FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2004

Contact: Timothy A. Hurst
Chief Deputy Secretary of State
(208)334-2852

Secretary of State Releases Notice of Planning Meeting and Receipt of HAVA Funds

BOISE—The Idaho State Planning Committee established by Secretary of State Ben Ysursa, to assist in implementing the federal Help America Vote Act will meet on Thursday, June 24, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. in the Idaho Association of Counties conference room located at 700 W. Washington, Boise, Idaho.

The main focus of the meeting will be on voter education and outreach. Various approaches will be discussed along with a presentation from the Council on Developmental Disabilities addressing the needs of these individuals and how better to involve them in the election process. The meeting is open to the public.

Secretary Ysursa also announced that the state has just received $11,596,803 from the federal government to be used in election reform under the requirements of the Help America Vote Act. "Although federal mandates and federal money create challenges" said Ysursa, "they also provide opportunities for change and improvement." The federal money will be used to improve access to the voting process, upgrade elections equipment and improve administration of elections in Idaho.