[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 68 (Friday, April 9, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 18189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-8150]


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ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION


Notice: Request for Substantive Comments on the EAC's Procedural 
Manual for the Election Assistance Commission's Pilot Voting System 
Testing and Certification Program Manual

AGENCY: United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

ACTION: Notice; Request for Substantive Comments.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is publishing a 
procedural manual for its Pilot Voting System Testing and Certification 
Program Manual for a fifteen day public comment period. This program 
sets the administrative procedures for manufacturers seeking 
certification of pilot voting systems to be used in a federal election.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background. HAVA requires that the EAC certify and decertify voting 
systems through testing conducted by accredited laboratories. Section 
231(a)(1) of HAVA (42 U.S.C. 15371) specifically requires the EAC to 
``* * * provide for the testing, certification, decertification and 
recertification of voting system hardware and software by accredited 
laboratories.'' To meet this obligation, the EAC has created a 
voluntary program to test pilot voting systems to a set of voluntary 
pilot certification requirements. The Pilot Testing Certification 
Program manual sets the procedures for the pilot voting system 
manufacturers to follow in order to receive certification for their 
system to be used in a pilot project for a state or local jurisdiction 
that require EAC certification.
    The Pilot Voting System Testing and Certification program manual 
contains program requirements and procedures for the following areas:
    1. Voting system manufacturer registration.
    2. When voting system intended for use in a pilot must be submitted 
for certification.
    3. Certification Testing, Technical Review and Grant of 
Certification for Pilot Voting Systems.
    4. Denial of Certification.
    5. Pilot Program Monitoring and Reporting.
    6. Requests for Interpretations.
    7. Release of Certification Program Information.
    Substantive Comments: The EAC seeks substantive comments from the 
public on its proposed procedural manual. Please submit comments 
consistent with the information below. Comments should identify and 
cite the section of the manual at issue. Where a substantive issue is 
raised, please propose a recommended change or alternative policy. All 
comments submitted will be published at the end of the comment period 
on the EAC's Web site at http://www.eac.gov. This publication and 
request for comment is not required under the rulemaking, adjudicative, 
or licensing provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). It 
is a voluntary effort by the EAC to gather input from the public on the 
EAC's administrative procedures for certifying voting systems to be 
used in pilot projects. Furthermore, this request by the EAC for public 
comment is not intended to make any of the APA's rulemaking provisions 
applicable to development of this or future EAC procedural programs. 
However, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, a 
separate notice will be published on the Federal Register to request 
comments regarding the burden of responding to the information 
collection activities of the proposed manual; please refer to the EAC's 
Web site, http://www.eac.gov, for further information about the 
submission of comments regarding burden.

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on this draft procedural 
manual on or before 5 p.m. EDT on April 26, 2010.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Masterson, Deputy Director, 
Testing and Certification Program 1201 New York Avenue, Suite 300, 
Washington, DC, (202) 566-3100, Fax: (202) 566-1392.

Alice Miller,
Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
[FR Doc. 2010-8150 Filed 4-8-10; 8:45 am]
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