This bill mandates that the secretary of state provide secure containers for storing ballots to all voting precincts before any state and federal election. The new legal language specifies that these containers must be secure, durable, reusable, transportable, stackable, and marked, and they should include locks and tamper-evident features. Additionally, the containers will have registration or serial numbers for tracking purposes. The bill also requires the secretary of state to prepare special containers for preserving separate ballots for voter questions, with specific guidelines for their size, form, and sealing.

Furthermore, the bill introduces an annual progress report requirement for the secretary of state, detailing the number of secure containers replaced, their locations, and plans for future replacements. The existing language regarding the sealing of containers has been modified to remove the previous requirement for sealers to seal each container, instead emphasizing the need for tamper-evident sealers. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 659:97
As Amended by the Senate: 659:97
Version adopted by both bodies: 659:97
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 659:97
HB1541 text: 659:97