[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 208 (Monday, October 27, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63699-63705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-25455]


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ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION


Publication of State Plan Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act

AGENCY: U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to sections 254(a)(11)(A) and 255(b) of the Help 
America Vote Act (HAVA), Public Law 107-252, the U.S. Election 
Assistance Commission (EAC) hereby causes to be published in the 
Federal Register changes to the HAVA State plans previously submitted 
by Idaho, Iowa, and Pennsylvania.

DATES: This notice is effective upon publication in the Federal 
Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Whitener, Telephone 202-566-3100 
or 1-866-747-1471 (toll-free).
    Submit Comments: Any comments regarding the plans published 
herewith should be made in writing to the chief election official of 
the individual State at the address listed below.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 24, 2004, the U.S. Election 
Assistance Commission published in the Federal Register the original 
HAVA State plans filed by the fifty States, the District of Columbia 
and the Territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands. 69 FR 14002. HAVA anticipated that States, Territories 
and the District of Columbia would change or update their plans from 
time to time pursuant to HAVA section 254(a)(11) through (13). HAVA 
sections 254(a)(11)(A) and 255 require EAC to publish such updates. 
This is Idaho's first revision to its State plan; Iowa's second 
revision to its State plan; and Pennsylvania's third revision to its 
State plan.
    The revised State plans from Idaho, Iowa, and Pennsylvania address 
changes in the respective budgets of the previously submitted State 
plans and account for the use of Fiscal Year 2008 requirements 
payments. In accordance with HAVA section 254(a)(12), all the State 
plans submitted for publication provide information on how the 
respective State succeeded in carrying out its previous State plan. The 
States all confirm that these changes to their respective State plans 
were developed and submitted to public comment in accordance with HAVA 
sections 254(a)(11), 255, and 256.
    Upon the expiration of thirty days from October 27, 2008, the State 
is eligible to implement the changes addressed in the plan that is 
published herein, in accordance with HAVA section 254(a)(11)(C).
    EAC wishes to acknowledge the effort that went into revising these 
State plans and encourages further public comment, in writing, to the 
State election officials listed below.

Chief State Election Official

    The Honorable Ben Ysursa, Secretary of State, P.O. Box 83720, 
Boise, Idaho 83720-0080, Phone: (208) 334-2852, Fax: (208) 334-2282.
    The Honorable Michael A. Mauro, Secretary of State, 1007 East Grand 
Avenue, Room 105, State Capitol, Des Moines, IA 50319, Phone: (515) 
281-5204, Fax: (515) 242-5952.
    The Honorable Pedro A. Cort[eacute]s, Secretary of the 
Commonwealth, 302 North Office Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 
17120, Phone: (717) 787-8727, Fax: (717) 787-1734.
    Thank you for your interest in improving the voting process in 
America.

    Dated: October 21, 2008.
Thomas R. Wilkey,
Executive Director, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Office of the Iowa Secretary of State

Michael A. Mauro, Secretary of State, Lucas Building, 1st Floor, Des 
Moines, IA 50319.

September 10, 2008.

Edgardo Cortes,
Acting Director, Election Administration Support Division, U.S. 
Election Assistance Commission, 1225 New York Ave., NW., Ste. 150, 
Washington, DC 20005.
RE: Iowa Revised State Plan.

    Dear Mr. Cortes:
    Enclosed is the Revised HAVA State Plan for Iowa. The Plan only 
addresses the sections of the original Plan that have been revised. 
All other sections remain the same.
    Please let Ann Clary know if additional information is required 
or if you have any questions. Ann may be contacted at 515-281-8361 
or [email protected].
    Your assistance with this process is greatly appreciated.
     Sincerely,
Michael Mauro,
Secretary of State.
Enclosure.
Phone 515-281-5204; Fax 515-242-5953; http://www.sos.state.ia.us. 
[email protected].

Section 12: Changes to State Plan From Previous Fiscal Year

    Plan Element 12. In the case of a State with a State plan in 
effect under this subtitle during the previous fiscal year, a 
description of how the plan reflects changes from the State plan for 
the previous fiscal year and of how the State succeeded in carrying 
out the State plan for such previous fiscal year.

    The initial Iowa State Plan was adopted in 2003 and amended in 
2005. This amendment reflects changes in the plan in anticipation of 
the receipt of additional requirements payments in 2008.

Section 1: State Plan Required Elements

301. Voting Systems Standards

    In 2005 and 2006 Iowa completed the purchase and deployment of 
HAVA-compliant voting systems in 96 of 99 counties. Three counties, in 
anticipation

[[Page 63700]]

of additional improvements to voting equipment chose to lease HAVA-
compliant equipment. The equipment purchased and leased falls into the 
following categories:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Number of
                   Type of voting system                       counties
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-DRE....................................................           19
Blended systems: Optical scan with DRE for accessibility...           59
Optical scan with ballot marking device for accessibility..           21
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Replace DRE Voting Systems With Optical Scan Voting Systems
    In 2008 the State of Iowa changed its voting equipment laws to 
prohibit use of DRE voting equipment and mandated that the counties 
replace all DREs with optical scan voting systems and accessible ballot 
marking devices. This change must be implemented for the November 4, 
2008, General Election. See Appendix A: Senate File 2347.
    The 2008 requirements payment will be used to purchase optical scan 
voting systems with ballot marking devices for three counties that have 
not yet purchased voting equipment using HAVA funds. Remaining HAVA 
funds will be used to replace DRE voting equipment in 78 Iowa counties. 
The DRE voting equipment will be replaced with optical scan systems (in 
all-DRE counties) and ballot-marking devices to provide nonvisual 
accessibility for blind and visually impaired voters in a manner that 
provides the same opportunity for access and participation (including 
privacy and independence) as for other voters, as required by HAVA 
section 301(a)(3). One optical scan device and one ballot-marking 
device will be provided for each general election precinct in the all-
DRE counties. Optical scan devices will also be purchased for 
tabulation of absentee ballots.
Meeting Accessibility Requirements
    All DRE voting equipment that was purchased to satisfy the HAVA 
accessibility requirements will be replaced with ballot marking devices 
to provide nonvisual accessibility for blind and visually impaired 
voters in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and 
participation (including privacy and independence) as for other voters, 
as required by HAVA section 301(a)(3). Ballot-marking devices will be 
purchased for in-person absentee voters in the 78 counties changing 
from DREs. In addition, ballot-marking devices will be purchased for 
five counties currently using optical scan systems that had not 
previously purchased ballot-marking devices for use by in-person 
absentee voters.
Voting Equipment Technical Support Services
    This section of the Plan is rescinded. The Secretary of State did 
not implement this program in the original plan. This program is 
described in the original plan as follows: To assist with the 
conversion process to DRE based systems in the lever counties and in 
each precinct to meet accessibility requirements, it is recommended 
that a technical support staff with extensive training on the prevalent 
voting equipment be established. The technical support services shall 
initially be funded entirely with HAVA funds. After the establishment 
of the program the funding will be re-evaluated and funding this 
position through a county and state partnership will be considered.

302. Provisional Voting and Voting Information Requirements

    Iowa has met the requirements of section 302.

303. Computerized Statewide Voter Registration List Requirements and 
Requirements for Voters Who Register by Mail

    Iowa has met the requirements of section 303 and continues to use 
HAVA funds for maintenance of the system. No change from previous plan.

304. Minimum Requirements

    No change to this section.

305. Methods of Implementation Left to Discretion of State

    No change to this section.

312. Adoption of Voluntary Guidance by Commission

    No change to this section.

251(b)(2) Other Activities

    No change to this section.

Section 2: Distribution of Requirements Payments

    The State will purchase the voting equipment necessary to replace 
all DREs in the state and will transfer ownership of the equipment to 
the counties. The HAVA 2008 Requirements Payment will be used to 
reimburse the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund for part of the cost of 
the voting equipment.

                              Program Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Description                   Costs            Resources
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Voting equipment, Premier.......      $8,577,155.00  .................
2 Voting equipment, ES&S..........      $1,181,940.00  .................
                                   -------------------------------------
    3 Total initial cost..........      $9,759,095.00  .................
Less vendor discounts & credits:
    4 Premier: Quantity...........        $250,000.00  .................
    5 Premier: Trade-in...........        $455,100.00  .................
    6 Premier: lease credit.......        $428,000.00  .................
    7 ES&S: Trade-in..............         $32,230.00  .................
                                   -------------------------------------
        8 Total discounts &             $1,165,330.00  .................
         credits..................
        9 Final cost of equipment.      $8,593,765.00  .................
        State match for 2008 Req.          $61,000.00  .................
         Pmt......................
        Total Project Amount......      $8,654,765.00  .................
10 Current remaining HAVA budget    .................      $1,618,386.00
 for 3 counties...................
11 Remaining HAVA equipment budget  .................        $135,499.00
                                   -------------------------------------
    12 Total existing HAVA          .................      $1,753,885.00
     equipment....................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 State appropriation 2007.......  .................      $2,000,000.00
14 State appropriation 2008.......  .................      $4,900,880.00
                                   -------------------------------------

[[Page 63701]]

 
    15 Total state appropriation..  .................      $6,900,880.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 Current available funding......  .................      $8,654,765.00
2008 Requirements payment.........  .................      $1,167,798.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Iowa General Assembly has appropriated a total of $6,900,880 to 
fund the purchase of optical scan voting systems and ballot marking 
devices with the condition that any federal funds that are received 
will be used to reimburse the fund from which those funds were 
appropriated.
    Sixty-six percent of the project cost will be funded with state 
appropriations. Existing HAVA funds represent 20.25%; the 2008 
requirements payment represents 13.49%.
    The Secretary of State has adopted Administrative Rules defining 
the method of distributing and monitoring the funds for this program. 
See Appendix B.
Maintenance of Effort
    Iowa has maintained the expenditures of the State for activities 
funded by the HAVA payments at a level that is not less than the level 
of such expenditures maintained by the State for the fiscal year July 
1, 1999 through June 30, 2000.
Title I Funds
    Iowa has no remaining funds received under HAVA Title I.
HAVA Plan Committee
    Secretary of State Michael Mauro has appointed a new HAVA Plan 
Committee. The members are:
    Jamie Fitzgerald, Polk County Auditor.
    Joel Miller, Linn County Auditor.
    Ken Kline, Cerro Gordo County Auditor and President of the Iowa 
State Association of County Auditors.
    Rik Shannon, Governor's Developmental Disability Council, 
Department of Human Services, Des Moines.
    Linda Langenberg, Deputy Secretary of State.

Appendix A

Senate File 2347
SENATE FILE --------
BY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 3262)
Passed Senate, Date --------
Vote: Ayes -------- Nays --------
Passed House, Date --------
Vote: Ayes -------- Nays --------
Approved ----------------

A BILL FOR

1 An Act relating to the use of optical scan voting systems in
2 every county, making an appropriation for the cost of
3 purchasing and distributing optical scan voting systems,
4 reducing certain appropriations, providing for continuing
5 education for certain election personnel, and providing an
6 effective date.
7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
8 SF 2347
9 sc:rj/cc/26

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                PAG                                  LIN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................................  1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 47.10
                                     OPTICAL SCAN VOTING SYSTEM
1.................................  2 FUND.
1.................................  3 An optical scan voting system fund
                                     is established in the
1.................................  4 office of the treasurer of state
                                     under the control of the
1.................................  5 secretary of state. Moneys in the
                                     fund are appropriated to
1.................................  6 the office of the secretary of
                                     state for purchase and
1.................................  7 distribution of optical scan
                                     voting system equipment to
1.................................  8 counties to assist county
                                     compliance with section 52.2,
1.................................  9 subsection 2. The secretary of
                                     state, in consultation with
1.................................  10 the department of administrative
                                     services, shall establish a
1.................................  11 procedure for purchasing and
                                     distributing the equipment.
1.................................  12 Sec. 2. Section 49.124, Code
                                     2007, is amended to read as
1.................................  13 follows:
1.................................  14 49.124 TRAINING COURSE BY
                                     COMMISSIONER--CONTINUING
1.................................  15 EDUCATION PROGRAM.
1.................................  16 1. The commissioner shall
                                     conduct, not later than the day
1.................................  17 before each primary and general
                                     election, a training course
1.................................  18 for all election personnel, and
                                     the commissioner may do so
1.................................  19 before any other election the
                                     commissioner administers. The
1.................................  20 personnel shall include all
                                     precinct election officials and
1.................................  21 any other persons who will be
                                     employed in or around the
1.................................  22 polling places on election day.
                                     At least two precinct
1.................................  23 election officials who will serve
                                     on each precinct election
1.................................  24 board at the forthcoming election
                                     shall attend the training
1.................................  25 course. If the entire board does
                                     not attend, those members
1.................................  26 who do attend shall so far as
                                     possible be persons who have not
1.................................  27 previously attended a similar
                                     training course.
1.................................  28 2. A continuing education program
                                     shall be provided to
1.................................  29 election personnel who are full-
                                     time or part-time permanent
1.................................  30 employees of the commissioner's
                                     office. The state
1.................................  31 commissioner of elections shall
                                     adopt rules pursuant to
1.................................  32 chapter 17A to implement and
                                     administer the continuing
1.................................  33 education program.

[[Page 63702]]

 
1.................................  34 Sec. 3. Section 52.2, subsection
                                     2, Code Supplement 2007,
1.................................  35 is amended by striking the
                                     subsection and inserting in lieu
2.................................  1 thereof the following:
2.................................  2 2. Notwithstanding any provision
                                     to the contrary, for
2.................................  3 elections held on or after
                                     November 4, 2008, a county shall
2.................................  4 use an optical scan voting system
                                     only. The requirements of
2.................................  5 the federal Help America Vote Act
                                     relating to disabled voters
2.................................  6 shall be met by a county through
                                     the use of electronic ballot
2.................................  7 marking devices that are
                                     compatible with an optical scan
2.................................  8 voting system.
2.................................  9 Sec. 4. Section 52.7, subsection
                                     1, paragraph l, Code
2.................................  10 Supplement 2007, is amended by
                                     striking the paragraph.
2.................................  11 Sec. 5. OPTICAL SCAN VOTING
                                     SYSTEM FUND--APPROPRIATION.
2.................................  12 There is appropriated from the
                                     rebuild Iowa infrastructure
2.................................  13 fund to the office of the
                                     secretary of state for the fiscal
2.................................  14 year beginning July 1, 2007, and
                                     ending June 30, 2008, the
2.................................  15 following amount, or so much
                                     thereof as is necessary, to be
2.................................  16 used for the purpose designated:
2.................................  17 For deposit into the optical scan
                                     voting system fund, as
2.................................  18 established in section 47.10,
                                     notwithstanding section 8.57,
2.................................  19 subsection 6, paragraph ``c'':
2.................................  20
                                     ...................................
                                     ............... $4,900,880
2.................................  21 1. If any federal funding is
                                     received for the same or
2.................................  22 similar purposes authorized in
                                     section 47.10, as enacted by
2.................................  23 this Act, of the amount
                                     appropriated in this section,
                                     $61,000
2.................................  24 is allocated for matching such
                                     federal funding, and an amount
2.................................  25 equal to the federal funding
                                     received shall revert from the
2.................................  26 amount appropriated to the
                                     rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund at
2.................................  27 the end of the fiscal year.
2.................................  28 2. Notwithstanding section 47.9,
                                     as of the effective date
2.................................  29 of this Act, all remaining moneys
                                     in the voting machine
2.................................  30 reimbursement fund established in
                                     section 47.9 shall be
2.................................  31 transferred to the optical scan
                                     voting system fund established
2.................................  32 in section 47.10. Notwithstanding
                                     section 8.33, except as
2.................................  33 otherwise provided in subsection
                                     1, the moneys appropriated
2.................................  34 and transferred in accordance
                                     with this section shall not
2.................................  35 revert to the fund from which
                                     appropriated or transferred.
3.................................  1 3. On or before December 31, 2008,
                                     the secretary of state
3.................................  2 shall submit a report to the
                                     chairpersons and ranking members
3.................................  3 of the joint appropriations
                                     subcommittee on administration and
3.................................  4 regulation regarding the
                                     expenditures of moneys from the
3.................................  5 optical scan voting system fund
                                     and distribution of equipment
3.................................  6 to counties appropriated in this
                                     section.
3.................................  7 Sec. 6. [not applicable and
                                     omitted intentionally]
4.................................  1 Sec. 7. [not applicable and
                                     omitted intentionally]
4.................................  10 Sec. 8. Section 47.9, Code
                                     Supplement 2007, is repealed.
4.................................  11 Sec. 9. EMERGENCY RULES. The
                                     secretary of state may adopt
4.................................  12 emergency rules under section
                                     17A.1, subsection 2, and section
4.................................  13 17A.5, subsection 2, paragraph
                                     ``b'', to implement the
4.................................  14 provisions of this Act relating
                                     to optical scan voting
4.................................  15 systems, and the rules shall be
                                     effective immediately upon
4.................................  16 filing unless a later date is
                                     specified in the rules. Any
4.................................  17 rules adopted in accordance with
                                     this section shall also be
4.................................  18 published as a notice of intended
                                     action as provided in
4.................................  19 section 17A.4.
4.................................  20 Sec. 10. EFFECTIVE DATE. This
                                     Act, being deemed of
4.................................  21 immediate importance, takes
                                     effect upon enactment.
4.................................  22 SF 2347
4.................................  23 sc:rj/cc/26
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix B

    Administrative Rules defining the method of distributing and 
monitoring the funds for this program.
ARC 6727B.

SECRETARY OF STATE [721]

Adopted and Filed Emergency

    Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code chapter 17A and 2008 Iowa 
Acts, Senate File 2347, section 9, the Secretary of State hereby amends 
Chapter 22, ``Voting Systems,'' Iowa Administrative Code.
    The amendment to Chapter 22 rescinds and replaces rule 721-
22.32(52), which was first adopted in 2007 to implement the addition of 
voter-verifiable paper audit trails to direct recording electronic 
(DRE) voting equipment currently in use in Iowa. In 2008, the General 
Assembly outlawed the use of DRE voting equipment and mandated its 
replacement with optical scan voting equipment and ballot-marking 
devices. New rule 721-22.32(52) provides a process for the purchase of 
the new voting equipment.
    The Agency finds, in compliance with Iowa Code section 17A.4(2), 
that notice

[[Page 63703]]

and public participation are impracticable because 2008 Iowa Acts, 
Senate File 2347, which became effective on April 1, 2008, authorizes 
the Secretary of State to adopt emergency rules to implement the 
provisions of Senate File 2347 relating to optical scan voting systems.
    The Agency also finds, pursuant to Iowa Code section 
17A.5(2)``b''(1), that the normal effective date of this rule should be 
waived and this rule should be made effective upon filing with the 
Administrative Rules Coordinator on April 2, 2008, as authorized by 
2008 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2347, section 9.
    This rule is also published herein under Notice of Intended Action 
as ARC 6728B, as required by 2008 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2347, section 
9, in order to allow for public comment.
    The Secretary of State adopted this rule on April 2, 2008.
    This rule became effective on April 2, 2008.
    This rule is intended to implement 2008 Iowa Acts, Senate File 
2347.
    The following amendment is adopted.
    Rescind rule 721-22.32(52) and adopt the following new rule in lieu 
thereof:
    721-22.32(52) Optical scan voting system purchase program. The 
secretary of state shall negotiate with the voting system vendors who 
serve Iowa counties for a uniform price for each vendor's optical scan 
voting system components. Counties currently using all direct recording 
electronic (DRE) voting machines shall purchase one optical scan 
tabulator and one ballot-marking device for use in each general 
election voting precinct. Counties currently using an optical scan 
tabulator with a DRE voting machine as the accessible component in each 
precinct shall purchase one ballot-marking device for each precinct 
used in general elections to replace the DRE voting machine. Allocation 
agreements setting forth the amount of funding each county in need of 
optical scan voting equipment will be allocated shall be prepared by 
the secretary of state. The secretary of state, the vendor, and each 
county shall sign the allocation agreements.
    22.32(1) Contractual agreements. Contracts for purchase shall be 
between the vendor and the county.
    22.32(2) Distribution of equipment. The appropriate vendor shall 
deliver the equipment to each county with which the vendor has a 
contract for purchasing voting equipment.
    22.32(3) Acceptance testing. Upon receipt of the voting equipment, 
the commissioner shall conduct acceptance testing pursuant to rule 721-
22.31(52).
    22.32(4) Documentation. The commissioner shall provide the 
following information to the secretary of state:
    a. A report showing that the county has subjected all equipment to 
acceptance testing and that the equipment is acceptable.
    b. A copy of the invoice showing the date the county received the 
equipment and the total cost of the equipment.
    c. Counties currently using the AccuVote TSX DRE shall provide an 
affidavit showing that the AccuVote TSX DRE was returned to the vendor.
    22.32(5) Payment. Upon receipt of the required information, the 
secretary of state shall pay the vendor the amount agreed to in the 
county allocation agreement.
    This rule is intended to implement 2008 Iowa Acts, Senate File 
2347.
    [Filed Emergency 4/2/08, effective 4/2/08.]
    [Published 4/23/08.]

State of Idaho

State Plan

    As required by Public Law 107-252, Help America Vote Act 2002, 
Section 253 (b).
Ben Ysursa, Secretary of State, 700 West Jefferson, PO Box 83720, 
Boise, Idaho 83720-0080, (208) 334-2852.
    Idaho Votes.
    Every Vote Counts.
    2004.
    Amended 2008.

6. Idaho's HAVA Budget

    The State's proposed budget for activities under this part, based 
on the State's best estimates of the costs of such activities and the 
amount of funds to be made available, including specific information 
on--
    (A) The costs of the activities required to be carried out to meet 
the requirements of title III;
    (B) the portion of the requirements payment which will be used to 
carry out activities to meet such requirements; and
    (C) the portion of the requirements payment, which will be used to 
carry out other activities.--HAVA Section 254(a)(6)
    Section 101 money deposited into the Democracy Fund should be used 
in the following order of priority:
    1. Statewide voter registration list
    2. Voting System Replacement
    3. Election Worker Training
    4. State Plan Development and Compliance Monitoring
    Grants available from U.S. Health and Human Services for polling 
place accessibility will continue to be applied for by the Secretary of 
State to develop training materials and to assist counties in meeting 
their accessibility needs.
    Title II money received will be used to purchase equipment that 
meets the requirements of Title III, including the accessible voting 
device for the blind and visually impaired in each polling place, and 
will be deposited in the Democracy Fund to be made available to the 
various counties to upgrade or replace their voting systems. Funds will 
also be used to develop a statewide voter registration system and will 
also be deposited and maintained in the Democracy Fund to provide 
ongoing operation and support for the system.
    The chart below lists the activities and costs of HAVA activities 
to be implemented in Idaho using both Title I and Title II monies for 
each activity. The chart reflects the dollars to be used if HAVA is 
fully funded and the state received its full share of the funds.

                                         Overall HAVA Compliance Budget
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        HAVA requirement                          Estimated cost  Title II funds   Title I funds
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statewide voter registration system development.................      $5,000,000      $4,500,000        $500,000
Statewide voter registration system operations and support......       1,800,000       1,000,000         800,000
Accessible voting device for each polling place.................       6,300,000       6,300,000  ..............
Voting system upgrade grant program for counties................       6,300,000       3,000,000       3,300,000
Voter education and outreach....................................         200,000         100,000         100,000
Election worker training........................................         200,000         100,000         100,000
State plan development and HAVA compliance monitoring...........         200,000  ..............         200,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 63704]]

10. Effect of Title I Payments

    If the State received any payment under Title I, a description of 
how such payment will affect the activities proposed to be carried out 
under the plan, including the amount of funds available for such 
activities.--HAVA Section 254(a)(10)
    Section 101. Payments to States for activities to improve 
administration of elections.
    Idaho is eligible for approximately $5 million under Section 101. 
These funds will be used for activities to meet the following 
requirements:

1. Statewide voter registration system.......................   $500,000
2. On-going support of voter registration system.............    800,000
3. Voter Education...........................................    100,000
4. Election Worker Training..................................    100,000
5. Plan development and administration.......................    200,000
6. Voting System Upgrades....................................  3,300,000
    Total....................................................  5,000,000
 

    Idaho is a ``minimum state'' for receiving HAVA funds. All of the 
funds received under Title I will be required to be used in meeting the 
requirements of Title III and to purchase replacement voting systems 
that meet the requirements of Title II.

12. Changes to State Plan From Previous Fiscal Year

    In the case of a State with a State plan in effect under this 
subtitle during the previous fiscal year, a description of how the plan 
reflects changes from the State Plan for the previous fiscal year and 
of how the State succeeded in carrying out the State Plan for such 
previous fiscal year.--HAVA Section 254(a)(12).
    The 2004 Plan has been updated with this 2008 Amended Plan. Changes 
in the Plan consist of the following:
     Addition of $575,000 in Title II funds to provide full 
funding of the amount authorized by Congress under HAVA.
     Details the use of Title I and Title II funds to meet the 
requirements of HAVA.
     Changes the budget of the Title I funds

Summary of Successes to Date

    The State of Idaho has been working diligently to address the 
requirements of HAVA. Below are some of the successes to date and the 
State's ongoing efforts to meet the requirements and improve federal 
elections.

Statewide Voter Registration System

    In order to meet the requirement of HAVA Section 303, the State 
entered into a contract with Covansys (now Saber Government Solutions) 
to develop a statewide voter registration system. The contract included 
all application programming and hardware specifications, which were 
purchased separately, along with the conversion of each county's 
database to the statewide database and to provide access to each county 
elections office over a secure state intranet.
    As with any new computer application, the system requires ongoing 
maintenance and support in order to achieve optimum performance and the 
State is working with the various counties and Saber to achieve that.

Accessible Voting Equipment

    The State purchased a voter assistance device for each polling 
place in the state. The devices allow those with disabilities, 
including the blind and sight impaired, to vote privately and 
independently on an optical scan ballot.

Voting System Upgrades

    Idaho uses three method of voting in federal elections: (1) Hand 
counted paper ballots, (2) punch cards and (3) optical scan ballots. In 
order to provide voting systems that meet the requirements of Section 
301 of HAVA, the State has set up a grant program that allows the 
counties to request funding to upgrade their current system by 
purchasing new equipment. The grant program requires the counties to 
provide a 20% match to the money provided by the State.

Voter Education and Poll Worker Training

    Idaho counties utilize both central count and precinct count vote 
tabulation. Since approximately one-third of the counties use hand 
count paper ballots and others use central count systems, an extensive 
voter education and poll worker education program has been set up and 
is ongoing to make certain that voters are instructed on the effect of 
casting multiple votes for an office, instructions on how to correct an 
error made in voting before the ballot is cast and the accessibility of 
polling places.
    Training materials, including video presentations, have been 
developed or updated and distributed for instructing election workers 
on the proper setup and operations of the voter assistance device and 
to heighten the awareness and sensitivity of election workers to the 
special needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities.

13. State Plan Development and Committee

    A description of the committee which participated in the 
development of the State plan in accordance with section 255 and the 
procedures followed by the Committee under such section 255 and section 
256.--HAVA Section 254(a)(13)
    The HAVA State Planning Committee consists of individuals 
representing a cross-section of election stakeholders. The Committee 
was selected by Secretary of State Ben Ysursa.
    Members of the State Planning Committee are as follows:

Dr. James Weatherby, Professor Emeritas, Boise State University, 1910 
University Drive, Boise, Idaho 83725-1935;
Kelly Buckland, Idaho State Independent Living Council, 350 N. 9th 
Street, Ste. 102, PO Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83702;
Dan English, Kootenai County Clerk, PO Box 9000, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 
83816-9000;
Rose Gehring, Idaho County Clerk, 320 w. Main, Rm. 5, Grangeville, 
Idaho 83530;
David Navarro, Ada County Clerk, 200 W. Front Street, Boise, Idaho 
83702;
Barbara Roberts, Democratic Party, 1701 N. 21st., Boise, Idaho 83702;
Norm Semanko, Chairman, Idaho Republican State Party, P.O. Box 2267, 
Boise, Idaho 83701;
The Honorable Shirley Ringo, State Representative, Legislative District 
6, STATEHOUSE MAIL;
The Honorable Ken Roberts, State Representative, Legislative District 
8, STATEHOUSE MAIL;
Tony P.O.inelli, Association of Counties, P.O. Box 1623, Boise, Idaho 
83701;
Dave Gipson, %Caxton Printers, 312 Main Street, Caldwell, Idaho 83605;
Sharon Widner, Washington County Clerk, P.O. Box 670, Weiser, Idaho 
83672;
Eleanor Chehey, League of Women Voters, Boise, Idaho 83703;
Brian Kane, Office of the Attorney General, Statehouse, Boise, Idaho 
83720;
Tim Hurst, Office of the Secretary of State, Statehouse, Boise, Idaho 
83720;
Jim Mairs, Office of the Secretary of State, Statehouse, Boise, Idaho 
83701.

Addendum to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Plan as Required by 
Public Law 107-252

The Help America Vote Act

July 21, 2008

    In accordance with Section 255 of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) 
of 2002,

[[Page 63705]]

the Pennsylvania Department of State is pleased to file this addendum 
to Elements 6, 12 and 13 of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State 
Plan.

Element 6

    Element 6 sets forth the Commonwealth's budget for activities under 
Part II of HAVA, based on an estimate of the costs of such activities 
and the amount of funds to be made available. The funding granted by 
the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 will provide 
an additional $4,919,086 in Title II funding to Pennsylvania, bringing 
the total allocation to Pennsylvania from this fund to $105,497,915.
    The additional funds allocated to Pennsylvania under the Omnibus 
Appropriations Act for FY 2008 will be reserved for use by the 
Commonwealth government. The Commonwealth plans to expend the HAVA 
funds provided by the Election Assistance Commission for FY 2008 to 
improve efficiency and implement technological upgrades to 
Pennsylvania's Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors (SURE), the 
centralized voter registration database. The Commonwealth will spend an 
estimated $3,921,086 for SURE for the following: SURE system 
enhancements ($2,221.086), SURE P.O.rtal enhancements ($850,000), and 
SURE interface upgrades ($850,000). The Commonwealth plans to use the 
remaining $998,000.00 of its FY 2008 funds for administrative costs, 
including personnel and operating costs, to administer HAVA.
    In its budget for FY 2008, the Commonwealth has budgeted an 
estimated $7,700,000 for the ongoing implementation, enhancement, and 
operation of SURE. This amount exceeds the 5% matching funds ($258,899) 
required in order to be eligible to receive these additional funds.

Elements 12 and 13

    Under Elements 12 and 13 of the State Plan, the Commonwealth 
discusses the State Plan Advisory Board (Board) that was created by the 
Pennsylvania General Assembly under section 205 of the Pennsylvania 
Election Code to be the committee required by section 255 of HAVA to 
develop the State Plan. The Department relies on the supP.O.rt and 
consultation of the Board for continued success in reaching HAVA's 
goals and objectives. The original Board members served for a term of 
five years, which expired in 2007. As of July 7, 2008, the new Board 
members are as follows:

 Gladys M. Brown, Public At Large Member
 Elaine Welch, Blind & Visually Impaired Pennsylvanians
 Vice-Chair Deena K. Dean, Director of Elections, Bucks County 
(county of the second class A)
 Joyce McKinley, Director of Elections for Centre County 
(county of a fifth class county)
 Denise W. Jones, Chief Clerk/Director of Elections, Venango 
County (county of the sixth class)
 Sandra Lewis, Elections Director, P.O.tter County
 Patricia P. Nace, Director of Elections, Snyder County (county 
of the seventh class)
 Chair Robert Lee, Jr., Voter Registration Administrator, 
Philadelphia County (county of the first class)
 Thomas M. Michin, Legislative Committee Chairman, Disabled 
American Veterans of PA
 Robert A. Gleason Jr., Chairman, Republican State Committee of 
PA
 Leonard C. Piazza, III, Director of Elections, Luzerne County 
(county of the third class)
 Representative T.J. Rooney, Chair, Democratic State Committee 
of PA
 Larry Spahr, Director of Elections, Washington County (county 
of the fourth class)
 Josh Wilson, Public At Large Member
 Mark Wolosik, Division Manager for Elections, Allegheny County 
(county of the second class)

 [FR Doc. E8-25455 Filed 10-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-KF-P