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Information Technology Laboratory

Voting

The 2002 Help America Vote Act has given NIST a key role in helping to realize nationwide improvements in voting systems. To assist the Election Assistance Commission with the development of voluntary voting system guidelines, HAVA established the Technical Guidelines Development Committee (TGDC) and directs NIST to chair the TGDC.

The graphic shows technology involved in elections divided into tasks conducted before, during and after the polls are open.
To Help Protect Our Elections, NIST Offers Specific Cybersecurity Guidelines
A polling station sign depicts an icon of a person in a wheelchair above the word "vote."
NIST Seeks Public Input on Removing Barriers to Voting for People With Disabilities
Image - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines VVSG 2.0
EAC Adopts New Voting Guidelines

HIGHLIGHTS

Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting (NEW)

The Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) 2.0 was released on February 10, 2021, by the Commissioners of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC):

 NIST Voting Research Group General Information (NEW)

Historical Voting TWiki Site (NEW)

Videos

Webinars on the VVSG 2.0 draft Requirements: Improving the Accessibility and Usability of Voting Systems

VVSG 2.0 Draft Requirements - Part 1: Introducing the Human Factors Requirements

Part 1: Introducing the Human Factors Requirements Slides: PPT or PDF

VVSG 2.0 Draft Requirements - Part 2: Updates to Best Practices and New Technologies for Voting Systems

Part 2: Updates to Best Practices and New Technologies for Voting Systems Slides: PPT or PDF

Past Activities

 

NIST and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)


NIST research activities include:

  • security of computers, computer networks, and computer data storage used in voting systems;
  • methods to detect and prevent fraud;
  • protection of voter privacy; and
  • the role of human factors in the design and application of voting systems, including assistive technologies for individuals with disabilities (including blindness) and varying levels of literacy
  • the recommendation for accreditation of testing labs to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The EAC, not NIST, certifies voting systems for use in elections.

TEST ASSERTIONS

Past Events

Contacts

Voting Staff