Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise election laws in Montana by introducing new requirements for the testing and retention of voting systems and their associated records. The bill mandates that election administrators conduct a test of a new voting system to verify its functionality whenever the system is acquired or altered, including after software updates or hardware changes. Additionally, it requires that audit logs and cast vote records from voting systems capable of producing such records be retained indefinitely as public records, ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

The bill also amends existing laws regarding the retention of ballots and election materials. It specifies that while voted and unvoted ballots must be kept for 12 to 22 months depending on the type of election, counties using vote-counting machines must retain audit logs and cast vote records in perpetuity. This change emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate records for public scrutiny and reinforces the integrity of the election process. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the reliability and transparency of voting systems in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_1(1): 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_1(2): 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_1(3): 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_1(4): 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_1(5): 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_1(6): 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_1: 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_2(1): 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_2(2): 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_2(3): 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_2(4): 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_2(5): 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_2(6): 13-1-303, 13-15-206
SB0494_2: 13-1-303, 13-15-206