The bill amends Section 17-19-37.4 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-19, which is concerned with the conduct of elections and voting equipment and supplies, to include a new provision for post-election audits. The amendment emphasizes the importance of auditing election results to ensure effective election administration and public confidence. It specifies that risk-limiting audits are to be conducted after all statewide primary, general, and special elections, as well as after presidential preference primary and general elections, starting from specified years. The bill outlines the procedures for conducting the audit, including the determination of contests subject to audit, public notice and reporting requirements, and the process for conducting the audit in public view. It also defines terms such as "audit unit," "contest," and "risk-limiting audit," and states that the results of any audits must be published on the state board's website within 48 hours of acceptance.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new type of post-election risk-limiting audit specifically for mail ballot voter signature verification accuracy. This audit is to be conducted before the certification of election results and involves a review of the signatures on returned mail ballot envelopes. If the audit reveals a number of unverified signatures that exceeds the margin of victory in the selected contest, a new special election must be held for that contest before the results are certified. The state board is tasked with promulgating rules, regulations, and procedures necessary to implement this section. The act would take effect upon passage, and it aims to create an additional layer of security and verification for voted mail ballots by focusing on voter signature verification.

Statutes affected:
7392: 17-19-37.4