Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2023
U.S. Election Assistance Commission Announces Winners of 7th Annual Clearinghouse Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2023
EAC Commissioners Issue Joint Statement Recognizing 30th Anniversary of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has released the second edition of the Election Management Guidelines (EMG) to assist local and state election officials in administering elections.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Commissioner Christy A. McCormick began her year-long term as Chairwoman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), a position she has previously held twice before during her time at the EAC. Chairwoman McCormick will serve alongside Commissioner Benjamin Hovland, who also begins his year-long term as Vice Chair of the agency. They both continue to serve alongside EAC Commissioners Donald Palmer and Thomas Hicks.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, February 21, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission's (EAC) Local Leadership Council (LLC) approved the committee’s initial Bylaws during its virtual meeting. The LLC Bylaws establish the guidelines for the conduct of the council members, meetings, and subcommittees.
Washington DC – Today, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) announced the appointment of Steven Frid as the new executive director of the agency. The announcement follows a formal search process as designated by the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Mr. Frid will replace Mark A. Robbins, who served as Interim Executive Director since February 8, 2022.
Factsheets
FACT SHEET: Election Administration and Voting Survey
March, 15 2017
Elections generate a tremendous amount of data that can be collected and analyzed to improve voter experience and guide how officials administer elections. All of this data is collected regularly by the thousands of jurisdictions that oversee elections across the country. Since 2004 the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has captured and analyzed much of this data for all states and territories via our Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS).
FACT SHEET: Voter Registration List Maintenance
March, 10 2017
An important part of the EAC’s mission is to support state and local election officials in their efforts to ensure accessible, accurate and secure elections. This fact sheet highlights how states conduct list maintenance, the importance of accurate voter registration lists, and the National Voter Registration Act’s provisions to ensure voter lists are maintained. It also gives guidance for voters wishing to proactively check the status of their own voter registration.
For more than a decade, the EAC’s Testing and Certification Program has assisted state and local election officials by providing timely and accurate voting machine testing. This program is a requirement of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002, legislation that created the EAC and mandated that the Commission provide certification, decertification, and recertification of voting systems, as well as the accreditation of voting system testing laboratories. This legislation marked the first time
More than 35 million Americans with disabilities, roughly one-sixth of the total electorate, are eligible to vote in the United States. This accounts for a broad range of disabilities, including mobility, communicative, physical, and cognitive impairments. This ever-growing population of voters also faces educational, cultural and political barriers that can make participating in elections even more difficult. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has a strong commitment to working with
Blogs
According to the 2020 Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS), the total number of registered Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters increased by about 69% from 2018. Over 1.2 million ballots were transmitted to military and overseas voters in 2020 with more than 900,000 returned and submitted for counting.
Vote in Honor of a Veteran Program
May is Military Appreciation Month. However, all year round, election offices have a way for voters to pay tribute to the contributions and sacrifices of veterans through the program “Vote in Honor of a Veteran.” With this program, people can engage in voting and show their appreciation to the veterans who have protected their ability to vote.
What You Need to Know About Census Data
March, 31 2023
The United States Census offers a wealth of data on the demographics of our country. This also includes data on election behaviors and data that is used in election processes. The EAC is taking a closer look at what the census is and how it impacts elections.
What is the United States Census?
Women in the U.S. have only had the right to vote for just over 100 years, and women of color gained the right to vote even more recently. This year, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) honored Women’s History Month by exploring some of the key moments that led to women’s suffrage and the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
The threats to the safety and wellbeing of election officials are an unfortunate ongoing topic in the field over the past few years. Election officials, law enforcement and others have continued to work on mitigating strategies, support, and strategies to support the election community. There are solutions being made and implemented to address these threats, which involve the participation of both election officials and law enforcement.
Best Practices for “I Voted” Sticker Contests
February, 06 2023
“I Voted” stickers are an opportunity for citizens to show their civic pride after voting. Sticker design competitions are also one way election offices can engage with the communities they serve. In recent years, an increasing number of states and local jurisdictions have used these “competitions” to further that engagement and connect the design of the “I Voted” stickers to the community.
In recognition of Black History Month 2023, EAC Chairman Thomas Hicks, Vice Chair Christy McCormick, Commissioner Ben Hovland, and Commissioner Donald Palmer issued the following joint statement:
Elections in the United States are administered by over 8,000 state and local governments, which vary in resources and responsibilities, and who serve a diverse voting population. Most elections offices serve a small or medium size population, with just 4% of jurisdictions with more than 50,000 voters1. Elections offices in heavily populated jurisdictions, serve more than 64% of voters, and have a large responsibility in administering American elections.
“Strengthening Election Official State Associations” Virtual Panel
December, 28 2022
How Professional Staff with State Associations Support Election Officials
On November 15, one week after Election Day, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) held a public hearing featuring a panel reflecting on lessons learned during the 2022 midterm election. The panel comprised The Honorable Tahesha Way, New Jersey Secretary of State and president of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), Meagan Wolfe, Administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission and President of the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED), and The Election Center’s Executive Director Tim Mattice.