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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
election equipment; security; legislative review
Purpose
Requires the Committee appointed by the Secretary of State (SOS) tasked with investigating and testing voting equipment (Committee) to provide for a detailed review of election equipment security for counties with a population of more than 500,000 persons. Outlines reporting requirements.
Background
The SOS must appoint three members to the Committee to investigate and test the various types of vote recording or tabulating machines or devices that may be used for elections. The Committee must consist of a member of the engineering college at one of the universities, a member of the State Bar of Arizona and one person familiar with voting processes in Arizona. One member must have at least five years of experience with, and must be able to render an opinion based on knowledge of training or education, in electronic voting systems, procedures and security. The Committee must submit its recommendations to the SOS, who makes the final adoption of the machines or devices to be certified for use in Arizona. After consultation with the Committee, the SOS must adopt standards that specify the criteria for loss of certification of equipment that was used for federal, state or county offices (A.R.S. § 16-442). The Elections Procedures Manual outlines requirements for the physical and data security of electronic voting systems, including requirements relating to labeling, storage, access, internet connection, password protection and observation (EPM Ch. 4 (III)).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the Committee, every two years beginning in 2022, to provide for a detailed review of election equipment security for counties with a population of more than 500,000 persons.
2. Requires the security review to focus on the actual equipment, software and other systems used in the most recent general election.
3. Requires a person who is an expert in election equipment security to conduct or assist with the detailed review.
4. Requires the completed detailed review to be presented to the standing committees of the Legislature with jurisdiction over election issues at a public meeting by August 1 following the general election.
5. Requires the Committee to provide a written report on the detailed review to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the SOS.
6. Makes technical changes.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 20, 2022
MH/slp