THE "HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT":  Many people have asked for information regarding the "Help America Vote Act", commonly referred to as "HAVA".  The Bureau of Elections maintains a web site that includes information regarding Michigan's progress on HAVA issues.  The web site is located at http://michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633-63654--,00.html.

On October 29, 2002, President Bush signed the Help America Vote Act into law.  The federal legislation creates many new mandates for state and local government and provides $3.9 billion in possible federal funding.  To date, Congress has appropriated $1.5 billion in funding.

At the federal level, HAVA creates an Election Assistance Commission - an independent agency responsible for advising election authorities and distributing federal "requirements payments" to the States.  To be eligible for those funds, Michigan must file a "State Plan".  The State Plan must be developed with the input of an advisory committee appointed by the Secretary of State and 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 voters and poll workers; adopt performance measures; and meet other specified requirements and criteria.

The submission of Michigan's State Plan no later than July 1, 2003 is anticipated.  At least six Advisory Committee meetings will be held in preparation for the submission of the State Plan.  The public is encouraged to submit written comments/testimony at each session.

To date, there have been three HAVA meetings and a vendor fair that displayed the latest voting equipment technology.  The schedule for the remaining meetings is as follows: 

Monday, May 5

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Senate Hearing Room, Michigan National Tower

1st Floor, 124 West Allegan, Lansing

Monday, May 12

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Lansing Center (Meeting Room 201)

333 East Michigan, Lansing

Wednesday, May 21

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Senate Hearing Room, Michigan National Tower

1st Floor, 124 West Allegan, Lansing

Monday, June 2

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m

Senate Hearing Room, Michigan National Tower

1st Floor, 124 West Allegan, Lansing

More information regarding HAVA is available on the web site maintained by the Federal Election Commission at www.fec.gov/hava/hava.htm.

Please direct any questions that you may have to the QVF Help Desk at 1-800-310-5697.