Practical Realities of Open-Source Technology in Election & Voting Systems

Government Affairs Team
OSET Institute, Inc.

Executive Summary

This policy briefing outlines a pathway toward increased technology transparency that is increasingly being called for on an increasingly bipartisan basis. The briefing summarizes why proprietary, closed voting systems are contributing to public distrust and how state investments and policy decisions that reasonably deploy public technology (i.e., open-source) in election administration can lead the way in rebuilding public trust. 

In the past eight years, creating transparency in voting systems has become more important to securing our democracy than ever, but this presents a sizable challenge to the commercial industry.  The 16-year-old OSET Institute understands the challenge well and believes nevertheless that public technology is an imperative ingredient for any trust-building reforms. 

Rather than legislation that mandates open-source before such voting systems are certified, the Institute urges states to prioritize opportunities to pilot open-source technology in other equally critical aspects of election administration that do not require waiting for the arrival of federally certified voting systems based on public technology. Other steps on the pathway toward increased transparency include examining procurement processes, and considering mandates for public technology (open-source) in all aspects of election administration infrastructure.

This briefing provides the reader with important facts about open-source technologies in government I.T. systems today, and offers valuable insights to advance the conversation, policy development, and immediate actions toward increasing transparency in elections and their processes.

Editor’s Note:

The Briefing is co-authored by Chief Technology Officer E. John Sebes, Sr. Elections Administration Strategist & former State of Oregon Elections Director Deborah Scroggin, MPA, and Sr. Member of Technical Staff, Dr. Clifford Wulfman, MSCS, Ph.D.