Information Collection; Study of the Feasibility and Advisability of Establishing a Program of Free Return or Reduced Postage for Absentee Ballots-Focus Groups, 66321-66322 [06-9191]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 219 / Tuesday, November 14, 2006 / Notices sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES compensation is based primarily on student academic achievement. (d) Quality of the Management Plan and Key Personnel (15 points). (1) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timelines, milestones, and processes for continuous improvement to accomplish project tasks. (2) The qualifications, including experience, education, and training of proposed key personnel. (e) Evaluation (10 points). (1) The extent to which the applicant’s evaluation plan includes the use of objective measures that are clearly related to the goals of the project to raise student achievement and increase teacher effectiveness, including the extent to which the evaluation will produce quantitative and qualitative data. (2) The extent to which the applicant includes adequate evaluation procedures for ensuring feedback and continuous improvement in the operation of the proposed project. (3) The extent to which the applicant commits to participating in a rigorous national evaluation that will provide a common design methodology, data collection instruments, and performance measures for all grantees funded under this competition. VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally. If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice. We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant. 3. Reporting: At the end of the project period, recipients must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:07 Nov 13, 2006 Jkt 211001 most current performance and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 34 CFR 75.118. 4. Performance Measures: Pursuant to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), the Department has established the following performance measures that it will use to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the grantee’s project, as well as the TIF program as a whole: (1) Changes in LEA personnel deployment practices, as measured by changes over time in the percentage of teachers and principals in high-need schools who have a record of effectiveness; and (2) Changes in teacher and principal compensation systems in participating LEAs, as measured by the percentage of a district’s personnel budget that is used for performance-related payments to effective (as measured by student achievement gains) teachers and principals. All grantees will be expected to submit an annual performance report documenting their success in addressing these performance measures. The Department will use the applicant’s performance data for program management and administration, in such areas as determining new and continuation funding and planning technical assistance. VII. Agency Contacts FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: April Lee, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3W229, Washington, DC 20202– 6200. Telephone number: (202) 205– 5224 or by e-mail: tif@ed.gov or by Internet at the following Web site: https://www.ed.gov/programs/ teacherincentive/. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1– 800–877–8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the individuals listed in this section. VIII. Other Information Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: https://www.ed.gov/news/ fedregister. To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66321 using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1– 888–293–6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512–1530. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/ index.html. Dated: November 8, 2006. Henry L. Johnson, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. [FR Doc. E6–19193 Filed 11–13–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION Information Collection; Study of the Feasibility and Advisability of Establishing a Program of Free Return or Reduced Postage for Absentee Ballots—Focus Groups U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The EAC, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a proposed information collection. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 11, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit comments and recommendations on the proposed information collection in writing to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 1225 New York Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005, Attn: Ms. E:\FR\FM\14NON1.SGM 14NON1 sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 66322 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 219 / Tuesday, November 14, 2006 / Notices Laiza N. Otero (or via the Internet at lotero@eac.gov). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on this proposed information collection or to obtain a copy of the Focus Group Discussion Guide, please, write to the above address or call Ms. Laiza N. Otero at (202) 566–3100. You may also view the proposed collection instrument by visiting our Web site at https:// www.eac.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Study of the Feasibility and Advisability of Establishing a Program of Free Return or Reduced Postage for Absentee Ballots—Focus Groups OMB Number: Pending. Type of Review: Regular submission. Needs and Uses: Sec. 246 of the Help America Vote Act requires the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), in consultation with the United States Postal Service, to conduct a study on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a program under which the U.S. Postal Service shall waive or otherwise reduce the amount of postage applicable with respect to absentee ballots returned by voters in general elections for Federal office. This study does not address the cost to the U.S. Postal Service for free postage for sending absentee ballots but may consider costs to election officials that are related to implementing such a program including the costs of sending absentee ballots to voters. It also does not include consideration of the 39 U.S.C. 3406 provisions for the mailing of balloting materials for military and overseas absentee voters. As part of the study the Commission is directed to conduct a nationwide survey of potential beneficiaries, including the elderly and disabled, and to take into account the results of this survey in determining the feasibility and advisability of establishing such a program. This survey will be supplemented by focus groups among potential beneficiaries—elderly, disabled, low-income—to obtain more specific information on the challenges these populations face when participating in election and to assess the potential benefit these populations might receive from a program of free return or reduced postage for absentee ballots. At the conclusion of the study effort, EAC is required to submit a report to Congress with recommendations for such legislative and administrative action as EAC determines appropriate. The report shall contain an analysis of the feasibility of implementing such a program and an estimate of the costs. It VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:07 Nov 13, 2006 Jkt 211001 is required to specifically contain recommendations regarding the elderly and disabled populations, including ways a free absentee ballot return postage program would target these populations and identify methods to increase the number of such individuals who vote in elections for Federal office. Affected Public: Citizens. Number of Respondents: 36. Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Burden per Response: 1.25 hours. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 45 hours. Information will be collected through a series of three focus groups comprised of potential beneficiaries of a free and/ or discounted absentee ballot postage program: One focus group will be dedicated to issues confronting the elderly population; one focus group will be dedicated to issues confronting disabled people; and one focus group will be dedicated to issues confronting the low-income citizens. At least one official from the United States Postal Service will observe each planned focus group. The topics that will be explored include: 1. The challenges that the particular population faces when participating in elections. a. Information on respondents’ previous experiences with voting in Federal elections. Information on any difficulties encountered in the process of voting and how the issues were resolved. 2. The concerns members of the particular population have about voting (e.g. voter intimidation, voter confidentiality, security, use of ballots). a. Information on particular incidents that has prevented respondent from being able to vote. 3. The possible remedies to those challenges that would likely increase the rates of voter participation in the particular population (e.g. relaxed absentee voting laws, better accessibility to polling places, voter education). a. Information on respondents’ interest in absentee ballot voting. 4. The likelihood that a free or discounted absentee ballot postage program would assist the particular population. a. Information on respondents’ interest in a program of free or discounted postage for absentee ballots. 5. How the program could possibly be implemented to target the particular population. a. Information on creating and implementing the program to ensure that it benefits the particular population. PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 6. The factors that would make reaching the particular population difficult. a. Information on advertising such a program to the particular population so that they can take advantage of the change. Thomas R. Wilkey, Executive Director, U.S. Election Assistance Commission. [FR Doc. 06–9191 Filed 11–13–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–KF–M DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings #2 November 6, 2006. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings: Docket Numbers: ER01–205–014; ER98–2640–012; ER98–4590–010; ER99–1610–018. Applicants: Xcel Energy Services Inc.; Northern States Power Company; Northern States Power Company (Wisconsin); Public Service Company of Colorado; Southwestern Public Service Company. Description: Xcel Energy Services Inc. on behalf of Northern States Power Co submits a change in status report to NSP’s market-based rate authority. Filed Date: 11/02/2006. Accession Number: 20061102–5052. Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, November 24, 2006. Docket Numbers: ER03–985–001. Applicants: El Cap II, LLC. Description: El Cap II, LLC submits its Triennial Updated Market Power Analysis Report. Filed Date: 10/30/2006. Accession Number: 20061101–0147. Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, November 20, 2006. Docket Numbers: ER06–451–010. Applicants: Southwest Power Pool, Inc. Description: Southwest Power Pool, Inc submits revisions to its Open Access Transmission Tariff effective 2/1/07. Filed Date: 11/02/2006. Accession Number: 20061103–0103. Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, November 24, 2006. Docket Numbers: ER07–115–000. Applicants: ISO New England Inc. Description: ISO New England Inc submits its 2007 Capital Budget and Capital Budget Quarterly Filing for the Third Quarter of 2006. Filed Date: 10/31/2006. E:\FR\FM\14NON1.SGM 14NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66321-66322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9191]


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ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION


Information Collection; Study of the Feasibility and Advisability 
of Establishing a Program of Free Return or Reduced Postage for 
Absentee Ballots--Focus Groups

AGENCY: U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The EAC, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork 
and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take 
this opportunity to comment on a proposed information collection. 
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed information collection, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents. 
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or 
included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 11, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments and recommendations on the proposed 
information collection in writing to the U.S. Election Assistance 
Commission, 1225 New York Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 
20005, Attn: Ms.

[[Page 66322]]

Laiza N. Otero (or via the Internet at lotero@eac.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on this 
proposed information collection or to obtain a copy of the Focus Group 
Discussion Guide, please, write to the above address or call Ms. Laiza 
N. Otero at (202) 566-3100. You may also view the proposed collection 
instrument by visiting our Web site at https://www.eac.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Study of the Feasibility and Advisability of Establishing a 
Program of Free Return or Reduced Postage for Absentee Ballots--Focus 
Groups
    OMB Number: Pending.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Needs and Uses: Sec. 246 of the Help America Vote Act requires the 
Election Assistance Commission (EAC), in consultation with the United 
States Postal Service, to conduct a study on the feasibility and 
advisability of establishing a program under which the U.S. Postal 
Service shall waive or otherwise reduce the amount of postage 
applicable with respect to absentee ballots returned by voters in 
general elections for Federal office. This study does not address the 
cost to the U.S. Postal Service for free postage for sending absentee 
ballots but may consider costs to election officials that are related 
to implementing such a program including the costs of sending absentee 
ballots to voters. It also does not include consideration of the 39 
U.S.C. 3406 provisions for the mailing of balloting materials for 
military and overseas absentee voters. As part of the study the 
Commission is directed to conduct a nationwide survey of potential 
beneficiaries, including the elderly and disabled, and to take into 
account the results of this survey in determining the feasibility and 
advisability of establishing such a program. This survey will be 
supplemented by focus groups among potential beneficiaries--elderly, 
disabled, low-income--to obtain more specific information on the 
challenges these populations face when participating in election and to 
assess the potential benefit these populations might receive from a 
program of free return or reduced postage for absentee ballots.
    At the conclusion of the study effort, EAC is required to submit a 
report to Congress with recommendations for such legislative and 
administrative action as EAC determines appropriate. The report shall 
contain an analysis of the feasibility of implementing such a program 
and an estimate of the costs. It is required to specifically contain 
recommendations regarding the elderly and disabled populations, 
including ways a free absentee ballot return postage program would 
target these populations and identify methods to increase the number of 
such individuals who vote in elections for Federal office.
    Affected Public: Citizens.
    Number of Respondents: 36.
    Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Burden per Response: 1.25 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 45 hours.
    Information will be collected through a series of three focus 
groups comprised of potential beneficiaries of a free and/or discounted 
absentee ballot postage program: One focus group will be dedicated to 
issues confronting the elderly population; one focus group will be 
dedicated to issues confronting disabled people; and one focus group 
will be dedicated to issues confronting the low-income citizens. At 
least one official from the United States Postal Service will observe 
each planned focus group. The topics that will be explored include:
    1. The challenges that the particular population faces when 
participating in elections.
    a. Information on respondents' previous experiences with voting in 
Federal elections. Information on any difficulties encountered in the 
process of voting and how the issues were resolved.
    2. The concerns members of the particular population have about 
voting (e.g. voter intimidation, voter confidentiality, security, use 
of ballots).
    a. Information on particular incidents that has prevented 
respondent from being able to vote.
    3. The possible remedies to those challenges that would likely 
increase the rates of voter participation in the particular population 
(e.g. relaxed absentee voting laws, better accessibility to polling 
places, voter education).
    a. Information on respondents' interest in absentee ballot voting.
    4. The likelihood that a free or discounted absentee ballot postage 
program would assist the particular population.
    a. Information on respondents' interest in a program of free or 
discounted postage for absentee ballots.
    5. How the program could possibly be implemented to target the 
particular population.
    a. Information on creating and implementing the program to ensure 
that it benefits the particular population.
    6. The factors that would make reaching the particular population 
difficult.
    a. Information on advertising such a program to the particular 
population so that they can take advantage of the change.

Thomas R. Wilkey,
Executive Director, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
[FR Doc. 06-9191 Filed 11-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-KF-M
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