CIF for Voting Systems - Guidelines on How to Complete the Modified CIF Template for Voting Manufacturers

Sep 1, 2026

Guidance explains how to complete a modified Common Industry Format (CIF) template for usability test reports tailored to voting systems. The template is based on ISO/IEC 25062:2006 and supports certification testing against Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) 2.0 requirements 8.3-A and 8.4-A. It helps voting manufacturers structure and communicate usability test results for representative voters, including accessibility-related user groups, and for election workers, aligning documentation with required testing principles. The document also describes how the CIF is used and provides section-by-section completion instructions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatDOCX

Pages34

Reading Time12 min

AccessFree to download

About the CIF for Voting Systems

ISO standards behind CIF for Voting Systems

Who is this document for?

How is CIF for Voting Systems used?

How to use the CIF for Voting Systems template

Guidance for completing the CIF for Voting Systems

1.0 Executive Summary

2.0 Introduction

3.0 Method

4.0 Results

5.0 Conclusion

Appendices

Works Cited

CIF for Voting Systems: Guidelines on How to Complete the Modified CIF Template for Voting Manufacturers This document provides guidance on how to complete the template for a modified version of ISO/IEC 25062:2006, the Common Industry Format (CIF) for usability test reports. This modified version of the CIF has been tailored for testing voting systems as part of the certification of a voting system to meet the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) 2.0 requirements 8.3-A and 8.4-A. It is one of ten companion documents to the HYPERLINK "https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.VTS.400-5" NIST VTS 400-5 Handbook for VVSG 2.0 Usability and Accessibility Test Strategies and can be downloaded with the Handbook. All documents are also available on the NIST Voting Program website at HYPERLINK "https://www.nist.gov/itl/voting/vts-400-5-documents" https://www.nist.gov/itl/voting/vts-400-5-documents. HYPERLINK Related companion documents are: CIF for Voting Systems: A modified CIF Template for Reporting on Usability Testing of Voting Systems CIF for Voting Systems: NIST Standard Test Ballot Specification and Instructions for Participants CIF for Voting Systems: Appendices of Sample Forms CIF For Voting Systems: Additional Sample Forms for Usability Testing Voting Systems This document is in two parts: an introduction to the CIF for Voting Systems, followed by detailed guidance for completing each section of template. Contents TOC \o "1-2" \h \z \u HYPERLINK \l "_Toc166487574" About the CIF for Voting Systems PAGEREF _Toc166487574 \h 3 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc166487575" ISO standards behind CIF for Voting Systems PAGEREF _Toc166487575 \h 3 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc166487576" Who is this document for? PAGEREF _Toc166487576 \h 3 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc166487577" How is CIF for Voting Systems used? PAGEREF _Toc166487577 \h 3 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc166487578" How to use the CIF for Voting Systems template PAGEREF _Toc166487578 \h 4 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc166487579" Guidance for completing the CIF for Voting Systems PAGEREF _Toc166487579 \h 5 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc166487580" 1.0 Executive Summary PAGEREF _Toc166487580 \h 5 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc166487581" 2.0 Introduction PAGEREF _Toc166487581 \h 7 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc166487582" 3.0 Method PAGEREF _Toc166487582 \h 10 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc166487583" 4.0 Results PAGEREF _Toc166487583 \h 25 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc166487584" 5.0 Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc166487584 \h 29 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc166487585" Appendices PAGEREF _Toc166487585 \h 30 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc166487586" Works Cited PAGEREF _Toc166487586 \h 34 About the CIF for Voting Systems ISO standards behind CIF for Voting Systems The CIF for Voting Systems is based on an international standard, Common Industry Format (CIF) for usability test reports) (ISO/IEC 25062). Before using this document, you should become familiar with this standard. ISO/IEC 25062:2006 can be purchased from: HYPERLINK "http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=43046" http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=43046. Other useful standards in this family include: Ergonomics of human-system interaction (ISO 9241) Context of use description (ISO/IEC 25063) User needs report (ISO/IEC 25064) User requirements specification (ISO/IEC 25065) Evaluation reports (ISO/IEC 25066 Who is this document for? It is intended to be used by anyone conducting a usability test of a voting system or who is reporting on that usability test. It may also be helpful for anyone reading the report. This template has been created to enable voting manufacturers to effectively communicate the results of usability testing. How is CIF for Voting Systems used? This template has been prepared to help voting manufacturers meet the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) 2.0 developed and maintained by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The CIF for

FAQs

What is the CIF for Voting Systems based on?

It is based on the international standard Common Industry Format (CIF) for usability test reports, ISO/IEC 25062:2006. Users should understand that standard before applying the template instructions.

Who should use the CIF for Voting Systems template?

The document is intended for anyone conducting usability tests of a voting system or reporting on those tests. It can also help readers of the resulting report.

Which VVSG 2.0 requirements does the modified CIF template support?

The modified CIF is tailored for certification testing that meets VVSG 2.0 requirements 8.3-A and 8.4-A, covering usability testing with representative voters and with election workers, including required accessibility features.

Sep 1, 2026

Upload by Ethan Miller