Z-1341.1  _______________________________________________

 

                          HOUSE BILL 2665

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1998 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Smith and D. Schmidt; by request of Secretary of State

 

Read first time 01/16/98.  Referred to Committee on Government Administration.

Regulating voting system tests.


    AN ACT Relating to testing of voting systems; and amending RCW 29.33.145, 29.33.350, and 29.33.360.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    Sec. 1.  RCW 29.33.145 and 1990 c 59 s 23 are each amended to read as follows:

    An agreement to purchase or lease a voting system or a component of a voting system is subject to that system or component passing an acceptance test ((prescribed by the secretary of state)) sufficient to demonstrate that the equipment is ((identical to)) the same as that certified by the secretary of state and that the equipment is operating correctly as delivered to the county.

 

    Sec. 2.  RCW 29.33.350 and 1990 c 59 s 32 are each amended to read as follows:

    At least three days before each state primary or general election, the office of the secretary of state shall provide for the conduct of tests of the programming for each vote tallying system to be used at that primary or general election ((shall be tested by the office of the secretary of state to)).  The test must verify that the system will correctly count the vote cast for all candidates and on all measures appearing on the ballot at that primary or general election.  The ((tests shall be conducted by processing a preaudited group of ballots marked with a predetermined number of ballot votes for each candidate and for and against each measure.  For each office for which there are two or more candidates and for each issue, the group of test ballots shall include one or more ballots which have votes in excess of the number allowed by law, in order to verify the ability of the vote tallying system to reject such votes)) office of the secretary of state shall adopt rules specifying the manner of conducting these programming tests.  The test shall verify the capability of the vote tallying system to perform all of the functions that can reasonably be expected to occur during conduct of that particular primary or election.  If any error is detected, the cause shall be determined and corrected, and an errorless total shall be produced before the primary or election.

    Such tests shall be observed by at least one representative from each major political party, if representatives have been appointed by the respective major political parties and are present at the test, and shall be open to candidates, the press, and the public.  The ((secretary of state, the)) county auditor((,)) and any political party observers shall certify that the test has been conducted in accordance with this section.  Copies of this certification shall be retained by the secretary of state and the county auditor.  All programming materials, test results, and test ballots shall be securely sealed until the day of the primary or general election.

 

    Sec. 3.  RCW 29.33.360 and 1990 c 59 s 34 are each amended to read as follows:

    The secretary of state ((shall)) may publish ((manuals of)) recommended procedures for the operation of the various vote tallying systems that have been approved.  These ((manuals shall contain any applicable rules and statutes relating to the printing of ballots and preparation and testing of the various vote tallying systems, the duties and functions of the precinct election officers, and the duties and functions of the counting center personnel and operators of vote tallying systems at counting centers)) procedures allow the office of the secretary of state to restrict or define the use of approved systems in elections.

 


                            --- END ---