[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 17994-17995] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-9578] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Proposed Collection; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Voting Assistance Program, DoD. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary of Defense announces the proposed reinstatement of a public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. 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: Consideration will be given to all comments received by June 12, 1998. ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed information collection should be sent to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Federal Voting Assistance Program, Room 1B457, The Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1155, ATTN: Ms. Polli K. Brunelli. 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 the Directorate for Federal Voting Assistance Program, at (703) 695-0663. Title and OMB Number: Survey of Local Registrars and Election Officials (NVRA), Post-Election Survey of Local Election Officials and Post-Election Survey of Overseas Citizens (UOCAVA); OMB Number 0704- 0125. Needs and Uses: The federal responsibilities of the 42 U.S.C. 1973ff, ``The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986,'' (UOCAVA), 42 U.S.C. 1973gg, ``The National Voter Registration Act of 1993,'' (NVRA), is administered on behalf of the Secretary of Defense by the Federal Voting Assistance Program, UOCAVA requires a report to be submitted to the President and to Congress on the effectiveness of assistance under the Act, a statistical analysis of voter participation, and a description of State-Federal cooperation. The NVRA requires a biennial report to the Congress assessing the impact of the Act on the administration of elections for federal office, and recommendations for improvements in federal and state procedures, forms, and other matters affected by the Act. Affected Public: Individuals or Households; State, Local, or Tribal Government. Annual Burden Hours: 475. Number of Respondents: 2,851. Responses Per Respondent: 1. Average Burden Per Response: 10 minutes. Frequency: Biennially. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Summary of Information Collection UOCAVA requires the states to allow uniformed services personnel, their family members, and overseas citizens to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in general, special, primary, and runoff elections for federal offices. The Act covers members of the Uniformed Services and the Merchant Marine to include the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Public Health Service, and their eligible dependents, federal civilian employees overseas, and overseas U.S. citizens not affiliated with the federal government. The post-election survey is conducted on a statistically random basis to determine participation rates which are representative of all citizens covered by the Act, measure state-federal cooperation, and is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the overall absentee voting program. The information collected is used for overall program evaluation, management and improvement, and to compile the congressionally mandated reports to the President and Congress. The NVRA designates Armed Forces Recruitment Offices as voter registration agencies to assist voters in applying for registration in elections for federal offices. The NVRA requires a biennial report to the Congress assessing the impact of the Act on the administration of elections for federal office, determine improvements needed in federal and state procedures, and other effects of the Act. The NVRA survey is necessary to assess the impact of Armed Forces Recruiting Office implementation of voter registration under NVRA and for program evaluation and assessment purposes. [[Page 17995]] Dated: April 7, 1998. Patricia L. Toppings, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 98-9578 Filed 4-10-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5000-04-M