public-service · VVSG voluntary meaning
How Federal Records Use 'Voluntary' for VVSG
The statutory headings and EAC statements that use 'voluntary' in connection with voting-system guidance and testing laboratories.
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Updated: Sources: 4
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What matters now
- The U.S. Code files this guidance under a part literally titled "Part B - Voluntary Guidance."
- That statute directs the EAC to "adopt voluntary guidance" to help states meet other federal rules.
- A separate statute has a subsection titled "Optional use by States," covering a state's use of EAC-accredited testing labs.
- The EAC's VVSG page says compliance is voluntary "except in select states" that require it by their own law.
- The EAC's lab page says joining its program is voluntary, but following its rules once inside is mandatory.
The cited U.S. Code and EAC pages use “voluntary” in several related statements about guidance, state use of laboratories, VVSG adherence, and laboratory participation. This article reports the quoted language from those records.
This original record-reading guide is a general reading aid, not cited evidence. It does not depict a source record; the article text and source links provide the facts.
Key points
- The statute places the guidelines in a part of the U.S. Code literally titled “Part B - Voluntary Guidance.”
- That same statute directs the EAC to “adopt voluntary guidance” to help states meet other federal requirements.
- A separate certification statute has a subsection titled “Optional use by States,” covering a state’s use of EAC-accredited testing/certification laboratories.
- The EAC’s VVSG program page says adherence is voluntary “except in select states where it is required by their own state law” — without naming which states.
- The EAC’s test-lab page draws a finer line: joining the accreditation program is voluntary, but once a lab joins, following the program’s procedural requirements is mandatory.
The cited records make these statements in different provisions and program contexts. This article does not determine a particular state’s obligations.
Statutory heading label
The U.S. Code section governing the EAC’s guidance work sits in a part of Title 52 that is headed, in the official text, “Part B - Voluntary Guidance” (52 U.S.C. § 21101). That heading appears directly in the U.S. Code text itself, above the guidance-adoption provision described next.
EAC’s guidance-adoption duty
Within that part, the provision states: “To assist States in meeting the requirements of part A of this subchapter, the Commission shall adopt voluntary guidance consistent with such requirements in accordance with the procedures described in section 21102 of this title.” (52 U.S.C. § 21101)
Optional lab use
A companion certification statute, also in Title 52, contains a subsection headed “Optional use by States” (52 U.S.C. § 20971).
VVSG page’s general rule
The EAC’s Voluntary Voting System Guidelines program page states: “adhering to the VVSG is voluntary except in select states where it is required by their own state law” (EAC VVSG program page).
Test-lab program’s mandatory rules
The EAC’s Voting System Test Laboratories (VSTL) page states: “Although participation in the program is voluntary, adherence to the program’s procedural requirements is mandatory for participants.” (EAC VSTL program page).
What this article does not answer
This article does not identify states subject to a particular state-law requirement or determine whether a state, jurisdiction, laboratory, or voting system complies with any requirement.