epic.org
 EPIC FOIA Notes

EPIC FOIA Notes #6
June 14, 2005

Election Agency Proposes Secret Voting Standards

SNAPSHOT [click for full document]

THE DISCLOSURE
Documents obtained by EPIC under the Freedom of Information Act reveal the complete draft standards for voting technology. The standards, which were developed by the Election Assistance Commission, could determine how votes will be tabulated in future elections. Other documents obtained by EPIC reveal vendor attempts to influence the development of the standards.

THE ISSUE
By January 1, 2006, states are required to meet the voting standards developed by the Election Assistance Commission to receive federal funding. Most states have already applied for or received a portion of $3 billion in federal grants to purchase new voting technology.

THE BACKGROUND
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found that current voting technology standards do not ensure accurate election results. The Election Assistance Commission is responsible for developing standards that will establish trust and confidence in the nation's election system.

THE SIGNIFICANCE
Secret voting standards undermine trust in the nation's election system. The public has a right to review the proposed standards and to know if those proposed by the Election Assistance Commission differ from the standards recommended by independent technical experts.

EPIC FOIA Notes

Subscribe / Unsubscribe

Contact: +1 202 483 1140
x104 (FOIA Notes Hotline)

FOIA Links

EPIC Open Government
EPIC 2005 FOIA Gallery
National FOI Day
FOIA Advocates Network
PI FOIA Project
Open the Government
Freedominfo.org
Secrecy News

FOIA Publications

Litigation Under the Federal Open Government Laws 2006

Litigation Under the Federal Open Government Laws 2006

FOIA Documents

View the EPIC FOIA Gallery

About the Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act establishes a legal right for individuals to obtain records in the possession of government agencies. The FOIA is critical for the functioning of democratic government because it helps ensure that the public is fully informed about matters of public concern. The FOIA has helped uncover fraud, waste, and abuse in the federal government. It has become particularly important in the last few years as the government has tried to keep more of its activities secret.