EAC Board of Advisors held a Virtual Meeting. The virtual meeting room opened on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 9:00 A.M. EDT and closed on Monday, September 15, 2008, at 5:00 P.M. EDT. The site was available 24-hours per day during that 5-day period.

Commissioners held a workshop discussion on Preparing for Election Day 2008 and Empowering Voters, will consider Advisory Opinion 07-003-A and 07-003-B Regarding Maintenance of Effort. Commissioners will consider (1) a Draft Policy for Notice and Public Comment, (2) Proposed Administrative Regulations and receive an Update on Final Administrative Regulations, (3) adoption of the Alternative Voting Methods Study and (4) Best Practices on voting systems for Election Day.

Commissioners considered and voted on Draft EAC Guidance to States Regarding Material Changes to State Plans, the accreditation of CIBER, Inc. and considered a Draft Working Group Policy [formally known as Draft Policy for Joint Partnership Task Force of EAC and State Election Officials Regarding Spending of HAVA Funds]. Commissioners discussed revisions to the advisory opinion process and consider other administrative matters.

Commissioners met and held a panel discussion to examine key issues facing election officials and journalists in reporting election results, particularly in competitive states. Some of the topics include: (1) voting systems technology; (2) non-traditional ballots such as provisional and absentee ballots and ballots of military and overseas citizens; (3) time and procedures for getting election results; (4) post-election issues such as recounts and audits; (5) time zones, and more.

Standards Board and Board of Advisors Meeting

Commissioners elected officers for 2009 and considered the a draft working group policy and an EAC strategic plan. Commissioners will receive an Election Day 2008 EAC Activity Report, an update on the 2008 Election Day Survey, and considered other administrative matters. Commissioners held a closed session discussion about the EAC general counsel position.

The Commission hosted a VSTL roundtable discussion regarding the TGDC recommended VVSG. Topics included: (1) New research, technology, or methods in the areas of accessibility and usability; (2) usability and/or disability concerns with voting systems;

The Commission met in Denver, CO to review HAVA funds, changes to the state-specific instructions on the National Form, and the proposed UOCAVA voters study.

The Commission hosted a voting systems testing laboratory roundtable discussion on the TGDC's VVSG. Topics included: (1) Whether the recommend TGDC standards create appropriate functional standards that promote innovation; (2) How to evaluate innovative systems, for which there are no standards for purposes of certification; (3) The value & risks associated with OEVT; (4) The processes associated with testing to the VVSG and modifications; (5) VSTL usability benchmarks implications.

The Commission hosted a voting systems manufacturer roundtable discussion TGDC's recommended VVSG. The discussion focused on the following topics: (1) The dominant business model for voting system manufacturers and their role as innovators; (2) How to evaluate innovative systems, for which there are no standards for purposes of certification; (3) The value and risks associated with OEVT; (4) The processes associated with testing to the VVSG and possible modifications, and more.