[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 8, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 27020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10998]



[[Page 27020]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Current 
Population Survey (CPS) Voting and Registration Supplement

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before July 9, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Kristin Hanaoka, U.S. Census Bureau, 7H108C, 
Washington, DC 20233-8400 at (301) 763-3806.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau plans to request clearance for the 
collection of data concerning the Voting and Registration Supplement to 
be conducted in conjunction with the November 2012 CPS. The Census 
Bureau sponsors the supplement questions, which were previously 
collected in November 2010, and have been asked biennially since 1964.
    This survey has provided statistical information for tracking 
historical trends of voter and nonvoter characteristics in each 
Presidential or Congressional election since 1964. The data collected 
from the November supplement relates demographic characteristics (age, 
sex, race, education, occupation, and income) to voting and nonvoting 
behavior. The November CPS supplement is the only source of data that 
provides a comprehensive set of voter and nonvoter characteristics 
distinct from independent surveys, media polls, or other outside 
agencies. Federal, state, and local election officials use these data 
to formulate policies relating to the voting and registration process. 
College institutions, political party committees, research groups, and 
other private organizations also use the voting and registration data.

II. Method of Collection

    The voting and registration information will be collected by both 
personal visit and telephone interviews in conjunction with the regular 
November CPS interviewing. All interviews are conducted using computer-
assisted interviewing.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0466.
    Form Number: There are no forms. We conduct all interviewing on 
computers.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 48,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1.5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,200.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: There are no costs to the respondents 
other than their time to answer the CPS questions.
    Respondents Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Section 182; and Title 29, U.S.C., 
Sections 1-9.

IV. Request for Comments

    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 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: May 2, 2012.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-10998 Filed 5-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P