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Data Summit Captions EAC Election Data Summit 2018 July 12, 2018 Captions Transcript >> We're going to start in about two minutes. In about two minutes, we're going to start. >> Good morning, everyone. I love the fact that people get quiet when I get up on stage. Good morning. I'm Tom Hicks. I'm chairman of the United States election commission. I should have asked the folks if we're streaming before I get going. So good morning. I'm Tom Hicks, chairman of the United States election commission, or EAC. And I want to take one minute to pledge allegiance to the flag, which is right behind me here. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and justice for all. So with that, I want to ask everyone to silence their phones so that we don't have any mishaps during the summit. We are honored to be hosting this Election Data Summit, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of State. The EAC held its first data summit in 2015, and we're excited to carry the momentum toward this event today. Thank you all who have joined us here today in the audience and those of you who are watching this live streaming from home or in the office. Collecting, analyzing, and sharing election data is a big part of what we do here at the EAC. In service of our clearinghouse function and all the mandates under the Help America Vote act, which administer the election administration and voting survey, or EAVS, after every federal election. The EAVS survey collects state by state data under jurisdiction of federal elections in all 50 states, the District of 1 Columbia, and four U.S. territories. The EAVS contains the most comprehensive nationwide data about how elections are run in the United States, data on voter registration, voting by military and overseas citizens, absentee, and provisional ballots, polling operations, election day activities, and voting equipment. The EAVS provides policy makers and the public with key information about how our democracy functions. We at the EAC take our responsibility as stewards of critical national election data seriously, and we are busy laying the groundwork for the 2018 survey. Building on some important changes for 2016, we're working to improve the survey in three ways. First, we're working to make the survey easier for election officials to complete. Second, we're taking steps to strengthen the data quality and completeness. And, third, we're working to Foster greater use of the data by experts and election officials alike. We know that EAVS data barely scratches the surface of the wide world of election data that's out there. State and local election officials across the country use data every day and are constantly innovating to improve election -- page turn -- processes. From voter registration processes to post-election review exercises, data driven approaches are helping election officials identify trends, anticipate changes, voters need, predict the impact of proposed policies, and determine how to invest resources. As election officials prepare for the upcoming midterm elections, we are thrilled to be partnering with our friends at the Pennsylvania Department of State to offer this platform for election officials and election data experts to share their experiences and lift up innovation, data driven practices from across the country. With that, I'm going to talk about a few housekeeping things that are going on. If you are a social media user, we encourage you to post about this summit using the #electiondata18. Again, that's #electiondata18. There are a few opportunities throughout the day for our audience to ask questions of our panelists. If you would like to ask questions, we politely ask you to do one of three things. This is about data, three things. Remember this. One, speak into the microphone so that folks who are listening from home can actually hear the question. Two, identify yourself, name and affiliation. And, three, this is most important, actually ask a question. If you need assistance throughout the day, please find a staff member from the EAC or the Pennsylvania Department of State, because we're all happy to help and assist you. Thank you again for coming, and thank you for the Community College of Philadelphia for hosting us here today. Let me give a special note of thanks for the 2 election officials who are here. And if you're an election official and wanting to stand for a quick acknowledgement, please do so. Don't be shy. Don't be shy. [APPLAUSE] Most of these folks are here for the NAS and NASED conference, but we're very encouraged they all came for our summit today. Finally, let me give a sincere appreciation for acting secretary Robert Torres and his team at state for inviting us here today to the commonwealth department for this important initiative. At this time, it's my pleasure to introduce secretary Torres, who will be delivering opening remarks. Thank you once again to the audience in your commitment to secure accurate and improving elections. Thank you. >> Good morning. Chairman Hicks, it's good to see you. Thank you for being here. On behalf of the Department of State, it's my privilege to welcome you to the city of Philadelphia, the Community College of Philadelphia for today's Election Assistance Commission. Our happy to partner with the election commission on this data summit co-hosted by the state and the EAC. I would like to extend my gratitude and a special thanks to our deputy policy director Jessica Myers for all of her hard work and collaboration with our colleagues at the EAC to help organize and bring you this relevant, educational, and timely summit. Of course, I also want to thank the EAC team for their hard work and support in putting today's summit together. And by the way, you can't beat the price. So there should be no complaints, at least on that front. So let me also extend my thanks to all the moderators and the panelists for your time and effort in participating today. And finally, thank you all for your interest and attendance in what I trust will be a worthwhile investment of your time. Pennsylvania takes the administration of our elections very seriously. We at the department work in partnership with counties to ensure smooth, fair, and secure elections. However, I know that many, if not all of us, want to find more efficient ways of administering elections and managing our limited resources. This is why we have been working to modernize how we manage data and information in Pennsylvania. With regard to voter registration, we implemented online voter registration nearly three years ago and passed the 1 millionth user mark last February. We have also developed web APIs or interfaces to further continue and leverage the progress that we have achieved with online voter registration. However, the voter registration database that we use needs to be replaced because it is costly and doesn't support the kind of information reporting and analytics that a modern system could provide. Therefore, we are in the process of developing business requirements with strong considerations on how we want the 3 data and the information derived from that data to work for us and the counties so that we can maximize the benefits of a new system. On election day, we work with the counties and other state agencies, such as the office of administration, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, office of Homeland Security, and others to monitor events throughout Pennsylvania that could impact voting. The surveillance and use of data in the communications channels we have established, help to maintain situational awareness and help us respond quickly to problems. Pennsylvania is also pursuing the transition to new voting system within the next two years. We have directed that all new voting systems purchased in the commonwealth must have voter verifiable paper ballot or paper records of votes cast by the voter that will enable us to audit the systems and conduct post-election audits that will help further validate voting results and maintain confidence in the integrity of the electoral process. ADA and the effective use of data to help manage all aspects of the electoral process is extremely important. However, data alone is not enough. The quality of the data you use always has to be considered. The skill sets of the staff and analysts who use the data that you will rely upon for information has to be considered. How you formulate research questions has to be considered because, if you ask the wrong questions, guess what? The data will be useless to you. Voter confidence in our elections can be impacted by their experience at the polls and their observations on how elections are handled. As election officials, advocates, and stakeholders, it is incumbent on us to collect and use data effectively to help improve our properties, enhance resource allocations, increase accuracy, and support auditability. All of this should be done to ensure voters and ourselves that the integrity of procedures being used and ultimately our elections can be trusted. Let me just say this. If you don't remember anything else I say this morning, please remember these words throughout the day. If you cannot measure, you cannot manage. I'll repeat. If you cannot measure, you cannot manage. Thank you for being here. I wish you a productive and enjoyable day.
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