The Election Technology Council is a 501(c)6 trade association consisting of voting technology providers in the United States. The current membership of the Council represents the voting system platforms for 90% of the registered voters in the U.S.

The primary mission of the ETC is to serve as a resource for the public, election officials, and legislators to dispel mythologies regarding voting technology and to help maintain a healthy marketplace for the industry.

ETC Highlights Ongoing Areas of Improvement for EAC Certification Program

October 1, 2009 - On September 1st, the ETC transmitted correspondence to the EAC highlighting ongoing areas of concern with the long-term viability of the federal certification program. Many of the ETC's predictions on the health of the industry have come true recently so it is important to review these recommendations as they provide valuable suggestions in moving forward. The recommendations to the EAC include:

1.  Incorporate Consensus Modeling in Standards Development:  Voting system standards should be adopted that are effective, but are not divergent from market realities.  No one is served if the standards created are unreachable or result in product pricing that is not affordable. 

2.  Establish Performance Benchmarks for All Parties in EAC Certification Program:

Performance benchmarks would create a clearly defined path of accountability and transparency for all parties, including manufacturers, test laboratories and the EAC.  In turn, this would help educate our customers on the reasonable expectations associated with the estimated time for completion of certification.

3. Stagger Implementation of New Voting System Standards: Voting system standards should be staggered for implementation over a minimum of five years. 

4. Implement Standards for Certification After Uniform Test Scripts Are Established: T he lack of uniform test scripts at the start of the EAC certification process can best be identified as one of the contributors to certification delays.  Moving forward, no standards should be opened for certification and testing purposes until uniform test scripts are adopted.

5. Recognize State Driven Testing by Accredited VSTLs:  While there have been tremendous improvements with the EAC certification program, the industry is currently experiencing additional costs in the form of redundant testing done at the state level for compliance with state certification requirements.  The EAC should move to recognize the work of accredited laboratories already completed for state certification as a means of reducing costs to local election officials.

6. Examine Risks Associated with Sunset of Previous Standards:  Lastly, the EAC should examine the potential consequences of its actions when deciding to sunset older voting system standards to make sure these decisions do not inadvertently affect the states. 

To download a full copy of the letter to the EAC, click here.

These recommendations, if adopted, would lead to a stronger certification program and one that recognizes the voluntary framework for federal certification based on current law.  These policies would also lead to greater flexibility for state and local election officials while minimizing additional product costs at a time in which local budgets are suffering.

Remarks to IACREOT Annual Conference Address Sustainability of EAC Program

July 9, 2009 - The ETC Executive Director participated in a panel discussion hosted by the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers (IACREOT) at their annual conference in Spokane, Washington. 

Including the EAC Interim Certification program, our nation's election officials have experienced a period of three years without product upgrades.  In light of these developments, the ETC Executive Director highlighted the cumulative negative impact to the voting system industry since the launch of the EAC Certification program.  Included among these negative conditions:

        -higher prices as a result of higher certification costs

        -longer periods between scheduled upgrades to offset increases in certification costs   

        -significant pressures on the long-term viability of voting system manufacturers

David Beirne, ETC Executive Director, summarized the industry conditions as follows:  "Unlike other industries, the voting system industry is participating in a voluntary certification program that is not recognized for its true impact as a de facto requirement for operating in the market.  Unfortunately, this lack of recognition combined with an absence of transition funding, means that our nation's election officials and taxpayers will be the one's to incur the cost of certification in the form of higher prices."

For a copy of the ETC Executive Director's Remarks to IACREOT, click here.

Election Technology Council Issues Report Examining Open Source Voting

Report points to the current regulatory process for voting technology as an obstacle for viability of open source products

April 14, 2009 - The Election Technology Council (ETC), an industry trade association representing providers for over 90% of the voting systems used in the United States, today issued a report examining the viability of open source software products for voting.  The report, entitled, “Open Source:  Understanding its Application in the Voting Industry” reveals the need for policymakers to continue treating proprietary and open source products as separate and distinct.  David Beirne, the ETC Executive Director, had this to say regarding the report’s findings, “Given the unique management structures and contrasting challenges between a commercial and an open source software product, the most prudent course of action for state and federal policymakers is to recognize each option for its uniqueness and avoid mandating policies that could be perceived as instituting unfair trade practices.”

    To read the full press release, click here.

    To download the full report on Open Source click here.

Election Technology Council Executive Director Addresses NACRC Legislative Conference Attendees

March 8, 2009 – In response to the question, "Is It Time To Go Shopping?", the ETC Executive Director addressed the attendees at the 2009 NACRC Legislative Conference. The overall theme addressed by the ETC was the need for a longer view on the voting industry and the need to understand that the current products submitted for EAC certification will be the products in place for a number of years.  For those election officials looking to purchase new systems, they should realize that the industry remains in a linear progression and holding out for the "latest and greatest" technologies in today's market will only lead to more frustrations.  To read the full text of the Executive Director's remarks, click here.

Election Technology Council Outlines Six Reform Proposals for the EAC Voting System Certification Program

January 6, 2009 –Last week the Election Technology Council participated in a panel discussion at the Joint Election Officials Liaison Committee (JEOLC) meeting in Washington, DC.  The panel discussion highlighted the current challenges associated with the certification program administered by the United States Election Assistance Commission.  Six proposals for reform of the program were highlighted by the ETC Executive Director...click here for the Executive Director's remarks.

Election Technology Council Announces New Leadership for 2009

January 6, 2009 –The Election Technology Council (ETC), a national trade association representing providers of voting system technology hardware products, software and services to support the electoral process, recently appointed its new Chair and Executive Officers. 

The new Chair of the ETC is Ian Piper, Compliance Officer for Premier Election Solutions, and Vice-Chair is John Groh, Senior Vice President of Election Systems and Software.  Marcus MacNeill, Vice President of Marketing for Hart InterCivic will continue to serve as Treasurer for the Council.  The outgoing Chair is Michelle Shafer, Vice President of Communications and External Affairs for Sequoia Voting Systems.

Ian Piper, the incoming ETC Chair summarized the upcoming year for the Council this way, “Now that the 2008 General Election is behind us and was deemed to be a success in its implementation, we as an industry must continue to address our common concerns as we confront very real challenges associated with operating in this marketplace.”  Mr. Piper added, “There is a tremendous value and role for industry to play as a partner in the election process and so our work continues to educate others on how best to balance the interests of the public, remain responsive as an industry to the needs of our customers, and maintain a healthy marketplace.”

The ETC Board of Directors also applauded the leadership of Michelle Shafer as the outgoing Chairperson for the energy and effort she put forth to lead the Council during its transition to a formal trade association.

Election Technology Council Submits Its Assessment of the 2008 Election to the United States Election Assistance Commission

December 11, 2008 – The United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC) provided an opportunity for public testimony on the overall performance surrounding the 2008 General Election.  To view a copy of the formal letter to the EAC, click here.

Press Release-VOTEC Corporation Joins the ETC

Associate member status signals expansion of industry trade association’s core efforts.

November 14, 2008-The VOTEC Corporation, a San Diego based provider of election management solutions and electronic pollbooks, has joined the Election Technology Council (ETC) as an Associate member.  “VOTEC’s membership signals the growth of the ETC as a collective voice for the entire election industry.  The ETC is committed to serving as a voice for all industry providers to make sure that a marketplace continues to function properly and rewards ingenuity,” said David Beirne, Executive Director of the Election Technology Council.

“VOTEC is pleased to participate fully as an Associate member in the Election Technology Council to relay our customers’ concerns to interested parties and to promote attention to the long term viability of election product providers as valuable members of the community,” said John Medcalf, VOTEC CEO.

The ETC established an Associate member classification for those industry providers who are not currently subject to federal certification, but share a common interest in lowering economic barriers for current and new industry participants.  The Associate member classification is in direct response to early signals that electronic pollbooks and other products are increasingly being examined for entry into the federal and state regulatory environment. 

“We are very pleased to welcome VOTEC to our industry trade association and look forward to their many contributions to our ongoing efforts in the election community,” added Michelle Shafer, the ETC’s Chairwoman. “We view the expansion of our organization as a testament to the many strides our association has made since its inception in 2003, and especially during the last 18 months of increased attention to voting technology.”

Press Release-Election Technology Council Issues Tips for the Nation's Voters

October 29, 2008 – With less than a week to go before Election Day, the leading voting system providers urge the nation's voters to take a few key steps to prepare for casting their ballots.  The Election Technology Council, through its members, is committed to serving as a responsible partner in the conduct of federal, state, and local elections. View the full press release here.

National Archives Hosts Panel Discussion on "Technology, Elections and Electronic Voting"

October 17, 2008 – The National Archives as part of the William McGowan Forum Series hosted a panel discussion on technology, elections, and electronic voting.  Featured panelists included David Beirne, Executive Director of the Election Technology Council, Commissioner Donetta Davidson of the United States Election Assistance Commission, Matthew Masterson of the United States Election Assistance Commission, Roy Saltman, consultant and author, Patrick Merloe of the National Democratic Instituted for International Affairs and Paul Degregorio of Everyone Counts, Inc. and formerly of the United States Election Assistance Commission.  C-SPAN broadcast the event live on October 17th and the entire session may be viewed online here.  

Austin-American Statesman:  "Election Panel:  Odds of e-voting fraud low"

September 30, 2008 – The Austin-American Statesman reports on a recent panel discussion hosted by the LBJ School of Political Affairs and Governance on the topic of voting integrity.  Click here for the full article.