What is the VVSG?

The Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) are technical standards approved by the EAC that all voting systems certified by the federal government must meet. They cover testing specifications for accuracy, security, functionality, privacy, usability, and accessibility. While VVSG adoption is voluntary, most states use some aspect of the VVSG for their certification process or as the basis for their voting system approval process.

What is the most recent VVSG?

VVSG 2.1, currently in review by the EAC, will represent the latest standards for usability, accessibility, security, and interoperability. Some election equipment makers are currently seeking certification for VVSG 2.0.

What VVSG version am I currently using?

ES&S systems being used today are certified to the VVSG 1.0 standards, as are most currently fielded voting systems.

Does ES&S have a system certified to the VVSG 2.0?

ES&S submitted its first VVSG 2.0 release to the EAC for testing and certification on December 15, 2025and has had VVSG 2.0-compatible hardware fielded and used in elections for years. ES&S’ technology is designed to evolve with future standards (VVSG 2.1) and is available to you now. The timeline for bringing a full VVSG 2.0-certified system to your state may vary due to specific state requirements.

Is my VVSG 1.0 system capable of being upgraded to VVSG 2.0?

That kind of upgrade is likely impractical and not necessary. Fielded systems may maintain a base certification to VVSG 1.0, while upgrading to components that are VVSG 2.0-compatible, allowing a jurisdiction to fully transition to newer certifications over time.

Will my jurisdiction have to wait for a complete VVSG 2.0 certified system before we can obtain the advantages of VVSG 2.0?

ES&S has been actively incorporating many of the updated VVSG requirements into our newer fielded technology. Our roadmap has been strategic, bringing VVSG 2.0-ready technology to customers incrementally, putting customer needs first, and prioritizing solutions and service. This approach allows customers to purchase as it makes sense for them, and not have to completely overhaul an entire voting system at once.

Can you explain the new EAC Lifecycle Policy?

Many jurisdictions made significant financial investments in new technology in recent years. To protect this investment, the EAC committed to allowing existing VVSG 1.0 systems to upgrade certain components to the new standards while maintaining a baseline VVSG 1.0 certification. The EAC Lifecycle policy provides a path for VVSG 1.0 systems to continue to receive modifications under certain circumstances for the foreseeable future.

How does this impact my systems?

The The EAC Lifecycle Policy defines the categories to which current systems certified to the VVSG 1.0 may be modified. State and local election officials should become familiar with these requirements. After November 2023, VVSG 1.0 systems may be modified for the following reasons:

• Security Updates
• Bug Fixes
• Replacement of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) components that reach the end of life
• Jurisdictional Rule Change
• Updates to VVSG 1.0 systems to add VVSG 2.0 compliant components

Will I need to purchase an entirely new system to have a complete system compliant with the VVSG 2.0?

Not necessarily. Our development roadmap has been strategic and customer-focussed, bringing VVSG 2.0-ready technology to customers incrementally. Because we have been developing our newer technology to be VVSG 2.0-compliant, ES&S can work with customers to to purchase as it makes sense for them, and not have to completely overhaul an entire voting system at once.

Our jurisdiction plans to purchase a new system in the next few years. Should we wait for the VVSG 2.1 systems?

If your voting system requires replacement in the next few years, speak with your state account manager or sales representative to discuss your specific timeline. ES&S has been actively incorporating the updated standards into existing VVSG 1.0 systems.

You will find that systems available for purchase today (and for the next few years) will meet your current requirements while providing a transitional path to the VVSG 2.0, even if the base system currently maintains a VVSG 1.0 certification.

If a system replacement is in your four-year outlook, you should consult with your ES&S sales and account representatives to discuss current features versus the features that may be forthcoming in new releases. With that knowledge, you can develop requests for proposals (RFPs) according to your needs.

I have an upcoming procurement. Should we include a requirement that the system complies with VVSG 2.1?

Eventually, you may want to include this requirement; however, at present, you will have more options available to you for consideration if you do not include this as an RFP stipulation.

I still have questions. Who should I contact?

Feel free to contact your State’s ES&S sales or account manager with any questions you may have. If you are unsure who to contact, email us at info@essvote.com, and we will help answer any questions you may have. We are here for you!