FEC to hold public hearing on website and internet communications improvements

The FEC seeks comment from all segments of the public, including representatives of political committees, federal candidates and officeholders, members of the media, authors, students of all ages, members of the academic community and advocacy groups, on ways the Commission can improve how it communicates to the public using the Internet and, specifically, how it can improve its website to ensure that the FEC website is a state-of-the-art resource for disclosure of information to the public including 1) disclosure of campaign finance data, 2) information about federal campaign finance laws and 3) actions of the Commission.

In addition to comments from the public, the Commission specifically seeks comment from those with relevant technical expertise, including technical advisors, consultants, researchers, other governmental and non-governmental agencies, nonprofit entities and commercial vendors to assist with the Commission's efforts to improve how it uses the Internet to disclose information to the public and particularly efforts to improve the FEC website. Such advice and information may include recommendations to the Commission for 1) expanding the website's disclosure features, 2) improving the information available on the website and ways in which that information is organized and 3) maximizing the benefit of current and anticipated technology related to website services.

Comments must be received on or before July 21, 2009. All comments must be made in writing, addressed to Mr. Robert Hickey, Staff Director, and must be submitted in e-mail, facsimile or paper copy form. Commenters are strongly encouraged to submit comments by e-mail to ensure timely receipt and consideration. E-mail comments must be sent to improvefecinternet@fec.gov. If e-mail comments include an attachment, the attachment must be in the Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) or Microsoft Word (.doc) format. Faxed comments must be sent to (202) 208-3333. Paper comments must be sent to Mr. Robert Hickey, Staff Director, Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20463. All comments must include the full name and postal service address of the commenter or they will not be considered. The Commission will post all comments on its website at http://transition.fec.gov/pages/hearings/internethearing.shtml shortly after they are received.

A public hearing will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, July 29-30, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street NW., 9th floor Hearing Room, Washington, DC 20463. Anyone seeking to testify at the hearing must file written comments by the due date and must include in the written comments a request to testify.

The full text of the Notice of Public Hearing and Request for Comment is available at http://transition.fec.gov/law/policy/internet09/notice_2009-10.pdf.