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What Are They?
Ballot delivery systems are used for the electronic delivery of ballot and voter information packets. The MOVE Act requires each state to provide for the electronic delivery (via fax, email, or an Internet-supported application) of ballots and related information from the local election office to any registered Uniformed and Overseas Civilian voters. Some jurisdictions also offer electronic ballot delivery to voters with disabilities, voters who have been displaced, or individuals living within the election jurisdiction in unique situations.
Why Pilot These Systems?
The United States Congress passed the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) [HAVA02] to modernize the administration of federal elections and to establish the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to provide guidance to the states in their efforts to comply with the HAVA administrative requirements. Under the authority of HAVA, the EAC developed the Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program (ESTEP) in 2022, responsible for the evaluation of technologies not covered under the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG). ESTEP is tasked with designing testable requirements and materials for standardizing the security, accessibility, and usability of electronic ballot delivery systems in the United States.
While some state-level regulations exist, there are currently no federal requirements for states, local jurisdictions, and election vendors to build upon. This technology has become critical for providing accessible ballots to voters with disabilities and voters protected under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). In 2009, Congress enacted the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, which amended UOCAVA to establish procedures for states to deliver blank ballots and collect marked ballots of absentee overseas uniformed services voters. Establishing federal requirements would assist states in meeting requirements under UOCAVA and the MOVE Act, while also ensuring the secure and accessible delivery of ballots to these voters.
Questions? Please Contact:
Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program
[email protected]
Related ESTEP Resource Pages:
Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program (ESTEP)