State Auditor would check county election systems after general elections

The State Auditor would choose counties for post-election audits. Audits would examine county election systems and controls statewide. The Auditor decides how many counties to audit, but all county election boards must be audited within a reasonable time. Audits can happen only after the election is certified.

The Auditor could examine election procedures and records, then issue periodic reports. The Auditor could examine voter lists, voting equipment, ballot records and handling, absentee and provisional ballots, voter contact and assistance, and other concerns about election accuracy, security, or credibility. The reports must follow confidentiality laws. A county board discussed in a report must have a chance to review it and send comments to be included with it. Audit findings cannot be used to challenge an election’s final result, and these audits would be in addition to audits under existing law. The bill requires periodic reports but gives no reporting schedule.

Election agencies would provide what the Auditor needs for audits, and county boards would report plans to fix problems found. The access duty applies to the State Board of Elections, county boards of elections, and the Division of Motor Vehicles. A county board must send its plan to the Auditor, State Board, and county commissioners if an audit finds an error, inefficiency, or weakness in that county’s election system or controls. Election officials may be present during parts of an audit when needed to preserve the handling record for materials. If the Auditor believes audit information may show a state or federal law violation, the Auditor must refer it under the cited procedure. The bill sets no deadline for sending a plan after an audit finds a problem.