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Understanding Open Standards in Voting: Insights from Alan Dechert's Analysis of the VVSG

This document explores the nature of open standards in voting systems, particularly through the lens of the Voting System Verification Guidelines (VVSG) as analyzed by Alan Dechert of the OVC. It addresses critical questions about the extent to which the VVSG is considered an open standard, the role of open technology in enhancing security and trustworthiness, and the implications of system proliferation. The analysis raises important discussions about the definitions, auditability, and overall quality of voting systems, aiming to foster transparency and public understanding.

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Understanding Open Standards in Voting: Insights from Alan Dechert's Analysis of the VVSG

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  1. Open Standard • What is an open standard? • To what extent is the VVSG an open standard? • Should the VVSG promulgate an open standard? Alan Dechert, OVC, 12-6-07

  2. "Voting System" v. Voting Equipment • The VVSG appears to deal with equipment, not whole systems • Bowen's top-to-bottom review is about equipment; vendors say it's too narrowly about equipment • Assuming the VVSG is really about equipment, to what extent must it consider the voting system • Auditability is part of the system and cannot be completely separate from the equipment Alan Dechert, OVC, 12-6-07

  3. Open Technology • How is "open technology" different from "open standard" • Almost all the independent experts want the technology to be open • Would voting system quality, trustworthiness, and security be enhanced by open technology? • Why does industry promote the notion of security by obscurity? To what extent does the VVSG endorse the industry view? Alan Dechert, OVC, 12-6-07

  4. Ballot • "Counting ballots" and "recounting ballots" are basic concepts that must be comprehensible to the public • What definition of "ballot" is used by the VVSG? Alan Dechert, OVC, 12-6-07

  5. Proliferation of Systems • To what extent is proliferation a problem? • Is the VVSG neutral on system proliferation? • Should the VVSG be neutral on this subject? Alan Dechert, OVC, 12-6-07

  6. Quality & Trustworthiness • Is this a major goal of the VVSG? • To be trustworthy, quality must be evident to voting public • Can openness help foster trustworthiness? Alan Dechert, OVC, 12-6-07

  7. Relevancy • Ideally, everything in the VVSG would be relevant to all jurisdictions • How much of the VVSG is relevant to any particular jurisdiction? • Is there a way to measure relevancy? • How is proliferation related to relevancy? Alan Dechert, OVC, 12-6-07

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