Presidential Commission on Election Administration

The Presidential Commission on Election Administration was officially launched May 21, 2013, following President Barack Obama’s State of the Union pledge to identify non-partisan ways to shorten lines at polling places, promote the efficient conduct of elections, and provide better access to the polls for all voters.

The 10-member Commission will submit a final report to the President within six months of its first public meeting, which is expected to be held in Washington in June. Headed by Co-Chairs Bob Bauer and Ben Ginsberg, the Commissioners are experts in election administration, policy and procedures, or leaders from customer service-oriented businesses and industry.

The Commission was created by Executive Order 13639, Establishment of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration. Commissioners were appointed by the President. They are:

· Robert F. Bauer, Co-Chair and member – Partner, Perkins Coie LLP

· Benjamin L. Ginsberg, Co-Chair and Member – Partner, Patton Boggs LLP

· Brian Britton, Member – Vice President, Global Park Operations and Planning at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

· Joe Echevarria, Member – Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte LLP

· Trey Grayson, Member – Director of the Institute of Politics at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University

· Larry Lomax, Member – Clark County (Nevada) Registrar

· Michele Coleman Mayes, Member – Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for the New York Public Library

· Ann McGeehan, Member – Assistant General Counsel of the Texas County and District Retirement System

· Tammy Patrick, Member – Federal Compliance Officer for the Maricopa County (Arizona) Elections Department

· Christopher Thomas, Member – Director of Elections in the Michigan Department of State

Nathaniel Persily will serve as Senior Research Director for the Commission. He is the Beekman Professor of Law and Political Science at Columbia Law School, and as of July 1, 2013, Professor of Law at Stanford Law School.

The Commission was created under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, with staff and support services provided by the U.S. General Services Administration. The Commission will be disbanded 30 days after it presents its final report to the President.

Voting Issues the Commission Will Consider:

1. The number, location, management, operation, and design of polling places.
2. The training, recruitment, and number of poll workers.
3. Voting accessibility for uniformed and overseas voters.
4. The efficient management of voter rolls and poll books.
5. Voting machine capacity and technology.
6. Ballot simplicity and voter education.
7. Voting accessibility for individuals with disabilities, limited English proficiency, and other special needs.
8. Management of issuing and processing provisional ballots in the polling place on Election Day.
9. The administration of absentee ballot programs.
10. The adequacy of contingency plans for natural disasters and other emergencies that may disrupt elections.
11. Other issues related to the efficient administration of elections that the Co-Chairs agree are necessary and appropriate to the Commission's work.

With around 40% of registered voters declaring themselves as not belonging to a political party, or independent voters, why are there no members of any organizations representing these voters on this panel?

These 11 issues are looking at the final part of the political process, the vote. What is missing is how do we change the two sides of ballot access, more candidates on the ballot and all eligible voters, voting.

CLICK HERE to view the commission's website.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!

Michael H. Drucker
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