register 

to vote and vote on the same day?

 Yes

 No

If response = No, skip to Q8

If response = Yes, skip to Q7a

Q7a. Which of the following best describes same day voter registration (SDR) in your state?

 Our state has SDR on Election Day.

 Our state has SDR but only for early voting.

 Our state has SDR because of an overlap between the start of early voting and the 

close of voter registration.

 Our state has SDR in very specific cases (e.g., for federal offices only, at the central 

election office/board of canvassers office).

By-Mail Voting 

Q8. In the November 2018 election, did your state require an excuse for by-mail (absentee)

voting? 

 Yes, an excuse is required

 No excuse required

Q9. In the November 2018 election, did your state—or did any jurisdiction in your state—use 

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

 Yes

 No

If response = No, skip to Q10

If response = Yes, skip to Q9a
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Q9a. Was the all-vote-by-mail system used statewide or only in certain jurisdictions?

 Statewide

 Only in certain jurisdictions

Q10. In the November 2018 election, did your state allow some or all registered voters to 

request to be a permanent absentee voter?

 No

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

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

voters.

If response = No, skip to Q11

If response = Yes, any registrant, skip to Q11

If response = If Yes, individuals who meet specific criteria, skip to Q10a

Q10a. 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)

Q11. What is the deadline for a domestic civilian (non-UOCAVA voter) to return a by-mail 

ballot? (Select all that apply)

Election Day 

Postmarked by Before

On 

After

Options are Number of Days 

or 

“Election Day”

Received by Before 

On

After

Options are Number of Days 

or 

“Election Day”

In-Person Voting Prior to Election Day 

 

Q12. In the November 2018 election, did your state allow for either in-person early voting or 

in-person absentee voting prior to Election Day?

 Yes, in-person early voting

 Yes, in-person absentee voting
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 No (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 response = No, skip to Q13

If response = Yes, skip to Q12a

Q12a. Is an excuse required for [in-person early voting] [in-person absentee voting]

 Yes

 No

Vote Centers 

Q13. For the November 2018 election, on Election Day (not including early voting), did any 

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

place or vote center in their local jurisdiction?

 Yes 

 No

If response = No, skip to Q14

If response = Yes, skip to Q13a

Q13a. Which of the following best describes the way vote centers operate in your state?

 Our state requires the use of vote centers statewide.

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

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

centers.

UOCAVA Voters 

Q14. 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)

Q15. When a UOCAVA voter submits an FPCA, is his or her voter registration permanent or 

temporary?
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 Permanent

 Temporary

Q16. When a UOCAVA voter submits an FPCA, for how long does the FPCA remain valid?

[number choices] Months

[number choices] Calendar Years

[number choices] General Elections

[check box] Until the voter moves (notified via postal 

service or voter)

Q17. What is the deadline for a UOCAVA voter to return a by-mail ballot? (Select all that 

apply)

Election Day 

Postmarked by Before

On 

After

Options are Number of Days 

or 

“Election Day”

Received by Before 

On

After

Options are Number of Days 

or 

“Election Day”

Provisional Voting 

Q18 In the November 2018 election, would your state count or reject a provisional ballot if 

the ballot were cast in the wrong precinct by a voter?

 Fully count

 Partially count

 Reject

Election 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 various types of election audits

and whether your state requires such audits through statute, administrative requirements, 

or standard state practice.
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Recounts 

Q19. For the November 2018 election, which of the following reasons describes a reason 

why a jurisdiction in your state would conduct a post-election recount of ballots? (Check all 

that apply)

 Recounts are conducted automatically in all elections for all races.

 Recounts are conducted if the result in any race is within a specified margin (e.g., the 

top two candidates are within one percentage point).

 Recounts are conducted if the losing candidate or party requests a recount.

 Recounts are conducted if an interested person—such as a voter or group of voters—

requests a recount.

 Recounts are conducted if a court orders a recount to be conducted. 

Audits 

Q20. Which of the following reasons describes a reason why a jurisdiction in your state 

would conduct a post-election audit? 

 Post-election audits are required by statute.

 Post-election audits are required by formal administrative rule or guidance.

 Our state does not require any type of election audit.

If 20 = the state has any type of election audit, skip to Q20a

If 20 = the state does not require an election audit, skip to Q21

Q20a. In the 2018 election, will your state require any local jurisdictions to conduct an audit 

to determine if every polling place followed the processes and procedures required in the 

election, such as signing all forms, testing and securing all vote tabulation equipment, 

sealing and securing ballot materials correctly, and documenting the chain of custody of all 

key election materials? 

 Yes, this type of audit is conducted in every election. 

 Yes, but only if certain conditions are met to trigger an audit. 

 No, this type of audit is not conducted. 

Q20b. In the November 2018 election, will your state require any jurisdictions to conduct a 

post-election audit of voting machines that consists of comparing a hand-count of votes on 

paper records to the corresponding vote counts originally reported, as a check on the 

accuracy of election results?

 Yes, this type of audit is conducted in every election 

 Yes, but only if certain conditions are met to trigger an audit 

 No, this type of audit is not conducted

If 20b = No, skip to Q21
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Q20c. For the audit conducted in your jurisdiction, which of the following types of ballots are 

included in the post-election audit?

 Ballots cast on a DRE voting machine on Election Day 

 Ballots cast in-person on paper on Election Day but electronically counted (e.g., 

optical scan voting) 

 Ballots cast on a DRE voting machine during in-person early voting 

 Ballots cast in person and on paper during in-person early voting but electronically 

counted (e.g., optical scan voting) 

 Ballots cast by mail on paper but electronically counted (e.g., optical scan voting)

 Provisional ballots

Voter Identification 

Q21. 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 identification, such as a lease or a power 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

Criminal Convictions and Voting 

Q22. Some states require that individuals who are convicted of certain crimes be removed 

from the voter registration rolls. Which of the following best describes your state’s policy for 

removing individuals from the voter rolls?

 Individuals who are convicted of any felony

 Individuals who are convicted of certain felonies

 Individuals who are convicted of certain felonies and other crimes, such as electionrelated crimes

 Individuals who are convicted and incarcerated 

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

If Q22 = No one, skip to End
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Q23. For how long does a person with a felony conviction lose his or her right to vote?

 During the period of incarceration

 During the period of incarceration and during any period of probation and parole

 During the period of incarceration, probation/parole, plus additional time

Q24. What is required for a person with a felony conviction to become an eligible voter again 

after losing the right to vote due to criminal activity?

 Nothing, a person is automatically eligible to register to vote again.

 Nothing, a person’s previous registration is automatically restored.

 A person must present documentation 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).