Conformity Magazine - June 2008 - (Page 25)

lot has changed in voting system certification since the 2000 presidential election. Those changes have now come to the place where more of the same will start doing more harm than good. Fundamental and needed changes in how voting systems are tested, certified and safeguarded have been made in the past 8 years. However, further improvements in total election accuracy, security, reliability and usability will require new approaches. Part 1 of this article will look at the changes that have been made, and where the U.S. system for certifying voting systems stands today. It will then analyze the benefits that have been brought, but also the negative unintended consequences that will be brought about by simply doing more of the same. To gain further improvements in elections new approaches are needed to retain the benefits gained so far and take the system to the next level of accuracy and security. Part 2 of this article will explore the most promising new approaches that could further extend the benefits achieved so far. Changes in Voting System Certification Since 2000 In response to the problems experienced in the 2000 presidential election, a lot of changes have been made in how voting systems are certified and elections administered. A new federal agency, the Election Assistance Commission, has been A created. New standards have been developed. A new system of laboratory accreditation has been put in place. Individual states have responded with a wide variety of initiatives. Some states have made major changes in how elections are administered. Creation of the EAC One of the biggest changes is the creation of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). For the first time the federal government has taken responsibility for certifying voting equipment. Before Congress created the EAC, through the Help American Vote Act, voting equipment was certified on the national level by the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED), a non-profit organization. Approximately 40 states participated voluntarily in the program. In the Help America Vote Act, Congress not only created the EAC but created a set of requirements for voting equipment. It also charged the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support the EAC in creating technical specifications for voting equipment. This was the first time the federal government officially became involved in the equipment certification, although the Federal Election Commission (FEC) had worked very closely with NASED in its certification program for many years. 901 Sheldon Dr., RTP (Cary), NC 27513 USA JUnE 2008 Conformity 25 http://www.productsafet.com http://www.productsafet.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Conformity - June 2008

Conformity - June 2008 Contents Editor's Note 700 MHz Auction Raises a Record $20 Billion FCC Modifies PCS and AWS Power Limit Rules for Broadband Wireless Commission Designates Spectrum Test Bed FCC Releases Report on Wireless Competition Commission Proposes $5 Million Fine for Slamming Using EDX for Non-Destructive Detection of Lead in Consumer Products ESD Open Forum Challenges in Testing - Improving Election Security and Accuracy Part 1 Challenges in Testing - Human Body Model: The Hidden Challenges High-Speed Signal Integrity Considerations for ESD Components Focus On...EMC Components Buyer's Guide FCC Levies $2.6 Million Fine for Junk Faxes FDA Updates Guidance on its Product Review Process EU Issues Updated Energy Star Regulations EU Repeals Directive on Veterinary Electro-Medical Equipment New Product Announcements Updated Standards List for the EU's PPE Directive CPSC Announces New Effort to Keep Out Hazardous Products CPSC Actions in the News IEC Standards Update UL Standards Update Product Reviews Telcordia Standards Update From Our "You Can't Make This Stuff Up" Department Looking Back: Items from Past Issues of Conformity Advertisers

Conformity - June 2008

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