U.S. Government Accountability Office Work on Election Administration Issues

Transcription

1 U.S. Government Accountability Office Work on Election Administration Issues Presentation before Joint Election Officials Liaison Committee Friday, January 8, 2016 Washington, D.C. THIS PRELIMINARY WORK OF GAO IS SUBJECT TO REVISION AND SHOULD NOT BE REPRODUCED OR DISTRIBUTED. SOME GRAPHICS MAY BE ENTITLED TO COPYRIGHT. Page 1

2 Objectives for this Session Background on GAO Recent GAO elections work How you can help inform our work GAO contacts Page 2

3 Background: U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) GAO is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. GAO s mission is to support the Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and ensure the accountability of the federal government. GAO s work is done primarily as a result of requests from congressional committees and subcommittees, mandates written into legislation, and committee reports. Page 3

4 Background U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) GAO has issued over 40 reports on topics related to election administration, including HAVA implementation Polling place accessibility Bilingual voting assistance Voter wait times Weekend voting Voter ID requirements, early and absentee voting, and third-party voter registration To find our election reports, visit our website: Page 4

5 Ongoing Work: Election Costs, Voter Registration, and Voter Turnout What is known about the costs associated with elections, including costs incurred by selected states and localities, and voters? What is known about the benefits and challenges of selected voter registration methods and efforts to maintain the accuracy of voter registration lists? What is known about the effect of selected policies and practices on voter turnout, and what are officials perspectives on the benefits and challenges associated with implementing such policies? Page 5

6 Upcoming Work: Voting Technology Issues The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform asked GAO to review, among other issues, The challenges states and local jurisdictions face due to aging voting systems, the extent these challenges vary across states and localities, and what opportunities exist to upgrade voting systems. How existing federal standards impact the development of new voting systems. Benefits and challenges related to widespread use of updated electronic voting machines. GAO is seeking input from election officials. Page 6

7 Upcoming Work: Voting Technology Issues What challenges does your state or jurisdiction face with regard to your existing voting equipment (whether electronic voting machines or otherwise) as you approach the 2016 election? What plans do your state or jurisdiction have to upgrade your voting technology and in what time frame? If you do not plan to upgrade existing technology, what plans do you have to address issues that may arise in using your existing technology in the upcoming election? What specific opportunities exist for you to upgrade your voting technology? What challenges exist for you in taking advantage of any available opportunities (resources, expertise, timing, etc)? How, if at all, has the ongoing development of federal voting technology standards impacted your decisions/ability to acquire new technology? Page 7

8 GAO Contacts Rebecca Gambler, Director Homeland Security and Justice Issues Telephone: (202) Tom Jessor, Assistant Director Homeland Security and Justice Issues Telephone: (213)

9 GAO on the Web Web site: Congressional Relations Katherine Siggerud, Managing Director, (202) , U.S. Government Accountability Office 441 G Street, NW, Room 7125, Washington, DC Public Affairs Chuck Young, Managing Director, youngc1@gao.gov (202) , U.S. Government Accountability Office 441 G Street, NW, Room 7149, Washington, DC Copyright This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. The published product may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. However, because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately. Page 9