VotingWorks Becomes First Open-Source System to Gain Federal Approval

The certification arrives after rigorous examination by SLI, an accredited federal testing laboratory. While previous federal standards relied on guidelines established in 2005, the new VVSG 2.0 framework mandates more stringent protections against modern digital and physical threats. The VotingWorks system, currently deployed in Mississippi and New Hampshire, distinguishes itself by maintaining a fully transparent repository where the source code and documentation remain open for public audit.

Beyond its technical compliance, the system introduces operational efficiencies designed to streamline the voting process. Its automated tools identify ballot design errors prior to printing, while internal sensors monitor for mechanical jams or maintenance requirements in real time. By scanning ballots in under three seconds, the equipment aims to minimize voter wait times and lower the logistical costs associated with transporting and storing election hardware. Jessica Myers, head of compliance at VotingWorks, emphasized that the organization achieved these security milestones while simultaneously maintaining the industry's only fully public source code, effectively raising the standard for transparency in election infrastructure.