U.S. Election Assistance Commission

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today received recommendations from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to accredit two test laboratories under the EAC’s new Voting System Certification and Laboratory Accreditation Program.

NIST recommended that EAC accredit iBeta Quality Assurance and SysTest Labs to test voting systems against both the 2002 Voting System Standards and the 2005 Voluntary Voting System Guidelines. EAC will conduct further review of the recommended labs to address non-technical issues such as conflict of interest policies, organizational structure, and recordkeeping protocols. After the EAC review, the Commission will vote regarding full accreditation.

The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) mandates that EAC assume federal responsibility for accrediting voting system test laboratories and certifying voting equipment. HAVA instructs NIST to assist the EAC through its National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) by providing recommendations to the EAC regarding laboratory accreditation. EAC makes the final decision to accredit laboratories based upon the information provided by NVLAP and the Commission’s review. For more information about the NIST/NVLAP accreditation process and to view related documents, visit www.vote.nist.gov.

EAC’s Voting System Certification and Laboratory Accreditation Program represents the first time the federal government will accredit test laboratories and certify voting equipment. In the past, these functions were performed on a volunteer basis by the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED), which did not receive any federal funds. Participation in EAC’s program is voluntary. However, approximately 39 states required NASED certification in the past, and EAC anticipates these states will now require the federal certification EAC will provide. For questions on the NVLAP process, please contact Jan Kosko, (301) 975-2767, kosko@nist.gov

EAC is an independent bipartisan commission created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). It is charged with developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, implementing election administration improvements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, accrediting voting system test laboratories and certifying voting equipment and serving as a national clearinghouse and resource of information regarding election administration. The Commission is also responsible for auditing the use of HAVA funds. The three EAC commissioners are Chair Donetta Davidson, Paul DeGregorio and Gracia Hillman. There is one vacancy on the commission.

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