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[Federal Register: November 30, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 229)]
[Notices]               
[Page 74025-74026]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30no10-61]                         

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ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

 
Procedural Manual for the Election Assistance Commission's Voting 
System Testing and Certification Program, Version 2.0

AGENCY: United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

ACTION: Notice; publication of Voting System Testing and Certification 
Manual, Version 2.0, for 60 day public comment period on EAC Web site.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is publishing a 
procedural manual for its Voting System Testing and Certification 
Program. This manual sets the administrative procedures for obtaining 
an EAC Certification for voting systems. Participation in the program 
is strictly voluntary. The program is mandated by the Help America Vote 
Act (HAVA) at 42 U.S.C. 15371.

[[Page 74026]]

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on this draft procedural 
manual on or before 5 p.m. EDT on January 31, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments via e-mail to 
VotingSystemGuidelines@eac.gov; via mail to Brian Hancock, Director of 
Voting System Certification, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 1201 
New York Avenue, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005; or via fax to 202-
566-1392. An electronic copy of the proposed manual may be found on the 
EAC's Web site, http://www.eac.gov/open/comment.aspx.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Hancock, Director, Voting System 
Certification, Washington, DC (202) 566-3100, Fax: (202) 566-1392.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background. HAVA requires that the EAC certify and decertify voting 
systems. Section 231(a)(1) of HAVA (42 U.S.C. 15371) specifically 
requires the EAC to ``* * * provide for the testing, certification, 
decertification and recertification of voting system hardware and 
software by accredited laboratories.'' To meet this obligation, the EAC 
has created a voluntary program to test voting systems to Federal 
voting system standards. The Voting System Testing and Certification 
Manual, published below, will set the procedures for this program.
    In creating the Certification Manual in 2006 the EAC sought input 
from experts and stakeholders. Specifically, the EAC conducted meetings 
with representatives from the voting system test laboratory and voting 
system manufacturing community. The Commission also held a public 
hearing in which it received testimony from State election officials, 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology, academics, 
electronic voting system experts and public interest groups. Finally, 
the EAC sought input from the public.
    EAC is required to resubmit the Testing and Certification Manual 
for renewal in accordance with Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
requirements. The Testing and Certification Division has updated 
sections of the manual to reflect proposed changes in certification 
procedures. These sections are highlighted for ease of review.
    Comments. Please submit comments consistent with the information 
below. Comments should identify and cite the section of the manual at 
issue. Where a substantive issue is raised, please propose a 
recommended change or alternative policy.
    This notice is published in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, to request comments regarding the burden of responding to 
the information collection activities of the proposed manual; please 
refer to the EAC's Web site, http://www.eac.gov, for further 
information about the submission of comments regarding burden.

Alice Miller,
Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
[FR Doc. 2010-30101 Filed 11-29-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-KF-P
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