Bill Caption

Relating to certain voting systems. 

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

Under current law, only counties that use direct recording electronic voting machines may participate in the countywide polling place program. This bill would allow counties with any type of voting machine that either is a direct recording electronic machine or is a machine capable of processing votes for each type of ballot used in the county to be eligible to participate in the countywide polling place program. The bill would also require an audit of all voting system equipment used in the countywide polling place program before and after the election as well as during the election to the extent possible. A voting system that uses a central accumulator would not be allowed to be used in an election unless the accumulator creates a real time audit log of each election event as determined by the secretary of state. The bill would also establish procedures for the use of precinct ballot counters and procedures for election officials before voting begins on election day. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill would allow more counties to be eligible to participate in the countywide polling place program which would mean that rural counties would have less of a financial burden in operating expenses of keeping open polling places for each precinct. This is in keeping with limited government and would encourage more efficient use of government funds. For these reasons, we support this legislation.