Transcript A Voice HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT Margaret Schaefer Program Specialist ADMINISTRATION ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Administration for Children and Families U.S.

A Voice
HELP AMERICA
VOTE ACT
Margaret Schaefer
Program Specialist
ADMINISTRATION ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
P.L. 107-252
• On October 29, 2002, President Bush
signed the Help America Vote Act
• Designed to improve the administration of
elections in the United States
• Utilizes a variety of mechanisms including
a Federal Elections Assistance Commission,
minimum standards for equipment, grant
programs
Disability Provisions of
PL 107-252
• Includes two grant programs -- $15
million appropriated for FY 2004
($14,911,500 available)
• Gave Secretary Thompson, DHHS,
responsibility for these grant programs
• The Administration on Developmental
Disabilities (ADD) administers these
grant programs for the Secretary
Grant Programs Related to
Individuals With Disabilities
• Payments to states and units of local
government to improve accessibility in the
voting process ($9,941,000 in FY ‘04)
• Grants to State Protection and Advocacy
Systems (P&As) to assist individuals with
disabilities in the voting process ($4,970,500 in
FY ‘04)
Funding
• Secretary must make annual payments to
each eligible state and local government
that meet the eligibility criteria [Only
states and territories are eligible in ‘04]
• Amount of payment determined by the
Secretary
Mandatory Use of Funds
• Making polling places, including the path
of travel, entrances, exits and voting
areas of each polling facility accessible
• Providing the same opportunity for
privacy and independence as for other
voters
Mandatory Uses of Funds
• Providing individuals with disabilities
with information about the accessibility
of polling places
• Training election officials, poll workers,
and election volunteers on how best to
promote the access and participation of
individuals with disabilities in elections
for Federal office
Grants to State Protection and
Advocacy Systems (P&As)
• Each P&A is to use the the funds to “ensure
the full participation in the electoral process
for individuals with disabilities, including
registering to vote, casting a vote, and
accessing the polling place.”
Training and Technical Assistance
• Seven percent ($347,935) of the $4,970,500
must be set aside to make payments to
“eligible entities” to provide training and
technical assistance to the P&As
• An eligible entity is a public or private
nonprofit entity demonstrating an
experience in voting issues for IWD; is
governed by a board with a majority of
members that are IWD or family members
State Grant Program
• ADD works with NASS, NACO, NCSL
and disability groups to get out word
• 55 States/Territories met application
deadline in FY’03
• Funds were made available 9/1/2003
• Grant period is 9/01/2003 to 8/31/2004
• Funds are available until expended
EXAMPLES of How Funds Will be
Spent
• Collaborating with local officials on how to
spend funds
• Surveying accessibility of polling places
• Developing user-friendly “how to” manuals
Designing accessibility projects based on
survey outcomes
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EXAMPLES: Polling Place
Accessibility
• Developing & implementing accessibility
surveys
• Paving parking areas
• Building ramps outside/inside buildings
• Building curb cuts
• Replacing door knobs with lever handles
EXAMPLES: Privacy/Independence
• Installing direct recording election (DRE)
touch screen type machines
• Using visual aides, e.g., magnifying glasses,
marking instruments, signature guides
• Providing audio versions of ballot prior to
election day
• Holding voting equipment vendor fairs
EXAMPLES: Training
• Collaborating with disability groups on
training manuals
- etiquette and use of equipment
- Assistance for voters with intellectual
disabilities
• Using videos, “train the trainer” models
• Holding on-site seminars for local election
officials and poll workers
EXAMPLES: Information
Dissemination
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Using websites, brochures, newsletters
Making Public Service Announcements
Notifying public of poll locations
Outreach activities
Scheduling personal appearances by
election officials
Reporting Requirements
• Annual Financial Report (SF-269A)
– Due 90 days after end of grant period (8/31/04)
– First one due November 30, 2004
– Continue annual reports until funds expended
• Annual Narrative Report
– Due NLT March 31 of each year
– First one due March 31, 2005
Annual Financial Reports
• Download 269A forms :
– http://forms.psc.gov/forms/sf/sf.html
– Submit report annually until all funds are
expended (paid out)
Annual Narrative Report
• Describe how funds were used in each of
the four categories—refer to your
application
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Accessibility of polling places
Privacy and Independence in voting
Training of election officials/poll workers
Information Dissemination
Contact Information
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Margaret Schaefer,
[email protected]
Phone: 202/690-5962
Faith McCormick,
[email protected]
• Phone: 202/690-6590
FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT
PAYMENTS
•
contact:
• The Payments Management System (PMS)
•
(301) 443-1660