SB 179

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Requires counties to enter into an agreement with the secretary of state to use a threat intelligence and enterprise security company designated by the secretary of state for specified security purposes. Provides that this requirement expires January 1, 2023. Requires an employee or agent of a circuit court clerk, a county election board, or a board of registration to meet certain proficiency standards to be qualified to access the statewide voter registration system. Requires applicants for certification of voting systems and electronic poll books to include information regarding: (1) the batteries used in the voting system or electronic poll book, and any peripherals; (2) a planned replacement schedule for the batteries, and (3) plans to test batteries; and (4) plans for emergency replacement of batteries that fail on election day or during the 30 days before election day. Provides that the number of voting systems to be examined in a public test is based on the number of voting system units scheduled by the county election board to be used in the upcoming election. Requires a single list instead of two lists for testing by counties before elections and sets forth selection requirements for testing. Provides that if a county uploads unofficial precinct election results to the statewide voter registration system before certification of the final results, the county must use a universal serial bus (USB) drive that contains anti-malware protection features or other approved data storage transfer methods. Provides that: (1) if a direct record electronic voting system contains a voter verifiable paper audit trail, the precinct election board is not required to print out the paper audit trail in preparing the certificates setting forth the number of votes cast for a candidate or on a public question in the precinct; and (2) the certificates set forth the official votes cast by the voters of the precinct. Provides that after December 31, 2020, an electronic poll book may not display whether a voter's registration record is in active or inactive status. Provides that in a recount or contest proceeding, the information set forth on the voter verifiable paper audit trail may be used as evidence for a recount commission or a court to determine the votes cast for a candidate or on a public question in the precinct. Permits the secretary of state to issue orders (rather than adopting administrative rules) to: (1) designate elections to be subject to a risk-limiting audit or procedure audits conducted after the election; and (2) to administer risk-limiting audits.