Requirements – draft 18-1-16

Principle 8
ROBUST, SAFE, USABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE
The voting system and voting processes provide a robust, safe, usable, and accessible experience.

8.1– The voting system’s hardware and accessories protect users from harmful conditions.

8.1-A – Electronic display screens

If the voting system uses an electronic display screen as the primary visual interface for the voter, the displaymusthave the following characteristics:

  • Minimum display brightness: 130 cd/m2
  • Minimum display darkroom 7×7 checkerboard contrast: 150:1
  • Minimum display pixel pitch: 85 pixels/inch (0.3 mm/pixel)
  • Minimum display area: 700 cm2
  • Antiglare screen surface that shows no distinct virtual image of a light source
  • Minimum uniform diffuse ambient contrast ratio for 500 lx illuminance: 10:1

Discussion

Two EAC Requests for Interpretation offered exceptions to the requirements for Display Pixel Pitch and Minimal Display Area:

The EAC Decision on Request for Interpretation 2016-01 (Display Pixel Pitch) created an exception to this requirement based on usability testing: “…larger screens that can be shown to provide acceptable usability and accessibility will not be strictly held to the 85 pixels/inch requirement if the product has undergone thorough usability testing and the submitted usability test reports demonstrate good usability and accessibility performance (in particular, works for low literacy, low vision, and dexterity).” They based this on “…a scenario in which content that meets all usability and accessibility requirements on a 24-inch 1080p resolution screen could not meet the standard if displayed on a 1080p 32-inch screen, even though the content is larger.” The discussion also noted that commercial products for very large screens that can meet the display pixel pitch requirement may not be available or might be prohibitively expensive.

The EAC Decision on Request for Interpretation 2015-04 (Visual Display Characteristics; Minimal display area) reviewed the requirements for screen sizes and concluded that “it is both reasonable and desirable that a voting machine ballot display should meet the 700cm2 display area requirement”

This RFI also offered an exception for smaller screens by requiring usability evidence that they meet good usability and accessibility”

“If the minimum display area is smaller than 700 cm2, the burden of proof of the usability and accessibility of a smaller display is on the manufacturer. This implies that the product has undergone thorough usability testing and the submitted usability test reports demonstrate good usability and accessibility performance (in particular, works for low literacy, low vision, and dexterity). In these cases, EAC will have the reports evaluated by usability/human factors experts to confirm the findings in the manufacturer submitted usability test report(s).”

The table below calculates the display area for some popular monitor sizes, highlighting the ones that meet the 700 cm2requirement.

Diagonal (in) / Diagonal (cm) / 5:4 Aspect Ratio
Width (cm) / 5:4 Aspect Ratio
Height (cm) / 5:4 Aspect Ratio
Area (cm) / 4:3 Aspect Ratio
Width (cm) / 4:3 Aspect Ratio
Height (cm) / 4:3 Aspect Ratio
Area (cm)
11.6 / 29 / 23 / 18 / 423 / 24 / 18 / 417
13.3 / 34 / 26 / 21 / 557 / 27 / 20 / 548
14 / 36 / 28 / 22 / 617 / 28 / 21 / 607
15 / 38 / 30 / 24 / 708 / 30 / 23 / 697
15.4 / 39 / 31 / 24 / 746 / 31 / 23 / 734
17 / 43 / 34 / 27 / 910 / 35 / 26 / 895

Display Sizes of Select Monitors (width, height and area numbers rounded)

Status: In progress

Updated:Dec.22, 2017

VVSG 1.1:3.2.5.a, 3.2.5.a.ii, 3.2.5.a.iii, 3.2.5.a.iv, 3.2.5.a.v, 3.2.5.a.vi, 3.2.5.a.vii

Gap notes:None

8.1-B – Flashing

If the voting system emits lights in flashes, there must be no more than three flashes in any one-second period.

WCAG 2.0/Section 508 Applies to

Discussion

This requirement has been updated to meet WCAG 2.0 and Section 508 software design issue standards, see

  • and

Status: In progress

Updated:Jan. 2, 2018

VVSG 1.1:3.2.5.a.i

Gap notes:

8.1-C – Personal Assistive Technology (PAT)

The support provided to voters with disabilities mustbe intrinsic to the voting system.

A voter’s personal assistive devicesmustnot be necessary to operate the voting system correctly. This does not apply to personal assistive technology required to comply with 5.1-A.

WCAG 2.0/Section 508,402.1Applies to

Discussion

This requirement does not preclude the voting system from providing interfaces to assistive technology. (See definition of "personal assistive devices" in the Glossary). Its purpose is to ensure that disabled voters are not required to bring special devices with them in order to vote successfully.

This requirementassumes that voters will have with them any personal headsets, hearing aids, eyeglasses, canes, or other assistive devices they customarily use.

See the White Paper: Assistive Technology in the Polling Place: Current and emerging technology, Dec 28, 2016

Status: In progress

Updated:Jan. 2, 2018

VVSG 1.1:3.3.1.c

Gap notes:UPDATE: to 508 kiosk rules

402 Closed Functionality

402.1 General. ICT with closed functionality shall be operable without requiring the user to attach or install assistive technology other than personal headsets or other audio couplers, and shall conform to 402.

8.1-D– Secondary ID and biometrics

If a voting system uses biometric measures for identifying or authenticating users, it mustprovide an alternative that does not depend on the same biometric capabilities.

WCAG 2.0/Section 508 Applies to

Discussion

For example, if fingerprints are used for voter identification, another mechanism must be provided for voters without usable fingerprints.

The term “users” includes both voters and election workers.

Status: In progress

Updated:Jan. 1, 2018

VVSG 1.1:3.3.1.d

Gap notes:None

8.1-E –Standard audio connectors

The voting system mustprovide its audio signal through an industry standard connector using a 3.5mm (approximately 1/8 inch) stereo headphone jack to allow voters to use their own audio assistive devices for private listening.

WCAG 2.0/Section 508 Applies to

Status: In progress

Updated:Jan. 2, 2018

VVSG 1.1:3.3.3.c.i

Gap notes:None

8.1-F –Discernable audio jacks

The audio jack must be a in location that voters can easily discover and discernable by touch while sitting or standing in front of the unit.

The jack must not be located near a sharp edge.

WCAG 2.0/Section 508 Applies to

Discussion

For example, if the jack is slightly recessed with a round bezel, it will be easier for voters to identify the jack and to insert the headset plug into it.

This requirement is related to 7.2-I-Touch area size

Status: In progress

Updated:Jan. 16, 2018

VVSG 1.1:NEW

Gap notes:None

8.1-G – Telephone style handset

If the ATI utilizes a telephone style handset or headphone to provide audio information, it mustprovide a wireless T-Coil 9 coupling for assistive hearing devices so it provides access to that information for voters with partial hearing. That coupling mustachieve at least a category T4 rating as defined by the American National Standard (ANSI ) for Methods of Measurement of Compatibility between Wireless Communications Devices and Hearing Aids, ANSI C63.19.

WCAG 2.0/Section 508 Applies to

Discussion

Note that Requirement 8.1-K protects the use of hearing devices.

Status: In progress

Updated:Jan. 2, 2018

VVSG 1.1:3.3.3.c.ii

Gap notes:none

8.1-H – Sanitized headphones

A sanitized headphone or handsetmustbe made available to each voter.

Applies to

Discussion

This requirement can be achieved in various ways, including the use of "throwaway" headphones or sanitary coverings.

Status: In progress

Updated:Dec. 17, 2017

VVSG 1.1:3.3.3.c.iii

Gap notes:none

8.1-I – Standard jacks

The voting systemmustprovide a 3.5 mm (approximately 1/8 inch) industry standard jack voters can use to connect their personal assistive technology switch to the system.

  • This jack must allow only switch data to be transmitted to the system.
  • The system mustaccept switch input that is functionally equivalent to other input options.
  • All the functionality of the voting systemmust be available through technology using this input mechanism.

WCAG 2.0/Section 508 Applies to

Discussion

This requirement ensures that the voting systems are operable by individuals who do not have the use of their hands. Examples of non-manual controls include "sip and puff" switches. While it is desirable that the voter be able to independently initiate use of the non-manual input mechanism, this requirement guarantees only that the voter can vote independently once the mechanism is enabled.

Examples of required functionality include being able to vote astraight party ticket and write-in candidates.

This requirement is related to 5.1-A-Interaction modes.

Status: In progress

Updated:Jan. 2, 2018

VVSG 1.1:3.3.4.a

Gap notes:None

8.1-J–Hearing aids

Voting devicemust not cause electromagnetic interference with assistive hearing devices that would substantially degrade the performance of those devices.

The voting device, measured as if it were a wireless device, mustachieve at least a category T4 rating as defined by American National Standard [ANSI01] for Methods of Measurement of Compatibility between Wireless Communications Devices and Hearing Aids, ANSI C63.19.

WCAG 2.0/Section 508 Applies to

Discussion

"Hearing devices" include hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Status: In progress

Updated:Jan. 2 2018

VVSG 1.1:3.3.6.c.

Gap notes:UPDATE: Check 508 updates for any changes

8.1-K – Eliminating hazards

Devices associated with the voting systemmustbe certified in accordance with the requirements of UL 60950-1, Information Technology Equipment – Safety – Part 1 by a certification organization accredited by the Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory program.

The certification organization’s scope of accreditation mustinclude IEC/UL 60950- 1.

Applies to

Discussion

IEC/UL 60950 is a comprehensive standard for IT equipment and addresses all the hazards discussed above under Safety.

Status: In progress

Updated:Dec. 17, 2017

VVSG 1.1:3.2.8.2.a, 3.2.8.2.b

Gap notes:None