What is NISTs role in the accreditation of laboratories that test voting systems?
HAVA requires that NIST conduct an evaluation of independent, non-federal laboratories to determine their competence to test voting system hardware and software for conformance to federal standards. HAVA also specifies that NIST recommend to the EAC those laboratories that are qualified to test voting system hardware and software. The EAC will make the final decision to accredit a Voting System Testing Laboratory (VSTL) to test and certify equipment under EAC requirements. Q. What process is NIST using to evaluate laboratories? NIST is relying on assessments conducted by its National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program as a basis for determining the competence of candidate laboratories to test voting system hardware and software for conformance to federal standards. Laboratory accreditation is a formal recognition that a laboratory is competent to carry out specific tests. It also allows a laboratory to determine whether it is performing its work correctly and to appropriate sta
