Secretary of State’s State Plan Advisory Committee to Meet This Week:  The Secretary of State’s State Plan Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting on Thursday March 20, 2003 at the Kellogg Center on the Michigan State University Campus.  The meeting will convene at 10:00 am.  The Advisory Committee will provide input on the development of the “State Plan” that Michigan must file under the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

The Help America Vote Act seeks to strengthen our elections process by improving access at the polls, replacing old voting equipment, and making it easier for disabled citizens and overseas military personnel to vote.  Filing the State Plan qualifies Michigan for a portion of the federal funds available to assist states in meeting the act’s requirements.
 
The State Plan must include how the state will meet technology and election administration requirements; budget and monitor the funds it receives; adopt voting system guidelines consistent with the new federal requirements; educate poll workers; adopt performance measures; and meet other criteria.
 
The committee will conduct at least six meetings.  The public is encouraged to submit written comments/testimony at each session.  Michigan expects to submit its plan by July 1.
 
More information regarding the Help America Vote Act is available on the Web sites maintained by the Federal Election Commission at www.fec.gov/hava/hava.htm and the Department of State at http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633-63654--,00.html.