National Association of Secretaries of State Winter Meeting   ...1 of 2 >
Feb. 12-15, 2014 - Despite a big snowstorm that hit Washington, DC, the National Association of Secretaries of State held its winter meeting at the JW Marriott Hotel.
Feb. 13, 2014 - Of interest was the Elections Committee meeting co-chaired by Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz and Rhode Island Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis (above).  During the meeting, the Presidential Primaries Subcommittee, co-chaired by Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp and New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner, moved without opposition to allow NASS' rotating regional presidential primaries plan to sunset.  The proposal, first adopted in 1999, failed to attract significant support over the years.  Also during the meeting, Bob Bauer, co-chair of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration, reviewed the Commission's recommendations via telephone.
During the Elections Committee meeting Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill (at right) and Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler (center) presented findings from the final report of NASS Emergency Preparedness Task Force.  The arrival of Hurricane Sandy during the final week of the November 2012 general election highlighted the need for preparedness by election administration officials.
Rock the Vote chairman Heather Smith spoke to the Elections Committee about online voter registration, a top priority for her group.  In January Rock the Vote released a white paper and online tools to support election administration officials in implementing online voter registration.
Matt Boehmer, director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) outlined developments at his agency, including an agreement with the Council of State Governments.  FVAP provides assistance to members of the armed services and overseas citizens.
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