**GAO-08-874**                      Published: Sep 25, 2008. Publicly Released: Sep 25, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

Our Nation's overall election system depends on all levels of government and the interplay of people, processes, and technology, which includes the voting systems that are used during an election. GAO has previously reported on issues and challenges associated with ensuring that voting systems are secure and reliable. The states, territories, and the District of Columbia (District) each play a pivotal role in managing voting systems to ensure that they perform as intended. In light of this role, GAO was asked to answer the following questions relative to states, territories, and the District: (1) what voting methods and systems are these entities using in federal elections and what changes are underway; (2) how do they certify or otherwise approve voting systems; (3) what other steps do they take to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and security of voting systems; (4) how do they identify, evaluate, and respond to voting system problems; and (5) how do they view federal voting system-related resources and services. To accomplish this, GAO conducted a Web-based survey of election officials in all 50 states, the four U.S. territories, and the District and received responses from all but three states; contacted the officials to better understand their approaches and issues; and reviewed documentation provided by survey respondents and other contacts.

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## Topics

Government Operations

Data collectionElectionsstate relationsLocal governmentsOperational testingPolicy evaluationProgram evaluationProgram managementRequirements definitionSystems analysisSystems evaluationSystems integritySystems managementSystems testingTechnologyTechnology assessmentVotingPolicies and proceduresVoting systemsState and local relations