Notice2026-03583

Request for Comment: Election Audit Standards

Primary source

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Published
February 23, 2026

Issuing agencies

Election Assistance Commission

Abstract

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is requesting public comment on the Voluntary National Election Audit Standards. Election audits are used to evaluate and improve the accuracy, security, and administration of elections. Because election administration in the United States is highly decentralized, audit practices vary across states and local jurisdictions. The proposed standards provide voluntary, principle-based guidance intended to be adaptable across differing legal frameworks, election systems, and resource environments.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 35 (Monday, February 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 8472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03583]


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ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION


Request for Comment: Election Audit Standards

AGENCY: Election Assistance Commission.

ACTION: Notice, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is requesting 
public comment on the Voluntary National Election Audit Standards. 
Election audits are used to evaluate and improve the accuracy, 
security, and administration of elections. Because election 
administration in the United States is highly decentralized, audit 
practices vary across states and local jurisdictions. The proposed 
standards provide voluntary, principle-based guidance intended to be 
adaptable across differing legal frameworks, election systems, and 
resource environments.

DATES: Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Monday, April 
27, 2026.

ADDRESSES: To view the proposed Voluntary National Election Audit 
Standards, see: Draft_Audit_Standards_021826_Clean.docx. Comments on 
the proposed Voluntary National Audit Standards must be in writing. 
Written comments can be submitted at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> 
(docket ID: EAC-2026-0067). Written comments on the proposed document 
can also be sent to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 633 3rd 
Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20001, Attn: Clearinghouse 
Division.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Childers, Senior Election 
Subject Matter Expert, Washington, DC (202) 578-9591. Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#325f515a5b5e56574041725753511c555d44"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="87eae4efeeebe3e2f5f4c7e2e6e4a9e0e8f1">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Purpose: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), acting 
under the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), has created Voluntary 
National Election Audit Standards. This notice is designed to gather 
public feedback on these proposed standards before they are finalized. 
Public input will help ensure that the standards are clear, practical, 
and adaptable across different legal, operational, and resource 
contexts.
    Feedback received will inform refinement of the standards to better 
support election officials, policymakers, and the public in 
understanding and assessing election audit practices nationwide.
    Public Comments: Please note that comments submitted in response to 
this Notice are public record. Before including any detailed personal 
information, you should be aware that your submitted comments, 
including your personal information, will be available for public 
review.
    Respondents: State and local election officials, policymakers, 
auditing and statistical experts, members of the public.

Seton Parsons,
Associate Counsel, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
[FR Doc. 2026-03583 Filed 2-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-71-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on February 23, 2026.

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