Help America Vote Act: Improving Accessibility and Participation

1. HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT A Voice Margaret Schaefer Program Specialist ADMINISTRATION ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Administration for Children and Families U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.”

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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 • -

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. EXAMPLES: Information Dissemination • Using websites, brochures, newsletters • Making Public Service Announcements • Notifying public of poll locations • Outreach activities • Scheduling personal appearances by election officials

16. 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

17. Annual Financial Reports • Download 269A forms : • http://forms.psc.gov/forms/sf/sf.html • Submit report annually until all funds are expended (paid out)

18. Annual Narrative Report • Describe how funds were used in each of the four categories—refer to your application • Accessibility of polling places • Privacy and Independence in voting • Training of election officials/poll workers • Information Dissemination

19. Contact Information • Margaret Schaefer, • mschaefer@acf.hhs.gov • Phone: 202/690-5962 • Faith McCormick, fmccormick@acf.hhs.gov • Phone: 202/690-6590

20. FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT PAYMENTS • contact: • The Payments Management System (PMS) • (301) 443-1660