Current Population Survey (CPS)-Voting and Registration Supplement November 2000

AGENCY:

U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Proposed collection; comment request.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before July 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5027, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at lengelme@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Michelle Schwab, Census Bureau, FOB 3, Room 3340, Washington, DC 20233-8400, at (301) 457-3806.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Census Bureau is requesting clearance for the collection of data concerning the Voting and Registration Supplement to be conducted in conjunction with the November 2000 CPS. The Census Bureau sponsors these questions, which have been collected biennially in the CPS since 1964.

This survey has provided statistical information for tracking historical trends of voter and nonvoter characteristics in each Presidential or Congressional election since 1964. The data collected from the November supplement relates demographic characteristics (age, sex, race, education, occupation, and income) to voting and nonvoting behavior. The November CPS supplement is the only source of data that provides a comprehensive set of voter and nonvoter characteristics distinct from independent surveys, media polls, or other outside agencies. Federal, state, and local election officials use these data to formulate policies relating to the voting and registration process. College institutions, political party committees, research groups, and other private organizations also use the voting and registration data.

II. Method of Collection

The voting and registration information will be collected by both personal visit and telephone interviews in conjunction with the regular November CPS interviewing. All interviews are conducted using computer-assisted interviewing.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0607-0466.

Form Number: There are no forms. We conduct all interviewing on computers.

Type of Review: Regular.

Affected Public: Households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 48,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 1.5 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,200.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: There are no costs to the respondents other than their time to answer the CPS questions.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 182; and Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1-9.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.