[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78010-78011]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25058]


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ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION


Request for Comment: Election Supporting Technology Evaluation 
Program Manual

AGENCY: U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

ACTION: Notice, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is publishing 
the Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program (ESTEP) Manual 
v1.0 for public comment. The intent of this Manual is to assist in the 
facilitation of Program activities and to serve as a guide for 
manufacturers and voting system test laboratories that select to 
participate in the Program. Participation in this program is voluntary.

DATES: Comments must be received by 5 p.m. eastern on Thursday, 
December 14, 2023.

ADDRESSES: To view the Manual v1.0, see: https://www.eac.gov/voting-equipment/Election_Supporting_Technology_Evaluation_Program. Comments 
on the proposed ESTEP Manual v1.0 should be submitted electronically 
via https://www.regulations.gov (docket IDs: EAC-2023-0004). Written 
comments on the proposed document can also be sent to the U.S. Election 
Assistance Commission, 633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 
20001, Attn: Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Beatrice, Election 
Technology Specialist, Election Supporting Technology Evaluation 
Program, Washington, DC, (202)-748-2298. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e58096918095a5808486cb828a93"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cbaeb8bfaebb8baeaaa8e5aca4bd">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Purpose: Under the authority of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(HAVA), the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) developed the 
Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program (ESTEP). This Program 
establishes a protocol for testing critical election-supporting 
technologies to ensure their conformance with baseline Federal 
standards for security and accessibility. While participation in this 
Program is voluntary, EAC certification benefits the public and wider 
election technology field by supporting State and local election 
officials, increasing quality control and quality assurance of 
election-supporting technologies, and increasing voter confidence in 
the use of these systems.
    This Manual establishes the minimum requirements for participation 
in this Program. If election-supporting technology manufacturers decide 
to participate, then they must conform to the Program Manual's 
procedural requirements.
    Public Comments: Please note that comments submitted in response to 
this Notice are public record. Before including any detailed personal 
information, you should be aware that your submitted comments, 
including your personal information, will be available for public 
review.
    Respondents: Election Supporting Technology Manufacturers, Voting

[[Page 78011]]

System Test Laboratories, State and Local Election Officials.

Camden Kelliher,
Deputy General Counsel, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
[FR Doc. 2023-25058 Filed 11-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-71-P


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