[CAVO] EAC / DOD -- Points of focus

[David RR Webber (XML)]

Considerations for Voting Systems implementation

1. Open Source ( GPL ) 

The solution source code is provided in an open public repository and
published using the GPL3 license that together provides the highest
level of integrity and transparency. Also the implementation
architecture uses open source based system components for the operating
system, middleware and database infrastructure giving the maximum
flexibility to adoption and delivery. Further more the security
infrastructure is using open source solutions that provide community
support along with transparency and open support and verification.

2. Uniformity (  Voting systems / election management systems / voter
file systems ) 

Where solutions are from a diverse set of providers the lack of
consistent standards dramatically inhibits the capabilities to support
accurate auditing and verification in the ballot processing. Also voters
experience widely differing levels of service at the ballot stations.
Integration costs and deployment impact election authorities budgets and
resources adversely and ultimately tax payers absorb the costs.

3. Accessibility ( Prime III - All 4 one / Smartphone voting ) 

Voting kiosks need to provide support for a range of voters including
provision for special needs voting without prohibitive cost penalties.
By pooling resources toward shared delivery solutions the overall cost
can be managed while also ensuring high quality. Leveraging
off-the-shelf components also enhances reliability and long term support
and delivery.

4. Voter confidence - ability to verify vote tally 

Independent auditing is a key need providing the means to support an
open verification process and ensure that cast ballots are correctly
tabulated as cast and intended. Also that only ballots cast are
tabulated.  Too often there is zero transparency in vote tabulation and
ability to reference back to precincts to verify tallying and
particularly in digital-only solutions. 

5. Universal Registration

Citizens expect that the voter registration process and renewal services
should be delivered with maximum ease and minimum burden to citizens.
Also that individual privacy be protected so that election directories
are not compromised or accessible to third parties without adequate
controls and security management. Exchange of information between
election jurisdictions should also be enabled (e.g. States and Counties)
to support verification of entitlement for voters.

6. Open Standards for elections data recording

Elections processing should use open public standards (such as OASIS
Election Management Language - EML) specifications. This ensures that
all information within the election system can be independently audited
and verified and that processing conforms to the highest design levels
that have been peer reviewed and authenticated. It also creates an open
market place where solution providers can build to a common set of best
practices.