2024-01685. Agency Information Collection Activities: Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program Application for Participation Form

AGENCY:

Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

ACTION:

Notice; request for comment.

SUMMARY:

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) gives notice that it is requesting from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection of one Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program form.

DATES:

Comments must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, February 28, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

To view the proposed forms, see: https://www.regulations.gov (docket ID: EAC–2023–0011).

Written comments on the proposed information collection can also be sent to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20001, Attn: Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Elizabeth Beatrice, Election Technology Specialist, Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program, Washington, DC (202) 748–2298. Email: [e-mail].

All requests and submissions should be identified by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title and OMB Number: Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program Application for Participation Form; OMB Number Pending. 88 FR 63559 (Page 63559–63560, Document Number 2023–19950).

Purpose

This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on Friday, September 15, 2023, and allowed 60 days for public comment. In compliance with section 3507(a)(1)(D) of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, EAC is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review and approval of the information collection described. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment from all interested individuals and organizations.

The EAC Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program evaluates the security and accessibility of election-supporting technologies, including electronic poll books, voter registration systems, electronic ballot delivery systems, and election night reporting databases.

The program is to publish one form. This is to be used to collect key information concerning election-supporting technology manufacturers and their systems. The application for participation in the Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program collects administrative information on new or modified election-supporting technology systems that are being submitted for testing by a registered manufacturer.

This information is collected to improve the quality of election-supporting technology used in federal elections.

Public Comments

We are soliciting public comments to permit the EAC to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary and sufficient for the proper functions of the Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program.
• Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
• Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of information technology.

Please note that comments submitted in response to this notice are public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your personal information, will be available for public review.

Respondents: Election Supporting Technology Manufacturers, State and Local Election Officials.

Annual Reporting Burden

OMB approval is requested for 3 years.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument	Estimated number of respondents	Total number of responses per year	Average burden hours per response	Annual burden hours
ESTEP Manufacturer Registration Form	10	10	2	20
Total		20		40

The estimated cost of the annualized cost of this burden is: $1,681.

The estimated cost of the annualized cost of this burden is: $3,361.

Camden Kelliher,

Acting General Counsel, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.