The bill establishes a new process for conducting election recounts, allowing for hand counting of votes as an option. It empowers the Secretary of State and county clerks to mandate recounts under specific conditions and permits candidates to request hand counts. Key amendments include redefining "recount" to include both hand counting and electronic processing, adjusting the primary election date from the third to the first Monday in August, and requiring hand counts for certain close races. The bill also creates an election recount account to fund these activities, outlines costs associated with recounts, and specifies that counties will cover expenses for recounts initiated by the county clerk or canvassing board.

Additionally, the bill details procedures for bond elections, stating that each bond question must be presented to qualified electors and that these elections should coincide with primary or general elections or occur on designated Tuesdays. It modifies the timing for bond elections by changing references from "third" to "first" Monday in August and mandates political subdivisions to notify the county clerk at least 110 days before the election regarding bond questions. The bill appropriates $200,000 from the general fund to the election recount account and grants the Secretary of State authority to establish rules for bond elections not held concurrently with general or primary elections. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22-1-102, 22-2-104, 22-8-102, 22-8-108, 22-14-114, 22-16-103, 22-16-109, 22-16-110, 22-16-111, 22-16-113, 22-16-118, 22-21-103
Engrossed: 22-1-102, 22-2-104, 22-8-102, 22-8-108, 22-14-114, 22-16-103, 22-16-109, 22-16-110, 22-16-111, 22-16-113, 22-16-118, 22-21-103