The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) was established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). Central to its role, the Commission serves as a national clearinghouse and resource for information and review of procedures with respect to the administration of Federal elections. According to the text of HAVA, the law was enacted to,

… establish a program to provide funds to States to replace punch card voting systems, to establish the Election Assistance Commission to assist in the administration of Federal elections and to otherwise provide assistance with the administration of certain Federal election laws and programs, to establish minimum election administration standards for States and units of local government with responsibility for the administration of Federal elections, and for other purposes.
        Excerpt from The Help America Vote Act of 2002

The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) requires the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to:

• Generate technical guidance on the administration of federal elections.
• Produce voluntary voting systems guidelines.
• Research and report on matters that affect the administration of federal elections.
• Otherwise provide information and guidance with respect to laws, procedures, and technologies affecting the administration of Federal elections.
• Administer payments to States to meet HAVA requirements.
• Provide grants for election technology development and for pilot programs to test election technology.
• Manage funds targeted to certain programs designed to encourage youth participation in elections.
• Develop a national program for the testing, certification, and decertification of voting systems.
• Maintain the national mail voter registration form that was developed in accordance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), report to Congress every two years on the impact of the NVRA on the administration of federal elections, and provide information to States on their responsibilities under that law.
• Audit persons who received federal funds authorized by HAVA from the General Services Administration or the Election Assistance Commission.
• Submit an annual report to Congress describing EAC activities for the previous fiscal year.