The bill revises vote count procedures by mandating that an election administrator conduct an investigation when the counting board cannot reconcile the total number of ballots with the pollbook. Specifically, it amends Section 13-15-201 of the Montana Code Annotated to include new requirements for the election administrator to investigate discrepancies and report findings to the board of county canvassers. The new legal language inserted into the current law specifies that if the discrepancy is not satisfactorily explained by the counting board's report, the election administrator must conduct an investigation, which may involve recounting ballots and reviewing the pollbook.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in the election process by requiring the election administrator to provide a detailed report of the investigation to the board of county canvassers, outlining the investigation process and reasons for any discrepancies found. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval, reinforcing the commitment to ensuring accurate and reliable election outcomes in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 13-15-201