Voting System Standards

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This document is part of Agenda Document Number 01-62 on the agenda for consideration at the December 13, 2001, meeting of the Federal Election Commission.

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                                                                           December 3, 2001

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  The Commission

 

THROUGH:   James Pehrkon, Staff Director

 

FROM:           Penelope Bonsall, Director, Office of Election Administration

 

SUBJECT:      Release for Public Comment of Voting System Standards

 

           

Please find enclosed the following documents submitted to the Commission:

 

w        Federal Register Notice;

w        Overview of Voting System Standards;

w        Volume I of the Voting System Standards; and

w        Volume II of the Voting System Standards.

 

            I request that these documents be approved for release to the public and that a comment period be provided for Volume I and Volume II of the Standards that will end no later than February 1, 2002. 

 

            As the Commission is aware, this will be the second release for public comment of Volume 1 of the Standards, which provides performance standards for voting systems seeking national qualification.  The first release generated significant public interest and the Commission received substantial comment from a wide variety of interests, including vendors, election administration officials, academics, technical experts, special interest groups, advocacy groups, and concerned citizens.  Many sections of the Standards have been accordingly revised, and another round of public comment seems advisable. 

 

This will be the first release of Volume II, which addresses documentation required to be submitted by the vendor prior to testing, the tests conducted by the Independent Test Authorities (ITAs), and the products generated by the test process, such as the test plan and the test report.

 

            It is anticipated that the Standards will receive significant additional feedback from numerous sources and that this input will continue to provide valuable assistance in providing the best possible guidance for voting system vendors, election administration officials, ITAs, and other interested parties.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

 

The Office of Election Administration recommends that the Commission:

 

1.     Approve the Federal Register Notice with the comment deadline of February 1, 2002.

2.     Approve the release of the revised overview.

3.     Approve the release for public comment of the proposed Volume I and Volume II of the Voting System Standards.

 

 

Enclosures