Government operations and workforce · Advisory committees

Executive Order 13639: Establishment of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration

President: Barack Obama

Created a bipartisan commission to recommend practical ways to shorten voting lines and improve election administration.

Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 13639 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13639 remains in effect. See Federal Register record.

What does Executive Order 13639 do?

EO 13639 established a temporary bipartisan commission after problems in the 2012 election. It studied polling-place management, voter registration, voting technology and access for military, overseas and disabled voters. The commission issued a report with recommendations and a toolkit in January 2014, then dissolved under the order. Elections remained administered by state and local officials under federal and state law.

Administration position: The commission could recommend practices but could not rewrite election law, compel states to adopt its proposals or administer an election.
SignedMarch 28, 2013
Co-chairsRobert Bauer and Benjamin Ginsberg
Final reportJanuary 2014

Before and after

Before the order

Long lines and administrative failures in 2012 highlighted inconsistent election resources and practices.

After the order

Election officials gained bipartisan recommendations, data tools and a goal of no voter waiting more than 30 minutes.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
CommissionStudy problems and issue recommendationsCompleted
State and local election officialsConsider and adopt recommended practicesVoluntary
Federal election agenciesSupport lawful administration and accessibilityContinuing independently

What happened next

EO 13639 created the commission.

EO 13644 adjusted its membership rules.

The commission delivered its final report.