A collaborative, independent forum that brings together researchers, practitioners, and experts to strengthen election technology through rigorous testing under the principles of coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

Security Research Under Real-World Conditions with Modern Election Equipment

About ESRF


What is the Election Security Research Forum?

ESRF is a professional environment where qualified security researchers are given unique and access to modern U.S. election equipment under the principles of coordinated vulnerability disclosure. The forum convenes expert security researchers, white-hat hackers, election technology providers, and election officials alongside cross-sector observers.

Our Approach


“Transparency in elections breeds trust.”
— ESRF 2023 Event Report

Efforts like this event with security researchers go a step further to add transparency to the process, with the goal of educating the public, broadening accountability, and engendering trust.

Past and Future


ESRF 2023

The inaugural pilot event, hosted at MITRE's National Election Security Lab, brought together researchers and three election technology providers to test modern, pre-deployment equipment under coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

View the 2023 Report →

ESRF 2027

Building on the success of the pilot, the 2027 ESRF will expand opportunities for structured research, collaboration, and knowledge sharing to further strengthen the security and resilience of election technology and increase public confidence.

Support ESRF 2027 →