[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 117 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 34144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13798]


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ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION


Standards Board: Submission of Charter

AGENCY: U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

ACTION: Notice of Standards Board: charter submission.

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SUMMARY: The Election Assistance Commission announces the submission of 
the charter for the Standards Board. The purpose of the Board is to 
provide advice and consultation to the Election Assistance Commission 
consistent with the requirements of the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Whitener, U.S. Election 
Assistance Commission, 1225 New York Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, 
Washington, DC 20005. Telephone: (202) 566-3100; toll free: 1-(866) 
747-1471.

Gracia M. Hillman,
Vice-Chair, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Charter of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission Standards Board

    The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) hereby Charters 
the Standards Board established in title II, section 211 of the Help 
America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) (Public Law 107-252) pursuant to the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act.

Objectives and Duties

    1. The objective of the Standards Board (the Board) is to advise 
the EAC through review of the voluntary voting systems guidelines 
described in title II part 3 of the HAVA; through review of the 
voluntary guidance described under title III of HAVA; and through 
the review of the best practices recommendations contained in the 
report submitted under section 242(b) of title II (HAVA title II, 
section 212).
    2. The Board will function solely as an advisory body and will 
comply fully with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act.

Membership

    1. The Board shall consist of 110 members. Fifty-five members 
shall be State election officials selected by the chief State 
election official of each State. Fifty-five shall be local election 
officials selected under a process supervised by the chief election 
official of the State. The 2 members of the Standards Board who 
represent the same State may not be members of the same political 
party. (HAVA title II, section 213(a)). Vacancy appointments shall 
be made in the same manner as the original appointments.
    2. The Board shall select 9 of its members as an Executive Board 
of whom, not more than 5 may be State election officials; not more 
than 5 may be local election officials; and not more than 5 may be 
members of the same political party. Members of the Executive Board 
shall serve 2 year terms and may not serve more than 3 consecutive 
terms. Of the initial Executive Board, 3 members shall serve for 1 
term; 3 shall serve for 2 consecutive terms; and 3 shall serve for 3 
consecutive terms, as determined by lot at the time the members are 
first appointed (HAVA title II, section 213(c)).

Administrative Provisions

    1. The Board will report to the EAC through the Advisory 
Committee Management Officer pursuant to 5 U.S.C. app. 1, section 
8(b). This officer shall be an EAC Commissioner designated by the 
Chairman of the EAC.
    2. The Board will meet a minimum of once a year for purposes of 
voting on the voluntary voting system guidelines and not less 
frequently than once every 2 years for purposes of selecting the 
Executive Board. Additional meetings may be called at such other 
times as it considers appropriate for the purposes of conducting 
other business as it considers appropriate consistent with title II 
of HAVA. (HAVA title II, section 215(a)(2)).
    3. The EAC and GAO will provide clerical and other necessary 
support services to the Board. (HAVA title II, section 215(d)).
    4. Members of the Board will not be compensated for their 
services but will be reimbursed for travel expenses and subsistence. 
(HAVA title II, section 215(e)).
    5. The Board may use the United States mails in the same manner 
and under the same conditions as a department or agency of the 
Federal government. (HAVA title II, section 215 (c)).
    6. The annual cost for operating the Board is estimated at 
$210,000 which includes one quarter staff year for support services.
    7. The Board may establish such committees of its members as may 
be necessary subject to the provisions of the law.
    8. The Board may, by simple majority vote, adopt resolutions and 
make recommendations. Such resolutions and recommendations will, 
however, be only advisory to the EAC and will be restricted to the 
EAC's activities described in title II section 212 of the Help 
America Vote Act of 2002.
    9. The EAC will provide liaison services between the Board and 
the Advisory Panel Secretariat as required by the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act.

Duration

    This is a permanent committee as established in title II, 
section 215 (f) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

    Dated: June 14, 2004.

Gracia M. Hillman,
Vice Chair, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
[FR Doc. 04-13798 Filed 6-17-04; 8:45 am]
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