SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title and OMB Number: Manufacturer Registration, Application for Testing, Voting System Anomaly Reporting and Root Cause Analysis; OMB Numbers Pending.

Purpose

Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal Agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. “Collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes Agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA requires Federal Agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, the EAC is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information set forth in this document.

HAVA requires that the EAC certify and decertify voting systems. Section 231(a)(1) of HAVA (52 U.S.C. 20971) specifically requires the EAC to “provide for the testing, certification, decertification and recertification of ( printed page 30931) voting system hardware and software by accredited laboratories.” To meet this obligation, the EAC has created a voluntary testing and certification program to test voting systems to federal voting system standards.

The program is to publish four forms. These are to be used to collect key information concerning voting system manufacturers and their systems, as well as information regarding anomalies in voting systems used in federal elections. These forms will collect:

• The voting system manufacturer registration form collects information on the ownership, contact details for certain directors and senior staff, and the quality processes for manufacturers who wish to participate in the EAC's Testing and Certification program.
• The voting system application collects administrative information on new or modified voting systems that are being submitted for testing by a registered voting system manufacturer.
• The voting system anomaly report will collect initial anomaly information as reported by voting system manufacturers and election officials.
• The root cause analysis form collects information on voting system anomalies, test results, and findings.

This information is collected to improve the quality of voting systems used in federal elections.

Public Comments

We are soliciting public comments to permit the EAC to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the EAC's Testing and Certification Division.
• Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
• Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your personal information, will be available for public review.

Respondents: State and Local Election Officials and Voting System Manufacturers.

Annual Reporting Burden

OMB approval is requested for 3 years.

Annual Burden Estimates

Estimated Burden in hours—177 hours.

Estimated Burden cost—$14,871.

87 FR 30930