(1) Each auditor must notify the secretary of the intent to purchase or install a new county election management system. The county election management system must be approved by the secretary to ensure it meets the technical specifications promulgated by the secretary to interface with the official statewide voter registration database. This approval must be obtained prior to the purchase or installation of the system.

(2) A county election management system must have the capability to:

(a) Store information required in WAC 434-324-010;

(b) Generate a list of registered voters in a county and their registration statuses;

(c) Track information specific to single elections, including the issuance and return of ballots;

(d) Scan voter registration forms; and

(e) Store and provide access to images of signatures of registered voters.

(3) A county's election management system must conform to all of the requirements of state law and of these regulations, and if it does not, the secretary must notify the auditor of the nature of the nonconformity. The auditor must correct the nonconforming aspects of the county election management system and provide to the secretary such evidence of the change or changes in the system as the secretary may deem appropriate.