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Voting System Certification History
On December 7, 2006, EAC voted to approve a new program that provides for the certification, decertification and recertification of voting system hardware and software, and the accreditation of testing laboratories. It marks the first time in history that the federal government will hold this responsibility. The new program was implemented in January 2007. Prior to the implementation of the full program, EAC initiated interim accreditation and certification programs to ensure no interruption in service.
Under HAVA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will assist the EAC through its National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), and will provide recommendations to the EAC regarding laboratory accreditation. EAC will make the final decision to accredit laboratories based upon the information provided by NVLAP. Participation by states in EAC’s certification program is voluntary; however, most states currently require national certification for the voting systems used in their jurisdictions.
Background
Prior to the passage of HAVA, voting systems were assessed and qualified by The National Association of State Election Directors (NASED), a nonpartisan association consisting of election directors nationwide. NASED did not receive any federal funds to operate its program. The NASED qualified voting systems were tested against the 1990 and 2002 voting system standards developed by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). HAVA transferred the responsibility for developing voting system standards from the FEC to the EAC and, in 2005, EAC adopted the first set of voluntary voting system guidelines.