SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Justification statement for Protection and Advocacy (P&A)
Voting Access Application and Annual Report
0970-0326
A. Justification
1. Circumstances that make the collection of information necessary
Public Law 107-252, Help America Vote Act of 2002, section 291 (42 USC 15461) address the use of funds received under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), P.L. 107-252, Title II, Subtitle D, Section 291, Payments for Protection and Advocacy Systems used to provide education, training and assistance to individuals with disabilities that will promote their participation in the electoral process. Protection and advocacy systems (P&As) are required to submit an application for the funds authorized under 42 U.S.C. 15461 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
A copy of section 291 is attached.
2. Use of information
An application is required by Federal statute (the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002, Public Law 107-252, Section 291, Payments for Protection and Advocacy Systems, 42 U.S.C. 15461). Each State Protection & Advocacy P&A) System must prepare an application in accordance with the program instruction.
There is no application kit; the P&As application may be in the format of its choice addressing the four areas in which the fund should be used. Funds for the P&As are used to provide education, training and assistance to individuals with disabilities that will promote their participation in the electoral process in four different areas.
The four areas include:
Area 1
To ensure full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities
Activities may include, but not limited to registering to vote, casting a vote, and accessing polling places.
Area 2
To provide education, training and assistance to individuals with disabilities that will promote their participation in the electoral process.
Activities may include, but not limited to education regarding voter registration, providing individuals with disabilities regarding their legal rights that pertain to voting, and providing assistance to individuals with disabilities in accessing the polls on Election Day.
Area 3
Participate in advocacy and education efforts revolving around HAVA implementation efforts in their State or Territory.
Activities may include, but not limited to participation on HAVA State Planning Committee, subcommittee or coalition efforts regarding the State Plan, and review, advocacy, and education concerning the enactment of HAVA State Legislation.
Area 4
Training and education of election officials, poll workers, and election volunteers regarding the rights of the voters with disabilities and best practices in working with individuals with disabilities.
Activities may include, but not limited to providing training and participating in the development of training education programs for election officials and poll workers.
The application must be signed by the P&As Executive Director or the designated representative, and contain the assurances as outlined in the Program Instruction.
The P&As’ designated representatives may signify their agreement with the conditions/assurances by signing and returning the assurance document Attachment B, found in the Program Instruction. The assurance document signed by the Executive Director of the P&A, or other designated person, should be submitted with the application to the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.
3. Use of information technology
The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) has no funding under the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Act to support an electronic reporting system for the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Voting Access Application.
4. Efforts to identify duplication
There have not been any formal efforts to identify duplication because there are no similar programs collecting information regarding the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program.
5. Information collection involving small businesses
The information collected does not involve, nor result in assignment of burden to any small business. It is collected from 55 designated Protection and Advocacy Systems (P&As).
6. Consequence to Federal program or policy activities if collection is conducted less frequently
No accountability of how HAVA funds are being used
7. Special circumstances
There are no special circumstances governing the collection of data.
8. Outside consultation regarding availability of data
An application format has been determined by the Protection and Advocacy Systems (P&As) since fiscal year 2003. The format is based on the Protection and Advocacy Agency’s plan to address the areas outlined in the Program Instruction. The areas include full participation in the electoral process; education, training and assistance; advocacy and education around HAVA implementation efforts; training and education of election officials, poll workers and election volunteers regarding the rights of voters with disabilities and best practices; assistance in filing complaints; assistance to State and other governmental entities regarding the physical accessibility of polling places; and obtaining training and technical assistance on voting issues.
A 60 day comment period was provided. The solicitation of comments for the proposed information was published in the Federal register, volume 73, number 189, page 56592 (September 29, 2008). No comments received.
9. Provision of Payments of gifts to respondents
No payments or gifts to respondents are planned.
10. Assurance of Confidentiality
This information collection does not require an assurance of confidentiality.
11. Questions of a sensitive nature
Not applicable
12. Estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information
The following is the hour of burden estimate for this information
Collection:
________________________________________________________________
No. of No. of Responses Average Burden Total
States per state hours per state Hours
55 1 20 1,100
The
current approximation of annual burden is 5 hours for four (4)
working days which equals 20 hours. The total estimated burden hours
for the P&As are 1,100.
The annualized cost of the hour burden, expressed in dollars is:
________________________________________________________________
Average Average Burden Average Annual Total Annual
Cost/hour hours/state cost/state Cost
$35 20 $700 $38,500
13. Estimate of the annual cost burden to respondents resulting from the collection of information
There is no annual burden to respondents resulting from the
collection of information for the P&As application.
14. Estimates of annualized cost to the Federal Government
This computation is based on an estimated $35 per hour for the efforts of a Program Specialist. The estimated hourly rate includes fringe benefits.
Program specialists will devote an annualized estimate of 200 hours every year to organize and review the annual reports and to generate analysis of the information.
Total Estimated Federal Costs is $7,000
15. Reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-I
Yes, the burden hours increased to reflect the time required for respondents to complete the application.
16. Plans for tabulation and publication
Not applicable
17. Reasons for not displaying expiration date
The results of this information collection are not planned to be published for statistical use.
18. Explanation for each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions," on Form OMB 83-I
Not applicable
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
Not applicable
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | THE SUPPORTING STATEMENT |
| Author | USER |
| Last Modified By | DHHS |
| File Modified | 2009-02-18 |
| File Created | 2009-02-18 |