U.S. Election Assistance Commission

Voting System Security Measures

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.

At the federal level, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) sets voluntary standards for

states to follow in several key areas of election administration, including voting systems. The

purpose of the EAC’s national voluntary voting system certification program is to independently

verify that voting systems comply with the functional capabilities, accessibility, and security

requirements necessary to ensure the integrity and reliability of the systems. 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 ensures their laws and procedures are

strictly followed. Some states may require election officials to use EAC-certified voting systems or

systems tested and certified by the state. To find information about the rules in your state, visit:

https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state.

Over 10,000 election officials directly oversee the voting process in their states and communities.

Election officials use standard operating procedures to ensure the accuracy of the election.

Common procedures include:

Purchasing tested and certified voting systems.

Programming all devices according to local laws and regulations.

Testing the accuracy of voting equipment before elections and allowing the public to attend.

Conducting elections with bipartisan poll workers and observers.

Verifying the total number of voted ballots matches the total number of voters.

Auditing the ballots to ensure that the voting equipment counted votes accurately.

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

teams).

Maintaining physical security access controls.

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

systems through an election cycle. Every state and local jurisdiction has its own controls for

ensuring the integrity of elections. Security measures may vary based on state law and the voting

system in use in the jurisdiction.

EAC | Helping America Vote
Voting System Security Measures

Election officials design ballots on a dedicated computer used to program other pieces of voting

equipment (touchscreen voting devices and ballot scanners). The same computer may also compile

election results after the polls close on election night.

Best practices election officials use to secure the computer include:

Keeping it in a location with restricted access (locks with documented

entry, key card systems) and video surveillance

Never connecting it to the internet or other external network

Providing users unique logins, strong passwords, and access to the

minimum functions needed to perform their duties

Routinely reviewing audit logs of all users who log onto the

computer and actions they perform

Validating the computer’s software has not been modified

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teams of two individuals (preferably bipartisan) program the voting

equipment with USB or other storage devices only used for data

transfer (equipment may include touchscreen voting devices, precinct

scanners, and central scanners)

After the voting equipment is programmed, election officials affix tamperevident seals to the equipment

Access to equipment is restricted and it is stored in an area with locked or key card only access

or in locked and sealed containers with video surveillance

Election officials document the movement and control of equipment, who accessed the

equipment, and seal and location information throughout its lifecycle

Every piece of voting equipment is tracked separately
Voting System Security Measures

Teams of two individuals (preferably bipartisan) verify chain of custody

information and tamper-evident seals on each piece of voting

equipment being tested

Testing includes:

Verifying the correct election version is loaded

Voting a pattern that ensures all ballots are properly read

Verifying tabulated results match the expected outcome of the test

Uploading results to the central tabulation computer and verifying compiled results from all

tested equipment

Clearing test results and preparing equipment for voting

Replacing tamper-evident seals (as necessary) and returning equipment to secured storage for

deployment

Documenting testing outcomes and chain of custody, including who performed the testing,

whether the piece passed, seal information, and storage location

Poll workers are trained to:

Conduct activities in teams of two individuals (preferably bipartisan)

Verify and maintain the chain of custody for voting equipment, including

checking seal information and verifying equipment contains zero votes at

the opening of polls

Remind voters to verify their ballot choices before casting their vote (for

example, instructing voters to review their paper ballot before casting it)

Monitor equipment continuously throughout voting hours

Document any issues that arise

Teams of two individuals (minimum, preferably bipartisan):

Verify seal information and document possession of

equipment

Transport equipment along predetermined routes

Maintain chain of custody documenting who moved the

equipment, where, and when

Once the equipment is delivered, it remains locked and sealed

until poll workers arrive to open the voting location
Voting System Security Measures

Before polls open – poll workers:

Verify seals and locks on every piece of voting equipment and look for

evidence of tampering

Turn on the equipment and verify no ballots have been cast before

voters can use the equipment

Document who completed the verification and handled the equipment

startup

Throughout the day:

Most votes are cast with a paper record (ballots), which are kept in

locked containers with tamper-evident seals to maintain integrity for

post-election audits or recounts

Poll workers track who has voted in poll books to prevent voting by

unauthorized persons or double voting

Voting equipment shows how many ballots have been processed on

each machine, which poll workers periodically compare to the number

of voters checked in

Close of polls:

Poll workers account for all ballots and compare the number of ballots

processed to the voters who checked in to vote

Paper ballots and storage devices containing vote counts are placed in

secured containers with tamper-evident seals and returned to the

elections office

Voting equipment is shut down, locked, and secured with tamperevident seals

Unofficial election results are shared on election night from a secure

location that limits public access, while allowing people to observe the

counting process

Back-ups of election results are run on a regular schedule, so that data can

be recovered quickly and restored if needed

Computer networks are monitored looking for signs of irregularities to

prevent tampering with election results reporting websites

For more information on securing election results reporting, see the EAC’s

Checklist for Securing Election Night Results Reporting
Voting System Security Measures

At least two people (poll workers or separate delivery crew) return voting

equipment and materials to the elections office and document the chain of

custody

Election officials verify that the equipment was safeguarded during transport,

return the equipment to secured storage, and complete the chain of custody

Canvass Boards or teams of election officials review documented issues

and chain of custody for equipment and ballots

Election officials verify that results include all eligible ballots and that the

voters checked in matches the number of ballots cast

Unofficial election night results may change during the canvass

process. The EAC’s Election Results, Canvass, and Certification

website includes several resources with information on how

unofficial election results are canvassed and certified.

Election officials use a variety of methods to audit elections and

procedures to ensure that the results are accurate

Audits are typically open to the public to observe the process

Two or more people remain with ballots in every step of the process

Auditors document every step to ensure audit procedures were strictly

followed

The results of the audit are available for the public to view

After the audit, all ballots are resealed and returned to the secured

storage location

*Audits may take place before or after the official canvass and certification depending on the state.
Voting System Security Measures

Storage facilities are secured with:

Locks with keys issued to a limited number of election officials

Minimum of two persons (preferably bipartisan) to enter facilities

Entry and exit tracking - may be logged automatically with key card

access or manually with strictly enforced sign in/sign out policies

Strictly enforced logging policies for any equipment accessed

Cameras to deter unauthorized access and provide a record of who

accessed the location

For offices without separate, secured storage facilities, election officials use secured storage

containers or racks and secure them with:

Locks and tamper-evident seals

Minimum of two persons (preferably bipartisan) to access a container

Cameras monitoring the area housing the containers or racks

Strictly enforced logging policies requiring teams who access a container or rack to record

when seals are broken and replaced on storage containers with the date, time, and detailed

reason why it was accessed

Federal election materials are kept for a minimum of 22 months per federal law and many states

retain materials for longer per state law

What can you do to help ensure the integrity of elections?

Be a poll worker – Elections rely on hundreds of thousands of poll workers,

who volunteer in their communities to oversee the voting process on

Election Day. Volunteer to strengthen our democracy and ensure free and

fair elections. To learn more visit: https://www.eac.gov/help-america-vote.

 

Ask election officials – Elections are administered by state and local

officials who are trusted sources of election information. Voting laws and

procedures are different from state to state and what you see online is not

always true. Election officials are ready to answer any questions you have.

Election websites may also provide answers to frequently asked questions.

The last line of defense in election security is you - the American voter. Be

a smart consumer and sharer of information.

Observe elections – Voting equipment testing, election night tabulation,

official canvass, audits, and recounts are frequently open for public

observation. Observe and see for yourself how election officials safeguard

the voting process and verify the integrity of election results.

EAC | Helping America Vote