We blog questions posed to EAC and our answers every Monday. Submit questions or comments here, use the comment form or share on Twitter @EACgov.

Who pays for EAC’s voting system certification process?

The Voting System Testing and Certification Program is part of EAC’s operating budget. In Fiscal Year 2011, the Voting System Testing and Certification’s budget was $1.3 million, which funds all program activities, including expenses related to the certification process.

It is important to note that voting system vendors pay test labs directly. EAC does not have the legal authority to collect money from voting system manufacturers to pay for the testing of voting systems (see 31 U.S.C. §3302(b), Miscellaneous Receipts Act). For more information about EAC’s Voting System Testing and Certification Program, including a list of accredited test labs, go here.

What is EAC’s social media policy?

EAC’s social media policy and Twitter procedures are available online in the Resource Library. Also see EAC’s blog code of conduct.

What are the social media plans and policies of election officials?

For more information about social media policies and plans used by election officials, visit our collection of social media links and follow the most comprehensive Twitter list of election officials. Also, view EAC’s roundtable about social media and election administration, which features election officials who are active social media users: Voting Goes Viral. Using New Media to Manage an Election and Communicate with Voters.

How do I register to vote in the United States?

You can register using the process in the state where you live or by using the national mail voter registration form. Please note that registration requirements vary by state, so be sure to check with your state to find out what is required.
 

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Summit Co., OH Board of Elections is holding a public meeting today at 4 p.m.

Franklin Co., OH Board of Elections is conducting two recounts on Nov. 30.

VA State Board of Elections has certified Nov. 8 election results. They will be available soon on the board’s website. Follow #vaelections.

DuPage County, IL Election Commission is posting candidate filing updates.

Lake County, IL Clerk Willard Helander tweets that 167 petitions have been filed for local offices. The last day to file is December 5th by 5 p.m. A complete candidate's list will be available soon on the website.

Pasco Co., FL Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley tweets that the 2012 Candidates Guide is now available. Follow #VotePasco.
 

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We blog questions posed to EAC and our answers every Monday. Submit them here, use the comment form or share on Twitter @EACgov.

What is the MOVE Act?

The 2009 Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act established procedures for military and overseas citizen voters to request and for states to send registration information by mail and electronically. The Act requires states to designate at least one means of electronic communication for military voters and overseas citizens to request and receive voter registration applications and absentee ballots. The Act also requires states to transmit information to these voters 45 days before an election.

EAC and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are helping the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) launch its pilot programs by providing best practices or standards. In addition, MOVE reiterated the 2004 mandate from Congress requiring EAC to create guidelines for the development of a remote electronic voting system.

In EAC’s Report to Congress, we define our goal to develop remote voting guidelines that will best serve the needs of FVAP and military and overseas citizen voters. The report describes the work EAC has completed, including research, pilot program requirements and the funding provided to NIST to develop remote electronic absentee voting guidelines. EAC has also developed a program manual and federal certification process for voting systems that would serve UOCAVA voters. For more information about the MOVE Act and EAC’s activities, visit the military and overseas voting section of EAC’s website.

What is the reporting schedule for HAVA funds?

Please see EAC’s reporting schedule chart.

Every week we get questions about updating voter registration. Recent questions include: 

• How do I update my voter registration information if I’ve moved?
• Do you have to register to vote after moving?
• How do I register to vote if I move to another county within the same state?

Voter registration does not move with you, so you will have to complete a new voter registration form to update your new address. Read more about moving and registering to vote. For more information about re-registering in the jurisdiction of your new address, visit your state’s election office website.

How can I register to vote online?

Many states offer online registration tools, as well as ways to verify registration status. Visit your state’s election website to find out what customer service tools they offer.

How do I register to vote for the 2012 elections?

You can register using the process in the state where you live or by using the national mail voter registration form. Please note that registration requirements vary by state, so be sure to check with your state to find out what is required.
 

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Flu season is here, and for the second year EAC is collecting flu season contingency plans from election officials. EAC is gathering and sharing this information because election officials expressed an interest in learning what their peers are doing to prevent the spread of the flu at the polling place. It’s my experience that the best solutions in elections come from those in the field. EAC is collecting these contingency plans as part of its role as a national clearinghouse.

Election officials should submit their plans to clearinghouse@eac.gov. Thank you to Bristol, Virginia for the first submission! Read contingency plan submissions here. We look forward to sharing these ideas as officials prepare for the 2012 election cycle.

Officials can also sign up to be experts or search for expertise in the Election Official Exchange.
 

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Last week EAC blogged about the difference between “unofficial” and “official” election results. Many jurisdictions have now completed the canvass and certified the results. For example:

LA County, CA Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan tweeted a link to the certified results for Nov. 8 local and municipal elections.

Multnomah Co., OR posted its final results.

Monterey Co., CA posted its Statement of Votes Cast, the county's official record of the total number of votes cast.

The Franklin Co., OH Board of Elections will certify general election results today at 3 p.m.

Denver’s clerk and recorder tweeted the official results of the Nov. 1 Coordinated Election.

Other election updates

Clay Co., FL Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless tweets a link to the latest newsletter, which includes the five keys to voter success.

The Kansas City Election Board reminds voters to update their registration if they’ve moved.

Osceola Co., FL reminds the public they have until Jan. 3 to register to vote or update registration for the Jan. 31 Presidential Primary.

Allen Co., OH posted its new precinct maps. Notices will be sent to voters in January.

Pasco Co., FL Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley tweets the latest voter registration statistics.
 

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We blog questions and answers every Monday. Submit them here, use the comment form or share on Twitter @EACgov.

The most frequently asked questions from last week were about updating voter registration.

• How do I change my address on my voter registration card?
• How do I register to vote with a new last name?
• Which states have changed their voter registration rules?

You will have to complete a new voter registration form to make address or name changes. Read more about moving and updating voter registration. Visit your state's election office website to get the latest information about voter registration requirements and instructions to re-register in the jurisdiction of your new address.

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