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 the bipartisan State Election Commission, ex officio members from the legislature, and representatives from the cybersecurity industry and local clerks. The Governor will appoint members, including a designated Chair, and the Task Force will be responsible for researching secure election technologies, assessing election software and hardware, and ensuring compliance with existing laws regarding election equipment.

Additionally, the Task Force will monitor federal agency reports related to election security, investigate potential vulnerabilities in voting systems, and evaluate whether current standards adequately protect against election fraud and manipulation. The Task Force is required to meet quarterly, submit progress reports, and will terminate on July 1, 2028, unless its charge is extended by the Governor. The bill emphasizes the importance of transparency and collaboration with the Office of Technology and the Fusion Center to support the Task Force's efforts.

Statutes affected:
Originating in Committee: 3-1A-6