The bill amends the Michigan election law, specifically section 794a, to enhance the procedures surrounding the use and testing of electronic voting systems. It establishes that each board of election commissioners retains control over creating their own test deck process, while the Secretary of State is prohibited from restricting their sources for creating test decks, entering exclusive agreements with vendors, or centralizing ballot information with a single vendor. Additionally, the Secretary of State is required to prescribe clear and replicable procedures for preparing test decks and conducting accuracy tests, ensuring transparency in the process.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the conditions under which electronic voting systems can be used in elections. It removes previous stipulations regarding the timing of system acquisition and prior usage in local elections before a general election. The Secretary of State is granted the authority to randomly select and test electronic voting systems for accuracy before elections, and a board of election commissioners is prohibited from using any system that has failed its most recent accuracy test until necessary corrections are made and the system passes a subsequent test. The bill aims to ensure the integrity and reliability of electronic voting systems in Michigan elections.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 168.794
As Passed by the House: 168.794