Microsoft is announcing an ambitious effort intended to make U.S. voting more secure and verifiable.

The company will offer free open-source software that several top U.S. elections vendors say they will explore incorporating into their voting equipment.

 

The software kit is being developed with Oregon-based Galois, which is separately creating a secure voting system prototype under contract with the Pentagon’s advanced research agency, DARPA.

 

The Microsoft kit is dubbed “ElectionGuard.” It was announced Monday by CEO Satya Nadella at a Seattle developer’s conference.

 

Microsoft says the kit it will be available beginning this summer with prototypes ready to pilot for next year’s general elections.

 

 

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