Election Commission Adopts Initial Framework for Voting System Certification

On Tuesday, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) adopted an initial framework for the nation's first federal voting system certification and laboratory accreditation programs. This is the first step in the transition of these programs from the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED).

"Certifying test labs and voting systems is a significant and extremely important responsibility. EAC has adopted procedures at the onset to ensure that election officials and voters use voting systems that are accurate and reliable," said EAC Chair Gracia Hillman. "The goal to make sure that every vote is counted accurately and fairly begins here, and we will make sure this process is transparent every step of the way."

The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) mandates that EAC provide for the testing, certification, decertification and recertification of voting systems, marking the first time the federal government will be responsible for these activities. The initial framework was adopted by the commissioners at Tuesday's EAC public meeting in Denver, Colorado, and will require EAC to:

• Develop an interim accreditation program for testing laboratories currently accredited by NASED to ensure that the process is not interrupted for the election officials throughout the country who are working to meet the January 1, 2006 HAVA deadlines.
  
  
• Develop procedures for EAC accreditation of Voting System Test Laboratories (VSTL).
  
  
• Create procedures for EAC certification, decertification and recertification of voting systems, which includes working with experts to review technical data packages, test plans and reports from certified testing laboratories; developing a process to provide interpretation of voting system standards and a certification appeal process; and providing the public access to the process.

NASED currently provides a qualification program for voting systems, working with independent testing authorities it has accredited. NASED is a non-partisan trade association consisting of election directors from the 50 states, the territories and the District of Columbia. EAC with continue working with NASED to ensure a smooth transition.

EAC is an independent bipartisan commission created by HAVA. It is charged with administering payments to states and developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, implementing election administration improvements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines and serving as a national clearinghouse and resource of information regarding election administration.

The four EAC commissioners are Gracia Hillman, chair; Paul DeGregorio, vice chairman; Ray Martinez III and Donetta Davidson.