EAC & DOJ Oversight
The Brennan Center serves as a watchdog for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the federal agency that deals with the administration of our elections.Congress created the EAC in the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), the election reform law passed in the wake of the 2000 elections. The EAC's primary function is to serve as a national clearinghouse of, and resource for, federal election information and procedures. Congress specifically directed the EAC to conduct studies on election administration and make those studies available to the public. The EAC is also charged with adopting Voluntary Voting System Guidelines, proposed standards for voting machines; overseeing the testing, certification, decertification, and recertification of voting systems; allocating election-related federal funding to the states; and administering the "Motor Voter" law of 1993, including developing and maintaining a mail voter registration application form for elections for federal office.
Because it works on issues important to our democracy, it is critical that the EAC operate competently, transparently, and accountably. Through research, analysis, monitoring, testimony, and public education, the Brennan Center works to help ensure that the EAC successfully fulfills its statutory mandate in a manner that promotes these fundamental democratic values.
For selected press on EAC issues, click here.
FOIA Request to EAC Re: Commissioned Reports
In 2006 and 2007, the Brennan Center filed a FOIA request with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to obtain documents pertaining to commissioned reports on voter fraud and voter intimidation and on voter ID.
Gone Von Spakovsky, Enter McGahn
Late Friday, a letter sent from Federal Election Commission (FEC) nominee Hans von Spakovsky to the White House officially withdrawing his name....
Study: New Voting Restrictions May Affect More than Five Million
New voting laws could make it significantly harder for more than five million eligible voters to cast ballots in 2012, according to the first comprehensive study of the laws’ impact.
Universal voter registration, contingency plans needed to ensure every eligible vote can cast a vote that counts.
Brennan Center Echoes Inspector General’s Conclusion on EAC
Brennan Center called on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to follow specific guidelines to ensure smooth and fair elections in 2008, just days after the commission's Inspector General found that the EAC has failed to act with transparency and accountability.
Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Urging Opposition to H.R. 3463
The Brennan Center for Justice submitted a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging them to oppose a bill that would terminate the Election Assistance Commission and end the presidential public financing system.
Testimony Before the EAC on NVRA Changes
The Brennan Center submits testimony to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission ("EAC") on the proposed changes to its regulations pertaining to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 ("NVRA"), to comply with the Help America Vote Act of 2002 ("HAVA").
Wendy Weiser Before the Election Assistance Commission
The Center's Deputy Director of the Democracy program testifies regarding voter registration databases.
Presentations on Voting Rights
Each year, the Brennan Center hosts briefings and delivers presentations on annual trends in voting rights. On this page you can access and download each presentation we have delivered.
In advance of the 2008 general election, Executive Director Michael Waldman puts together the various processes by which voters are still being blocked from the polls, and what we can do about it.