EAC Commissioner Ben Hovland met virtually with Dean Logan, Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk for Los Angeles County, California and Meagan Wolfe, Administrator for the Wisconsin Elections Commission to discuss best practices in election administration for the category of Improving Accessibility for Voters with Disabilities.
Apr 15 , 2021
EAC Commissioner Ben Hovland met virtually with Dean Logan, Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk for Los Angeles County, California and Meagan Wolfe, Administrator for the Wisconsin Elections Commission to discuss best practices in election administration for the category of Improving Accessibility for Voters with Disabilities.
Feb 17 , 2021
PRESS RELEASE
February 17, 2021
Results show progress made but obstacles remain for voters with disabilities
Feb 16 , 2021
MEDIA ADVISORY
February 16, 2021
Aug 17 , 2020
MEDIA ADVISORY
August 17, 2020
The roundtable is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to offer additional resources regarding elections and the pandemic
Due to unforeseen technical difficulties with YouTube, the August 19 roundtable discussion was not livestreamed as scheduled. The agenda and full video recording of the discussion are posted on this page and the verbatim transcript will be added to this page as soon as possible.
Virtual via Zoom
Feb 25 , 2020
Jul 24 , 2020
EAC Commissioner Thomas Hicks was joined by Lou Ann Blake (Deputy Executive Director, National Federation of the Blind), Lee Page (Associate Director of Advocacy, Paralyzed Veterans of America), Derek Bowens (Director of Elections, Durham County, NC), and Brett Harbage (ADA Coordinator, Office of the Ohio Secretary of State) for the first
Feb 28 , 2020
Last week, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) hosted the 2020 Elections Disability, Accessibility, and Security Forum. The day-long gathering featured discussions on pressing issues to voters with disabilities and election officials amidst growing security needs.
Feb 28 , 2020
Last week, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) hosted the 2020 Elections Disability, Accessibility, and Security Forum. The day-long gathering featured discussions on pressing issues to voters with disabilities and election officials amidst growing security needs.
Feb 14 , 2020
MEDIA ADVISORY
February 14, 2020
As the 2020 elections rapidly approach, the US Election Assistance Commission (EAC) designed a forum to address growing concerns regarding accessibility and security. This all-day forum brought together state and local election officials, people with disabilities, disability advocates, and election security experts to discuss issues and advance solutions.
Roundtable on Helping Veterans with Disabilities in the voting process
Topic: Testimony about accessible voting and the progress made since passage of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA).
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission and Democracy Fund Voice convened election officials, voting rights groups, and other experts to meet and share best practices and tools for effective language assistance.
Topic: Promote Language Access for American Voters in 2016 Elections.
Ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) hosted an all-day summit to highlight a spectrum of issues that state and local election officials will face as they work to administer a secure, accessible and efficient 2018 Federal Election.
Aug 23 , 2018
A Language Access for Voters Summit discussion beyond the importance of Section 203 compliance towards expanded approaches to language assistance. Moderator: Tom Hicks, Chair, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Matt Beaton, Travis Lane, Maria Bianchi, Lucy Barefoot and Whitney Quesenbery
Aug 23 , 2018
Summit Chat: Language Community Outreach in Alaska
* Moderator: Alberto Olivas, Founding Executive Director, Pastor Center for Politics and Public Service, Arizona State University
* Indra Arriaga, Elections Language Assistance Compliance Manager,
Alaska Divisi
Aug 07 , 2018
This session explored these and other efforts to ensure that all language minority voters are able to access needed assistance and cast a meaningful vote.
Moderator: Stacey Scholl
* Bill Cowles
* Kira Romero-Craft
* Francesca Menes
* Nicole L. Crispo
Aug 06 , 2018
Summer Chat Speaker at Language Summit, Michelle Bishop, Voting Rights Specialist, National Disability Rights Network
Aug 06 , 2018
Language Access for Voters Summit. Lunch Guest Speaker: Nellie M Gorbea, Secretary of State, Rhode Island
Aug 06 , 2018
Guest Speaker at the Language Summit, John Gore, Acting Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
Aug 06 , 2018
This session will focus on cost-effective ways to provide language assistance, from small to big ideas.
* Moderator: Christy McCormick, Vice Chair, EAC
* Sonya L. Aston
* Kathy Placencia
* Michelle Tassinari
Jul 31 , 2018
Welcome and Introductions
* Tom Hicks, Chair, U.S. Election Assistance Commission
* Alberto Olivas, Founding Executive Director, Pastor Center for Politics and Public Service, Arizona State University
* Terry Ao Minnis, Senior Fellow and Consultant, Democracy Fund Voice
Jun 12 , 2017
Panelists: Matt Masterson, Craig Latimer, Dr. Gilberto Zelaya, James Tucker and Andy Kang at Language Access for Voters Summit
Jun 12 , 2017
Workshop 1 - Maximizing Language Services and Election Materials: Hear analysis on the current state of language services options, with insight from work at the federal level. In order to understand gaps in information and help generate ideas on ways to improve election materials design at Language Access for Voters Summit
Jun 12 , 2017
Workshop 2. Programming Voting Equipment. Programming equipment to display more than one language accurately and effectively is key to ensuring a voter correctly and efficiently casts their ballot. Facilitator – Ryan Macias at 2017 Language Access for Voters Summit
Jun 12 , 2017
Summit Talk with Secretary Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico Secretary of State at Language Access for Voters Summit
Jun 12 , 2017
Moderator – Adam Ambrogi and Panelists: Jonathan Stein, Indra Arriaga, Julie Wise, Brittnie Baker at Language Access for Voters Summit
Jun 10 , 2017
Panel 2. Updates to Section 203 Coverage and Newly Covered Jurisdictions Moderator – Tom Hicks,
Panelists: James Whitehorne, Cameron Sasnett, Erin Hustings, Deanna Kitamura, Leonard Gorman at the Language Access for Voters Summit
Jun 10 , 2017
Panel 1. Moderator – Terry Ao Minnis, Senior Fellow and Panelists: D’Vera Cohn, Senior John Yang, Andrea Senteno, James Tucker at Language Access for Voters Summit
Jun 10 , 2017
Panelists: Matt Masterson, State Senator David W. Marsden, Adam Ambrogi, Rosie O’Neil and Cameron Sasnett at Language Access for Voters Summit
Jun 10 , 2017
Summit Talk with Jennifer Driver, Manager of Education and Training, Welcome America at Language Access for Voters Summit
Jun 14 , 2016
EAC Releases Voting Rights Card Braille 6 14 16
Jul 30 , 2018
Silver Spring, Md. – U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Chairman Thomas Hicks and Vice Chair Christy McCormick today issued a joint statement to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Jul 19 , 2017
>> Chairman Masterson: Good morning and welcome to everyone both here at the EAC offices and virtually on YouTube, Facebook and other social media sites. My name is Matt Masterson and I am Chairman of the Election Assistance Commission.
Mar 29 , 2017
The study aims to answer key questions concerning the usability and processing of the NVRA form in Asian languages by reviewing this with election officials, EAC personnel, cultural contacts, bilingual graphic designers and U.S Citizens that speak Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese or Tagalog with limited or no English proficiency.
The results indicate that there are concrete issues that surround the use of the NVRA form in Asian languages both from an end-user’s perspective and from a processing point of view (i.e. the election official).
Feb 27 , 2017
Ten Suggested Practices to Improve Accessible Voting
Feb 09 , 2016
Polling Place Accessibility Survey Illinois
Feb 08 , 2016
A Guide to Implementation of Polling Place Accessibility in OK
Jan 29 , 2016
Paraquad RAAV Election Worker Training Guide
Dec 07 , 2015
Before you vote in the next election, know the voting process in your State. The following tips from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission examine the options available to help voters with disabilities vote privately and independently.
Dec 07 , 2015
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission has collaborated with local election officials to develop a series of helpful tips for election management. This series provides ideas and suggests best practices to help you run efficient and effective elections.
Sep 16 , 2010
Public Meeting - May 5, 2004
To see other documents associated with this public meeting, please visit the events page at http://www.eac.gov/public_meeting_05052004/
Sep 16 , 2010
Public Meeting - June 3, 2004
To see other documents associated with this public meeting, please visit the events page at http://www.eac.gov/public_meeting_06032004/
Sep 16 , 2010
Public Meeting - May 5, 2004
To see other documents associated with this public meeting, please visit the events page at http://www.eac.gov/public_meeting_05052004/
Jul 28 , 2010
Provides information about helping those voters in long-term care facilities to register and to vote. The guide includes recommendations about developing a voting assistance plan within a long-term care facility with help from State and local election officials. Other topics include the importance of outreach efforts within the community and information about how staffing, volunteers, and the facility can offer residents safeguards to preserve and protect the integrity of the voting process.
May 13 , 2010
This guide reviews the delicate issues involved with Elderly and Disabled Voters, including Developing a Voting Assistance Plan, Outreach & Implementation Strategies, and a List of National Resources.
May 13 , 2010
This guide reviews the issues of Accessibility in elections, including Managing an Accessible Elections Office, Providing an Accessible Voting Experience, and a List of Accessibility Resources.
Jul 26 , 2019
U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Chairwoman Christy McCormick, Vice Chair Ben Hovland, Commissioner Thomas Hicks and Commissioner Donald Palmer today issued the following joint statement to commemorate the 29th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Jul 16 , 2019
As it marks the fourth annual National Disability Voter Registration Week (NDVRW) REV UP Campaign, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that all eligible voters can cast their ballot privately and independently – voting rights rooted in the Help America Vote Act and championed by the Commission.
Feb 13 , 2019
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today announced that the Martin County Elections Office was the recipient of a 2018 “Clearie” Award for Improving Accessibility for Voters with Disabilities. Martin County Elections Office received the award for “Count Me in Too,” a series of educational videos that helped increase voter registration and turnout among voters who indicated they had special needs by 8 percent during the 2016 Presidential Elections.
Feb 13 , 2019
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today announced that the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder’s Office was the recipient of a 2018 “Clearie” Award for Improving Accessibility for Voters with Disabilities. The Clerk-Recorder’s Office received the award for their “A Simple (Accessible) Path for All” initiative which launched the innovative Accessible Polling Place Location and Equipment (APPLE) class and provided toolkits for establishing and maintaining accessible polling places.
Jul 24 , 2018
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Arizona State University Pastor Center for Politics and Public Service and Democracy Fund Voice today hosts the third annual Language Access for Voters Summit at the Newseum’s Knight Conference Center in Washington, D.C. The day-long event will convene state and local election officials, advocates and stakeholders from language communities to discuss critical issues of language accessibility.
Jul 17 , 2018
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Arizona State University Pastor Center for Politics and Public Service, and Democracy Fund Voice will host the third annual Language Access for Voters Summit at the Newseum’s Knight Conference Center at on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, in Washington, DC. The event will convene state and local election officials, advocates and stakeholders from language communities to discuss critical issues of language accessibility.
Feb 23 , 2018
Commissioner Thomas Hicks has been selected to serve as Chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), a position effective Feb. 24. He will be Chairman for one year and will continue to serve alongside EAC Commissioners Christy McCormick, who now moves to the role of Vice Chair, and Commissioner Matthew Masterson, who served as chairman during the past year. Hicks previously served as Chairman from February 2016 to February 2017.
Jan 03 , 2018
Ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission will host an all-day summit to highlight a spectrum of issues that state and local election officials will face as they work to administer secure, accessible and efficient 2018 federal elections. The event will feature keynote speakers and expert panelists who will address topics such as election security, voting accessibility, and how to use election data to improve the voter experience.
Dec 18 , 2017
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) recently released the EAVS Data Interactive, a new data visualization tool that allows users to pull data most relevant to them from the 2016 Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS), the most comprehensive nationwide data on election administration in the United States.
Nov 30 , 2017
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has announced the winners of its national competition for best practices in election administration. Born of the commission’s mandate to serve as a national clearinghouse of information on election administration, the annual “Clearie” awards recognize outstanding innovations in election administration that can serve as examples for other officials and jurisdictions to emulate.
Nov 29 , 2017
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today announced that Collin County Democrats with Disabilities (CCDWD) and Disability Rights Texas have won a national competition recognizing best practices in election administration. CCDWD and Disability Rights Texas were selected for its work to make the voting process more accessible for voters with disabilities.
Nov 29 , 2017
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today announced that the Washington Secretary of State’s office won a national competition recognizing best practices in election administration. The Washington Secretary of State’s office was selected for its work to make the voting process more accessible for voters with disabilities.
Nov 29 , 2017
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today announced that El Paso County’s elections department won a national competition recognizing best practices in election administration. El Paso County was selected for its work to make the voting process more accessible for voters with disabilities.
Oct 20 , 2017
Ahead of the fifteenth anniversary of Help America Vote Act, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) will come together with state and local election officials and the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) to hear feedback from people with disabilities about voting in rural America at the 23rd annual APRIL Conference on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. PT.
Aug 18 , 2017
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is seeking entry submissions for its second-annual national competition for best practices in election administration. This year the commission will present three awards in the categories of best practices related to voting accessibility, outstanding innovations in elections, and recruiting, training and retaining election workers. All entries must be received by October 6, 2017.
Jul 26 , 2017
U.S. Election Assistance Commission Chairman Matthew V. Masterson, Vice Chair Thomas Hicks, and Commissioner Christy McCormick today issued a joint statement marking the 27th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and noting the importance accessibility protections afforded voters as a result of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002.
Jul 17 , 2017
From July 17-21, local, state, and national disability organizations are coming together with disability rights advocates, civil rights organizations, elections administrators and other allies to increase nonpartisan voter registration, education and participation in the disability community.
Jul 14 , 2017
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) will host a streaming web event on Tuesday, July 18, at 11 a.m. EDT to examine initiatives that improve voting accessibility for veterans with disabilities. The event coincides with the second annual National Disability Voter Registration Week and the 27th anniversary month of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Feb 22 , 2017
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
Jun 14 , 2016
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), working with the National
Braille Press (NBP), today released a voting rights card in braille and large print to assist voters who are visually impaired and blind as they prepare to participate in the 2016 presidential election.
EAC Chairman Thomas Hicks promoted the card in an address to this year’s annual conference of the National Disability Rights Network.
Jun 14 , 2016
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), working with the National Braille Press (NBP), today released a voting rights card in braille and large print to assist voters who are visually impaired and blind as they prepare to participate in the 2016 presidential election.
Aug 16 , 2019
In early September, the EAC will kick off the submission period for the fourth annual 2019 Clearinghouse Awards. Dubbed the “Clearies” for short, the national effort celebrates best practices in election administration and helps advance the EAC’s clearinghouse responsibilities under the Help America Vote Act.
Apr 05 , 2019
The EAC launched a “Women in Elections” campaign to coincide with Women’s History Month. During the month of March, EAC Chairwoman Christy McCormick interviewed several women at the heart of elections at the Secretary of State and county, and within academia, and share their insight about elections on the EAC’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Mar 28 , 2019
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) conducted a “Women in Elections” campaign to coincide with Women’s History Month. During the month of March, we interviewed several women at the heart of elections at the Secretary of State and county level, and within academia, and shared their insight about elections on the EAC’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
We are completing our 2019 series by turning the tables and asking a few questions of the series’ interviewer, EAC Chairwoman.
Mar 14 , 2018
The EAC has launched a “Women in Elections” campaign to coincide with Women’s History Month. During the month of March, we will interview several women at the heart of elections at the federal, Secretary of State, state election director and county level. We are beginning the series with a conversation between EAC Vice Chair Christy McCormick and Meghan Kelly, State Legislative Affairs Specialist for the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP).
Jul 07 , 2017
During July, the EAC will be highlighting this vital law, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the advances these laws have brought to the voting process.