Center for Election Systems at Kennesaw State University

The Center for Election Systems at Kennesaw State University is an academic and service entity that focuses on the testing, certification, and training of election equipment and related software. It provides logic and accuracy testing, security assessments, and functional verification for voting machines used by state and local jurisdictions. The center collaborates with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office to evaluate and certify voting equipment for use in elections. The center works with election officials to ensure that voting systems meet state and federal standards before they are deployed in elections. It also offers instructional programs and workshops for election administrators on equipment operation, maintenance, and best practices. Through these activities, the center supports the integrity and reliability of the electoral process in the regions it serves.

The center is distinguished by its focus on election technology as a non‑partisan academic unit within Kennesaw State University, which allows it to blend scholarly research with practical service delivery. Its involvement in security matters is evidenced by the 2014 incident in which a server used for Georgia election machine programming, under the center’s management, was found to have unpatched Shellshock and Drupalgeddon flaws. Structurally, the Center for Election Systems operates as a subunit of Kennesaw State University, reporting to the university’s administration and benefiting from the institution’s academic resources and infrastructure. This university affiliation provides access to faculty expertise, student participation, and campus facilities while maintaining the center’s commitment to serving election officials.