The Linn Co., IA elections office tweets that it’s testing the caucus look up tool and it may go live this week.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program and the D.C. Office of Elections and Ethics will be registering voters at the Military Bowl next week. Look for the blue tent in Military Village at RFK Stadium.

The Champaign Co., IL clerk is tweeting updates about the ballot creation process. And he reminds voters that absentee voting begins on February 9, 2012.

Clay Co., FL Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless tweets a reminder that the deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation is January 2, 2012.

The Oregon Elections Division announces that ballots for the January 31 special election were mailed to military and overseas voters last weekend.

Duval Co., FL Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland tweets a reminder about the online voter status lookup tool.

Martin Co., FL is looking for poll workers. Sign up online.
 

Thirty-five states rely on some part of the federal testing and certification program.

• 12 states require federal certification of their voting systems
• 10 states require testing to federal standards
• 13 states require testing by a laboratory that has been accredited by the federal government

In addition, states and many local election officials use the information EAC generates and shares as a baseline for testing, ultimately saving them time and money. For more information, see the Overview of State Requirements & the Federal Voting System Program.

Every week we get questions about registering to vote. Recent questions include:

• How do you register to vote?
• I'm moving right before an election. Can I still vote?
• How do I vote if I've moved?

You can register using the process in the state where you live or by using the National Mail Voter Registration Form. Please note that registration requirements vary by state, so be sure to check with your state to find out what is required. Voter registration does not move with you, so you will have to complete a new voter registration form to update your new address. Read more about moving and registering to vote. For more information about re-registering in the jurisdiction of your new address, visit your state’s election office website.

A quorum (at least three commissioners) is required to determine new EAC policies, defined as “high level determinations, setting an overall agency goal/objective or otherwise setting rules, guidance or guidelines at the highest level.” Examples include holding formal public meetings, adopting new policies, issuing formal advisory opinions and accrediting EAC voting system testing laboratories. A quorum is also required to modify or update the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines, National Voter Registration Act regulations and the National Voter Registration form.

For more information about EAC procedures and policies, read the Strategic Plan 2009-2014, EAC’s Roles and Responsibilities document and the Help America Vote Act.

Still have questions? Send us a note or comment here.
 

The DC Board of Elections and Ethics is tweeting candidate filing updates. #DCision12

The Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners holds its monthly meeting today at noon. Get details here.

The Technical Guidelines Development Committee meets Dec. 15 & 16 at the National Institute for Standards and Technology. More details here.

The Michigan SoS launched ExpressSOS.com, an online customer service hub.

The Hillsborough Co., FL supervisor of elections tweets a reminder that FL is a closed primary state. Learn more.

Pasco Co., FL Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley tweets that ballots will be mailed to military and overseas voters on Dec. 16. #PascoVotes
 

Can you register to vote using a post office box as your address?
If you are using the National Mail Voter Registration Form, you must use your legal address, which does not include a post office box. If the applicant lives in a rural area and does not have a street address, the national form provides a map in which they can indicate the location of his or her residence. Most states also require people to provide their legal address if they are registering to vote. Go here to access the national form, or visit your state’s election office to learn more.

Every week we get questions about what to do if a voter has moved. Recent questions include:

• Can I vote if I've moved?
• Do I need to reregister to vote if I move?
• Do I need to register to vote again if I move within the same state?

Voter registration does not move with you, so you will have to complete a new voter registration form to update your new address. Read more about moving and registering to vote. For more information about re-registering in the jurisdiction of your new address, visit your state’s election office website. You can register using the process in the state where you live or by using the National Mail Voter Registration Form. Please note that registration requirements vary by state, so be sure to check with your state to find out what is required.

Who appoints EAC commissioners?
The Help America Vote Act of 2002 specifies that commissioners are nominated by the President on recommendations from the majority and minority leadership in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.

Pasco Co., FL SoE Brian Corley tweets about conducting poll worker training for voting system specialists today. Follow #PascoVotes for updates.

The Minnesota SoS tweets about today’s special primary election. Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Use the polling place locator.

The Michigan SoS reminds the public you can do business 24/7 online at ExpressSOS.

The Knoxville Co., TN Election Commission is tweeting candidate filing updates.

The Washington SoS tweets that the 2011 election returns have been certified.

The DC Board of Elections and Ethics is tweeting candidate filing updates.

Champaign Co, IL County Clerk Gordy Hulten is tweeting candidate filing updates.

Sarasota Co. FL SoE reminds the public to register by Jan. 3, 2012 to be eligible to vote in the PPP. Sample ballot available.

Clay County, FL SoE Chris Chambless tweets that his office will be at Clay High School today for a voter registration drive. Follow #RUFilledIn2012 for local updates.
 

Who pays for EAC’s voting system certification process?

The Voting System Testing and Certification Program is part of EAC’s operating budget. In Fiscal Year 2011, the Voting System Testing and Certification’s budget was $1.3 million, which funds all program activities, including expenses related to the certification process.

It is important to note that voting system vendors pay test labs directly. EAC does not have the legal authority to collect money from voting system manufacturers to pay for the testing of voting systems (see 31 U.S.C. §3302(b), Miscellaneous Receipts Act). For more information about EAC’s Voting System Testing and Certification Program, including a list of accredited test labs, go here.

What is EAC’s social media policy?

EAC’s social media policy and Twitter procedures are available online in the Resource Library. Also see EAC’s blog code of conduct.

What are the social media plans and policies of election officials?

For more information about social media policies and plans used by election officials, visit our collection of social media links and follow the most comprehensive Twitter list of election officials. Also, view EAC’s roundtable about social media and election administration, which features election officials who are active social media users: Voting Goes Viral. Using New Media to Manage an Election and Communicate with Voters.

How do I register to vote in the United States?

You can register using the process in the state where you live or by using the national mail voter registration form. Please note that registration requirements vary by state, so be sure to check with your state to find out what is required.
 

Franklin Co., OH Board of Elections is conducting two recounts on Nov. 30.

VA State Board of Elections has certified Nov. 8 election results. They will be available soon on the board’s website. Follow #vaelections.

DuPage County, IL Election Commission is posting candidate filing updates.

Lake County, IL Clerk Willard Helander tweets that 167 petitions have been filed for local offices. The last day to file is December 5th by 5 p.m. A complete candidate's list will be available soon on the website.

Pasco Co., FL Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley tweets that the 2012 Candidates Guide is now available. Follow #VotePasco.
 

What is the MOVE Act?

The 2009 Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act established procedures for military and overseas citizen voters to request and for states to send registration information by mail and electronically. The Act requires states to designate at least one means of electronic communication for military voters and overseas citizens to request and receive voter registration applications and absentee ballots. The Act also requires states to transmit information to these voters 45 days before an election.

EAC and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are helping the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) launch its pilot programs by providing best practices or standards. In addition, MOVE reiterated the 2004 mandate from Congress requiring EAC to create guidelines for the development of a remote electronic voting system.

In EAC’s Report to Congress, we define our goal to develop remote voting guidelines that will best serve the needs of FVAP and military and overseas citizen voters. The report describes the work EAC has completed, including research, pilot program requirements and the funding provided to NIST to develop remote electronic absentee voting guidelines. EAC has also developed a program manual and federal certification process for voting systems that would serve UOCAVA voters. For more information about the MOVE Act and EAC’s activities, visit the military and overseas voting section of EAC’s website.

What is the reporting schedule for HAVA funds?

Please see EAC’s reporting schedule chart.

Every week we get questions about updating voter registration. Recent questions include: 

• How do I update my voter registration information if I’ve moved?
• Do you have to register to vote after moving?
• How do I register to vote if I move to another county within the same state?

Voter registration does not move with you, so you will have to complete a new voter registration form to update your new address. Read more about moving and registering to vote. For more information about re-registering in the jurisdiction of your new address, visit your state’s election office website.

How can I register to vote online?

Many states offer online registration tools, as well as ways to verify registration status. Visit your state’s election website to find out what customer service tools they offer.

How do I register to vote for the 2012 elections?

You can register using the process in the state where you live or by using the national mail voter registration form. Please note that registration requirements vary by state, so be sure to check with your state to find out what is required.
 

Election officials should submit their plans to clearinghouse@eac.gov. Thank you to Bristol, Virginia for the first submission! Read contingency plan submissions here. We look forward to sharing these ideas as officials prepare for the 2012 election cycle.

Officials can also sign up to be experts or search for expertise in the Election Official Exchange.
 

LA County, CA Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan tweeted a link to the certified results for Nov. 8 local and municipal elections.

Multnomah Co., OR posted its final results.

Monterey Co., CA posted its Statement of Votes Cast, the county's official record of the total number of votes cast.

The Franklin Co., OH Board of Elections will certify general election results today at 3 p.m.

Denver’s clerk and recorder tweeted the official results of the Nov. 1 Coordinated Election.

Other election updates

Clay Co., FL Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless tweets a link to the latest newsletter, which includes the five keys to voter success.

The Kansas City Election Board reminds voters to update their registration if they’ve moved.

Osceola Co., FL reminds the public they have until Jan. 3 to register to vote or update registration for the Jan. 31 Presidential Primary.

Allen Co., OH posted its new precinct maps. Notices will be sent to voters in January.

Pasco Co., FL Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley tweets the latest voter registration statistics.
 

The most frequently asked questions from last week were about updating voter registration.

• How do I change my address on my voter registration card?
• How do I register to vote with a new last name?
• Which states have changed their voter registration rules?

You will have to complete a new voter registration form to make address or name changes. Read more about moving and updating voter registration. Visit your state's election office website to get the latest information about voter registration requirements and instructions to re-register in the jurisdiction of your new address.

DC Board of  Elections and Ethics reminds the public to check their registration status online.

Phoenix, AZ posted unofficial results from its 2011 runoff election.

The Multnomah Co., OR Elections Division is posting unofficial updates. Next update will be available on 11/21/11.

Santa Clara Co., CA continues its post-election canvass. Updates posted here. Certification of results by 11/21/11.

Cook Co., IL clerk announces free parking at courthouses for early voters.

Monterey Co., CA’s next election results report will be issued on 11/18/11 here.
 

When do counties and states certify the official election results?

The outcome of the election is not official until election officials complete the canvass of votes and certification of results, which sometimes may be several weeks after Election Day. Each state administers its own elections and laws vary for the starting and completion dates of the canvass, which is the compilation of election returns and the validation of the outcome that forms the basis of the official results.

For an election official, the canvass means aggregating or confirming every valid ballot cast and counted—absentee, early voting, Election Day, provisional, challenged, and uniformed and overseas citizen. The canvass enables an election official to resolve discrepancies, correct errors, and take any remedial actions necessary to ensure completeness and accuracy before certifying the election. For requirements and dates, check with your state's election office. For more information about the process, see EAC’s Canvassing and Certifying an Election.

What state doesn’t require voter registration?

North Dakota does not require voter registration. Get more info about registering to vote in your state.

Can you vote if you've recently moved?

Voter registration does not move with you, so you will have to complete a new voter registration form to update your new address. Read more about moving and registering to vote. For more information about re-registering in the jurisdiction of your new address, visit your state’s election office website.

Our first submission comes from Bristol, VA General Registrar Penny Limburg:

Optical Scan/ Hand Sanitizer WARNING!

If you plan to offer information regarding the use of hand sanitizers at voting precincts, I offer the follow suggestion. Never let a voter use hand sanitizer just before they are handed a ballot. In 2009, amid the flu epidemic and concern for minimizing the spread of germs, we sent hand sanitizer out to each voting precinct. A voter dispensed a big dollop on her hands just before she was given her ballot. Her ballot became damp from the sanitizer product left on her hands which in turn became jammed in the optical scan machine when she deposited it. Not only did it jam to the point that we could not readily remove the ballot, it tore into pieces that got into other parts of the machine. In spite of waiting for the residue to evaporate and attempting to remove the remains of the ballot, the machine was down for the rest of the day. Only 15 minutes before the close of the polls, the technicians were finally able to clear the slot. The machine had to be sent off for repair and cleaning.

Problems have been seen whenever the card stock that ballots are printed on become damp for any reason. We even caution our officers on rainy elections to ensure voters dry their hands well before handling a ballot.

Penny Limburg
General Registrar
City of Bristol VA
 

Remember, post election procedures vary, so be sure to contact your state for more information. Many election officials use social media to deliver unofficial election updates. Follow EAC’s election official list on Twitter to get updates.

Learn more about provisional ballots, canvassing and certifying elections, recounts, absentee voting and military and overseas ballots. Visit EAC's Election Resource Library for additional information.

Polling Place Locators, cont.

• Santa Clara County, California
• Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

Election Day Hashtags

• Brevard County, FL Supervisor of Elections: #votebrevard
• Pasco County, Florida Supervisor of Elections: #VotePasco
• Knox County, Kentucky Election Commission: #knoxvotes
• Monroe County, IN Clerk: #BtownElex
• Virginia State Board of Elections: #vaelections

• Pasco County, Florida
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania

• Los Angeles County, California
• Sarasota County, Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa (city elections)
• Maine
• New York City
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Virginia

• Where do I vote? Due to redistricting and other changes, do not assume you are voting in the same location as last time!
• What do I need to bring? Find out if you are required to bring identification. If so, what kind.
• What are the voting hours?

Many election officials provide sample ballots that can be easily downloaded from the Internet. It’s always a good idea to take a few minutes to review the ballot before going to vote. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

For live updates today from election officials throughout the nation, follow EAC’s list on Twitter.
 

The VA St. Board of Elections reminds voters to check their polling location BEFORE going to vote. Do it online. Follow #vaelections for updates.

TN SoS Hargett tweets info about town hall meeting today at 10 a.m. at the Election Commission office downtown. Taking questions about new voter ID law.

LA County, CA Registrar Recorder/County Clerk Dean Loganreminds the public that TODAY, Nov. 1, is the last day to register to vote by mail for the Nov. 8 elections. Apply online.

Seminole Co., FL Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel tweets that the state’s presidential primary ballot is set. Get more info.

Duval Co., FL Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland says the fall newsletter is out.

The Marion County, IN Election Board tweets info about today's early voting.

Pasco Co., FL Supervisor of Elections Brian E. Corley established hashtag #VotePasco for local election updates.

Arlington Co., VA Elections tweets details about in-person absentee voting, taking place today.

The Allen Co., OH Bd. of Elections will have extended office hours this Friday for in-person absentee voting.

If I have changed my address, do I need to re-register to vote?
Voter registration does not move with you, so you will have to complete a new voter registration form to update your new address. Read more about moving and registering to vote. For more information about re-registering in the jurisdiction of your new address, visit your state’s election office website.

What is the Help America Vote Act?
The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was passed by the United States Congress to make sweeping reforms to the nation's voting process. HAVA addresses improvements to voting systems and voter access that were identified following the 2000 election. It also created the Election Assistance Commission, and our primary duties are:

• Testing and certifying voting equipment
• Administering the national clearinghouse on elections
• Conducting research about how, where and when Americans vote
• Administering the National Voter Registration Act and the national mail voter registration form

Every Monday EAC blogs questions from the public. Submit yours here or use the online comment form.

Seminole Co., FL SoE tweets the 3 steps to vote by mail. Get more info.

OH SoS Husted tweets link to 2011 ballot issues.

Follow Linn Co. IA, Elections for frequent updates about the 11/08 City/Senate District 18 election.

Monterey Co., CA Elections is looking for feedback—submit comments or questions here.

CO SoS Scott Gessler is tweeting turnout results.

Luzerne Co., PA concluded its L&A testing and tweets results.

DC Board of Elections and Ethics is tweeting candidate filing updates. Follow #DCision12.

Q: If I move, am I still registered to vote?
A: Voter registration does not move with you. Even if you move within your existing county, you must complete a new voter registration form to update your new address. If you to move to a different county or state, you must re-register with your new county or state. Read more about moving and registering to vote. For information about re-registering, visit your state's election office website.

Q: What is the difference between EAC’s military and overseas voters data and other data recently issued about these voters?
A: EAC’s 2010 UOCAVA data are provided directly by each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and 4 territories. Primarily, we ask states to provide the number of ballots sent, received, counted and rejected. All data provided by the states are available in three formats, and the survey instrument is also available. Improving services for military and overseas voters is a shared goal at all levels of government. Working together and sharing our data about these voters contributes to a greater understanding of how to remove the challenges they may face when casting a ballot.

EAC’s UOCAVA Data Are:

• Official numbers provided directly by every state.
• Only about voters covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) as it relates to ballots sent, returned, counted and rejected.
• Available for all states.

EAC’s UOCAVA Data Are Not:

• A sampling of military and overseas voters (a subset of these total populations used to draw conclusions about the entire population).
• Opinion data related to whether an individual covered under UOCAVA voted or wanted to vote, or is of a particular age group or gender, for example.

The Harford Co. (MD) Election Bd. tweets a reminder that today at 5 p.m. is the deadline to register to vote in the Aberdeen and Bel Air municipal elections on Nov. 8.

The TX secretary of state tweets that www.VOTEXAS.org has all the info voters need.

The Kansas City Election Board will adopt redistricting map on Thurs, Oct. 20.

Luzerne Co. (PA) now offers an online polling place & ballot locator.

GA Secretary of State Brian Kemp advises voters to use theMy Voter Page to find early voting locations and times.

EAC's language assistance resources may assist states and political subdivisions newly covered under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act. The EAC’s Glossaries of Election Terminology (PDFs and an online tool) Voters Guides to Federal Elections, and National Mail Voter Registration Form are available in numerous languages and free of charge. For additional information on these EAC resources, contact Marcy Reedy at mreedy@eac.gov.
 

CT SoS Merrill tweets a reminder about approaching voter registration deadlines. Get more info.

The Oklahoma St. Election Bd. shares polling place locator for those headed to the polls today for the Sen. District 43 special election.

Wake Co. NC Board of Elections tweets that today is Election Day. Polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Find your polling place.

Alameda Co. CA’s registrar of voters tweets that Oct. 24 is registration deadline for the Nov. 8 election. Find out more.

Luzerne Co. PA reminds voters that today is the voter registration deadline. Get more info.

Louisiana’s secretary of state reminds voters that early voting is this week and Oct. 22 is the primary. Get ballot info from the GeauxVote mobile app.

The Williamson Co. TX Elections Dept. is conducting a public logic and accuracy test of its electronic voting equipment today at 10 a.m. Find out more.

EAC gathers information for this weekly update from Twitter. Follow EACgov and our nationwide election official list to get daily updates. 

Duval Co., FL tweets a reminder about updating voter status.

LA Co., CA Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan announces release of General Voting System Principals, the county’s new approach to voting systems acquisition.

Franklin Co. and Allen Co., OH. tweet reminders about absentee voting beginning today.

OH SoS Husted reminds the public that Oct. 11 is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 2011 election.

Luzerne Co., PA tweets a reminder about the Oct. 11 deadline to register to vote. Application and info available here.

Montana SoS McCulloch tweets ballot updates.
 

• Posted -- Democracy Suite 4.0 voting system draft test plan (revision A)
• Revised --status of systems spreadsheet updated. This spreadsheet is a comprehensive collection of all program activities.

Are you curious to know if your voting system has been certified by the EAC? Take a look at the Certificate of Conformance for each EAC-certified voting system. It describes the scope of the validation and certification of the voting system, including system components, software or firmware versions, hardware versions and the operating system or COTS. The Certificate also includes detailed diagrams of the voting system.

Sign up for automatic program updates and follow us on Twitter. Election officials—contact us if you have questions or need assistance about EAC-certified voting systems or systems under test.
 

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted tweets reminder that Oct. 11 is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 2011 election. More info here.

It’s Election Day in TN, and KnoxVotes provides an online polling place locator.

LA Co. Registrar-Recorder/Co. Clerk Dean Logan tweets info about verifying/updating voter registration info.

The San Francisco Department of Elections is looking for poll workers. Get more info.

The TX secretary of state reminds the public that there’s just over 2 weeks left to register to vote in the Nov. election.

The Williamson Co., TX, Elections Dept. is looking for poll workers. Get more info here.

The DuPage Co., IL, Election Commission posts a list of election dates through 2021.

The Louisiana secretary of state tweets link to a list of voting locations, by parish.
 

Please comment here and let us know if yesterday's roundtable was useful and if there are other subjects you'd like us to cover in the future. We want suggestions and input to make sure these events truly provide value to election officials and voters.
 

Early voting happening in Knox Co., TN. Get the schedule and voting locations here.

TheLinn Co., Iowa elections office tweets that polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Not sure where to go? Check out the polling place locator.

TheMichigan secretary of state office tweets a reminder about village elections happening today. Get more info here.

Summit Co. , OH BoE reminds voters that it’s Election Day and polls are open, but that it’s not a county-wide election. Find out more.

Today is primary Election Day in Cuyahoga Co., OH. Get more info.

South Dakota Secretary of State Jason Gant reminds the public that the State Board of Elections meets tomorrow. See the agenda.

West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant tweets that Sept. 13 (today) is the deadline to register to vote in the October special election. Learn more.

• New EAC-certified systems locations added to map
• Draft Test Plan submitted for Unity 3.4.0.0 Modification
• Unity 5.0.0.0 voting system status timeline posted
• Test plan Ver. 1.3 approved for WinEDS 4.0 voting system
• Voting system modifications reorganized; easier to track mods certified or under test

GA’s Kennesaw University launches interactive service for election officials.

KnoxVotes tweets that early voting is happening now. More info here.

Phoenix, AZ unofficial election results available here.

WakeElections reminds public that registration deadline for Oct. election is Sept. 16. NC voter registration application online here. They also need pollworkers.

The Louisiana secretary of state reminds voters they can register to vote online.

Rhode Island SoS Mollis reminds voters of upcoming deadlines.

Buncombe Co., NC posts voter registration FAQs.

The Harford, MD Board of Elections is now on Twitter @HarfordVotes.

NOTE: Missed the webinar on HAVA audits? Play it back or view the slides. Also included are EAC’s Top Ten Audit Findings.
 

The Franklin Co., WA auditor reminds voters that Oct. 10 is the deadline for mail and online voter registrations.

It’s Voter Education Week in Louisiana. Get more information and events schedule here.

Summit Co., OH wants to know if you know a 17 yr. old, high school senior who would be a good poll worker. Learn more.

Cuyahoga Co., OH has made it easier to apply for a vote by mail application. Go here.

It’s Election Day in Phoenix, AZ. Voting Centers are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Phoenix Elections reports that 5,600 votes have been cast since Saturday at Voting Centers.

Duval County reminds voters that it’s Election Day in Atlantic Beach, FL. More info here.
 

In the meantime, please review the following resources about contingency planning, which were created by election officials for election officials.

Election officials--please send any contingency plans so we can share them with your peers. Send them to jlayson@eac.gov or post them here.

• Contingency Planning & Change Management (Election Management Guidelines Chapter 11)
• Contingency & Disaster Planning (Quick Start Guide)
• Contingency Planning Video

Duval Co., FL is conducting logic and accuracy testing on voting equipment today at 9:30 a.m. Open to the public. More info here.

Louisiana residents—find your registrar of voters online.

The Clallam Co., WA auditor reminds residents that Oct. 10 is the deadline for online voter registration and for address changes.

NYCVotes posts info about the candidates in the Sept. 13 primary.

Mecklenburg County, NC’s primary is Sept. 13. Thursday is first day for in person absentee ballots. Get more info here.

Pinellas County, FL’s Canvassing Board meets this Wed. for a public test of the voting system and to begin processing mail ballots for Aug. 30 municipal election. Check out the Board’s calendar.

EAC created a Twitter list of election officials so voters have a trusted resource. If you’re not on it, let us know.
 

Arlington Co. VA says requests for absentee ballots to be mailed must be received by 5 p.m. today! The primary is August 23, 2011. Get more info here.
 

NYCVotes reminds the public that there are four days left to register to vote for the Sept. 13 special election. Voters can find out if there’s a special election in their district here.
 

Louisiana’s secretary of state tweets that staff will resume training on Aug. 23 for the absentee ballot scanning machines. (Thanks for the RT!)
 

Linn Co. IA reminds its voters that absentee ballots are available for the county’s regular School Board elections. Get more info here.  
 

Are you an election official with valuable info for the public? We'd be glad to share! Comment here or on Twitter @EACgov.

The article written by EAC staff follows ElecTab through the entire process, beginning with EAC’s recommendation that Tabulate, Inc. perform pre-submission testing to verify that ElecTab conforms to the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines. EAC recommends that manufacturers take these preliminary steps which will save time and money by making sure that they will be prepared for EAC’s rigorous process, which has four components:

• Pre-testing
• Certification testing
• Grant of certification
• Post certification compliance

Read the article to find out more about how EAC conducts conformity assessment testing for voting systems, a process EAC calls the Voting System Testing and Certification Program.
 

We spent a lot of time talking about authentication mechanisms used in the field of information security. For elections, authentication may be used for staff access to buildings and warehouses as well as computer systems. Authentication examples include handwritten signatures, employee access cards, fingerprints, DNA and digital signatures. Although this is not an exhaustive list, we recommend the following when establishing passwords:

• Do not use default passwords!
• Use different passwords for different accounts.
• Use different passwords for different people.
• Use different passwords for different elections.
• No names or dictionary words. Example: JoshElection4.
• Randomness is key.
• At least 8 characters.

For more information, read EAC’s Election Management Guidelines chapters about system security, physical security, chain of custody procedures, acceptance testing and technology in elections. Also check out the security requirements in the next iteration of the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines. It’s a draft, but you’ll find lots of information about voting system security.

• System component (scanner, ballot marking device)
• Software (COTS, voting counting logic)
• Hardware (COTS, monitors, scanners, printers)
• Operating system (Windows, Linux, Unix)

The Scope includes the voting system limitations, such as the maximum number of contests or ballot styles the system can handle. Also included is a list of items that are unique to the voting system, such as whether it can print precinct level reports. There’s a functionality checklist and a chronicle of any engineering change orders that were included with the voting system. Graphic depictions of the system are also available. The Certificate of Conformance and the Scope of Certification for every EAC certified voting system is available here.

Look for the EAC certification seal!

EAC just awarded a total of $1.4 million to 12 jurisdictions under the Pre-election Testing and Post-election Audit grant program. Pre-election testing, also called Logic and Accuracy (L&A) testing, is the act of evaluating every ballot style and every component of the voting system before the election. Sounds like a lot of work? It is, but it’s necessary to help detect and prevent problems BEFORE they occur on Election Day. The post-election audit is a documented review of all aspects of the conduct of an election from beginning to end.

Voters will be the ultimate benefactors of these grants, and EAC looks forward to collecting best practices and procedures about pre- and post-election activities from the grant winners and sharing them with election officials throughout the nation. The grant winners are:

• California Secretary of State, Sacramento, CA
• Orange County Registrar of Voters, Santa Ana, CA
• County of Humboldt, Eureka, CA
• County of Santa Cruz, CA, Santa Cruz, CA
• Colorado Department of State, Denver, CO
• State of Connecticut, Secretary of the State, Hartford, CT
• Office of the Cook County Clerk, Chicago, IL
• State of Indiana, Secretary of State, Indianapolis, IN
• City of Takoma Park, Takoma Park, MD
• County of Boone, Columbia, MO
• New York State Board of Elections, Albany, NY
• Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH

Go here for grant amounts and program summaries. To learn more about pre-election and post-election activities, visit our Election Management Guidelines section.