[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 23 (Monday, February 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 6495]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-452]


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ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION


Request for Substantive Comments; EAC's Voting System Test 
Laboratory Accreditation Program Manual

AGENCY: United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

ACTION: Notice; request for substantive comments.

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SUMMARY: The EAC has drafted a procedural manual for its Voting System 
Test Laboratory Accreditation Program. This manual establishes the 
administrative procedures for obtaining an EAC accreditation for Voting 
System Test Laboratories (VSTL). Section 231(b) of the Help America 
Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15371(b)) requires that the EAC 
provide for the accreditation and revocation of accreditation of 
independent, non-federal laboratories qualified to test voting systems 
to Federal standards. In order to meet its statutory requirements under 
HAVA 15371(b), the EAC has developed the EAC's Voting System Test 
Laboratory Accreditation Program. Although participation in the program 
is voluntary, adherence to the program's procedural requirements is 
mandatory for participants. The procedural requirements of this Manual 
will supersede any prior laboratory accreditation requirements issued 
by the EAC. This manual shall be read in conjunction with the EAC's 
Voting System Testing and Certification Program Manual (OMB 3265-0004). 
The purpose of this notice is to request public comment on the 
substantive aspects of the program.
    Substantive Comments: The EAC seeks substantive comments from the 
public on its proposed procedural manual. Please submit comments 
consistent with the information below. Comments should identify and 
cite the section of the manual at issue. Where a substantive issue is 
raised, please propose a recommended change or alternative policy. All 
comments submitted will be published at the end of the comment period 
on the EAC's Web site http://www.eac.gov. This publication and request 
for comment is not required under the rulemaking, adjudicative, or 
licensing provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). It is 
a voluntary effort by the EAC to gather input from the public on the 
EAC's administrative procedures for accrediting Voting System Test 
Laboratories. Furthermore, this request by the EAC for public comment 
is not intended to make any of the APA's rulemaking provisions 
applicable to development of this or future EAC procedural programs. 
However, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, a 
separate notice will be published on the Federal Register to request 
comments regarding the burden of responding to the information 
collection activities of the proposed manual; please refer to the EAC's 
Web site, http://www.eac.gov, for further information about the 
submission of comments regarding burden.

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on this draft procedural 
manual on or before 5 p.m. EDT on April 4, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments via e-mail to 
[email protected]; via mail to Brian Hancock, 
Director of Voting System Certification, U.S. Election Assistance 
Commission, 1225 New York Avenue, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005; or 
via fax to 202-566-1392. An electronic copy of the proposed guidance 
may be found on the EAC's Web site http://www.eac.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Masterson, Testing and 
Certification Program Associate, 1225 New York Avenue, Suite 1100, 
Washington, DC, (202) 566-3100, Fax: (202) 566-1392.

Thomas R. Wilkey,
Executive Director, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
[FR Doc. 08-452 Filed 2-1-08; 8:45 am]
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