New Hampshire’s Approach to the State Plan for the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Disabilities Access and Voting Systems Task Force

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

Background Polling place accessibility laws adopted in recent years. Help America Vote Act adopted in October 29, Secretary of State assigned one person. Project planning format. No federal or state money allocated yet, but expected.

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

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

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.

New Hampshire’s share Federal Fiscal Year * Total Authoriza- tion New Hampshire Share of Authorization 5% State Match Requirement ** Early Payment $650 m$5 mn/a 2003$850 m$4 m +?$200, $500 m??$2.5 m??$125,000?? 2005$500 m??$2.5 m??$125,000?? Total$2.5 b??$14 m??$450,000??

Federal Requirements One direct recording electronic voting system, or other voting system equipped for individuals with disabilities at each polling place. The voting system shall be accessible for individuals with disabilities including non-visual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation (including privacy and independence) as for other voters.

Voting systems standards Manual audit capacity Permit the voter to verify votes selected. Opportunity to change the ballot If the voter selects more than one candidate for a single office: –Notify the voter what he or she has done. –Notify the voter about the effect. –Provide the opportunity to change vote

Polling Place Accessibility Grants – 2003, 2004, 2005 U. S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) will make payment to eligible state and local governments on competitive basis. Eligible state and local governments will submit an application to the HHS describing what they will use the money for. Appropriate uses include physical improvements to path of travel, entrances, exits, voting areas for disabled, including blind and visually impaired. Could include providing polling place accessibility information and training for election officials, poll workers and volunteers. Payments to state and locals will be for a year. Amount will be determined by Secretary of HHS. Grant process necessary? Congress actually appropriated $13 million for FY 2003, vs. $50 million that it authorized. It authorized $25 million for FY 2004, and $25 million for FY Notwithstanding competitive aspect, one half of one per cent of $13 million in 2003 is $65,000.

Today’s Agenda Mission Vision Goals Objectives

Mission Definition The mission sets forth the broad philosophical purpose of voting systems and disabilities access and the 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?

Vision Definition The vision describes where election officials see themselves going in the area of voting systems and disabilities access, 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?

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?

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?

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