Electronic Ballot Delivery (EBD) Systems

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What Are They?  

Electronic Ballot Delivery Systems (EBD) are systems used for the electronic delivery of ballots and voter information packets to qualifying voters. These systems allow voters to securely receive their ballots electronically, often through a web portal or email, so they can review, complete, and return their ballots through the appropriate method.

EBD systems are commonly used by military and overseas voters, voters with disabilities, and others who may face challenges receiving a traditional paper ballot. By providing accessible and timely ballot access, electronic ballot delivery systems help ensure that all eligible voters can participate in elections, regardless of their location or circumstances.

Why Pilot These Systems?

In 1986, Congress passed the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) to protect the voting rights of military members, their families, and U.S. citizens living overseas. This law requires states to provide these voters with the ability to vote absentee in federal elections. In 2009, Congress strengthened these protections by enacting the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, which amended UOCAVA to require states to offer the electronic delivery of blank ballots and related voting materials through email, fax or secure web portals to UOCAVA voters.

While the MOVE Act established minimum requirements for electronic ballot delivery to military and overseas voters, there are currently no federal standards guiding how states, local jurisdictions, or election technology manufacturers should design and implement these systems.

Piloting Electronic Ballot Delivery Systems gives the EAC and its stakeholders an opportunity to evaluate and improve system functionality, security, and accessibility before broader adoption.

Pilot programs help election officials identify potential risks, ensure compliance with existing laws like UOCAVA and the MOVE Act, and develop best practices that promote secure and accessible ballot delivery for all eligible voters.

Questions? Please Contact:

Electronic Ballot Delivery ESTEP Inbox
[email protected]