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 test decks, granting exclusive control to a single vendor, or centralizing ballot information with one 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 allows the Secretary of State to randomly select and test electronic voting systems for accuracy before elections, using test decks prepared by the appropriate board of election commissioners. Importantly, it stipulates that a board of election commissioners cannot use an electronic voting system that has failed its most recent accuracy test until necessary corrections are made and the system passes a subsequent test. The language also removes references to villages and school districts in certain contexts, focusing on counties, cities, and townships.

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