The following is an industry statement from voting system providers regarding the formal adoption by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) of the nation’s newest Voluntary Voting System Guidelines, the VVSG 2.0.
Voting System Providers Look to the Future as EAC Approves VVSG 2.0
An Industry Statement from U.S. Voting System Providers
February 10, 2021 – As U.S. voting system providers, we commend the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s (EAC) formal adoption today of the nation’s newest Voluntary Voting Systems Guidelines, the VVSG 2.0. This step is a significant achievement in completing the first phase of a years-long process by establishing benchmarks for developing, testing and certifying next-generation voting systems in the United States. It also leverages adherence to measurable technical standards that will bolster overall system security while also enhancing voter confidence (ballots counted as cast).
VVSG 2.0 would not be possible without EAC and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) governance combined with proactive consultation with election officials, scientists, academia, advocacy groups, security experts and election technology providers.
In light of this accomplishment, we encourage the EAC to work closely with the election technology and election administration communities to guide the next steps in the VVSG 2.0 adoption process, including:
- Determining a reasonable and practical implementation framework that can be successfully applied to currently operational voting systems, particularly those systems purchased with the $400 million federal investment in new Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grants provided to states and local jurisdictions by Congress via the CARES Act in March 2020.
- Assisting independent Voting System Test Labs (VSTLs) in developing a process for achieving accreditation to efficiently test to the new VVSG 2.0 mandates.
- Working with technology providers to finalize their review of the requirements in order to design and build VVSG 2.0-compliant systems over the coming years, and to work with jurisdictions to mutually agree on and establish reasonable implementation timeframes while these jurisdictions continue to administer secure, accurate and transparent elections with integrity.
The full implementation of VVSG 2.0 will eventually establish new benchmarks for usability, security and verifiability of federally-certified voting systems. These standards will continue to assure voters that such systems are secure, accessible, transparent, accurate, reliable and resilient. Election jurisdictions should consult with their product and service system providers to determine the exact scope of projected timing.
Clear Ballot
Dominion Voting Systems
ES&S
Hart InterCivic
MicroVote
Smartmatic
Unisyn Voting Solutions