Summary of Public Comments and Actions Taken

Summary of Public Comments Received and Actions Taken
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Study of the Feasibility and Advisability of Establishing a Program of Free Return
or Reduced Postage for Absentee Ballots
Focus Groups
The EAC published a notice in the Federal Register on November 14, 2006, at 71 FR
66321 soliciting comments for a period of sixty (60) days. A second notice was
published on May 18, 2007, at 72 FR 28036 soliciting comments for a period of thirty
(30) days.
Public Comment Summary:
1. This information collection request received a comment from the U.S. Postal Service
citing a concern over the potential establishment of a program of free return or reduced
postage for absentee ballots. The U.S. Postal Service indicated that it lacks appropriations
to fund such a program, and the positive experience of Oregon and Washington, which
rely almost exclusively on a vote-by-mail system, suggests that increased voter
participation is not correlated with free or reduced postage for absentee ballots. In a
separate communication, the U.S. Postal Service provided suggestions to improve this
information collection.
2. This information collection request received a comment from a member of the public
indicating that the study will fail to draw any valid conclusions due to such a small
sample of potential beneficiaries.
Actions Taken:
In response to these comments, the EAC and the study contractor decided to increase the
number of focus groups from three to nine. Each selected group (individuals with
disabilities, Senior Citizens and people with low-incomes) will have three dedicated
focus groups. To ensure the diversity of responses and participants, each selected group
will have one focus group from an urban, rural, and suburban location (Figure 1).
Figure 1.
Low-income

Senior Citizens

Urban

Washington, DC

Rural

Lenawee/Hillsdale
County Michigan
Memphis,
Tennessee Metro

Sacramento,
California
Lafayette County,
Mississippi
Colorado Springs,
Colorado

Suburban

Individuals with
Disabilities
Washington, DC
Central Valley,
California
Detroit area Michigan

(Marshall County,
Mississippi)

Furthermore, in consideration of the concerns presented by the U.S. Postal Service and in
consultation with the EAC, the study contractor adjusted the focus group discussion
guides to address these issues.
The EAC and the study contractor have consulted extensively with the U.S. Postal
Service in preparing the information collection request. Wherever possible and in
consultation with the EAC, the study contractor adjusted the information collection to
accommodate the comments from the U.S. Postal Service. In addition, U.S. State and
county election officials were consulted extensively during the development of the focus
group materials.