WASHINGTON – United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Vice-Chair Rosemary E. Rodriguez will host the first in a series of brownbag lunch discussions about issues that impact the 2008 election on Friday, November 9, 2007. Vice-Chair Rodriguez will seek comments from those in attendance about the National Voter Registration Form, which is required by the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). She invites everyone with an interest in this topic to attend.
“I have decided to start with the gateway to elections, which in most states, is voter registration. The EAC is currently discussing adopting a policy to make revisions to the National Voter Registration Form,” said Vice-Chair Rodriguez. “EAC staff has recommended
an approach, and EAC Commissioner Caroline Hunter has offered
an alternative. As a Commissioner, I have a responsibility to seek bipartisan solutions. Generally, the EAC has little difficulty in finding common ground, however, revising the NVRA form is an area where the Commission has not achieved consensus.
“That is why I seek as much input as possible on how EAC should move forward regarding the NVRA. I encourage the public to bring their thoughts, suggestions and recommendations to the initial brownbag lunch discussion.”
WHAT:
Brownbag lunch discussion on the National Voter Registration Act and the National Voter Registration Form
WHO:
EAC Vice-Chair Rosemary E. Rodriguez, EAC staff, and the public
WHERE:
EAC, 1225 New York Avenue, NY, Suite 150, Washington, DC 20005
WHEN:
Friday, November 9, 12:00 Noon.
Vice-Chair Rodriguez announced the establishment of brownbag lunch discussions in July, citing the need to discuss issues leading up to the 2008 election and to establish a dialogue with individuals and organizations dedicated to making sure that the rights of voters are protected.
The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) transferred the responsibilities of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) to the EAC. The NVRA requires that the EAC develop and maintain a voter registration form for federal elections that must be used and accepted by all covered jurisdictions. To accomplish this task, the EAC was charged with creating regulations necessary to implement changes to the federal voter registration form. However, HAVA did not automatically transfer the NVRA regulations to the EAC. Therefore, at the EAC’s September public meeting, commissioners instructed staff to establish a 30-day public comment period regarding the EAC’s intention to transfer the NVRA regulations from the FEC to the EAC. At the October public meeting, EAC staff presented its recommended interim policy for handling requests from states to change the state instructions on the form. To view these documents, visit the
public meeting page on the EAC Web site.
EAC is an independent bipartisan commission created by the HAVA. EAC serves as a national clearinghouse and resource of information regarding election administration. It is charged with administering payments to states and developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and accrediting voting system test laboratories and certifying voting equipment. It is also charged with developing and maintaining a national mail voter registration form. The four EAC commissioners are Donetta Davidson, chair; Rosemary Rodriguez, vice chair; Caroline Hunter; and Gracia Hillman.
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