Election Assistance Commission training outlines chain-of-custody steps for election equipment

A presenter for the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) released an instructional training module that outlines step-by-step chain-of-custody practices election officials should use for voting equipment, ballots and related materials. "The goal of this training is to prepare election officials to document the chain of custody of critical election equipment and materials," the presenter said.

Why it matters: The training frames chain of custody as a way to show that items central to elections were secured by authorized workers and remained secured, which is important for internal audits and external legal reviews. The presenter noted that, as in law enforcement, properly documented chain-of-custody records should allow reconstruction of an item’s movement "with no breaks in the chain."

Key guidance: The module emphasizes documenting the core "what, who, when and where" for each item. Recommended practices include assigning a unique identifier (for example, a serial number or an asset number), describing the item, recording the date and time it was prepared, and noting who prepared it and which precinct or voting location it will serve. The training also stresses recording tamper-evident seal numbers and capturing entries whenever an item is moved, changes hands, or is unsealed and resealed.

Practical example: Using voting equipment as an example, the training walks through steps from initial receipt through delivery, use at the polls and return to storage. The presenter instructs delivery teams to sign and record seal numbers when transporting equipment and instructs poll workers to verify seal numbers on arrival and again when resealing equipment after polls close.

Three recommended operational practices: The training sets out three concrete steps to improve chain-of-custody reliability: "First, use or test your forms" by having staff complete simple scenarios; "Second, train on chain of custody," giving time to practice on the actual forms; and "Third, after an election, incorporate a review of chain of custody forms into your post election processes." The presenter said these steps can identify gaps in forms, training or procedures.

Interactive features: The module includes brief knowledge checks and prompts attendees to list items their office tracks during an election cycle and to pause the video to complete exercises.

What the training does not do: The module provides operational guidance and examples but does not announce new policy, rulemaking, or formal requirements. It is presented as training and best-practice guidance for election officials.

Next steps: Election offices can apply the guidance by testing and updating forms, training seasonal and poll-working staff on when and how to record chain-of-custody entries, and adding a post-election review step to their procedures.