Senate Bill 254 (sSB254 File No. 248) proposes significant changes to the election audit process in the state, focusing on the implementation of Risk-Limiting Audits (RLAs). RLAs are defined as manual examinations of a statistical sample of paper ballots that can produce either an "ACCEPTABLE" or "INCONCLUSIVE" outcome, with a risk limit set at no more than 5%. The bill requires RLAs for various offices, including presidential electors, state offices, at least one congressional representative, and a portion of the General Assembly, with additional offices as required by federal law. The bill specifies that offices subject to recanvass or election contest must be included in the audit, and the selection process for these offices must be random and public. The bill outlines the procedures for conducting RLAs, including the creation of pre-audit ballot manifests, the timing of the audit, and the requirement for a manual recount if the RLA is inconclusive. It also stipulates that election officials involved in the audit be compensated at the standard municipal rate and that the results of the RLA can be used as evidence in election-related disputes.

The bill also addresses the process for handling complaints related to election audits and the counting of votes. It amends the timeline for bringing complaints to a judge of the Superior Court to within seven days after the audit's conclusion. The bill grants the Secretary of the State authority to issue orders to correct any irregularities during an election, primary, recanvass, or audit, and mandates that any oral order be reduced to writing. It also details the duties of regional election advisors and allows for the adoption of regulations necessary for conducting audits. Additionally, the bill establishes a pilot program for conducting RLAs at municipal elections in 2025 and includes fiscal notes regarding the costs of implementing RLAs. The bill has received a Joint Favorable Substitute from the Government Administration and Elections Committee with a unanimous vote in favor. No deletions from the current law are specified in the provided text.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-323, 9-324, 9-328, 9-3, 9-320g
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 9-323, 9-324, 9-328, 9-3, 9-320g
File No. 248: 9-323, 9-324, 9-328, 9-3, 9-320g