Software that is commercially available and not made by the vendor of an voting system, therefore not under the control of that vendor. For example, the Microsoft Windows operating system is such software and is often incorporated into voting machines. This type of software presents a challenge to the examination of voting systems since its source code is usually proprietary and not open to inspection. Abbreviated COTS. The 2007 VVSG observe that "the expansion of COTS as Commercial Off-The-Shel f is no longer helpful, since much of what satisfies the requirements is non-commercial software that is not available in stores."
Understand more election terms clearly
Get one important election term explained each week, with authoritative sources, practical context and related definitions.
Software that is commercially available and not made by the vendor of an voting system, therefore not under the control of that vendor. For example, the Microsoft Windows operating system is such software and is often incorporated into voting machines. This type of software presents a challenge to the examination of voting systems since its source code is usually proprietary and not open to inspection. Abbreviated COTS. The 2007 VVSG observe that "the expansion of COTS as Commercial Off-The-Shel f is no longer helpful, since much of what satisfies the requirements is non-commercial software that is not available in stores."
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Commercial Off The Shelf. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 22, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/commercial-off-the-shelf
Sources
01
High consensus
02
High consensus
03
Disputed
Get the weekly election term
Receive one cited, source-backed election explanation in your inbox each week.