E9-21509. Publication of State Plan Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act

AGENCY:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) hereby causes to be published in the Federal Register changes to the HAVA State plans previously submitted by Maryland, Nebraska, and New Mexico.

DATES:

This notice is effective upon publication in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bryan Whitener, Telephone [phone] or 1-866-747-1471 (toll-free).

Submit Comments: Any comments regarding the plans published herewith should be made in writing to the chief election official of the individual State at the address listed below.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On March 24, 2004, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission published in the Federal Register the original HAVA State plans filed by the fifty States, the District of Columbia and the Territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 69 FR 14002. HAVA anticipated that States, Territories and the District of Columbia would change or update their plans from time to time pursuant to HAVA section 254(a)(11) through (13). HAVA sections 254(a)(11)(A) and 255 require EAC to publish such updates. This is the first revision to the State plan for New Mexico, and the second revision to the State plans for Maryland and Nebraska.

The revised State plans from Maryland, Nebraska, and New Mexico provide information on program accomplishments and address changes in the respective budgets to account for the use of Fiscal Year 2008 and 2009 requirements payments. In accordance with HAVA section 254(a)(12), all the State plans submitted for publication provide information on how the respective State succeeded in carrying out its previous State plan. The States all confirm that these changes to their respective State plans were developed and submitted to public comment in accordance with HAVA sections 254(a)(11), 255, and 256.

Upon the expiration of thirty days from September 8, 2009, the State is eligible to implement the changes addressed in the plan that is published herein, in accordance with HAVA section 254(a)(11)(C).

EAC wishes to acknowledge the effort that went into revising this State plan and encourages further public comment, in writing, to the State election official listed below.

Chief State Election Officials

Ms. Linda Lamone, Administrator, Maryland State Board of Elections, 151 West Street, Suite 200, Annapolis, Maryland 21401-0486, Phone: [phone].

The Honorable John Gale, Nebraska Secretary of State, P.O. Box 94608; State Capitol, Suite 2300; Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-4608, Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone].

The Honorable Mary Herrera, New Mexico Secretary of State, 3285 Don Gaspar, Suite 300, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503, Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone].

Thank you for your interest in improving the voting process in America.

Dated: August 31, 2009.

Thomas R. Wilkey,

Executive Director, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.