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EAC Toolkits 

To assist election officials in developing materials about a wide variety of topics that affect their operations, 

education, and outreach, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) aims to provide toolkits that can be 

used by elections offices. Many of the resources in the toolkit below are customizable to various degrees, 

depending on what the elections office needs. 

Using the Secure Elections Toolkit 

The security of voting systems is essential to a trustworthy election. This topic has always been a key 

priority for election officials, but the public may not be aware of the many steps election officials take to 

safeguard the voting process. While no two jurisdictions’ approaches to election security are exactly the 

same, each jurisdiction’s approach is designed to ensure information security, physical security, 

cybersecurity, and continuity of operations in the event of a disaster. 

The Secure Elections Toolkit, and its accompanying materials, are intended to assist election officials 

when informing candidates, policy makers, media, stakeholders, and the public of the multi-layered 

approach used to secure elections. The toolkit has two sections. 

Section 1 – Toolkit for election officials to share information about election security in their jurisdictions: 

• Frequently Asked Questions: Election Security

• Example Content for Communications

• Example Talking Points

• Case Study: Washoe County, Nevada

Section 2 – Toolkit for election officials to share information about components of the EAC Election 

Security and Certification program: 

• Frequently Asked Questions: EAC Testing and Certification Program

• Frequently Asked Questions: Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) Migration

• EAC Social Media Graphics

• EAC Resources

The EAC Social Media Graphics in this document are for reference. Full-size image files are available on 

the EAC website. Each image includes information about components of the EAC Election Security and 

Certification program, as well as sample social media text and alt text for each image. 

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Section 1 

Toolkit for election officials to share information about election security in their jurisdictions. 

Frequently Asked Questions: Election Security 

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) outlined below can be used in an FAQ website, be added to 

existing communication plans or formatted for printing. Before using the FAQs, review and edit the 

language in the template to match your jurisdiction’s election procedures. Review and edit all the blue 

highlighted sections, which indicate procedures that vary by jurisdiction. 

Q: Are election and voting systems secure? 

The security of voting systems is essential to a trustworthy election. Every state and local jurisdiction 

utilizes common-sense procedures and tools to safeguard the voting process. Some examples of the 

security measures we use in [Election Jurisdiction] include using locks, tamper-evident seals, security 

cameras, system testing before and after elections, audits, and physical and cybersecurity access 

controls. 

At the federal level, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) assists states and local election 

officials by developing and maintaining the Voluntary Voting Standard Guidelines (VVSG) used to test 

and certify voting equipment. The purpose of the EAC’s national voluntary voting system testing and 

certification program is to independently verify that voting systems comply with the functional 

capabilities, accessibility, and security requirements necessary to ensure their integrity and reliability for 

use in elections. Industry experts, election officials, and federal agencies collaborate to develop 

certification standards in a transparent process. For more information about the EAC’s testing and 

certification process, see https://www.eac.gov/voting-equipment/testing-and-certification-program. 

Every state enacts laws, regulations, and security policies to further protect the integrity of elections. 

Each state also has a Chief Election Official who has oversight responsibility to ensure their laws and 

procedures are strictly and uniformly followed. [Election Jurisdiction] is required to use EAC-certified 

voting systems or systems tested and certified by the state. To find information about the testing and 

certification in [State], visit: [Link to State certification page] 

Q: Can voting equipment used to count ballots be trusted? 

In addition to using certified voting systems, [Election Jurisdiction] uses additional procedures to ensure 

the accuracy of the election. These procedures include: 

• Purchasing voting systems that have been tested and certified by the EAC. 

• Programming all devices according to local laws and regulations. 

• Testing voting equipment for accuracy prior to elections and allowing the public 

to attend. (Pre-Election Logic & Accuracy Testing) 

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• Conducting elections with bipartisan poll workers and observers. 

• Verifying that the total number of ballots matches the total number of voters. 

• Auditing the ballots or verifiable paper trail to ensure that the voting equipment 

counted votes accurately. (Risk limiting audit/Post Election Logic & Accuracy Testing) 

• Maintaining a strict chain of custody, verified by at least two witnesses (often 

from opposing parties). 

• Maintaining physical security access controls. 

In [Election Jurisdiction] most of these processes are open to the public. For more information about 

being an election observer, contact [Election Jurisdiction contact information]. 

At [Election Jurisdiction] we are committed to making the voting process fair, accurate, and secure. 

Q: How do election workers ensure the security of elections? 

There are many processes and procedures in place to assure the public that the outcome of elections 

can be trusted. Election officials receive state training and professional instruction in election 

administration. Almost every part of the election process requires the participation of two or more 

trained officials who’ve sworn an oath to uphold all election laws and protect the security of the 

election. Election observers, sometimes called “poll watchers,” may also be present to monitor or 

observe the election. 

Q: How do I know election security procedures are being followed? 

Transparency is a critical part of election security. Almost all processes and procedures require two or 

more trained personnel be involved, and these election workers have taken an oath to uphold state 

election laws and protect election security. Representatives of political parties or candidates, and 

sometimes even members of the general public, are also allowed to observe and monitor activities 

throughout the election processes. 

Chain of Custody refers to the processes, or paper trail, that documents the transfer of materials from 

one person (or place) to the next. Every state and local jurisdiction has its own controls for ensuring the 

chain of custody of election materials is properly maintained. The controls in [Election Jurisdiction] 

include locks, seals, audit logs, witness signatures, or other security measures. 

Q: Why do election results change after election night? When are 

election results final? 

Election officials count as many ballots as possible on election night and during the pre-election canvass 

period, if permitted by law. However, election night results are unofficial and never final until certified. 

Each state has different rules for when mail, provisional, and military and overseas ballots can be 

counted. For example, some states require all mail ballots to be received by Election Day. Others allow 

mail ballots to be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and received by a certain date. 

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Once all the ballots have been received, the canvass begins. This process usually involves analyzing vote 

totals to identify and resolve any discrepancies between the number of voters and the number of ballots 

cast. Most states also conduct audits to further verify the vote totals are accurate. 

Once the canvass (and in many states, audits) has been completed, the election results are certified as 

final. 

Some races or contests may be recounted after the certification process because the contest was close 

or a candidate or interest group requests it. Recounts differ from audits in that every ballot in a contest 

or a subset of contests in the election is recounted, and the official results of the election may change as 

a result.

Example Content for Communications 

The example content below can be incorporated into e-newsletters, websites, or modified and 

formatted for other communications. Before using this example content, review and edit the language 

to match your jurisdiction’s election procedures. 

• The security of voting systems is essential to a trustworthy election. Every state and local

jurisdiction utilizes common-sense procedures and tools to safeguard the voting process.

Common best practices include using locks, tamper-evident seals, security cameras, system

testing before and after elections, audits, and physical and cybersecurity access controls.

• Administering an election begins months in advance with budgeting, planning, procurement,

and securing of voting system components and other election technology.

• Election administration requires careful attention to security to maintain the integrity of the

entire voting process. Election officials develop and follow procedures to ensure the security of

all components of the election process—from voter registration through final results

certification.

• Election technology is a broad term encompassing the databases, systems, and devices that

support the ongoing operations of an elections office. This includes supportive technology, such

as voter registration databases, e-poll books, and results reporting tools used to display

unofficial results on elections websites. Election technology also encompasses voting systems,

although voting systems themselves are more narrowly defined.

• Voting systems are more than voting machines. A system is a collection of unified components,

that consist of subsystems, such as scanners, databases, and equipment necessary to count

votes and produce election results. Voting systems may also import or export data from external

systems using secured removable media. Most states require voting systems to be certified. The

EAC is responsible for testing and certifying voting systems at the federal level, while many

states implement their own additional processes for certification. HAVA mandates that the EAC

accredit voting system test laboratories and certify voting equipment. State participation in the

EAC’s certification program is voluntary.

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• The physical security of elections relies on people, processes, and procedures to protect election 

and voting systems, related facilities and equipment from natural and environmental hazards, 

tampering, vandalism, and theft. Physical security safeguards are required for voting systems 

while in storage, in transit, in the polling place, during voting, and through the post-election 

canvass and certification process. This includes maintaining strong chain of custody procedures 

and documentation, utilizing tamper-evident security seals, and limiting physical access. 

• Election officials implement practical policies like two-person accountability, video monitoring, 

and access logging to promote the system’s security. Logging of actions taken during the 

election process, from ballot proofing to post-election audits, is the foundation for security in 

elections. Elections office staff and poll workers document actions taken throughout the 

election cycle to form an audit trail for each election. This audit trail serves as evidence that 

proper procedures were followed and provides important supporting evidence of the integrity 

of the election. 

• Election administration relies on complex manual processing of highly technical procedures, 

often with the assistance of temporary or voluntary poll workers. As complexity increases, so do 

the opportunities for administrative errors or mistakes throughout the voting process. Election 

officials put safeguards and procedures in place to prevent common errors, but occasionally 

mistakes will happen. When mistakes occur, election officials work to quickly remedy the 

situation, learn from the experience, and adjust procedures to prevent the same mistakes from 

occurring again in the future. 

Example Talking Points 

Voter Registration 

• Voter registration ensures only those meeting state eligibility requirements can vote and helps 

keep track of who has cast a ballot. 

• Only authorized personnel have access to the voter registration database. 

• Voter registration systems are protected using security measures such as access control, 

intrusion detection systems, encryption and firewalls. 

Mail Ballots 

• Vote by mail ballots are protected by state rules and procedures that determine how they must 

be handled. 

• Election officials take your privacy seriously, and multiple steps are taken to ensure that your 

votes remain private. Election officials keep a record of whether you cast a ballot, but they are 

never able to tell how you voted. 

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• Election officials verify each mail ballot by first, verifying the ballot was received from a voter

who was properly issued a ballot, and secondly, making sure that the signature and/or other

identifying information on the ballot envelope matches the voter’s information on file.

• Every ballot is subject to a strict chain of custody process, whether that ballot is issued to a voter

in person or by mail.

Election Equipment 

• Each piece of voting equipment is thoroughly tested in a public manner prior to every election

to make sure ballots will be counted correctly.

• Most jurisdictions have adopted policies that forbid voting machines from connecting to the

internet.

• Physical security safeguards are required for voting systems while in storage, in transit, in the

polling place, during voting and through the post-election canvass and certification. This

includes maintaining strong chain of custody procedures and documentation, utilizing tamperevident seals, and limiting physical access. While election materials are in use, they are closely

watched by election workers trained to notice and respond to any suspicious behavior.

• Each time election materials and equipment switch hands, it has to be documented to form an

audit trail. The audit trail serves as evidence that proper procedures were followed and provides

important supporting evidence of the integrity of the election.

• When it isn’t being used, voting equipment is securely stored in a facility accessible only to

trained election personnel.

Election Workers 

• Almost all processes and procedures require that two or more trained personnel be involved

(often bipartisan).

• Typically, poll workers are trained by local election officials in different aspects of polling place

responsibilities and work in teams (often bipartisan).

• These officials have taken an oath to uphold state election laws and protect the security of the

election.

• Representatives of political parties or candidates, and sometimes members of the public, are

allowed to observe and monitor election activities.

Election Night Reporting 

• When the polls close on election night, election personnel collect ballots and election materials

are then securely transported back to election headquarters.

• Although we may know who won an election within a few hours or days, results are not official

until the vote is certified. The media calling the winner of the race is unofficial until all the votes

are counted and certified by officials.

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EAC | Secure Elections Toolkit 

• Unofficial election results are shared on election night from a secure location that limits public 

access, while allowing people to observe the counting process. 

• Computer networks are monitored looking for signs of irregularities to prevent tampering with 

election results reporting websites. 

• Many jurisdictions conduct post-election audits to further verify results. 

Case Study: Washoe County, Nevada 

Voters consume information from a variety of sources. Election officials can use websites, blogs, enewsletters and other longer form mediums to explain the many ways they safeguard the integrity and 

security of elections. Providing accurate and reliable information can answer voters’ top questions and 

may reduce the chances of inaccurate or unconfirmed information being distributed. Washoe County 

Nevada has an entire section of their website dedicated to election integrity and security, including: 

• Voting System Security 

• Election Infrastructure Security 

• Ballot Drop Box Security 

• Election Equipment Requirements 

• Testing and Certifications 

Life of a Ballot Infographic. See the full-size image on the Washoe County, NV website. 

Learn more: https://www.washoecounty.gov/voters/election-info-voting-options/electionprocess/election-integrity/index.php 

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Section 2 

Toolkit for election officials to share information about the EAC’s Election Security and Certification 

program. The following section contains information about the EAC’s Testing and Certification Program 

and the EAC’s Voluntary Voting Systems Guidelines (VVSG). The information below should not be 

modified. 

Frequently Asked Questions: EAC Testing and Certification 

Program 

Q: What does an EAC certification mean? 

An EAC certified voting system has been tested by a federally accredited test laboratory and has 

successfully met the requirements of the VVSG and any other claims made by the voting system 

manufacturer. 

Q: What are the voluntary voting system guidelines (VVSG)? 

The voluntary voting system guidelines are a set of specifications that voting systems, voting devices, 

and software must meet to receive a certification from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission 

(EAC). EAC-accredited laboratories test voting systems, voting devices, and software against these 

guidelines. 

Q: How are the laboratories that test voting systems accredited? 

HAVA states that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) assists the EAC through its 

National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), which assesses and provides 

recommendations to the EAC regarding laboratory accreditation. After the EAC receives the 

recommendations from NVLAP, EAC conducts further assessment of the recommended laboratories. 

After the EAC review, the Commission votes regarding full accreditation. Once the Commission votes to 

accredit a laboratory it is referred to as a voting system test laboratory (VSTL). 

Q: Did the accreditation of the Voting System Testing Laboratories 

(VSTLs) expire? 

The accreditation of the EAC’s VSTLs has not expired. Despite claims made to the contrary during the 

2022 midterm elections and periodically going back to the 2020 election, both VSTLs have been in good 

standing with the EAC. Both VSTLs have been assessed and accredited twice since 2020. 

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Frequently Asked Questions: Voluntary Voting System 

Guidelines (VVSG) Migration 

The VVSG are a set of voluntary federal specifications and requirements against which voting systems 

can be tested. Federal law mandates that the United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC) 

develop and maintain these requirements. Over time, changes to the VVSG are necessary. Old versions 

of the standard need to be discontinued and new versions need to take their place. 

The new VVSG 2.0 standard was ready to be used for testing on November 15, 2022. On November 16, 

2023, VVSG versions 1.0 and 1.1 will no longer be used by the EAC to certify voting systems. This 

document provides background and clarifying information around the meaning and implications 

regarding the migration of VVSG standards. 

Q: Will Voting Systems Be Decertified? 

No voting system will be decertified by the EAC as part of VVSG migration. 

Q: What Does This Mean for EAC Certified Voting Systems? 

VVSG migration does not affect the status of any previously EAC certified system. Systems certified 

under a previous standard are still certified and may still be acquired and used. 

Q: What Does This Mean for Jurisdictions? 

Jurisdictions are not required to replace or update any system with a VVSG 2.0 certified 

version. Jurisdictions may continue to acquire and use systems certified to legacy standards. 

Q: Will Current Voting Systems Still Receive Updates? 

Yes. Limited maintenance modifications will be allowed for systems certified to legacy standards. This 

includes security patches, bug fixes, end-of-life component updates, and functionality required by 

jurisdictional rule changes. 

Q: What Initiates VVSG Migration? 

The EAC’s VVSG Lifecycle Policy outlines the process for standard migration when a new VVSG version 

has been approved by the EAC’s Commissioners. 

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Voluntary Voting System Guidelines 2.0 

~ What does this mean for EAC Certified Voting Systems? 

• VVSG 2.0 ,landcrds were fully irrplernenlec o··, November 15, 2022 

• On November· 16, 2023, testi11g to VVSG versio·1s 1.0 and 1 .1 'Nill be 

discontinued. 

• Voting systems th.:it have bee1 certified to \/1/':,G 1.0 ~nd 1.1 wi ll rcm.:iin 

rertifil"d, l"VE"n ~ftE'r NovemhN 16, ?0?3. 

• Jurisdictions may continue to purchase ard Jse systems certified to 1.0 

and 1.1 standa1·ds. 

• Limited modifications wi I be allowed for systems certified to 1.0 and 1 .1 

standards. 

To learn more, visit eac.gov 

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Social Media Graphics 

Help spread the word about VVSG 2.0 and the EAC Testing and Certification Program. When sharing use 

@EACgov to tag EAC on Twitter, @EACgov1 to tag EAC on Facebook. The Social Media Graphics in this 

document are for reference. Full-size image files are available on the EAC website. 

1. Text: The VVSG 2.0 builds on prior versions and defines standards that will be the cornerstone of 

the next generation of voting systems. With its adoption, voting machines certified to the new 

standards will have enhanced cybersecurity, accuracy, accessibility, and usability. Learn more at 

https://www.eac.gov/ 

Alt text for image: Red header and footer on a blue background. EAC Logo. Voluntary Voting 

System Guidelines 2.0. What does this mean for EAC Certified Voting Systems? 

• VVSG 2.0 standards were ready to be used for testing on November 15, 2022 

• On November 16, 2023, testing to VVSG versions 1.0 and 1.1 will be discontinued 

• Voting systems that have been certified to VVSG 1.0 and 1.1 will remain certified, even 

after November 16, 2023. 

• Jurisdictions may continue to purchase and use systems certified to 1.0 and 1.1 

standards. 

• Limited modifications will be allowed for systems certified to 1.0 and 1.1 standards. 

To learn more, visit eac.gov 

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2. Text: EAC certified voting systems comply with the functional capabilities, accessibility, and 

security requirements necessary to ensure their integrity and reliability for use in elections. View 

EAC FAQs for more info: https://www.eac.gov/voting-equipment/frequently-asked-questions 

Alt text for image: Red header and footer on a blue background. EAC Logo. What does EAC 

Certification mean? An EAC certified voting system has been tested by a federally accredited 

test laboratory and has successfully met the requirements of the VVSG and any other claims 

made by the voting system manufacturer. Image: Official seal that reads “Certified.” View the 

EAC’s Voting Equipment FAQs for more information. 

3. Text: Manufacturers will be held accountable through EAC’s Quality Monitoring Program. Learn 

more: https://www.eac.gov/voting-equipment/frequently-asked-questions 

Alt text for image: Blue header and footer on a red background. EAC Logo. EAC Quality 

Monitoring Program. The EAC’s certification program establishes accountability through its 

Quality Monitoring Program which ensures, through various check points, that the voting 

systems used in the field are in fact the same systems the EAC has certified. Seal icon with text 

“Best Quality.” View the EAC’s Voting Equipment FAQs for more information. 

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4. Text: Election officials use many procedures and tools to safeguard the voting process. Find out 

more about voting system security measures here: 

https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/security/Voting_System_Security_Mea 

sures_508_EAC.pdf 

Alt text for image: Red background with a blue header and footer. EAC logo. Voting System 

Security. Common Best Practices: Locks, Tamper-evident seals, Security cameras, System 

testing, Audits, Physical and cybersecurity access controls, Chain of custody tracking Image: 

White outline of a shield with a white lock. View the EAC’s Voting System Security guide. 

5. Text: Election administration requires careful attention to security to maintain the integrity of 

the entire voting process -from voter registration through final results certification. Learn more 

at https://www.eac.gov/ 

Alt text for image: Red header and footer on a blue background. EAC logo. Securing Election 

Technology. Election officials use many security measures to make sure that each piece of the 

voting process is secure. This includes using tools and procedures to secure voting systems and 

technology. Image: White ballot box with a blue circle and white checkmark. Grey arrows 

pointing from a computer screen with a red circle with a white checkmark, to a ballot, to a white 

lock with a grey circuit board design, back to the computer screen. To learn more, visit eac.gov. 

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Resources 

Communicating Election and Post-Election Processes Toolkit 

https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/communicating-election-and-post-election-processes-toolkit 

This toolkit can be used to create educational materials about pre- and post-election processes that 

observers and the public can understand. Election officials in any size jurisdiction can adapt this toolkit 

to fit their observer and voter education needs. 

Voting System Security Measures 

https://www.eac.gov/voters/election-security 

This guide outlines some of the many best practices local election officials follow to secure voting 

systems through an election cycle. It's important to note this is a broad list of common security 

measures and procedures to protect the integrity of an election. This resource can be used by election 

officials as they develop their communication plans about this critical part of election administration. 

Best Practices: Election Technology Security 

https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/election-technology-security 

Election administration requires careful attention to security to maintain the integrity of the entire 

voting process. Election officials develop and follow procedures to ensure the security of all components 

of the election process—from voter registration through final results certification. This guide highlights 

security features that are essential for protecting election technology. 

Best Practices: Chain of Custody 

https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/chain-custody-best-practices 

Chain of Custody refers to the processes, or paper trail, that documents the transfer of materials from 

one person (or place) to the next. Every state and local jurisdiction has its own controls for ensuring the 

chain of custody of election materials is properly maintained. This guide is intended to provide examples 

of best practices, checklists, and forms for maintaining a proper chain of custody. 

Election Management Guidelines 

https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/election-management-guidelines 

The Election Management Guidelines (EMG) was as created to assist state and local election officials in 

effectively managing and administering elections. These guidelines complement the technical standards 

for the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines for voting equipment. Chapters include Contingency 

Planning, System Security, Physical Security, Voting System Certification, Acceptance Testing, 

Documentation and Audit Trail, Post-Election Audits, and more. 

EAC Election Security Preparedness Webpage 

https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/election-security-preparedness/ 

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