Update: Ten states have applied for the Election Data Collection grants. They include Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, Indiana and South Carolina.

The EAC is undergoing an independent review process to select the five states that will receive $2 million each for the collection of precinct-level data. The winning applicants will be chosen by May 30, 2008.

Election Data Collection Grant Program
The EAC’s Election Data Collection Grant Program will provide $2 million each to five eligible states to improve the collection of precinct-level data relating to the November 2008 federal elections. The program is designed to: 

• develop and document a series of administrative and procedural best practices in election data collection that can be replicated by other states 
• improve data collection processes 
• enhance the capacity of states and their jurisdictions to collect accurate and complete election data 
• document and describe particular administrative and management data collection practices, as well as particular data collection policies and procedures. 

Who May Apply
States, through their Chief State Election Officials, are the sole eligible applicants for this grant.

How and When to Apply
Applicants may view the grant announcement at www.submitgrant.net or click here. For detailed information on the application procedures, please log onto www.submitgrant.net. Applications may be submitted electronically or in hard copy. Electronic submissions must be submitted through www.submitgrant.net. Hard copy applications must be sent to EAC Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22209. For additional information about submissions, contact the EAC Support Center by phone at (888) 203-6161, or via email at EAC@lcgnet.com.

Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on April 28, 2008. The deadline applies to both electronic and paper submissions.

Contact Information
For additional information concerning submissions, contact the EAC Support Center by phone at (888) 203-6161, or via email at EAC@lcgnet.com. 

Frequently Asked Questions
Click here for a list of frequently asked questions.

Background
The EAC Election Day Collection Grants are authorized under the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008. Public Law 110-161 authorizes the EAC to award $10 million in grants to states to implement an election data collection program. For additional background information, please view the grant announcement here.