This bill proposes amendments to the West Virginia Code regarding the auditing of election precincts and the timeframe for candidates to demand recounts after election results are declared. Specifically, it increases the percentage of precincts to be audited from three percent to ten percent during the election canvass, ensuring a more thorough verification of the electronically tabulated results. Additionally, the bill extends the period for candidates to demand a recount from 48 hours to five days following the declaration of results, allowing candidates more time to assess the accuracy of the election outcomes.

The bill also includes several technical changes, such as updating the time for public notice of examination of sealed materials from "nine o'clock in the morning" to "9:00 a.m." and clarifying the procedures for recounts. It stipulates that if discrepancies arise between the manual count of voter-verified paper ballots and the automated vote tabulation, the manual count will be considered the official record. Furthermore, it allows for the release of voting equipment for use in future elections after a specified period, while ensuring that all election materials are preserved for a minimum of 22 months unless a contest is pending.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-4A-28, 3-6-9