|
http://www.eac.gov/news_073107.asp |
U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION |
For Immediate Release
July 31, 2007
Contact:
Jeannie Layson
Bryan Whitener
(202) 566-3100
EAC
Releases Report on HAVA Spending by States
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 here.
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
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.
###