CONGRESS PASSES ELECTION REFORM

The allocation of federal funds will present major market opportunities for vendors of electronic voting systems and professional services. In addition, the legislation will necessitate state and county election officials to actively research voting systems technologies, voting systems supplier community, and related professional services. A two volume, multi-client market research study recently launched by Venture Development Corporation (VDC) will provide voting systems and professional services vendors with detailed market estimates, forecasts and requirements for all 50 states, the largest 300 counties, and key local jurisdictions. It will also provide election management officials with a detailed, independent analysis of the current and emerging capabilities of the electronic voting systems and professional services vendor community.

Natick, Massachusetts, October 17, 2002 - In an effort to safeguard against problems that plagued the 2000 presidential election and most recently some state elections, the Senate yesterday approved a bill that will establish national election standards.

The legislation will:

- Authorize the allocation of $3.9 billion of federal aid to states over the next three years;

- Give fiscally strapped states the ability to upgrade their obsolete voting systems and adequately train poll workers;

- Ensure at least one voting system at a polling place is accessible to disabled voters; and

- Establish standards for registering voters and accurately maintaining statewide registration lists.

With support from both the Senate (which passed the bill on a 92-2 vote) and the House (357-48), President Bush is expected to sign the measure calling it "important election reforms". The amount of federal aid allocated to each state remains in question as Congress struggles to resolve its current spending bills; however, congressional leaders are hopeful that the full, authorized amount will be met.

The allocation of federal funds will present major market opportunities for vendors of electronic voting systems and professional services. In addition, the legislation will necessitate state and county election officials to actively research voting systems technologies, voting systems supplier community, and related professional services.

Venture Development Corporation (VDC) recently launched a two volume, multi-client market research study analyzing the U.S. markets for Electronic Voting Systems and Professional Services.

This research program will be packaged in two parts:

- U.S. Market Requirements for Electronic Voting Systems and Related Professional Services

- An Analysis of Electronic Voting Systems and Related Professional Services Vendors

This study will provide voting systems and professional services vendors with detailed market estimates, forecasts and requirements for all 50 states, the largest 300 counties, and key local jurisdictions. It will also provide election management officials with a detailed, independent analysis of the current and emerging capabilities of the electronic voting systems and professional services vendor community. VDC will obtain its data through rigorous primary and secondary methodologies. VDC's primary research program will include structured telephone interviews with: suppliers of electronic voting terminals and peripherals, developers of electronic voting systems applications software and system-level software, suppliers of network/infrastructure components, integrators/contractors for electronic voting systems, state/county/local jurisdiction election officials, and key contacts at such organizations as the Election Center, the F.E.C., the Caltech-M.I.T./Voting Technology Project, etc.

In-depth, the study will feature:

- U.S. state-by-state demand potential for electronic voting systems and professional support services

- Analysis of state, county, and local jurisdiction regulatory requirements and local preferences

- Review of recent installations and current implementations

- Unbiased, detailed profiles of vendors of electronic voting systems and professional services

- Review and analysis of existing and emerging core technologies, discrete products, integrated solutions, and related professional services

More information about the study is available at: http://www.vdc-corp.com/other/works/br02-45.html

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Venture Development Corporation, a technology market research and strategy firm, was founded in 1971 by graduates of Harvard Business School and MIT. Over the years, VDC has developed and fine-tuned a unique and highly successful methodology for forecasting and analyzing dynamic technology markets. The company has over 30 years of experience in providing market research, strategic analysis and consulting services to technology companies worldwide. The VDC mission is to provide our clients with strategic and tactical information that satisfies real needs and will provide lasting value, fostering client loyalty and respect.

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