The bill amends section 101.5612 of the Florida Statutes to enhance transparency and oversight in the testing of automatic tabulating equipment used in elections. It requires that public notice of the testing be given at least 48 hours in advance, with the notice published on the county website, the supervisor of elections website, or in local newspapers. If these options are unavailable, the notice must be posted in at least four conspicuous locations within the county. Additionally, the bill mandates that designated experts, specifically individuals with expertise in the computer field, be allowed to observe the testing and counting of votes, ensuring that they can monitor the integrity of the election process.

The bill also clarifies that the testing is open to representatives from political parties, the press, and the public, and it allows for one member of the canvassing board to represent the board during the test. The language changes include replacing "shall" with "must" in the notice requirement and affirming that the designated expert "is" allowed to observe rather than "shall be." The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 974 Filed: 101.5612