The bill proposes the establishment of the West Virginia Task Force on Election Integrity, which will be organized within the Office of the Secretary of State. The Task Force is tasked with identifying optimal, secure, transparent, and auditable methods for vote tabulation and election management. It will consist of various members, including representatives from the House of Delegates, the State Senate, the Attorney General's office, the Department of Homeland Security, the cybersecurity industry, and county clerks, among others. The Governor will designate the Chair of the Task Force, and the group will be responsible for investigating secure technologies, assessing risks related to election integrity, and making recommendations for legislative changes.

The Task Force is required to hold its first meeting within 90 days of the bill's effective date and will meet quarterly thereafter. It must submit an interim report six months after its first meeting and an annual report by July 1, 2027, detailing its findings and recommendations. The Task Force is set to terminate on July 1, 2028, unless it concludes its work earlier or is directed by the Governor to extend its charge. The bill emphasizes the importance of transparency and thorough investigation in ensuring the integrity of election processes in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-1A-6