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Press Releases

Washington Secretary of State’s Voter Information Portal Honored with a “Clearie” Award

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today announced that the Washington Secretary of State’s office won a national competition recognizing best practices in election administration. The Washington Secretary of State’s office was selected for its work to make the voting process more accessible for voters with disabilities.
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Press Releases

Data “Deep Dive” Shows Level of Difficulty in Recruiting Poll Workers, Decline in Physical Polling Places

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) released a brief today that shows a decline in the number of physical polling places across the country, the continued challenges jurisdictions report facing in recruiting poll workers, and age data for poll workers. This is the third in a series of “deep dives” into election administration trends and voting behavior ahead of the 2018 election cycle.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Press Releases

Celebrating the Impact of the Help America Vote Act on Its 15-Year Anniversary

Ahead of the fifteenth anniversary of the ratification of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) on Sunday, October 29, 2017, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Chairman Matthew Masterson released the following statement today on the impact of the groundbreaking legislation on federal elections.
Friday, October 27, 2017
Testing & Certification

U.S. EAC Certifies OpenElect 2.0 Voting System

The Election Assistance Commission has certified Unisyn Voting Solutions, Inc.’s (Unisyn) OpenElect 2.0 voting system, verifying its compliance with current federal standards. The determination came after a thorough test campaign conducted by EAC and Pro V&V in Huntsville, Ala., the commission’s newest testing lab.
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Advisory Notice

Voters with Disabilities, Election Officials, Technology Manufacturers to Discuss Accessible Voting in Rural America

Ahead of the fifteenth anniversary of Help America Vote Act, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) will come together with state and local election officials and the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) to hear feedback from people with disabilities about voting in rural America at the 23rd annual APRIL Conference on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. PT.
Friday, October 20, 2017
Press Releases

Data “Deep Dive” Shows Impact of Early, Absentee and Mail Voting on Elections

The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today released a brief on the growing trend of states offering early, no-excuse absentee and mail voting, and the increasing number of voters casting ballots before Election Day. This brief is the second in a series of “deep dives” into election administration trends and voting behavior ahead of the 2018 election cycle.
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Press Releases

Elections Government Sector Coordinating Council Established, Charter Adopted

Members of the Elections Government Sector Coordinating Council (GCC) adopted a charter to guide its operations moving forward. The GCC, which will inform how the Department of Homeland Security works with state and local jurisdictions to implement its designation of elections systems as part of the nation’s critical infrastructure, includes all U.S. Election Assistance Commissioner (EAC) commissioners.
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Advisory Notice

Cybersecurity Experts, Local Officials Discuss Safeguarding American Election Systems

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) will convene a livestream roundtable discussion with cybersecurity experts and local election officials to discuss the unique challenge hackers present, understanding what it means to be the target of a nation-state actor and the collaborative approach needed to update and strengthen jurisdictions’ cyber safeguards.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Press Releases

Data “Deep Dive” Shows Impact of Technology, Policy Changes on Voter Registration

The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today released what will be the first in a series of “deep dives” into election administration trends and voting behavior ahead of the 2018 election cycle. The first brief focuses on the impact of technology, methods of voter enrollment and list maintenance techniques on voter registration.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Press Releases

Committee Approves Next Generation of Voting System Guidelines

The next generation of Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG 2.0) that will guide the Election Assistance Commission’s (EAC) testing and certification work was adopted today by the EAC’s Technical Guidelines Development Committee (TGDC).
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Advisory Notice

TGDC to Consider Next Generation of Voting System Certification Guidelines

The Technical Guidelines Development Committee (TGDC) will meet next week to consider the next generation of voting system testing guidelines. The meeting, slated to take place on Sept. 11 and 12 at the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), marks the next step in moving forward with the development of the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) version 2.0, a set of specifications and requirements against which voting systems can be tested to determine if the systems meet required standar
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Press Releases

Election Critical Infrastructure Subsector Plans Progress During Recent Meetings

Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) held meetings planned in coordination with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to further discuss and develop the Election Critical Infrastructure Subsector partnership framework. The meetings were held in conjunction with the Election Center National Conference and the National Association of State Election Directors Summer Conference in Orange County, Calif.
Friday, September 1, 2017
Press Releases

Votem Corporation Certified to Participate in EAC's Voting System & Testing Certification Program

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today announced that Votem Corporation has been officially registered to participate in the commission's Voting System Testing & Certification Program. The designation follows an EAC determination that the Cleveland, Ohio-based company meets all of the requirements noted in its certification Program Manual. Votem Corporation is now permitted to submit voting systems for EAC examination and certification.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Press Releases

EAC Announces National Competition for Election Administration Best Practices

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is seeking entry submissions for its second-annual national competition for best practices in election administration. This year the commission will present three awards in the categories of best practices related to voting accessibility, outstanding innovations in elections, and recruiting, training and retaining election workers. All entries must be received by October 6, 2017.
Friday, August 18, 2017
Press Releases

EAC Releases Annual Grant Expenditure Report

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today released its Annual Grant Expenditure Report for FY 2016 that documents the allocation and spending of funds established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). The commission reiterated during a public meeting held today that it has awarded more than $3,248,946,231 in grants to the 50 states, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Press Releases

EAC Certifies Dominion Democracy Suite 5.0-A Voting System Modification

The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today certified a modification to Dominion Democracy Suite (D-Suite) voting system version 5.0-A verifying its compliance with current federal standards. The determination came after a thorough test campaign conducted by EAC and Pro V&V in Huntsville, Ala., the commission’s newest testing lab.
Monday, August 14, 2017
Advisory Notice

EAC Aug. 16 Public Meeting to Feature Cybersecurity, EAVS, Grants Work

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission will host a public meeting at 2 p.m. on Wed, Aug. 16. The meeting will include cybersecurity comments from Cook County, Ill. Director of Elections Noah Praetz and a discussion of the commission’s 2016 Election Administration Voting Survey (EAVS) featuring Fors Marsh’s Thad Hall. The meeting will also feature agency updates related to its cybersecurity working group, payments and grants work, upcoming 2017 Election Awards and the latest reports from EAC.
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Press Releases

EAC Meeting Moves Election Cybersecurity Protections Forward

This week during a two-day meeting hosted by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), national security and election stakeholders from across the nation addressed next steps in the process to incorporate elections as part of the country’s critical infrastructure.
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Statement

EAC Commissioners Underscore Importance of Election Accessibility in Joint Statement Celebrating 27th Anniversary of ADA

U.S. Election Assistance Commission Chairman Matthew V. Masterson, Vice Chair Thomas Hicks, and Commissioner Christy McCormick today issued a joint statement marking the 27th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and noting the importance accessibility protections afforded voters as a result of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Advisory Notice

MEDIA ADVISORY: EAC Online Event to Spotlight Improving Voting Accessibility for Veterans with Disabilities

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) will host a streaming web event on Tuesday, July 18, at 11 a.m. EDT to examine initiatives that improve voting accessibility for veterans with disabilities. The event coincides with the second annual National Disability Voter Registration Week and the 27th anniversary month of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Friday, July 14, 2017
Press Releases

Newly Released 2016 Election Administration and Voting Survey Provides Snapshot of Nation's Voter Turnout Registration Trends Voting Systems

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission today released the 2016 Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS), the most comprehensive nationwide data about election administration in the United States. The survey is a deep dive into a wealth of election and voting data and includes findings such as an increase in registered voters since 2012, a growing number of Americans voting before Election Day and a larger number of jurisdictions using technologies such as e-poll books.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Alert

Alert - ​EAC Cybersecurity Guidance and Recommendations

Consistent with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s commitment to providing state and local election administrators with the information they need to ensure secure, accessible and accurate elections, the commission is issuing the following alert to state and local election officials
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Press Releases

Press Release - EAC Chairman Calls for Full Disclosure of Election Security Intelligence

I encourage those federal agencies that have specific intelligence or resources that could help election officials better secure the election process to share that information with state and local officials as soon as possible. This information is critical to ensuring the continued security of the process moving forward.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Advisory Notice

MEDIA ADVISORY: Democracy Fund Voice, U.S. Election Assistance Commission to Host Language Access for Voters Summit

Democracy Fund Voice and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission will host their second annual Language Access for Voters Summit on Tuesday, June 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The summit, which will feature lectures from national election leaders, expert panels and break-out strategy sessions, comes as state and local election leaders prepare to meet voter access language requirements ahead of the next Federal election cycle.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Press Releases

U.S. Election Assistance Commission Board of Advisors Elects New Leaders

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s (EAC) Board of Advisors elected new officers during its May 23-24 meeting in Minneapolis. The newly elected officers include Board Chair Sarah Ball Johnson, who is the City Clerk for Colorado Springs, Colo., Board Vice Chair Michael Winn, who is Director of Elections for Travis County, Tex., and Board Secretary Michael Yaki, who is a Commissioner with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Press Releases

Minneapolis Hosting U.S. Election Assistance Commission Board of Advisors Meeting This Week

Today, members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s (EAC) Board of Advisors kick off their two-day meeting in Minneapolis to discuss the accessibility, accuracy and security of federal elections. Yesterday, Board of Advisors members toured the Minneapolis elections office and attended a discussion with Grace Wachlarowicz, Assistant City Clerk and Director of Elections and Voter Services.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Press Releases

EAC Standards Board Unanimously Approves the 17 Core Voting System Principles

A set of 17 core voting system functions that will guide the Election Assistance Commission’s (EAC) next generation of Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) was unanimously approved this week by the EAC’s Standards Board. The vote came during the board’s annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Previously in February, the core principles were adopted for recommendation to the Standards Board during the EAC’s Technical Guidelines Development Committee’s (TGDC).
Monday, May 1, 2017
Press Releases

U.S. Election Assistance Commission Standards Board Meeting Concludes

San Antonio, Tex. – Today members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s (EAC) Standards Board concluded their annual meeting to discuss the accessibility, accuracy and security of federal elections. The gathering included a vote to name three members to the Standard Board’s Executive Board, including Greg Riddlemoser of Virginia, Reynaldo Valenzuela of Arizona and Genevieve Whitaker of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Friday, April 28, 2017
Press Releases

San Antonio Hosts U.S. Election Assistance Commission Standards Board This Week

Today members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s (EAC) Standards Board gather in San Antonio to kick off their annual national meeting, a gathering to discuss the accessibility, accuracy and security of federal elections. The meeting begins this morning with a closed visit to the Wounded Warrior Treatment Center at Fort Sam Houston and an open tour of the Bexar County Election Office
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY, April 26-28: San Antonio Hosts Upcoming U.S. Election Assistance Commission Standards Board Meeting

San Antonio, Tex. – Members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s (EAC) Standards Board will meet in San Antonio from April 26-28 to discuss the accessibility, accuracy and security of federal elections. The meeting will include a closed visit to the Wounded Warrior Treatment Center at Fort Sam Houston and an open tour of the Bexar County Election Office. It will also feature presentations from speakers from across the nation, including each of the EAC’s three commissioners and representa
Monday, April 17, 2017
Testing & Certification

U.S. EAC Certifies Modifications to OpenElect Voting System 1.3.0.2.

Silver Spring, Md. – The Election Assistance Commission today certified a modification to Unisyn Voting Solutions, Inc.’s OpenElect Voting System 1.3.0.2. voting system, verifying its compliance with current federal standards. The determination came after a thorough test campaign conducted by EAC and Pro V&V in Huntsville, Ala., the commission’s newest testing lab.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Advisory Notice

MEDIA ADVISORY: EAC to Host Public Hearing on Critical Infrastructure Designation

Silver Spring, Md. – The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) will host a public hearing on Tuesday, April 4, to examine how the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to designate election systems as part of the nation’s critical infrastructure will impact state and local election officials. The hearing, chaired by EAC Chairman Matthew V. Masterson, is open to the public and will be available online at www.eac.gov.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Press Releases

As Election Threats Persist, Chairman Masterson Affirms EAC Remains Poised to Support State and Local Response

As the House Intelligence Committee holds a hearing to examine threats posed by Russia, including potential threats to U.S. elections, Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Chair Matthew V. Masterson is assuring state and local election officials that the commission is actively working with other federal agencies to help them navigate challenges posed by those seeking to interfere with the nation’s vote.
Monday, March 20, 2017
Advisory Notice

Media Advisory: March 21- EAC to Host Streaming Webinar about Voter List Maintenance

As part of its month-long focus on voter list maintenance, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) will host a streaming webinar titled "Spring Cleaning: Voter List Maintenance Best Practices, Tools and Success Stories" at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21.The discussion, moderated by EAC Chairman Matthew V. Masterson, will feature the following speakers:
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Fact Sheet

FACT SHEET: Election Administration and Voting Survey

Elections generate a tremendous amount of data that can be collected and analyzed to improve voter experience and guide how officials administer elections. All of this data is collected regularly by the thousands of jurisdictions that oversee elections across the country. Since 2004 the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has captured and analyzed much of this data for all states and territories via our Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS).
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Testing & Certification

U.S. EAC Certifies Modifications to Hart InterCivic Verity Voting 2.2.1 System

The Election Assistance Commission today certified a modification to the Hart InterCivic Verity Voting 2.2.1 voting system, verifying its compliance with current federal voting system standards. The determination came after a thorough test campaign conducted by EAC and SLI Global in Wheat Ridge, Colo. The modification is specifically designed to accommodate Michigan’s straight party voting method.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Fact Sheet

FACT SHEET: Voter Registration List Maintenance

An important part of the EAC’s mission is to support state and local election officials in their efforts to ensure accessible, accurate and secure elections. This fact sheet highlights how states conduct list maintenance, the importance of accurate voter registration lists, and the National Voter Registration Act’s provisions to ensure voter lists are maintained. It also gives guidance for voters wishing to proactively check the status of their own voter registration.
Friday, March 10, 2017
Fact Sheet

FACT SHEET: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission's Voting System Testing and Certification Program

For more than a decade, the EAC’s Testing and Certification Program has assisted state and local election officials by providing timely and accurate voting machine testing. This program is a requirement of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002, legislation that created the EAC and mandated that the Commission provide certification, decertification, and recertification of voting systems, as well as the accreditation of voting system testing laboratories. This legislation marked the first time
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Testing & Certification

U.S. EAC Certifies Modifications to Election Systems & Software Voting System 022817

The Election Assistance Commission today certified Election Systems & Software’s (ES&S) EVS 5.2.2.0 voting system, verifying its compliance with current federal voting system standards. The EVS 5.2.2.0 is a modification to the previously certified EVS 5.2.1.0 voting system. The determination came after a thorough test campaign conducted by EAC and NTS Huntsville.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Testing & Certification

U.S. EAC Certifies Modifications to Election Systems & Software Voting System

The Election Assistance Commission has certified Election Systems & Software’s (ES&S) EVS 5.4.0.0 voting system, verifying its compliance with current federal voting system standards. The EVS 5.4.0.0 is a modification to the Omaha-based company’s previously certified EVS 5.2.0.0 voting system.
Monday, February 27, 2017
Press Releases

Masterson Named New EAC Chairman

Today Commissioner Matthew Masterson was elected Chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), a position he will hold for one year. Masterson will continue to serve alongside EAC Commissioner Thomas Hicks, who now moves from the role of Chairman to Vice Chair, and Commissioner Christy A. McCormick.
Monday, February 27, 2017
Press Releases

U.S. EAC Certifies Modifications to Election Systems & Software Voting System

The Election Assistance Commission has certified Election Systems & Software’s (ES&S) EVS 5.4.0.0 voting system, verifying its compliance with current federal voting system standards. The EVS 5.4.0.0 is a modification to the Omaha-based company’s previously certified EVS 5.2.0.0 voting system.
Monday, February 27, 2017
Fact Sheet

FACT SHEET: How the U.S. Election Assistance Commission empowers Voters with disabilities and the election officials who serve them

More than 35 million Americans with disabilities, roughly one-sixth of the total electorate, are eligible to vote in the United States. This accounts for a broad range of disabilities, including mobility, communicative, physical, and cognitive impairments. This ever-growing population of voters also faces educational, cultural and political barriers that can make participating in elections even more difficult. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has a strong commitment to working with
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Testing & Certification

U.S. EAC Certifies New Dominion Voting System

The Election Assistance Commission today certified that Dominion Voting’s Democracy Suite 5.0 voting system meets current federal voting system standards. The determination came after a thorough review campaign conducted by Pro V&V, the EAC’s newest voting system testing lab.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017