Voting System

An unfortunate aspect of his term is that it has multiple formal but inconsistent definitions. In "the term 'voting system' means-- HAVA, (1) the total combination of mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic equipment (including the software, firmware, and documentation required to program, control, and support the equipment) that is used-- (A) to define ballots; (B) to cast and count votes; (C) to report or display election results; and (D) to maintain and produce any audit trail information; and (2) the practices and associated documentation used-- (A) to identify system components and versions of such components; (B) to test the system during its development and maintenance; (C) to maintain records of system errors and defects; (D) to determine specific system changes to be made to a system after the initial qualification of the system; and (E) to make available any materials to the voter (such as notices, instructions, forms, or paper ballots)." Various states have different definitions, although many adopt the definition by statute. HAVA In Maryland, it is simply "a method of casting and tabulating ballots or votes." Md. Elec. Code §1-101(yy). "Equipment (including hardware, firmware, and software), materials, and documentation used to define elections and STYLES, configure voting equipment, BALLOT identify and validate voting equipment configurations, perform logic and accuracy tests, activate ballots, capture votes, count votes, reconcile ballots needing special treatment, generate reports, transmit election data, archive election data, and elections." AUDIT 2007 VVSG.