On July 7, 2025, in a landmark moment for election technology, Hart InterCivic’s Verity Vanguard officially became the first voting system certified to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s (EAC’s) Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) 2.0. The announcement was made during a public meeting hosted virtually by the EAC on July 16, 2025, where Commissioners, EAC staff, Hart InterCivic, and SLI Compliance (the federally-approved, independent voting system test laboratory (VSTL) discussed the certification process and what lies ahead for VVSG 2.0 systems.
“The first voting system certified to VVSG 2.0 marks a major milestone in the EAC’s commitment to advancing the next generation of voting systems. Hart Verity Vanguard is the first system certified to these standards, but it will not be the last. The EAC staff has done great work to make this new standard a reality,” said EAC Chairman Donald Palmer, Vice Chair Thomas Hicks, Commissioner Christy McCormick, and Commissioner Ben Hovland in a joint statement.
The certification of Hart’s Vanguard system is not only a technical achievement—it’s a proud moment for the company and a testament to its leadership in secure, accessible, and forward-looking election technology.
“It was clear early on that Hart had done their homework, working through requirement questions with EAC, prior to and during their development effort. Vanguard proved to be a well-architected and implemented system,” said Mike Santos of SLI Compliance during the meeting.
VVSG 2.0, adopted unanimously by the EAC in 2021, introduces a modernized framework for voting systems. It includes stronger cybersecurity protections, improved accessibility, and support for modular and flexible system designs. Hart’s Vanguard system is the first to meet these rigorous standards, setting a new benchmark for the industry.
“This is a proud day for Hart InterCivic,” said Julie Mathis, CEO of Hart InterCivic. “Being the first to achieve VVSG 2.0 certification reflects our deep commitment to innovation, integrity, and supporting election officials with the most secure and reliable technology available.”
While federal certification is a critical milestone, several steps remain before voters interact with VVSG 2.0-certified systems at the polls. Jurisdictions must complete state-level testing and certification, secure funding, conduct procurement planning, provide staff training, and carry out public testing. Hart InterCivic is actively partnering with election offices across multiple states to support these efforts and ensure a smooth transition.
The EAC has emphasized that it will continue to assist jurisdictions throughout this process to ensure that all systems deployed are secure, accurate, and accessible. The VVSG 2.0 guidelines were designed with the future in mind – addressing the evolving challenges of election administration while enhancing the voter experience and reinforcing trust in the electoral process.
The full recording of the EAC’s public meeting is available here, and the official announcement can be found here.