 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
for OAR 165-007-0350
Short Summary
The Elections Division hereby provides notice of administrative rulemaking activity for proposed amendments to OAR 165-007-0350.The Division scheduled a public hearing and is accepting comments. More information can be found below and on our website.
Public Hearing and Comments
A public hearing for this rule will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. The hearing will take place on May 15, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM. Visit our website for more information. Public comments may be sent to the Elections Division until May 22, 2026, at 5 PM.
FILING CAPTION: Voting System Certification Process Update.
RULE SUMMARY: This rule updates Oregon’s process for certifying voting systems. It allows systems to be certified through federal approval or testing by a federally accredited lab. Applicants must submit required forms and test documentation, and when applicable, an Oregon-specific requirements matrix. The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Oregon Association of County Clerks’ Equipment Certification Committee, reviews the application and may approve, conditionally approve, or deny certification. All associated costs are paid by the applicant, certification documents are posted publicly, and any system modifications must be reported and may require further testing.
CHANGES TO RULE: The proposed changes to OAR 165-007-0350 can be found at this link.
NEED FOR RULE: This rule is needed to modernize and clarify Oregon’s voting system certification process, ensure alignment with federal testing standards, incorporate Oregon‑specific requirements, and formalize the Secretary of State’s review in consultation with the OACC Equipment Certification Committee. It provides a transparent, consistent framework for evaluating voting systems and managing updates or modifications.
DOCUMENTS RELIED UPON:
Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) issued by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), referenced as a federal certification pathway. This document is available from the EAC or from the Elections Division.
Oregon Voting System Requirements Matrix, developed and maintained by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Oregon Association of County Clerks’ Equipment Certification Committee. This matrix is available from the Elections Division.
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