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 certain conditions and permits candidates to request hand counts. The legislation revises the timing of primary elections and the county and state canvass to facilitate the hand counting process. It also clarifies the appointment of counting boards and requires the establishment of standards for counting ballots, particularly in instances of damaged ballots or necessary recounts. Key amendments include a revised definition of "recount" to include both hand counting and electronic processing, as well as an increase in the margin for triggering recounts from one percent to two percent for specific offices.

Additionally, the bill modifies the timing of bond elections, requiring them to coincide with primary or general elections or specific Tuesdays in May, November, or August, replacing the previous requirement of the third Monday in August. It mandates that political subdivisions notify the county clerk at least 110 days before a bond election with details about the election date and bond question. The bill also repeals certain sections of existing law and appropriates $200,000 from the general fund to the newly established election recount account. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
26LSO-0044 v0.3: 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