 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
electronic ballot images; public record.
Purpose
Requires online copies of any digital ballot images to be made available to the public in a manner that is searchable by precinct and precludes alteration. Asserts that ballot images are public records.
Background
After the closing of the polls, two members of the election board of different political parties must deliver the sealed and numbered ballot box or metal container with voted ballots to the central counting place or other receiving station (A.R.S. § 16-608). After the canvass has been completed, the officer in charge of elections must deposit the package containing ballots in a secure facility managed by the county treasurer. The packages must be kept unopened and unaltered for 24 months for elections for federal office and 6 months for all other elections, unless otherwise required by law, at which point the packages must be destroyed without being opened or examined (A.R.S. § 16-624). The officer in charge of elections must ensure that electronic or digital ballot images are protected from physical or electronic access, including unauthorized copying or transferring, and that all security measures are at least as protective as those for paper ballots (A.R.S. § 16-625).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the officer in charge of elections, after the polls are closed, to make an online copy of any digital ballot images available to the public in a manner that is searchable by precinct and precludes any alteration.
2. Requires the officer in charge of elections to ensure electronic or digital ballot images are protected from physical or electronic alteration or destruction, rather than physical or electronic access.
3. Asserts that digital ballot images are public records.
4. Makes technical changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 19, 2022
MH/slp