EAC 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.
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....
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.
EAC Voting Advocate Roundtable
Responses to discussion questions during voting advocate rountable discussion.
Testimony Before Congress Regarding the EAC
Testimony before Congressional Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government regarding the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (the “EAC"). Includes oversight recommendations.
HAVA Implementation in the 50 States
The chart provides a summary of the key provisions of each plan, with particular attention devoted to those areas that will most directly affect voters.