New Hampshire’s Approach to the State Plan for the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)

1. New Hampshire’s Approach to the State Plan for the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)

2. Presentation • History, background • Guiding Principles • Plan Timeline • 60 days and counting • New Hampshire’s share • Mission, vision, goals, objectives • Ground rules

3. Background • Statewide Voter Registration Database proposed numerous times in past. No money to get started. • Help America Vote Act adopted in October 29, 2002. • Secretary of State assigned one person • Project planning format: Vital Records and UCC • No federal or state money allocated yet, but expected.

4. Guiding Principles • Set expectations – funding, participants, time frames • State plan as framework • Include steps to get the answers, not the answers themselves • Engage Executive and Legislative branches in planning • Reinforce need for collaboration with local election officials • Emphasis on accessibility for individuals with disabilities

5. New Hampshire’s State Plan Timeline: 2003 April 1-19 Preliminary executive review of plan April 20 Preliminary draft of plan to governor May 1-10 Preparation for state publication May 11 - June 11 Public inspection period June 11 – 21 Incorporate public feedback June 22 – July 29 Support EAC Review July 30 – Aug. 20 Prep for Federal Register Aug. 21 – Sept. 5 Public inspection in Fed. Register Sept. 6 – 13 Incorporate public feedback Sept. 14 Governor certifies plan

6. 60 days and counting • Assign state resources. • Analyze HAVA and assess impact on state. • Draft and pass legislation covering early deadlines. • Educate participants on impact of requirements. • Establish state plan task forces. • Hold meetings on state plan. • Vet state plan and get buy-in.

7. New Hampshire’s share

8. Today’s Agenda • Mission • Vision • Goals • Objectives

9. Mission Definition • The mission sets forth the broad philosophical purpose of the election registration system and its supporting organization. It is a brief 2-3 sentence description of why this project exists, its purpose and for whom. Questions it answers • What is the purpose of the project, for whom and why does it exist?

10. Vision Definition • The vision describes where election officials see themselves going in the area of voter registration, and how they want to be seen by others. The vision usually contains very lofty ideals that represent stretch-goals. Questions it answers • How do the state elections officials of the state want to be seen in the future, by their eligible voters, campaign participants, elected officials, other stakeholders, and employees?

11. Goals Definition • Goals are general ends towards which state election officials direct their efforts. They are broad statements of policy that are ambitious. They provide the framework for the strategic plan. Questions they answer • How are the state election officials going to ensure the “what”, “for whom” and “why” as detailed in the mission statement?

12. Objectives Definition • Objectives are specific measurable outcomes that can be achieved in a foreseeable amount of time. SMART (specific, measurable, relevant, and time-based) statements that articulate the goals of the election officials. Questions they answer • What measurable activities are necessary to meet the “what”, “for whom” and “why” set forth in the goals, including targets? • How will you know when these targets have been reached?

13. Ground Rules • Be on time • Avoid interrupting others • Participate • Respect others opinions • Do not engage in personal attacks