U.S. Election Assistance Commission

WASHINGTON – The United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has delivered a report to Congress on the expenditure of Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds by state governments. The report covers election reform payments spent (including obligated funds) by states under HAVA Sections 101 and 102 through December 31, 2006 and under Section 251 through September 30, 2006. The final report, adopted by the Commission at its last public meeting, is available at www.eac.gov.

States received approximately $3 billion under these three sections of HAVA. EAC reported that states have spent 60 percent ($1,781,943,111) of HAVA funds received – leaving more than $1.3 billion available for additional improvements in election administration. According to HAVA, most of these funds are not limited to use within a specific fiscal year.

EAC also reported that of the funds expended:

• 76 percent was used to purchase or upgrade voting systems and implement statewide voter registration databases as required by HAVA;

• 16 percent was used to improve the administration of elections for Federal office;

• 8 percent was not classified by the state recipients; and

• less than one-tenth of one percent was used to implement provisional voting and polling place signage requirements.

The funds covered by the report are described below:

• Section 101 Funds - may be used to comply with the requirements of HAVA Title III for uniform and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration requirements; improve the administration of elections for federal office; educate voters; train election officials, poll workers and volunteers; develop a state plan; and toll-free voter information hotlines;

• Section 102 Funds - may be used only to replace punch card and lever voting systems that were in use during the November 2000 general federal election.

• Section 251 Funds - may be used to implement provisional voting; provide information to voters on Election Day; procure voting systems; implement a statewide voter registration database; implement identification requirements for first-time voters who register to vote by mail; and other activities to improve the administration of elections for federal office.

States also received funds under Section 261 of HAVA to address the accessibility of polling places for individuals with disabilities. EAC’s report does not include information about the expenditure of these funds because they are administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

HAVA instructs EAC to monitor the proper use of HAVA funds. For more information, including state audits, visit www.eac.gov.

EAC is an independent bipartisan commission created by HAVA. 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. EAC also serves as a national clearinghouse and resource of information regarding election administration. The four EAC commissioners are Donetta Davidson, chair; Rosemary Rodriguez, vice chair; Caroline Hunter; and Gracia Hillman.

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