[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78009-78010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25054]


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ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION


Request for Comment: Voluntary Electronic Poll Book Requirements 
Version 1.0

AGENCY: U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

ACTION: Notice, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is publishing 
Version 1.0 of the Voluntary Electronic Poll Book Requirements (VEPBR 
v1.0) for public comment. The intent of the VEPBR v1.0 is to improve 
the functionality, security, and accessibility of electronic poll books 
used in Federal elections. The VEPBR v1.0 establishes baseline 
requirements for electronic poll book manufacturers to receive 
certification through the EAC's Election Supporting Technology 
Evaluation Program (ESTEP). This version replaces the draft version 
(0.9) utilized during the EAC's Voluntary Electronic Poll Book Pilot 
Program in 2021-2023. Participation in this program is voluntary.

DATES: Comments must be received by 5 p.m. eastern on Thursday, 
December 14, 2023.

ADDRESSES: To view the VEPBR v1.0, see: https://www.eac.gov/voting-equipment/Election_Supporting_Technology_Evaluation_Program. Comments 
on the proposed VEPBR v1.0 should be submitted electronically via 
https://www.regulations.gov (docket IDs: EAC-2023-0005). Written 
comments on the proposed document can also be sent to the U.S. Election 
Assistance Commission, 633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 
20001, Attn: Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Beatrice, Election 
Technology Specialist, Election Supporting Technology Evaluation 
Program, Washington, DC, (202) 748-2298. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Purpose: Under the authority of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(HAVA), the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) developed the 
Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program (ESTEP). This Program 
establishes a protocol for testing critical election-supporting 
technologies to ensure their conformance with baseline Federal 
standards for security and accessibility. While participation in this 
Program is voluntary, EAC certification benefits the public and wider 
election technology field by supporting State and local election 
officials, increasing quality control and quality assurance of 
election-supporting technologies, and increasing voter confidence in 
the use of these systems.
    The VEPBR v1.0 will be used primarily by electronic poll book 
system manufacturers and Voting System Test Laboratories (VSTLs) as a 
baseline set of requirements for electronic poll book system security 
and accessibility to which States or Territories will add

[[Page 78010]]

their specific requirements, as necessary. Manufacturers will use these 
requirements when they design and build new e-poll book systems. VSTLs 
will refer to this document when they develop test plans for the 
analysis and testing of e-poll book systems to verify whether the 
system meets these requirements. States and Territories may utilize 
these requirements as a baseline and include additional requirements, 
as deemed necessary by their legislation or other regulations.
    Public Comments: Please note that comments submitted in response to 
this Notice are public record. Before including any detailed personal 
information, you should be aware that your submitted comments, 
including your personal information, will be available for public 
review.
    Respondents: Election Supporting Technology Manufacturers, Voting 
System Test Laboratories, State and Local Election Officials.

Camden Kelliher,
Deputy General Counsel, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
[FR Doc. 2023-25054 Filed 11-13-23; 8:45 am]
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