Notice2026-18797
Agency Information Collection Activities: ESTEP Application for Testing
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 15, 2026
Issuing agencies
Election Assistance Commission
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) announces an information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. The EAC intends to submit this proposed information collection to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for approval. The EAC is publishing an information collecting form for its Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program (ESTEP). The information collected is to be used to obtain information about election-supporting technologies submitted for evaluation under ESTEP certification programs. Participation in this program is voluntary.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 177 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58426-58427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18797]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
Agency Information Collection Activities: ESTEP Application for
Testing
AGENCY: Election Assistance Commission.
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) announces an information
collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. The EAC
intends to submit this proposed information collection to the Director
of the Office of Management and Budget for approval. The EAC is
publishing an information collecting form for its Election Supporting
Technology Evaluation Program (ESTEP). The information collected is to
be used to obtain information about election-supporting technologies
submitted for evaluation under ESTEP certification programs.
Participation in this program is voluntary.
DATES: Comments must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern on Monday, November
16, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed Election Supporting Technology
Evaluation Program forms should be submitted electronically via <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> (docket ID: EAC-2026-0265). Written comments on
the proposed information collection can also be sent to the U.S.
Election Assistance Commission, 633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200,
Washington, DC 20001, Attn: Election Supporting Technology Evaluation
Program.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Beatrice, Election
Technology Specialist, Election Supporting Technology Evaluation
Program, 202-451-2031, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#543127203124143135377a333b22"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4623353223360623272568212930">[email protected]</span></a>. All requests and submissions
should be identified by the title of the information collection.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Titles and OMB Number: ESTEP Application for Testing; OMB Number
3265-0027.
Purpose
Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal Agencies must obtain
approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each
collection of information they conduct or sponsor. ``Collection of
information'' is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and
includes Agency requests or requirements that members of the public
submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party.
Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA requires Federal Agencies to provide a
60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed
collection of information, including each proposed extension of an
existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to
OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, the EAC is
publishing notice of the proposed collection of information set forth
in this document.
The EAC Election Supporting Technology Evaluation Program evaluates
the functionality, security, and accessibility of election-supporting
technologies, including electronic poll books, voter registration
systems, electronic ballot delivery systems, and election night
reporting databases.
The program is publishing the ESTEP Application for Testing form to
collect key administrative information regarding new or modified
election-
[[Page 58427]]
supporting technologies submitted for testing by a registered
manufacturer.
This information is collected to improve the quality of election-
supporting technology used in federal elections.
Public Comments
We are soliciting public comments to permit the EAC to:
<bullet> Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary and sufficient for the proper functions of the Election
Supporting Technology Evaluation Program.
<bullet> Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of burden for these
proposed collections, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used.
<bullet> Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected.
<bullet> Minimize the reporting burden on those who are responding,
including the use of information technology.
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 comments as submitted, including your
personal information, will be available for public review.
Respondents: Election Supporting Technology Manufacturers, State
and Local Election Officials.
Annual Reporting Burden
OMB approval is requested for 3 years.
Annual Burden Estimates for ESTEP Application for Testing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Estimated Average burden Total cost to
number of responses per hours per Total annual respondents
respondents respondent response burden hours ($78.10/hr)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Time Submissions.......... 3 1 240 720 $56,232
Subsequent Submissions.......... 6 3 32 576 44,985.60
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... .............. .............. .............. 1296 101,217.60
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated burden in hours--1,296.
Estimated burden cost--$101,217.60.
Seton Parsons,
Senior Associate Counsel, U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
[FR Doc. 2026-18797 Filed 9-14-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-71-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 15, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.