U. S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE 

COMMISSION

2014 Activities Report
Introduction 

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission

FY14 Program Highlights

Operations

Chief Operating Officer and Acting Executive Director

Office of the Inspector General

EAC Federal Advisory Committees

• Board of Advisors

• Standards Board

• Technical Guidelines Development Committee

Operating Budget

Freedom of Information Act

Foreign Delegation Briefings

Federal Financial Assistance to Improve Federal Elections

HAVA Funds

Help America Vote College Program

Mock Election Grant Program

The Voting System Pre-Election Logic and Accuracy Testing and Post-Election Audit Initiative

The Accessible Voting Technology Initiative 

Voting System Testing and Certification

Voting System Test Laboratory Accreditation

Voting System Certification

Quality Monitoring Program

Communication and Clarification

Meetings

Voluntary Voting System Guidelines

Research, Policy and Programs

Election Administration and Voting Survey

National Voter Registration Act

Quick Start Guides

Communications and Clearinghouse

Public Roundtable Discussions, Workshop Seminars and Webinars

Social Media & Stakeholder Updates

EAC.gov Initiative

Office of the Chief Information Officer

Office of the Inspector General Activities

Moving Forward

Appendix

Commission Leadership

Board Rosters 

List of Voting Systems Under Test
Introduction

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission is an independent, bipartisan agency created by the Help America Vote Act 

(HAVA) of 2002 that assists and provides guidance to State and local election administrators in improving the 

administration of elections for Federal office. EAC provides assistance by disbursing federal funds to the states to 

implement HAVA requirements, auditing the use of HAVA funds, adopting the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines 

(VVSG), maintaining the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) form, conducting research and serving as a national 

clearinghouse and resource of information regarding election administration. EAC also accredits voting system testing 

laboratories and certifies, decertifies and recertifies voting systems.

HAVA specifies that four commissioners are nominated by the President on recommendations from the majority and 

minority leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. No more than two commissioners may 

belong to the same political party. Once confirmed by the full Senate, commissioners may serve two consecutive 

terms. HAVA states that members of the commission shall continue to serve past their expired term until a successor 

takes office. 

Throughout fiscal year 2014, EAC operated without a quorum of commissioners, a situation that had existed since

December 2010 and the agency was without commissioners since December 2011. EAC functioned by following the 

order of succession in the Roles and Responsibilities document adopted by the Commission in September 2008, and 

the organization chart in the Strategic Plan 2009-2014 adopted in March of 2009. Under this structure, if EAC was

without an Executive Director or General Counsel, as is the case, the Chief Operating Officer assumes the 

responsibilities of the Executive Director in an acting capacity. Agency staff is authorized by the Roles and 

Responsibilities document to perform activities such as managing the voting systems certification/decertification 

process, conducting roundtable meetings and disbursing Requirements Payment grant funds. The agency cannot 

process second level certification audit appeals, issue advisory opinions to States on use of HAVA funds, or adopt 

policy without a quorum of commissioners.

On December 16, 2014, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to confirm Thomas Hicks, Matthew V. Masterson, and 

Christy A. McCormick as members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. The new members did not serve on 

the commission during FY 2014 and therefore did not vote to adopt an annual report for the fiscal year.
FY14 Program Highlights

EAC’s focus in FY 2014 was on building upon its core mission work: developing guidance to meet HAVA

requirements, preparing voluntary voting system guidelines for adoption, serving as a national clearinghouse of 

information on election administration and finalizing human capital and records management handbooks. 

During FY 2014, EAC made a great deal of progress in achieving the program area goals described in its Strategic 

Plan, which is based on the mandates of HAVA. To assist in the effective administration of Federal elections, EAC 

furthered the programmatic goals in its Strategic Plan: Goal 1 Communicate; Goal 2 Fund & Oversee; Goal 3 Study, 

Guide and Assist; and Goal 4 Test and Certify. EAC also continued to make improvements in Goal 5 Operations. The 

agency’s organizational structure is aligned with the four program goals. Some of EAC’s significant accomplishments 

in response to these goals included:

Fund & Oversee

The Fund and Oversee Strategic Plan Goal 2 is administered by the Office of Grants Management and the Office of 

the Inspector General (OIG). During FY 2014, some of the Grants Management accomplishments included 

disbursement of over $3.6 million to nine states certifying compliance with the provisions of HAVA; providing technical 

assistance to and monitoring grant recipients to help ensure that HAVA funds are spent in compliance with federal 

laws, regulations, and the provisions of HAVA and grant agreements -- Section 251 requirements payments, Voting 

System Pre-Election Logic and Accuracy Testing & Post-Election Audit Initiative grants, and Accessible Voting 

Technology Initiative grants.

The Grants Management Office, along with the Research, Policy and Programs Division, reviewed final grant financial 

and narrative reports, and closed out the FY 2010 three-year award College Poll Worker and Mock Election Programs 

grants. Further, staff closed seven of eight open inspector general audits of State use of HAVA funds in FY 2014.

Study, Guide and Assist

Study, Guide and Assist Strategic Plan Goal 3 is administered by the Research, Policy and Programs (RPP) Division. 

RPP administers the biennial Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS), an instrument used to collect data 

from the States on areas such as the ability of civilian, military and overseas citizens to successfully cast a ballot, and 

the number of registered voters at the state and county levels. Pursuant to an agreement reached between EAC and 

the U.S. Department of Defense Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), the next survey will incorporate twelve 

FVAP questions.

EAC processed changes to the National Mail Voter Registration Form for several states, and posted them along with 

translations on EAC's website. The “motor voter” form can be used by the States to register U.S. citizens to vote, and 

to update registration information to change a voter’s address or name. Each State and territory has its own 

instructions on how to complete the form with voter registration rules and regulations. The form is available on the EAC 

website in seven languages.
During FY 2014, RPP issued four educational products: new downloadable Quick Tips (formerly referred to as Quick 

Start Guides) on Managing the Voting Process, Educating Voters, Poll Worker Recruitment and Training, and Why 

Good Data Matters. The publications offer concise tips for election officials with links to best practices in the

administration of Federal elections. Information contained in the Quick Tips is based on conference calls conducted 

with select groups of local election officials, and on research about election jurisdictions around the country. RPP also 

produced informational materials on, “10 Tips to Enhance Your Voting Experience”, and “14 Facts About Voting in 

Federal Elections” to help voters become more familiar with the voting process before the 2014 election. RPP staff 

also drafted Quick Tips on: Serving UOCAVA Voters, Conducting Audits, Monitors at the Polls, Administering 

Provisional Ballots, Alternative Voting Methods, Disaster and Contingency Planning, and Managing Change in 

Elections.

Test and Certify

The Test and Certify Strategic Plan Goal 4 is administered by the voting system Testing and Certification Division. 

During FY 2014, staff certified six voting systems, registered a new voting system manufacturer, and worked on 

system testing with the manufacturers of five additional systems.

The division drafted and published four Requests for Interpretation to the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines, and 

three Notices of Clarification to the Testing & Certification Program Manuals. Further, staff continued development of 

and implemented major updates to EAC’s Virtual Review Tool, used for reviewing voting system test plans, cases and 

reports submitted by the voting system test laboratories. During FY 2014, Testing and Certification staff audited two 

voting system manufacturing facilities; and performed two Manufacturing Quality Assurance audits, two laboratory reaccreditation audits, and a follow-up to an initial new laboratory accreditation audit.

Communications

The Communications and Clearinghouse division maintains the EAC website, www.eac.gov, that includes resources 

for election officials, voters, academicians and other stakeholders. Examples include: the Election Official Exchange, 

an online resource to help local election officials share best practices and experience; Events Finder, a comprehensive 

presentation of all EAC public events, including meetings, hearings and roundtable discussions; webcasts of public 

events; Twitter @EACgov, hashtag #EACvote, and blog posts to provide election officials and the public with timely 

updates on elections and program activities, and forums for discussions such as preparation for the next Federal 

election; and a listserv for EAC’s newsletter and automatic program updates.

In FY 2014, EAC hosted three public roundtable discussions which followed up on topics raised during prior EAC 

roundtables. In March, EAC hosted a roundtable consisting of two former Presidential Commission on Election 

Administration (PCEA) commissioners, and state and local election officials to discuss recommendations by the PCEA. 

A second roundtable was held in June to discuss reforms to the voting system testing and certification process to 

better meet the needs of state and local jurisdictions. In September, EAC hosted a third roundtable for state and local 

election officials, grant managers and research experts to discuss EAC grant programs' past successes and future 

directions.
EAC also publicized and promoted participation in six regional Accessible Voting Workshop seminars hosted by the 

Election Center, a nonprofit organization representing election officials. The workshops were conducted to help 

election jurisdictions of all sizes prepare for an anticipated rise in the number of voters with disabilities; four 

EAC/National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Accessible Voting Technology Initiative webinars; and a 

panel discussion and demonstration of accessible voting technologies developed by the Information Technology and 

Innovation Foundation (ITIF) through a grant funded by EAC.

Operations

Administrative accomplishments during FY 2014 included among other activities the agency’s fourth consecutive 

Federal Information Security Act (FISMA) audit opinion that EAC is in substantial compliance with the Act. More detail 

on FY 2014 accomplishments can be found in Section I.B. of the following document.

Operations

Chief Operating Officer and Acting Executive Director

The Chief Operating Officer and Acting Executive Director is responsible for implementing EAC policy and 

administering EAC’s day-to-day operations in all program areas consistent with the agency's strategic plan' and 

commissioner adopted policies. The director manages, develops and oversees EAC's annual financial plan consistent 

with EAC's annual budget request, Federal statutes and applicable regulations. The director manages a staffing 

structure necessary to implement EAC's mission, goals, objectives, and policies.

Office of the Inspector General

EAC’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducts audits, investigations and other reviews of EAC’s programs and 

operations. This includes internal reviews of how EAC conducts business as well as reviews of recipients of funds 

disbursed by EAC. Its work is designed to enhance the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of EAC. The OIG also 

works to detect and prevent fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in EAC programs and operations. Its reports 

serve to educate and inform clients (EAC, the Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, the Government 

Accountability Office, state governments, other federal entities, and the public) of opportunities to improve the 

efficiency and effectiveness of EAC and its programs.

EAC Federal Advisory Committees

HAVA established a 37-member Board of Advisors and a 110-member Standards Board to help EAC carry out its 

mandates under the law. Further, HAVA Section 221 established the Technical Guidelines Development Committee 

(TGDC) to help EAC develop the VVSG. These governing boards provide valuable input and expertise in forming 

guidance and policy. On January 25, 2011, then General Counsel and Acting Executive Director, Mark Robbins,

issued a Memorandum suspending activity by the advisory boards. The memo states, in part, 
“Boards and commissions subject to the provisions of FACA must have a Designated Federal Official (DFO) in order to 

conduct official business, at both the full committee and subcommittee level. It is the policy of the EAC (adopted on 

September 12 and certified September 15, 2008) that those positions be designated by the chair.....With no 

commissioners, there is no commission chair to appoint DFOs. And absent a quorum of commissioners, there are no 

means by which to change this established policy of appointing/replacing the DFOs.”

The complete memorandum is available at EAC.gov.

Board of Advisors

EAC’s Board of Advisors includes members appointed by the following groups as specified in HAVA (two members 

appointed by each): National Governors Association; National Conference of State Legislatures; National Association 

of Secretaries of State; The National Association of State Election Directors; National Association of Counties; National 

Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and Clerks; The United States Conference of Mayors; Election 

Center; International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers; the U.S. Commission on Civil 

Rights; and Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.

Other members include representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice, Public Integrity Section of the Criminal 

Division and the Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division; the director of the U.S. Department of Defense Federal 

Voting Assistance Program; four professionals from the field of science and technology, with one each appointed by 

the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives and by the Majority Leader and Minority 

Leader of the U.S. Senate; and eight members representing voter interests, with the chairs and the ranking minority 

members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on House Administration and the U.S. Senate Committee 

on Rules and Administration each appointing two members.

The Board of Advisors elects a chair, vice chair and secretary from its members. Officers serve for a term of one year 

and may serve no more than two consecutive terms in any one office.

Standards Board

The Standards Board consists of 110 members; 55 are state election officials selected by their respective chief state 

election official and 55 are local election officials selected through a process supervised by the chief state election 

official. HAVA prohibits any two members representing the same state to be members of the same political party.

The Board elects nine members to serve as an executive board, of which not more than five can be state election 

officials, not more than five can be local election officials and not more than five can be members of the same political 

party.

Technical Guidelines Development Committee

HAVA mandates that the TGDC help EAC develop the VVSG, a task that was completed in May 2005. The VVSG are 

not mandatory and each state retains the prerogative to adopt these guidelines. 

By law, the chairperson of the TGDC is the director of NIST. The TGDC is composed of 14 other members appointed 

jointly by EAC and the director of NIST. Members include representatives from the EAC Standards Board, EAC Board 
of Advisors, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, American National Standards Institute, 

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the National Association of State Election Directors (two

representatives) and other individuals with technical and scientific expertise related to voting systems and voting 

equipment.

TGDC meeting minutes, roster, resolutions and other related material are available at www.vote.nist.gov.

Operating Budget

Since 2004, EAC has received funds in three appropriations: Salaries and Expenses; Election Reform Programs for 

requirements payments, and Accessibility and Logic and Accuracy Grants; and for FY 2008 only, Election Data 

Collection Grants. The Data Collection grants of $2.0 million each to five states measured the costs of improving the 

collection of election data at the precinct level during the 2008 Federal election. 

In FY 2014, the Salaries and Expenses operating budget of $10 million funded a $1.9 million transfer to NIST; and 

general office expenses including payroll, travel, rent, telecommunications, printing, contracts, supplies, training, and 

equipment. In FY 2014, EAC closed out College Poll Worker recruitment and training grants and Mock Elections for 

high school student grants funded in the S&E appropriation. 

Freedom of Information Act 

EAC received an unmodified (“clean”) opinion on the FY 2014 financial statement audit and a clean opinion on the 

Federal Information Security Management Act audit of FY 2014. Recommendations from the procurement audit 

covering FYs 2009 – 2012 were fully-implemented in FY 2014.

In FY 2014, the EAC received seven requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Four of them were 

processed and completed and three were pending completion at the end of the fiscal year. Additionally, one request 

that was received in FY 2013 was pending completion at the end of the fiscal year.

The median processing time for completed requests was 9 days; and the average was 8.25 days. The range in 

number of days for completed responses was 1 to 14 days. As of the end of the fiscal year, the four pending requests 

had been open 268, 220, 218 and 211 days respectively. There were no instances in which the EAC did not comply 

with a completed request.

One EAC employee processes FOIA requests, but this employee is not solely dedicated to FOIA activities. The EAC 

spent approximately $15,000 processing FOIA requests in FY 2014. The EAC granted fee waiver requests on all 

completed FOIA requests. 

The EAC’s FOIA regulations instructions for submitting a request and the FOIA Reading Room are available to the 

public at www.eac.gov.
Foreign Delegation Briefings

In FY 2014, EAC also conducted briefings for visiting foreign delegations under the auspices of the U.S. State 

Department to explain EAC’s role and function as a national clearinghouse, and how EAC's resources and tools serve 

and support election officials around the country as they prepare for elections. Delegations included political, civic and 

community leaders, and journalists and academicians from countries in the United Kingdom and the continents of 

Africa and Asia. 

Federal Financial Assistance to Improve Federal Elections

EAC’s Grants Management Division distributes and monitors HAVA funds, provides technical assistance to states and 

grantees on the use of funds, and reports on requirements payments and discretionary grants to improve the 

administration of elections for federal office. The division also ensures the negotiation of indirect cost rates with 

grantees and resolves audit findings on the use of HAVA funds.

HAVA Funds

Help America Vote College Program

A state may use a HAVA Section 251 Requirements Payment to carry out activities to improve the administration of 

elections for federal office outside of the activities listed under HAVA Title III if the state, per Section 251, certifies that 

it has implemented the requirements of Title III or that the amount it will spend on other activities will not exceed an 

amount equal to the minimum payment amount applicable under Section 252 on allocation of funds. Title III includes 

voting system standards, voting information requirements, provisional voting, statewide voter registration lists and 

identification requirements for voters who register by mail. 

The Help America Vote College Program, established by HAVA Section 501, provides grants to encourage student 

participation as poll workers or assistants, to foster student interest in the electoral process and to encourage state and 

local governments to utilize students as poll workers. 

The Help America Vote College Poll Worker grants help relieve poll worker shortages across the country and provide 

election officials with technically proficient poll workers. According to EAC’s 2008 Election Administration and Voting 

Survey, nearly one-half of the jurisdictions reported experiencing difficulties recruiting poll workers. Thanks to these 

grants, many grantees reported having an adequate number of poll workers, some for the first time. 

EAC awarded no new College Poll Worker grants in FY 2014, but 

continued to monitor and provide technical assistance to its 2010 College Poll Worker grant programs until they ended 

in June 2013 and began the close-out process. All remaining open grants were closed in FY 2014.
Mock Election Grant Program

The Mock Election Grant Program, authorized under HAVA Section 295, enables students to participate in simulated 

elections with voting equipment, ballots and poll workers. The grants enable students to become familiar with voting 

processes and technologies so that when they become eligible to vote they will be more comfortable with their civic 

responsibilities.

The program promotes voter participation in national elections through voter education activities for students, building 

community involvement in awareness of the election process, and encouraging continued civic engagement and 

participation by the youth population.

EAC awarded no new Mock Election Program grants in FY 2014, but continued to monitor and provide 

technical assistance to its 2010 Mock Election Program grants until they ended in May 2013 and began the close-out 

process. All remaining open grants were closed in FY 2014.

The Voting System Pre-Election Logic and Accuracy Testing and Post-Election 

Audit Initiative

The Voting System Pre-Election Logic and Accuracy Testing (L&A) and Post-Election Audit Initiative grant was aimed 

at developing and documenting processes and best practices for coordinating quality and cost-effective voting system 

pre-election logic and accuracy testing and post-election audits. Through this initiative, EAC seeks to capture and test 

innovative, high-quality processes and tools, as well as practices that are cost effective and evidence-based for 

In FY 2011, EAC awarded twelve grants totaling $1,463,074 to five states, six counties and one city. The two 

remaining grants ended in FY 2014. All grants were closed as of September 30, 2014.

performing voting system pre-election L&A testing and post-election audits by jurisdictions of varying sizes, locations 

and equipment configurations. Congress funded this initiative under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 and the 

Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009. 

The Accessible Voting Technology Initiative

In FY 2014, the EAC monitored the Accessible Voting Technology Initiative, a $7,000,000 grant to advance voting 

accessibility technology to enable citizens with disabilities to vote privately and independently. The grant recipients are 

Clemson University, which is funded at $4,500,000 and the Information Technology Innovation Foundation, which is 

funded at $2,500,000. The EAC, Clemson University, and ITIF are also working closely with NIST on this Initiative.

This effort seeks to increase the accessibility of new, existing and emerging technological solutions in such areas as 

assistive technologies, interoperability and voting system design. According to statistics compiled by the U.S. Census, 

there are more than 50,000,000 Americans with disabilities and the United States also faces a rapidly approaching 

demographic shift to an older population, which will result in an increase in the incidence of disability. The HAVA 

disability requirements, specifically Section 301, recognized the necessity for dramatically improving the voting process 

for this population and these grants help further this vital mission.
Clemson University and their partners worked to advance the accessibility of elections and voting through applied 

research, development, evaluation, dissemination and implementation of concepts and technologies. Clemson 

University worked with an extensive set of partners including the Election Center and Rutgers University. In 2014, they 

further pilot-tested Prime III, a Clemson-produced election prototype voting machine, and worked with a diverse group 

of organizations from the elections community on research and development.

ITIF used a design-led innovation process to translate research, observations and insights into actionable steps to 

change voting system technologies and processes to improve the voting experience for people with disabilities. They 

worked closely with several organizations including the National Federation of the Blind and the Georgia Institute for 

Applied Technology Research Corporation. These grant awards ended on June 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2014 

one grant award remained open awaiting final close-out.

Voting System Testing and Certification

Under the Help America Vote Act, EAC accredits voting system test laboratories and certifies voting equipment, 

marking the first time the Federal government has offered these services to the States. Participation by States in the 

program is voluntary. Staff works with NIST to evaluate and accredit voting system test laboratories and the 

management of the voting system testing and certification process.

The Testing and Certification (T&C) division:

• Assists States with certification of their systems; 

• Supports local elections officials in the areas of acceptance testing and pre-election system verification;

• Promotes quality control in voting system manufacturing through the EAC quality monitoring program; 

• Provides procedures to the voting system manufacturers for the testing and certification of voting systems to 

specified Federal standards consistent with the requirements of HAVA Section 231.

EAC’s voting system certification program establishes accountability through its Quality Monitoring Program which 

ensures, through various check points, that the voting systems used in the field are the same systems EAC has 

certified. Under the program, EAC has the ability to conduct site visits to voting system production facilities to 

determine whether systems produced are consistent with those that have received EAC certification. In addition, EAC 

collects reports from election officials regarding voting system anomalies. After reviewing the reports, EAC 

disseminates the information to election officials. Furthermore, upon invitation or with permission from election 

officials, the EAC may conduct reviews of EAC certified systems that are in use in the field.

More information about EAC’s Voting System Certification and Testing Program is available in EAC’s Frequently 

Asked Questions on eac.gov.
Voting System Test Laboratory Accreditation

HAVA Section 231 requires EAC and NIST to develop a program for accrediting voting system testing laboratories. 

The National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) of NIST evaluates test laboratories and performs 

periodic re-evaluations to verify that the laboratories continue to meet the accreditation criteria. When NIST determines 

a laboratory is technically competent to test systems, the NIST director recommends the laboratory to EAC for 

accreditation. EAC makes the final determination to accredit the laboratory. EAC issues the accreditation certificate to 

approved laboratories, maintains a register of accredited laboratories and posts this information on EAC.gov. 

Laboratories must adhere to the requirements of EAC’s Voting System Test Laboratory Program Manual or face 

possible suspension or revocation of accreditation. These requirements include stringent conflict-of-interest and 

compliance-management programs.

Voting System Certification

Currently, two test laboratories are accredited by EAC: SLI Global Solutions and NTS Huntsville (formerly Wyle 

Laboratories.) In FY 2014, EAC performed two laboratory re-accreditation audits in Huntsville, Alabama on NTS 

Huntsville and Pro V&V laboratories. 

HAVA instructs EAC to establish the federal government’s first voluntary program to test and certify voting equipment. 

The certification program was established after the 2005 Voluntary Voting Systems Guidelines (VVSG) were adopted 

and the first recommendations regarding laboratories for federal accreditation were given to EAC by NIST in February 

2007.

A manufacturer that has a system ready for testing submits an application for testing to EAC and selects an EACaccredited laboratory to conduct the testing. The laboratory submits a test plan to EAC for approval; tests the voting 

system; and provides a test report, based on the findings from testing, to EAC for review and action. EAC technical 

reviewers and staff members review the test reports. If the testing and report of a system demonstrate conformance 

with all applicable voting system standards or guidelines, the program director will recommend the system for 

certification. EAC’s executive director considers the recommendation and provides a final decision on the system. EAC 

Commissioners serve as the appeal body. Upon certification, a system may bear an EAC mark of certification and may 

be marketed as EAC-certified.

The first step in the certification process is manufacturer registration. Applicants are required to provide written policies 

regarding quality assurance and document retention and also provide a complete list of manufacturing facilities. 

Through registration with EAC, the manufacturer agrees to meet all program requirements.

In FY 2014, EAC certified six voting systems: (Dominion Voting Systems Democracy Suite 4.14A-1, and 4.14B 

modifications, Election Systems and Software EVS 5.2.0.0, and Unity 3.4.1.0 and EVS 5.0.1.0 modifications, and 

Unisyn Open Elect 1.2 modification).
Additionally, the Testing and Certification Division conducted testing campaigns for ten voting systems and there are 

currently three systems in active test campaigns.

EAC also developed and implemented major updates to the EAC’s Virtual Review Tool (VRT). This tool was also 

made available to State Certification Authorities to assist them in reviewing change orders that may be presented for 

certification in their individual States.

Quality Monitoring Program

EAC’s voting system 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 EAC has 

certified. For instance, under the program, EAC has the ability to conduct site visits to production facilities to 

determine whether systems produced are consistent with those that have received EAC certification. In addition, EAC 

collects reports from election officials regarding voting system anomalies. After reviewing the reports, EAC 

disseminates the information to election officials. Furthermore, upon invitation or with permission from election 

officials, the EAC conducts reviews of systems that are in use in the field.

System Advisory Notices are also an important part of the Quality Monitoring Program. EAC issues advisories to 

inform jurisdictions and members of the public of an existing anomaly or issue with an EAC-certified system. The 

advisory notice describes the nature of the issue identified, the root cause of the issue if known, and the current status 

of a solution to the issue. EAC will follow up with additional advisory notices regarding unresolved issues as more 

information is gathered and the problem is resolved.

These notices support EAC's quality monitoring program requirement related to identifying and reporting anomalies of 

fielded EAC systems. These notices are issued after an anomaly or issue is identified and verified through 

conversations with the jurisdiction fielding the system and the manufacturer of the system.

In addition, as part of the Quality Monitoring Program, EAC is required to conduct onsite manufacturing assessments. 

These onsite visits provide the opportunity for EAC to ascertain that the manufacturers of voting systems are following 

EAC’s required procedures. Information generated by the Quality Monitoring Program, including anomaly reports, is 

posted in the Testing and Certification section of EAC.gov.

Communication and Clarification

In an effort to increase efficiency and streamline the certification process, EAC established the Requests for 

Interpretation (RFI) process. This process enables program participants to request interpretations of the VVSG. In 

addition, EAC established the Notice of Clarification (NOC) process, through which EAC issues clarifying language 

based on written requests from manufacturers or test laboratories seeking clarification about a program requirement, 

policy or guideline. 

• NOC 2014-01 -- EAC Technology Testing Agreement 

In FY 2014, the EAC published two NOCs:

• NOC 2013-02 -- Detailed Description of Changes for Modifications
Meetings

All RFIs and NOCs are available in the Testing and Certification section of the EAC Web site at EAC.gov.

In FY 2014, staff attended meetings with NASED; The Election Center; Election Verification Network (EVN), EAC 

technical reviewers; voting system manufacturers; and a voting system manufacturer for the kick-off/technology testing 

Agreement overview meeting on a new system in Denver, CO; met with State Certification officials in Denver, CO; 

attended USENIX - EVTWOTE on voting technology; and performed manufacturer quality audits in Indianapolis, IN 

and San Diego, CA.

Voluntary Voting System Guidelines

The VVSG is the set of testable standards by which EAC evaluates all voting systems. EAC’s accredited laboratories 

conduct a conformance assessment using the VVSG to evaluate the voting systems. A system submitted to EAC’s 

program will receive certification only if it complies with the VVSG; nothing guarantees that a system will meet the 

VVSG requirements and ultimately receive an EAC certification. 

EAC, the TGDC and NIST work together to develop voluntary testing standards. The 2005 VVSG are currently in 

place, while EAC and NIST are contemplating future versions and updates.

After reviewing comments and receiving input from a series of roundtable discussions about the next iteration, EAC 

determined the 2005 VVSG should be revised before the adoption of the next iteration, which may not occur for 

several years.

To implement updates to the 2005 VVSG, EAC followed the procedures in HAVA, which included providing a 120-day 

public comment period, longer than what is required by HAVA, and soliciting input from EAC advisory boards. EAC 

and NIST reviewed the public comments and boards’ input.

The initial proposed revision to VVSG 1.1, was offered during a 120-day public comment period in the summer of 

2009. Since that time, the EAC’s Testing & Certification Program discovered additional best practices, experienced 

anomalies and deficiencies with voting systems entering the Testing and Certification Program, and clarified 

ambiguities with the standard. Changes were made after the 120-day public comment period to address these issues

and in FY 2012, EAC:

• Received a new revised version of VVSG 1.1 from NIST. 

• Incorporated NIST comments and new RFI’s into VVSG 1.1. 

• Posted the second draft version of VVSG 1.1 for a 90 day Public Comment period beginning September 6, 

2012. 

• Extended the Public Comment period from 90 days to 130 days.
In FY 2013 the EAC posted the second draft version of VVSG 1.1 on www.eac.gov for a 90 day Public Comment 

period which began in FY 2012 and extended through FY 2013. Subsequent comments regarding the comment period 

coinciding with the General election persuaded EAC to revise the Public Comment period to 130 days. Following the 

close of the comment period, all comments received were reviewed and will be published on EAC’s website. EAC staff 

worked with NIST staff to address the comments and prepare the VVSG1.1 revised draft document for final formatting 

and the final VVSG 1.1 draft document awaits a Commission vote. 

Research, Policy and Programs

The Research, Policy and Program division:

• Administers the biennial Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS);

• Administers the National Mail Voter Registration Form as prescribed by the National Voter Registration Act of 

1993 (NVRA), also known as “Motor Voter”;

• Administers the Election Management Guidelines and Quick Start Guides (now referred to as Quick Tips) 

program to help election officials conduct efficient, effective, accurate and accessible elections;

• Manages the Language Accessibility Program that provides informational materials on the Federal election 

process including glossaries of election terms in English and five other languages, and translations of the 

National Mail Voter Registration form in English and ten other languages; 

• Provides educational materials to voters and election administration officials on the voting process; and

• Conducts research on election administration on topics as mandated by HAVA, by Congress and, at the 

discretion of the Commission.

The Research, Policy and Programs (RPP) division is responsible for implementing initiatives that include HAVAmandated research covering topics such as the number of registration applications submitted through various sources 

as stipulated by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA); the number of ballots cast and returned in accordance with the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986 (UOCAVA); language accessibility for 

minority language voters; and election management resources for election officials.

In addition to conducting HAVA-mandated research, RPP produces materials for voters and election officials to 

facilitate successful participation in federal elections. The division also administers the Election Management/Quick 

Tips program to help election officials conduct elections by providing information on topics such as poll worker 

recruitment and training, polling place management, collecting good election data, contingency and disaster planning, 

post-election auditing, administering provisional ballots and communicating with the public.
FY 2014 Accomplishments

Election Administration and Voting Survey

• Successfully completed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between EAC and the Federal Voting 

Assistance Program (FVAP) for creating a combined 2014 EAVS (which includes 12 additional FVAP 

questions) and received the OMB clearance for the administering the 2014 EAVS.

• Awarded a contract to ICF International to administer, collect, analyze data and create a consolidated report 

related to the 2014 EAVS.

• Began distribution of the 2014 EAVS Statutory Overview. By the end of FY 2013 forty-two states had 

completed the Overview.

National Voter Registration Act

• Staff prepared documents and certifications of EAC materials related to the State of Kansas and State of 

Arizona court cases--including creating a notice for public comment in the Federal Register regarding a 

response to the Kansas court decision on Kobach vs. EAC. 

• As follow-up to the Kansas court decision (regarding EAC and its update to the NVRA state instructions), staff 

worked with Department of Justice (DOJ) attorneys and other Federal agency staff to ensure: prompt and 

proper posting of a Federal Register Notice; cataloguing and monitoring of those public comments through the 

Federal Document Management System (FDMS) website, and; subsequent posting/uploading of the 241 

comments captured through the FDMS website on to Regulations.gov.

• EAC processed appropriate changes to the NVRA form (to update NVRA form state instructions) for Georgia, 

Wisconsin, Kansas, New York State and Tennessee.

Quick Start Guides

• To prepare for the 2014 mid-term elections, created informational materials for election officials and voters that 

included EAC’s“10 Tips to Enhance Your Voting Experience” and “14 Facts About Voting in Federal 

Elections” which is available in six foreign languages, were created to supplement state and local education 

materials. Both materials were posted to EAC’s website.

• Four new Quick Start Guides (now referred to as Quick Tips) were published on: Managing the Voting 

Process; Educating Voters; Poll Worker Recruitment and Training, and Why Good Data Matter. 

Information contained in the Quick Tips is based on conference calls conducted with local election officials and 

research done on election jurisdictions from around the country.

• Drafts of Quick Tips documents were written on 1) Serving UOCAVA Voters, 2) Conducting Audits, 3) 

Monitors at the Polls, 4) Administering Provisional Ballots 5) Alternative Voting Methods 6) Disaster 

and Contingency Planning and 7) Managing Change in Elections. 
Election Administration and Voting Survey

Under HAVA requirements, EAC collects information about election administration issues and shares that information 

with Congress, election officials, and the public. Under the provisions of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)

EAC is required to collect information and report on: the total number of registered voters, the total number of active 

and inactive voters, the total number of new, duplicate, and invalid voter registration applications, the sources of voter 

registration applications, the total number of confirmation notices sent/received and the total number of voters removed 

from the rolls. 

Beginning in FY 2015 EAC will consolidate its EAVS reporting into one comprehensive document that will be released 

to Congress in June 2015. Previously EAC published three reports on the EAVS- an NVRA report, a UOCAVA report 

and a general report on certain election data collected from the states. EAC will continue publishing the Statutory 

Overview, a compendium of each state’s changes in certain election laws, prior to the release of the biennial EAVS 

report.

Consolidation of the Local Election Official and Election Administration and Voting Surveys

Pursuant to an MOU reached between EAC and the Department of Defense’s Federal Voting Assistance Program 

(FVAP), beginning in 2014, the FVAP Local Election Official Survey will be incorporated into the EAC Election 

Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS). To assist States with compiling their UOCAVA data and to aid in their 

transition to a new EAVS format, the 12 additional FVAP questions were added to the end of Section B of the 2014 

survey. These questions ask for additional detail about how UOCAVA ballots were transmitted to and returned by 

UOCAVA voters and, for more detailed information about UOCAVA voter’s use of Federal Write-In Absentee Ballots 

(FWABS).

National Voter Registration Act

In FY 2012 the Policy Department of RPP developed and had approved, by the then General Counsel and the 

Executive Director, an interim procedure for processing state requests to modify their state-specific instructions on the 

national mail voter registration form. The interim procedure has been used by staff to process such requests in the 

absence of a Commission quorum.

In 2014 EAC received state requests for modifications to the state-specific instructions on the National Mail Voter 

Registration Form from Georgia, Wisconsin, Kansas, New York State and Tennessee.

In FY 2014 EAC also assisted US Department of Justice attorneys by preparing documents and certifications of EAC 

materials that related to the State of Kansas and State of Arizona court case. (The court case pertained to the states’ 

request to EAC to update its NVRA form State instructions.) EAC’s assistance included among other things: creating a

notice for public comment in the Federal Register that related to a response on the Kansas court decision on Kobach 

vs. EAC; cataloguing and monitoring those public comments through the Federal Document Management System 
(FDMS) website; and, subsequently posting/uploading the 241 comments captured through the FDMS website on to 

Regulations.gov.

Proposed Changes to the National Voter Registration Act Regulations

Section 9(a) of the NVRA requires the EAC to issue regulations for developing a national mail voter registration form 

and for submitting a biennial report to Congress on the effect of the NVRA.

In accordance with HAVA, in FY 2010 a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) related to the National Voter 

Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) was developed and published in the Federal Register. In FY 2010 and FY 2011 EAC 

sought and received comments on the proposed regulations. In the NPRM, EAC proposed amending its NVRA 

regulations to ensure they are consistent with HAVA and to make some technical amendments. EAC also asked for 

public comment on other issues related to the national mail voter registration form and on administering the NVRA. 

A quorum of commissioners will be responsible for issuing a Final Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. EAC also will 

analyze the public input to determine whether the national mail voter registration form must be revised and on the 

nature of guidance that EAC should provide to the states.

Quick Start Guides

The primary focus of the Programs section is to provide educational resources for election officials and voters. 

Resources include information about successful election management practices and basic information about federal 

elections. EAC responds to requests from state and local election officials, from Congress and from the public-at-large,

for a range of informational material that relate to elections.

EAC’s Quick Start/Quick Tips materials have been created to assist election officials with their duties. Following a 

series of nine webinars that were held in the summer of 2013, EAC went on to create four new Quick Starts in FY 

2014. EAC collaborated with local election officials to develop these materials which highlight helpful tips for managing 

elections and suggest a range of practices that can aid with operating efficient and effective elections. 

In FY 2014, these new Quick Start documents included:

• Tips to Manage the Voting Process Better

• Tips to Strengthen Voter Education Programs

• Tips to Employ Effective Poll Workers, and 

• Tips for Making Election Data Pay Off

The materials are available on EAC.gov. In FY 2014, work also began on seven additional Quick Starts for release in 

FY 2015. EAC staff anticipates marketing and promoting the information contained in these documents, through EAC’s 

various social media.
Communications and Clearinghouse

The Communications and Clearinghouse division is responsible for external communications and the tools and 

platforms used to provide information to election officials and the general public. Areas of responsibility include:

• EAC Website and Clearinghouse

• Social media 

• Media inquiries

• External communications

• Congressional relations

• The Freedom of Information Act

• National Archives and Records Act 

• Editorial support: press releases, speeches, and Congressional testimony

In Fiscal Year 2014, the Communications and Clearinghouse division focused on providing information and best 

practices to election officials and voters. EAC maintained the goal of building a community of knowledge and expertise 

that could save election officials time and money in preparation for the 2014 federal election cycle.

Public Roundtable Discussions, Workshop Seminars and Webinars

Public Roundtables

In Fiscal Year 2014, EAC hosted three public roundtable discussions which followed the series of prior EAC 

roundtables about election administration topics and initiatives. Participants included individuals from the President’s 

Commission on Election Administration (PCEA) including two commissioners, the PCEA research director and a data 

researcher. Also included were state and local election officials and individuals who testified before the PCEA. The 

roundtables included: 

• “Managing the Polling Place: Lines, Logic and Logistics” (March 13). State and local election officials 

discussed recommendations by the PCEA related to polling place location and design, managing queues, 

recruiting and training poll workers and the use of precinct management technologies to improve and 

streamline the voting experience. 

• “Reforming the Testing and Certification Process” (June 12). State and local election officials and technical 

experts discussed possible reforms to the testing and certification process that can better meet the needs of 

state and local jurisdictions. 
• “EAC Grants: Expanding the Body of Knowledge of Election Administration – Reflections and Future Direction”

(September 3). State and local election officials, grant managers and research experts discussed the EAC 

grants program's past successes and future direction. 

All three roundtables were webcast live and featured a live Twitterfall. Questions and comments were taken from the 

public through the webcasts. EAC distributed press advisories to national media daybooks and contacts, and to the 

home state/local media outlets representing roundtable participants. 

Workshop Seminars and Webinars

In FY2014, EAC also publicized and promoted participation in several webinars and initiatives to highlight the research 

and findings made possible through EAC grants that were funded under the Congressional Consolidated 

Appropriations Act for FY 2009/2010. Congress provided funds to the EAC to develop a research program to continue 

to support accessible voting technology. The events included:

• Six regional Election Center Accessible Voting Workshop seminars to help election jurisdictions of all sizes to 

prepare for an anticipated rise in the number of voters with disabilities. Each of the six day-long sessions

included the same content located in different cities to better accommodate attendance by election officials 

from across the USA. The schedule included: Chicago (November 12); San Francisco (January 30); St. Louis 

(February 13); Seattle (March 7); Washington, DC (March 18); Minneapolis (April 10).

• Four EAC/NIST Accessible Voting Technology Initiative (AVTI) webinars. The goal of these webinars was to 

share the results of the AVTI research that can be used to improve elections and the voting process. The four 

include: (1) Highlights of EAC Accessible Voting Research and the Impact on Elections, 6-20-14; (2) 

Accessibility & the PCEA Report: Thoughts and Perspectives on AVTI Research, 5-22-14; (3) Accessible 

Voting: People & Technology: 1-23-14; (4) Piloting Accessible Voting Technology in the Field: 1-10-14. 

Recordings and transcripts were also available.

• The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation’s (ITIF) “Innovations in Elections: Making Voting 

Accessible for Everyone” (5-14-14). The ITIF event featured a panel discussion and demonstration of 

accessible technologies developed through an ITIF initiative funded by EAC and the ITIF also presented a 

report on how to increase voting access through innovation. 

EAC.gov

The agency’s website, www.eac.gov, is the primary communications tool. EAC.gov contains thousands of documents 

and information about voting systems, press releases, informational videos, research, data and program-related 

information. It also features on-demand webcasts and related information from public meetings, hearings and 

roundtables.

EAC’s award-winning website features a user-driven notification system, allowing visitors to customize how they 

receive information. Users can customize their online experience by signing up for EAC’s newsletter, automatic e-mail 
alerts on a variety of election topics and events, including public meetings, advisory board meetings, reports, policies, 

program updates and other agency news. These alerts can be received in real time on a daily or weekly basis. The 

website events calendar offers a comprehensive presentation of all EAC public events, including meetings, hearings 

and roundtable discussions. Webcasts of public events are offered live and on demand webcasts are available within 

24 hours. The meeting agenda accompanies the webcast, and the viewer can select topics of interest. Many of the 

meeting materials are also posted to the website. 

EAC’s online resources also include the “Election Exchange” to help local election officials connect and leverage their 

collective knowledge by sharing best practices and knowledge. By participating in the Exchange, any U.S. election 

official can call on a colleague for advice about virtually any administrative task they face, from testing voting 

equipment and training poll workers to creating an audit trail and conducting a recount. 

Social Media and Stakeholder Updates

The EAC has been extremely active using social media to reach election officials in new and engaging ways. 

Technology is transforming elections and the EAC wants to be at the forefront of the field. In particular, the EAC has 

developed an interactive blog and an active twitter account. Additionally, the EAC cultivates a list of Election Office 

Twitter accounts to facilitate ongoing communication between election officials.

EAC social media and stakeholder updates highlights for 2014 include:

• Blog posts provided periodic election updates and highlight program activities including: EAC resources; the 

2014 election calendar and election updates; voting system testing updates to track progress made on EAC 

voting system certification; Quick Tips for Voters and FAQ Facts about voting in Federal elections; new Quick 

Start Guides with concise tips for election officials; roundtable discussions on managing the polling place; 

reforms to the testing and certification process; the past successes and future direction of the EAC grants 

program, state requests for proposals (RFPs) for purchases of voting systems/e-pollbooks, and the 

IEEE/VSSC working group on common data format; and ongoing blog posts covering election related topics to 

answer frequently asked questions and provide critical or time sensitive information to stakeholders and the 

media;

• Used @EACgov on Twitter to rapidly deliver information and updates to stakeholders and the public about the 

voting system certification program, EAC activities and election information, communicate with election 

officials, and build a community of expertise; 

• Maintained Twitter @EACgov and the hashtag #EACvote where election officials and the public can gather 

and discuss preparation for the next Federal election. The number of EAC Twitter followers grew from 1,602 

to 1,968 from October 2013 through September 2014;

• Provided program activity updates where the public can customize the kind of information and the frequency 

that it is delivered via EAC’s newsletter and automatic program updates.
• EAC delivered information and updates to election officials and stakeholders about: (1) roundtable 

discussions, workshop seminars and webinars; (2) research products and resources; (3) voting system 

certification; and (4) HAVA grants management. 

• Publicized and circulated EAC’s four new online downloadable Quick Start Guides that offer concise tips for 

election officials with links to examples of materials to help them better manage their elections process on how 

to: (1) Manage the Voting Process Better; (2) Employ Effective Poll Workers; (3) Strengthen Voter Education 

Programs; and (4) Make Election Data Pay Off. 

• Publicized and circulated EAC’s 10 voter tips and 14 voter FAQ facts to help and encourage voters to become 

familiar with the voting process before the 2014 election.

• Notified States about EAC’s new streamlined process for requesting and receiving HAVA funds requirements 

payments and posted the certification and assurances forms and memo to chief election officials on the 

website.

• Circulated updated EAC HAVA funding charts with statistics to stakeholders tracking HAVA Title I and Title II 

funds awarded and disbursed to the states

• EAC Notices for Public Comments: 

o Notice issued for public comment on whether to amend the State-specific NVRA instructions for 

Arizona, Kansas, and Georgia to include additional proof-of-citizenship instructions on the national 

mail voter registration form.

o Notices issued for each of two public comment periods on EAC's 2014 research regarding 

consolidating the FVAP local election official survey into the EAC survey. 

o Notices issued for each of two public comment periods on the renewals of two existing information 

collections: EAC's Voting System Testing and Certification Program Manual, Version 1.0; and EAC's 

Voting System Test Laboratory Program Manual, Version 1.0.

• EAC Memorandum of Decision on NVRA Form: posted a memorandum of decision concerning state requests 

to include additional proof-of-citizenship instructions on the national mail voter registration form (1-17-14).

• As requests were received from election officials, EAC continued to add more links to state & local election 

social media sites.
Office of the Chief Information Officer

Entity-Wide Security Program

EAC’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) recognizes that effective security management is critical to EAC's 

mission. The ability to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its information assets is essential to 

minimizing risks of inadvertent or deliberate misuse, fraud or destruction. EAC continues to be vigilant in protecting its 

information assets. Trusted Internet Connections (TIC), Continuous Monitoring (CM) and strong authentication 

measures using Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) Personal Identity Verification (PIV) 

credentials help ensure EAC information assets remain secure. Unauthorized disclosure of and access to sensitive 

information is one of EAC’s highest concerns and is being addressed through multiple programs.

During FY 2014, EAC continued work on an information technology (IT) enhancement program that was in progress 

during FY 2013. The agency made changes to enhance the agency's network infrastructure in its new physical 

location. OCIO made some changes that revised the plan, design and implementation of a secured network 

infrastructure for the new work office setup and teleworking option for staff. As part of the agency's continuing effort to 

improve IT services, EAC replaced aging laptops with high-end performance mobile devices. EAC’s OCIO provided 

necessary accessories as well as a secured connection to staff for teleworking and remote access to the network.

The agency email messaging system has been enhanced and adapted to enable users to access their email through a 

secured online connection and allow them manage their emails. During FY 2014, EAC upgraded some servers and 

workstations as well as mobile devices to meet its performance, availability and integrity requirements.

EAC implemented a self-contained system recovery backup solution at the main office as well as at the remote 

Continuity of Operations (COOP) site to protect mission-critical data against system down-time and for disaster 

recovery. To ensure internal security, EAC applied additional access controls including an intrusion detection 

appliance as well continuous monitoring. 

The Federal Government has a duty to protect against threats and secure Federal information and information 

systems. This responsibility is codified in the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), which requires 

agencies to provide information security protections commensurate with risks and their potential harm to Federal 

information.

Further, EAC has adapted and expanded the telephone system to a menu-driven interactive voice response (IVR) 

system. The main switch number uses a telephone menu to direct callers to offices and provides voter contact 

information for State voter information lines during elections. To improve internal and external communication, EAC 

completed work on unified messaging with a Voice over IP (VOIP) phone system that allows users to access voicemail 

via email, a custom auto-attendant, call forwarding and audio conferencing at any time from any location.

The independent FY 2014 FISMA evaluation report found that EAC was in substantial compliance with FISMA 

requirements and that EAC had adopted OMB policy and guidelines, and applicable NIST standards and guidelines for 
the security control areas evaluated. Specifically, it was noted that EAC had established sufficient policies and 

procedures relating to its IT security program to address identified risks; implemented actions to address prior 

concerns relating to meeting Privacy Act requirements; established a continuous monitoring program that substantially 

addressed all NIST requirements (using Asset management and IT service desk utilities); provided annual security 

awareness training and specialized training to its IT specialists; developed and tested a contingency plan; and had 

established required access controls sufficient to meet identified risks.

EAC had developed an agency-wide IT security program based upon assessed risk. The FISMA audit concluded that 

the security program in place provided reasonable assurance that the agency’s information and information systems 

are appropriately protected.

Office of the Inspector General Activities

In FY 2014, the OIG provided oversight to the independent public accounting firm that performed the annual audits of 

EAC’s financial statements and its compliance with the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). 

In the auditor’s opinion, the EAC financial statements presented fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 

EAC as of September 30, 2014, and its net costs, changes in net position, budgetary resources, and custodial activity 

for the year then ended, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

The auditors identified a material weakness in internal control over disbursements. EAC’s controls over 

disbursements were not effective, to ensure disbursements were not made from a canceled fund. EAC made a 

$2,266,085 disbursement from a fiscal year (FY) 2008 fund after the fund was canceled on September 30, 2013. The 

disbursement was unable to be authorized from the FY 2008 authority. The payment was liquidated directly from 

Treasury’s General Fund which caused EAC to be in violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act. 

The annual FISMA audit revealed that EAC was in substantial compliance with FISMA requirements, Office of 

Management and Budget policy and guidelines, and applicable National Institute of Standards and Technology 

standards and guidelines for the security control areas that were evaluated. The audit found that EAC had developed 

an agency-wide internet technology security program based upon assessed risk, and the security program provided 

reasonable assurance that the agency’s information and information systems were appropriately protected.

Moving Forward

EAC has statutory obligations and responsibilities under the Help America Vote Act, the National Voter Registration 

Act, and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. We will continue working to achieve our mission 

according to the policies established by the Commissioners. 

In fiscal year 2015 the U.S. Election Assistance Commission plans to build upon its core mission goals: developing 

guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and serving as a national 
clearinghouse of information on election administration. We will continue to meet the needs of our core constituents, 

the states and territories, and provide them with technical assistance. We will also provide training on a number of 

areas including financial reporting and audits to ensure HAVA requirements are being properly implemented. 

EAC will continue to conduct day-to-day activities related to testing and certifying voting systems. These activities 

include, but are not limited to: discrepancy resolution, responding to Requests for Information, and reviewing test plans 

and reports. Under EAC’s current organizational structure, the Acting Executive Director is the Decision Authority for 

all voting system certifications. The EAC Commissioners act as the appeal body only in instances in which a decision 

not to certify a voting system or a decision to decertify a voting system is appealed by the voting system manufacturer.

EAC will also continue to administer the biennial Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS), an instrument 

used to collect state-by-state data on the administration of federal elections. The EAVS reports include datasets on the 

ability of civilian, military and overseas citizens to successfully cast a ballot. They contain the most comprehensive, 

nationwide data about election administration in the United States. The EAVS data is used for two federally mandated 

reports – the NVRA Report (motor voter) and the UOCAVA Report (military & overseas citizens). EAC will work to 

facilitate an earlier release of EAVS data that many in the elections field have come to rely upon. In FY 2015 EAC will, 

for the first time, release and publish its 2014 EAVS data in one comprehensive report. Previously EAC staggered the 

release of these data in the June NVRA report, the September UOCAVA report and the December EAVS report. EAC 

anticipates releasing its 2014 EAVS findings in a June 2015 report. Also, pursuant to the 2014 EAC/FVAP agreement 

that incorporates FVAP’s Local Election Official Survey into the EAVS, EAC will coordinate releasing 2014 EAVS 

findings that relate to UOCAVA voters with the Federal Voting Assistance Program. 

EAC will build on the momentum begun with its summer 2013 nine-part webinar series on Effective Practices in 

Election Administration. EAC’s Quick Start /Quick Tips assist state and local election officials in effectively managing 

and administering elections. Each Quick Start Guide offers concise and easy-to-read tips on a wide range of timely 

topics impacting the field of elections. In FYY 2014 EAC published four new Quick Start Guides: Managing the Voting 

the Process; Educating Voters; Poll Worker Recruitment and Training, and; Why Good Election Data Matter. EAC 

posted the Quick Starts on its website with links to best practice examples gathered from election officials across the 

country. The goal will be to continue to encourage election officials to submit and share their tools and information 

through the EAC’s website.

HAVA directs that EAC shall serve as a national clearinghouse and resource for the compilation of information and 

review of procedures with respect to the administration of Federal elections, including the maintenance of an elections 

clearinghouse of information on the experiences of State and local governments. From its inception, the EAC has been 

engaged in the collection, aggregation and dissemination of information for the purpose of improving election 

administration in all jurisdictions in the United States. To that end, EAC will make optimal use of the website medium 

and social media, and conduct roundtable discussions, webinars, workshops and symposiums within the election 

community, in order to improve the products and services we make available to our stakeholders. 
EAC continues to work within the established authority to meet statutory obligations and responsibilities. With the 

arrival of new commissioners, EAC will be poised to examine remaining policies and procedures related to 

clearinghouse and communications and public comments regarding the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines and the 

National Mail Voter Registration Form. 

Appendix

Commission Leadership

Chief Operating Officer Alice P. Miller

Alice P. Miller serves as chief operating officer for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), a position she has 

held since June 2008. Ms. Miller oversees the day-to-day operations at EAC in all program areas and serves as EAC’s 

acting executive director, managing a $10 million budget. Since her arrival, Ms. Miller’s leadership role at EAC has 

enabled the agency to serve its mission while integrating policies and procedures aimed at improving efficiency and 

transparency.

Ms. Miller came to EAC after serving as the former general counsel and executive director of the District of Columbia 

Board of Elections and Ethics. As executive director, she served the district’s 340,000 active voters and managed a 

$5.2 million budget. During her 12 years in this role, she was responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of 

elections, from voter registration to ballot access for candidates and measures. She also directed the management of 

voter rolls and supervised the recruitment, training and deployment of 2,500 poll workers.

Prior to her service at EAC, Ms. Miller served in 2003 as president of the National Association of State Election 

Directors (NASED). She also served on two of EAC’s external advisory boards, the Technical Guidelines Development 

Committee (TGDC), which assists EAC in developing the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG), and the EAC 

Standards Board. Before the creation of EAC, Ms. Miller served on the Election Administration Advisory Panel for the 

Federal Election Commission. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Election Center.

Ms. Miller holds a juris doctor degree from Northeastern University School of Law and a bachelor of arts from Boston 

College.
FISCAL YEAR 2014 ACTIVITIES REPORT – EAC BOARD OF ADVISERS LIST

NOTE: On January 25, 2012, the EAC General Counsel/Acting Executive Director issued a Memorandum 

suspending activity by the EAC advisory boards. The following roster from 

Fiscal Year 2012 lists the most recent membership following the suspension.

Appointed by First 

Name

Last

Name

Title City State

Architectural and 

Transportation Barrier 

Compliance Board

Ron Gardner National Federation of the 

Blind of Utah

Bountiful UT

Architectural and 

Transportation Barrier 

Compliance Board

Vacant

Chief, Public Integrity 

Section, Criminal Division, 

U.S. Dept. of Justice

Richard Pilger U.S. Department of Justice, 

Director, Election Crimes 

Branch

Washington DC

Chief, Voting Section, Civil

Division, U.S. Dept. of Justice

Chris Herren Chief, Voting Section Washington DC

Committee on House 

Administration – Ranking 

Member

Stewart Cohen Attorney Philadelphia PA

Committee on House 

Administration – Ranking 

Member

Donald Jones Advocate Willingboro NJ

Committee on House 

Administration – Chair

Keith Cunningham Special Projects Mgr. 

Elections Division, OH

Columbus OH

Committee on House 

Administration – Chair

Jill LaVine Registrar of Voters –

Sacramento County

Sacramento CA

Director, Federal Voting 

Assistance Program, U. S. 

Department of Defense

Robert Carey Director, FVAP Arlington VA

International Association of 

Clerks, Recorders, Election 

Officials and Treasurers

Robert Saar Executive Director, DuPage 

County Election 

Commission

Wheaton IL

International Association of 

Clerks, Recorders, Election 

Officials and Treasurers

Elizabeth 

“Libby”

EnsleyDeiterElection Commissioner Topeka KS

National Association of 

Counties

Helen Purcell Maricopa County Recorder Phoenix AZ

National Association of 

Counties

Wendy Noren Boone County Clerk Columbia MO

National Association of 

County Recorders, Election 

Officials and Clerks

Jan Kralovec Director of Elections, Cook 

County

Chicago IL

National Association of 

County Recorders, Election 

Officials and Clerks

Neal Kelley Registrar of Voters, Orange 

County

Santa Ana CA

National Association of 

Secretaries of State

Mark Ritchie Secretary of State, 

Minnesota

St. Paul MN

National Association of 

Secretaries of State

Beth Chapman Secretary of State, Alabama Montgomery AL

National Association of State 

Election Directors

Christopher Thomas Director of Elections,

State of Michigan

Lansing MI
FISCAL YEAR 2014 ACTIVITIES REPORT – EAC BOARD OF ADVISERS LIST

NOTE: On January 25, 2012, the EAC General Counsel/Acting Executive Director issued a Memorandum 

suspending activity by the EAC advisory boards. The following roster from 

Fiscal Year 2012 lists the most recent membership following the suspension.

Appointed by First 

Name

Last

Name

Title City State

National Association of State 

Election Directors

Linda Lamone Executive Director, MD 

State Board of Elections

Annapolis MD

National Conference of State 

Legislatures

Sue Landske Senator, Indiana State 

Senate

Cedar Lake IN

National Conference of State 

Legislatures

Thomas Reynolds Representative, Mississippi 

State Legislature

Charleston MS

National Governors Assn. Vacant

National Governors Assn. Vacant

Senate Rules & Admn. 

Committee - Ranking Member

Greg Bell Lieutenant Governor, State 

of Utah

Salt Lake City UT

Senate Rules & Admn. 

Committee – Ranking 

Member

Vacant

Senate Rules & Admn. 

Committee - Chair

James Dickson V.P. for Organizing & Civic 

Engagement, American 

Assn. of People with 

Disabilities 

Washington DC

Senate Rules & Admn. 

Committee – Chair

Barbara Bartoletti Legislative Director, League 

of Women’s Voters of NY 

State

N. Greenbush NY

The Election Center Doug Lewis Executive Director Houston TX

The Election Center Ernie Hawkins Chair, Board Of Directors Elk Grove CA

U.S. Commission on Civil 

Rights

Abigail Thernstrom Vice Chair McLean VA

U.S. Commission on Civil 

Rights

Roberta Achtenberg Commissioner San Francisco CA

U.S. House Minority Leader Vacant

U.S. House Speaker Tom Fuentes The Claremont Institute Lake Forest CA

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Dr. Barbara Simmons Researcher, Assn. for 

Computing Machinery

San Francisco CA

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Sarah Ball Johnson Executive Director, KY 

Board Of Elections

Frankfort KY

United States Conference of 

Mayors

Vacant

United States Conference of 

Mayors

Vacant
Fiscal Year 2014 Activities Report – EAC Standards Board Roster

NOTE: On January 25, 2012, the EAC General Counsel/Acting Executive Director issued a Memorandum 

suspending activity by the EAC advisory boards. The following roster from Fiscal Year 2012

lists the most recent membership following the suspension.

State Designee First Last Title City Stat

e

Alabama State Beth Chapman Secretary of State Montgomery AL

Alabama Local VACANT AL

Alaska State Gail Fenumiai Director, Division of Elections Juneau AK

Alaska Local Shelly Growden Election Systems Manager Fairbanks AK

American 

Samoa

State Soliai T. Fuimaono Chief Election Officer Pago Pago AS

American 

Samoa

Local Vaitoelau Filiga Deputy Director Pago Pago AS

Arizona State Amy Bjelland Deputy Secretary of State Phoenix AZ

Arizona Local Reynaldo Valenzuela Assistant Director of Elections Phoenix AZ

Arkansas State AJ Kelly Deputy Secretary of State Little Rock AR

Arkansas Local VACANT AR

California State Lowell Finley Deputy Secretary of State Sacramento CA

California Local Neal Kelley Orange County Registrar of 

Voters

San Diego CA

Colorado State Wayne Munster Deputy Elections Director Denver CO

Colorado Local Gilbert Ortiz Pueblo County Clerk and 

Recorder

Pueblo CO

Connecticut State Peggy Reeves Assistant to Secretary of State for 

Elections, Legislation and 

Intergovernmental Affairs

Hartford CT

Connecticut Local Anthony Esposito Hamden Republican Registrar of 

Voters

Hamden CT

Delaware State Elaine Manlove Commissioner of Elections Dover DE

Delaware Local Howard 

G.

Sholl, Jr. Deputy Administrative Director Wilmington DE

District of 

Columbia

State VACANT Washington DC

District of 

Columbia

Local VACANT

Florida State VACANT FL

Florida Local Lori Edwards Polk County Supervisor of 

Elections

Bartow FL

Georgia State Tim Fleming Assistant Director of Elections 

Division

Atlanta GA

Georgia Local Lynn Bailey Executive Director Augusta GA

Guam State Gerald A. Taitano Executive Director Hagatna GU

Guam Local VACANT GU

Hawaii State Judy Gold Precinct Operations Section 

Head

Honolulu HI

Hawaii Local Lyndon Yoshioka Kaua’i County Election 

Administrator

Lihu’e HI

Idaho State Timothy 

A.

Hurst Chief Deputy Coeur d'Alene ID

Idaho Local Patty Weeks Nez Perce County Clerk Lewiston ID
Illinois State Becky Glazier Assistant to Executive Director Springfield IL

Illinois Local Lance Gough ED, Chicago Bd of Election 

Comm

Chicago IL

Indiana State Brad King Co-Director, Indiana Election 

Division

Indianapolis IN

Indiana Local Fran Satterwhite Scott County Circuit Court Clerk Scottsburg IN

Iowa State Sarah Reisetter Director of Elections Des Moines IA

Iowa Local Ben Steines Winneshiek County Auditor & 

Commissioner of Elections

Decorah IA

Kansas State Bryan Caskey Assistant State Election Director Topeka KS

Kansas Local Donald Merriman Saline County Clerk Saline KS

Kentucky State VACANT KY

Kentucky Local Kevin Mooney Bullitt County Clerk Shepherdsville KY

Louisiana State Angie Rogers Louisiana Commissioner of 

Elections

Baton Rouge LA

Louisiana Local H. Lynn Jones, II Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court Lake Charles LA

Maine State Julie L. Flynn Deputy Secretary of State Augusta ME

Maine Local Lucette Pellerin City Clerk Saco ME

Maryland State Nikki 

Baines

Trella Election Reform Director Annapolis MD

Maryland Local Katie Brown Election Director, Baltimore 

County Board of Elections

Catonsville MD

Massachusett

s

State William F. Galvin Secretary of the Commonwealth Boston MA

Massachusett

s

Local John McGarry Executive Director, Election 

Commission

Brockton MA

Michigan State Sally Williams Manager, Elections Support 

Section

Lansing MI

Michigan Local Janet Roncelli Bloomfield Township Clerk Bloomfield 

Hills

MI

Minnesota State Gary Poser Director of Elections St. Paul MN

Minnesota Local Sharon K. Anderson Cass County Auditor-Treasurer Walker MN

Mississippi State Heath Hillman Assistant Secretary of State –

Elections

Jackson MS

Mississippi Local Robert Harrell Circuit Clerk, Clay County West Point MS

Missouri State Leslye Winslow Senior Counsel to Secretary of 

State

Jefferson City MO

Missouri Local Richard 

T.

Struckhoff Greene County Clerk Springfield MO

Montana State Jorge Quintana Chief Legal Counsel Helena MT 

Montana Local Charlotte Mills Gallatin County Clerk and 

Recorder

Bozeman MT 

Nebraska State John Gale Secretary of State Lincoln NE

Nebraska Local David Dowling Cedar County Clerk & Election 

Commissioner

Hartington NE

Nevada State Scott Gilles Deputy Secretary of State for 

Elections

Carson City NV

Nevada Local Harvard 

L.

Lomax Clark County Registrar of Voters North Las 

Vegas

NV

New 

Hampshire

State Anthony Stevens Assistant Secretary of State Concord NH

New 

Hampshire

Local Robert Dezmelyk Moderator, Town of Newton Newton NH
New Jersey State Robert Giles Director Trenton NJ

New Jersey Local Linda Von Nessi Clerk of the Board Newark NJ

New Mexico State Bobbi Shearer Bureau of Elections Director Santa Fe NM

New Mexico Local Lynn Ellins Dona Ana County Clerk Las Cruces NM

New York State Robert Brehm Co-Executive Director/Chief 

Election Official

Albany NY

New York Local Robert Howe Cortland County Commissioner Cortland NY

North 

Carolina

State Gary Bartlett Executive Director, State Board 

of Elections

Raleigh NC

North 

Carolina

Local Deborah 

J.

Bedford Director of Elections Rutherford NC

North Dakota State James Silrum Deputy Secretary of State Bismarck ND

North Dakota Local Michael 

M.

Montplaisir Cass County Auditor Fargo ND

Ohio State Matt Masterson Deputy Elections Administrator Columbus OH

Ohio Local Steven Harsman Director, Montgomery County 

Board of Elections

Dayton OH

Oklahoma State Thomas Prince Chairman, State Election Board Edmond OK

Oklahoma Local Doug Sanderson Secretary, Oklahoma County 

Election Board

Oklahoma City OK

Oregon State Steve Trout Director Salem OR

Oregon Local Tamara Green Baker County Clerk Baker City OR

Pennsylvania State VACANT PA

Pennsylvania Local VACANT PA

Puerto Rico State María D. Santiago 

Rodríguez

First Vice President San Juan PR

Puerto Rico Local Nestor J. Colόn 

Berlingeri

Second Vice President San Juan PR

Rhode Island State Robert Kando Executive Director, State Board 

of Elections

Providence RI

Rhode Island Local VACANT RI

South 

Carolina

State Marci Andino Executive Director Columbia SC

South 

Carolina

Local Edith Redden Director, Williamsburg County 

Voter Registration

Kingstree SC

South Dakota State Aaron Lorenzen Director of Elections Pierre SD

South Dakota Local Patty McGee Sully County Auditor Onida SD

Tennessee State Mark Goins State Coordinator of Elections Nashville TN

Tennessee Local Marshall McKamey Campbell County Election 

Commissioner

LaFollette TN

Texas State Paul Miles Senior Attorney/Voting System 

Examiner

Austin TX

Texas Local Dana DeBeauvoir Travis County Clerk Austin TX

Utah State Mark Thomas Director of Elections Salt Lake City UT

Utah Local Robert Pero Carbon County Clerk Price UT

Vermont State Kathleen Scheele Director of Elections Montpelier VT

Vermont Local Melissa Ross Hinesburg Town Clerk Hinesburg VT

Virgin Islands State John Abramson, 

Jr.

Supervisor of Elections Kingshill, St. 

Croix

VI

Virgin Islands Local Corinne Halyard 

Plaskett

Deputy Supervisor of Elections Kingshill, St. 

Croix

VI
Virginia State Don Palmer Secretary, Virginia State Board of 

Elections

Richmond VA 

Virginia Local Renee Andrews Secretary, City of Falls Church 

Electoral Board

Falls Church VA 

Washington State Shane Hamlin Co-Director of Elections Olympia WA

Washington Local Kristina Swanson Cowlitz County Auditor Kelso WA

West Virginia State Layna ValentineBrownHAVA Coordinator Charleston WV

West Virginia Local Jeff Waybright Jackson County Clerk Ripley WV

Wisconsin State Nathaniel Robinson Election Division Administrator Madison WI

Wisconsin Local Sandra L. Wesolowski Franklin County Clerk Franklin WI

Wyoming State Peggy Nighswonger State Election Director Cheyenne WY

Wyoming Local Julie Freese Fremont County Clerk Lander WY
Fiscal Year 2014 Activities Report

Technical Guidelines Development Committee List

NOTE: On January 25, 2012, the EAC General Counsel/Acting Executive Director issued 

a Memorandum suspending activity by the EAC advisory boards. The following roster 

from Fiscal Year 2012 lists the most recent membership following the suspension.

Appointed by First Last Title City State

Director of NIST Dr. Patrick Gallagher Committee Chair, Deputy Secretary of 

Commerce and Director of the National 

Institute of Standards and Technology

Gaithersburg MD

Standards Board Donald Palmer Secretary of Elections, Commonwealth of 

Virginia

Richmond VA

Standards Board Don Merriman Saline (KS) County Clerk and Election 

Officer

Salina KS

Board of 

Advisors

Linda Lamone Maryland Administrator of Elections Annapolis MD

Board of 

Advisors

Helen Purcell Recorder, Maricopa County Arizona Phoenix AZ

Access Board VACANT

Access Board Philip Jenkins Accessibility Consultant, Business 

Development Consultant and Senior 

Engineer, IBM Human Ability and 

Accessibility Center

Austin TX

ANSI Dr. David Wagner Professor, University of California -

Berkeley

Berkeley CA

IEEE VACANT

NASED VACANT

NASED Matt Masterson Deputy Election Administrator, Office of 

the Ohio Secretary of State

Columbus OH

Other Tech/Sci Dr. Steven Bellovin Professor of Computer Science, Columbia, 

University

New York NY

Other Tech/Sci Dr. Diane 

Cordry

Golden Program Coordinator, Association of 

Assistive Technology Act Programs

Grain Valley MO

Other Tech/Sci Dr. 

Douglas

Jones Associate Professor, Department of 

Computer Science, University of Iowa

Iowa City IA

Other Tech/Sci Edwin Smith, III Vice President, Compliance and 

Certification, Dominion Voting Systems

Longmont CO

Access Board = Architectural and Transportation Barrier Compliance Board
A complete list of voting systems certified by the EAC can be accessed at: 

http://www.eac.gov/testing_and_certification/certified_voting_systems.aspx

Systems Under Test Highlighted box indicates current phase of test 

campaign

Voting System 

Name VSTL Manuf Application Accepted

PreTest 

Plan

Test 

Plan Testing Test Report

Final 

Certification 

Process

eLect Voting 

Solution 4.0 SLI Global Everyone Counts 06/10/2014

Verity Voting 1.0 SLI Global Hart 12/17/2012

EMS Ver. 4.1 

(Modification) NTS MicroVote 03/07/2014
U. S. Election Assistance Commission

1335 East-West Highway

Suite 4300

Silver Spring MD 20910-3225

www.eac.gov