US Election Assistance Commission - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines Vote
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Section CommentsGeneral CommentsGlossary Comments
 
Name :   Stanley A. Klein
Organization :   N/A
Post Date :   9/30/2005

Section Comments
Section :  3.4.3
Page no. :  3-22
Line no.:  
Comment :  Continuation of MTBF comment.

The failure rate includes both observable and unobservable failures. The VVSG specifies that a
failure is any loss of function or any performance degradation lasting more than 10 seconds. The
10second
boundary places misreading of optical scan ballots into the category of inaccuracy
rather than failure. Although VVSG Section 2 contains general requirements for reliability and
accuracy, such as a requirement for redundant storage of recorded votes, none of these
requirements include specified levels of measurable performance or are backed up by test
procedures that ensure they will actually work. Accordingly, the 9.2% election day failures
allowable by the VVSG can include loss or improper change of recorded votes and remain
within all specified requirements.