Approved Voting Equipment

Voting Equipment Approval Process

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has provided a set of administrative rules to establish the process for the approval of electronic voting equipment in Wisconsin.

When applying for approval in Wisconsin the voting equipment manufacturer must submit reports from Voting System Test Laboratories (VSTL’s) approved by the United States Election Assistance Commission that the equipment has been qualified to meet the current standards / guidelines.

Voting equipment and materials are reviewed by Wisconsin Elections Commission staff and an advisory panel of local election officials. The vendor must set up and demonstrate a series of mock elections; a spring nonpartisan election with a Presidential Preference vote, a September partisan primary election and a November general election.  There will also be a separate demonstration for members of the public, including persons with disabilities and Legislators.

After the Wisconsin Elections Commission staff and the advisory panel have reviewed the test results and examined the equipment, the system is demonstrated at a Commission meeting. The Wisconsin Elections Commission review consists of a demonstration and a review of the evaluation made by the advisory panel and Commission staff.  The Wisconsin Elections Commission makes the final determination on the approval of the voting system at a public meeting.