Information Collection Activity; Focus Groups-Study of the Feasibility and Advisability of Establishing a Program of Free Return or Reduced Postage for Absentee Ballots, 28036-28037 [07-2463]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 96 / Friday, May 18, 2007 / Notices
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–
800–877–8339.
[FR Doc. E7–9554 Filed 5–17–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
Information Collection Activity; Focus
Groups—Study of the Feasibility and
Advisability of Establishing a Program
of Free Return or Reduced Postage for
Absentee Ballots
U.S. Election Assistance
Commission (EAC).
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Election Assistance
Commission has submitted the
following information collection request
to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and clearance in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. The information
collection was previously published in
the Federal Register on November 14,
2006, at 71 FR 66321. The notice
allowed for a 60-day public comment
period. Two comments were received
on this information collection during
that time period, and as a result the
number of focus groups was increased
from three to nine. In addition, each
selected group will now have one focus
group from an urban, rural, and
suburban location to ensure the
diversity of responses and participants.
The purpose of this notice is to allow an
additional 30 days for public comments.
Comments are encouraged and will be
accepted until June 18, 2007. This
process is conducted in accordance with
5 CFR 1320.10. 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; (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,
including through the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
DATES: Written comments must be
submitted on or before June 18, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations on the proposed
information collection should be sent to:
OMB Review: Alexander T. Hunt,
Office of Management and Budget,
Room 10235, New Executive Office
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:06 May 17, 2007
Jkt 211001
Building, Washington, DC 20503, (202)
395–7316.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
request more information on this
proposed information collection or to
obtain a copy of the proposal and
associated collection instruments,
please, write to the above address or call
Ms. Karen Lynn-Dyson at (202) 566–
3100.
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: Section 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
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
populations, including ways a free
absentee ballot return postage program
would target these populations and
identify methods to increase the number
or such individuals who vote in
elections for Federal office.
Affected Public: Citizens.
Number of Respondents: 108.
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Burden Per Response: 1.25
hours; focus groups will last no longer
than 1.25 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 135 hours.
Information will be collected through
a series of nine focus groups comprised
of potential beneficiaries of a free and/
or discounted absentee ballot postage
program. Three (3) focus groups will be
dedicated to issues confronting the
elderly population, three (3) focus
groups will be dedicated to issues
confronting disabled people and three
(3) focus groups will be dedicated to
issues confronting the low-income
citizens. An official from the United
States Postal Service will observe at
least one of the planned focus groups.
The topics that will be explored
included:
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
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 possibility
by implemented to target the particular
population.
a. Information on creating and
implementing the program to ensure
that it benefits the particular
population.
E:\FR\FM\18MYN1.SGM
18MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 96 / Friday, May 18, 2007 / Notices
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 Assistant
Commission.
[FR Doc. 07–2463 Filed 5–17–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820–KF–M
ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
Information Collection Activity;
Alternative Voting Methods Study
U.S. Election Assistance
Commission (EAC).
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Election Assistance
Commission has submitted the
following information collection request
to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and clearance in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. The information
collection was previously published in
the Federal Register on January 9, 2007,
at 72 FR 962. The notice allowed for a
60-day public comment period. Only
one comment was received on this
information collection during that time
period; no substantive changes were
made to the information collection
instrument. The purpose of this notice
is to allow an additional 30 days for
public comments. Comments are
encouraged and will be accepted until
June 18, 2007. This process is
conducted in accordance with 5 CFR
1320.10. 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; (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,
including through the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
DATES: Written comments must be
submitted on or before June 18, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations on the proposed
information collection should be sent to:
OMB Reviewer: Alexander T. Hunt,
Office of Management and Budget,
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:06 May 17, 2007
Jkt 211001
Room 10235, New Executive Office
Building, Washington, DC 20503, (202)
395–7316.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
request more information on this
proposed information collection or to
obtain a copy of the proposal and
associated collection instruments,
please, write to the above address or call
Ms. Karen Lynn-Dyson at (202) 566–
3100.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title:
Alternative Voting Methods Study.
OMB Number: Pending.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Needs and Uses: Section 241 of the
Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requires
the U.S. Election Assistance
Commission (EAC) to periodically study
election administration issues with the
goal of promoting voting methods and
improving election administration.
HAVA Section 241(b)(10) instructs the
EAC to study the feasibility and
advisability of conducting elections for
Federal office on different days, at
different places, and during different
hours. The study should include a
discussion of the advisability of
establishing a uniform poll closing time
and establishing:
(A) A legal public holiday under
section 6103 of title 5 United States
Code, as the date on which general
elections for Federal office are held;
(B) The Tuesday after the 1st Monday
in November, in every even numbered
year, as a legal public holiday under
such section;
(C) A date other than the Tuesday
next after the 1st Monday in November,
in every even numbered year as the date
on which general elections for Federal
office are held; and
(D) Any date described in
subparagraph (C) as a legal public
holiday under such section.
To provide information to the States
and the Congress on the feasibility and
advisability of using alternative days,
times, and places to conduct Federal
elections, the EAC seeks to survey
voters to better understand their
motivations and perceptions of
impediments to voting. The survey will
provide insights into the public’s
perceptions of particular aspects of the
voting process.
Affected Public: U.S. citizens and
residents of Puerto Rico.
Number of Respondents: 3,000.
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Burden Per Response: .25
hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 750.
Frequency: Once.
Information will be collected through
a statistically valid survey of 3,000 U.S.
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
28037
citizens and residents of Puerto Rico to
determine how they either do respond
to alternative voting methods (if in a
state that offers them) or would respond
to alternative voting methods (if in a
state that does not allow them). This
survey will be representative of the 50
U.S. states and Puerto Rico. The topics
that will be explored include, but are
not limited to:
a. Voting by mail.
b. Voting at consolidated polling
center.
c. Voting online.
d. Voting earlier/later on Election
Day.
e. Voting on weekend day.
f. Voting on day other than first
Tuesday in November.
g. Making the day on which Federal
elections are held a Federal holiday.
h. No alternative voting method,
prefer status quo.
The survey will gather data regarding
each respondent’s background.
Background information will include,
but is not limited to: (1) Respondents’
voter registration history, (2)
respondents’ voting history, and (3)
standard demographic questions
covering age, ethnicity, education,
employment status, and income bracket.
Thomas R. Wilkey,
Executive Director, U.S. Election Assistance
Commission.
[FR Doc. 07–2464 Filed 5–17–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820–KF–M
ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
Information Collection Activity; Survey
of Registered Voters—Study of the
Feasibility and Advisability of
Establishing a Program of Free Return
or Reduced Postage for Absentee
Ballots
U.S. Election Assistance
Commission (EAC).
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Election Assistance
Commission has submitted the
following information collection request
to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and clearance in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. The information
collection was previously published in
the Federal Register on January 23,
2007, at 72 FR 2875. The notice allowed
for a 60-day public comment period.
Only one comment was received on this
information collection during that time
period, and changes were made to the
collection instrument to improve and
clarify the data being collected,
E:\FR\FM\18MYN1.SGM
18MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 96 (Friday, May 18, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28036-28037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2463]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
Information Collection Activity; Focus Groups--Study of the
Feasibility and Advisability of Establishing a Program of Free Return
or Reduced Postage for Absentee Ballots
AGENCY: U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission has submitted the
following information collection request to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection was
previously published in the Federal Register on November 14, 2006, at
71 FR 66321. The notice allowed for a 60-day public comment period. Two
comments were received on this information collection during that time
period, and as a result the number of focus groups was increased from
three to nine. In addition, each selected group will now have one focus
group from an urban, rural, and suburban location to ensure the
diversity of responses and participants. The purpose of this notice is
to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. Comments are
encouraged and will be accepted until June 18, 2007. This process is
conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10. 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;
(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, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 18, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed
information collection should be sent to:
OMB Review: Alexander T. Hunt, Office of Management and Budget,
Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, (202)
395-7316.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on this
proposed information collection or to obtain a copy of the proposal and
associated collection instruments, please, write to the above address
or call Ms. Karen Lynn-Dyson at (202) 566-3100.
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: Section 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 or such individuals who vote in elections for
Federal office.
Affected Public: Citizens.
Number of Respondents: 108.
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Burden Per Response: 1.25 hours; focus groups will last
no longer than 1.25 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 135 hours.
Information will be collected through a series of nine focus groups
comprised of potential beneficiaries of a free and/or discounted
absentee ballot postage program. Three (3) focus groups will be
dedicated to issues confronting the elderly population, three (3) focus
groups will be dedicated to issues confronting disabled people and
three (3) focus groups will be dedicated to issues confronting the low-
income citizens. An official from the United States Postal Service will
observe at least one of the planned focus groups. The topics that will
be explored included:
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 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 possibility by implemented to target the
particular population.
a. Information on creating and implementing the program to ensure
that it benefits the particular population.
[[Page 28037]]
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 Assistant Commission.
[FR Doc. 07-2463 Filed 5-17-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-KF-M
