Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Current Population Survey (CPS) Voting and Civic Engagement Supplements, 18738-18739 [E8-7108]

Agencies

• Census Bureau
• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 67 (Monday, April 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18738-18739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-7108]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Current 
Population Survey (CPS) Voting and Civic Engagement Supplements

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before June 6, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Tim Marshall, U.S. Census Bureau, 7H106C, 
Washington, DC 20233-8400 at (301) 763-3806 (or via the Internet at 
Tim.J.Marshall@census.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau plans to request clearance for the 
collection of data concerning the Voting and Civic Engagement 
Supplements to be conducted in conjunction with the November 2008 
Current Population Survey (CPS). The Census Bureau sponsors the Voting 
Supplement questions, which have been requested biennially since 1964. 
The Civic Engagement Supplement will be conducted at the request of the 
Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).
    The voting supplement has provided statistical information for 
tracking historical trends of voter and nonvoter characteristics in 
each Presidential or Congressional election since 1964. The data 
collected from this supplement relates demographic characteristics 
(age, sex, race, education, occupation, and income) to voting and 
nonvoting behavior. The November CPS supplement is the only source of 
data that provides a comprehensive set of voter and nonvoter 
characteristics distinct from independent surveys, media polls, or 
other outside agencies. Federal, state, and local election officials 
use these data to formulate policies relating to the voting and 
registration process. College institutions, political party committees, 
research groups, and other private organizations also use the voting 
and registration data.
    The civic engagement supplement will provide information on the 
extent to which American communities are places where individuals are 
civically active. It will also provide information on the number of 
Americans who are active in their communities, communicating with one 
another on issues of public concern, and interacting with public 
institutions and private enterprises. The information will also provide 
the number of Americans who engage in activities that promote positive 
relationships with those of equal and differing socio-economic or 
professional levels. This survey will be the only source of nationally-
representative data on such information as: level of participation in 
organized groups, extent of political action and knowledge, extent of 
connections with other community members, and how often individuals get 
news and information from various media sources.
    When combined with demographic characteristics (age, sex, race, 
education, occupation, income), the data can provide information on the 
relationship between these characteristics and the level of civic 
engagement in the United States. Government agency analysts and 
private, state and local leaders will use this data to compare levels 
specific to their geographic area to the national level of civic 
engagement, and to formulate policies that foster healthy communities.

II. Method of Collection

    The voting and civic engagement supplements will be collected by 
both personal visit and telephone interviews in conjunction with the 
regular November 2008 CPS interview process. All interviews are 
conducted using computer-assisted interviewing.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0466.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 48,000.

[[Page 18739]]

    Estimated Time per Response: 9 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,200.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, U.S.C., Section 182, and Title 29, 
U.S.C., Sections 1-9.

IV. Request for Comments

    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 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    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.

    Dated: April 1, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-7108 Filed 4-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P