Overview
Title
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Defense is asking people what they think about a new survey to learn how Americans living in other countries vote, so they can help make voting easier for them. They want everyone to share their thoughts until January 15, 2025.
Summary AI
The Department of Defense (DoD) is asking for public comments on a new information collection proposal submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. This information collection relates to the Overseas Citizen Population Survey, which gathers data to help the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) fulfill requirements under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). The survey involves 18,000 respondents and aims to analyze voter participation among U.S. civilians living abroad, helping to assess and improve voting processes. Comments are welcome until January 15, 2025, and further details can be accessed online or via contact with Mr. Reginald Lucas at the Department of Defense.
Abstract
The DoD has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The recent notice from the Department of Defense, published in the Federal Register, discusses a proposed information collection initiative under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This undertaking is aimed at gathering data to support the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) in fulfilling its obligations under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Specifically, the notice outlines the plan to conduct the Overseas Citizen Population Survey to better understand and possibly enhance voting processes for U.S. citizens living abroad. Public comments are encouraged and will be accepted until January 15, 2025.
General Overview
The document is part of the procedure by which the Department of Defense seeks comments from the public on its new data collection project. This project involves surveying 18,000 respondents to examine voter participation among U.S. citizens residing outside the country. By doing so, the DoD aims to assess and improve how overseas voting is conducted and to fulfill reporting requirements to Congress and the President.
Significant Issues or Concerns
There are several notable concerns regarding the document. Firstly, it lacks a cost estimate for carrying out the survey, making it challenging to evaluate the financial efficiency of the proposed data collection. Moreover, the purpose and intended outcomes of the survey could be articulated more clearly, especially in terms of how the data will directly address issues faced by the FVAP or improve overseas voting processes.
Additionally, the document relies heavily on legal references, such as UOCAVA, without adequately explaining their significance. This may limit understanding among readers who are not familiar with these legal frameworks. The language used is occasionally technical or vague, which may pose comprehension challenges.
Finally, while the document invites public commentary, it offers limited guidance on how individuals can submit their feedback effectively. Enhanced clarity in this area could encourage broader public engagement.
Impact on the Public
The potential impact of this document on the general public is twofold. Positively, if the survey's findings lead to enhancements in overseas voting, it could ensure more U.S. citizens living abroad can participate in elections, strengthening democratic processes. However, the absence of a cost analysis might raise concerns among taxpayers regarding the financial accountability of conducting such surveys.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For overseas U.S. citizens, the survey represents a direct effort to understand and potentially rectify issues they face in voting, which could significantly impact their participation and engagement in U.S. elections. Enhanced voter participation mechanisms could lead to more inclusive electoral processes.
Conversely, policymakers and legal professionals might find this document's reliance on established legal mandates without explanation a missed opportunity for broader educational outreach. Clarifying these connections could have bolstered public understanding and support for their endeavors.
Overall, clearer communication, especially regarding objectives, costs, and submission processes, could strengthen the value and impact of this initiative.
Issues
• The document does not provide a cost estimate for the information collection process, making it difficult to assess whether the spending is reasonable or potentially wasteful.
• The purpose of the data collection related to the Overseas Citizen Population Survey is not fully explained; more detail on how the data will specifically address the challenges faced by the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) could be beneficial.
• The available data and potential impact on policy or improvements to the voting process for overseas citizens could be better articulated.
• The document relies on references to legal mandates (e.g., UOCAVA of 1986 [52 U.S.C. 10301]) without explaining their relevance to the reader, which may limit understanding for those not familiar with the legal context.
• Language such as 'refine its methodology' and 'interplay of underlying factors' could be made clearer to aid understanding.
• The process for public comment submission is briefly touched on but could be clarified further to encourage broader participation.