SB 9 — Relating to voting; to amend Section 17-7-23, Code of Alabama 1975, to require any approved electronic vote counting system used in an election to require the use of paper ballots; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

SB9 INTRODUCEDENROLLED MSK6HH-1MSK6HH-3 By Senator Chambliss RFD:

07-Mar-23 PFD:2023 Regular Session Page 0 SB9 Enrolled Enrolled, An Act, 8 Relating to voting;

08-Feb-23 Page 0 MSK6HH-1 01/10/2023 PMG (L) cr 2022-5072 2 4 SYNOPSIS:

Under existing law, the Alabama Electronic Voting Committee is responsible for ensuring that the state's electronic vote counting system meets integrity standards set by law.

This bill would provide that the state's electronic vote counting system must require the use of a paper ballot that is marked and inspected by the voter prior to the ballot being cast and counted.

This bill would also make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT Relating to voting;

Section 17-7-23, Code of Alabama 1975, is Page 1 SB9 INTRODUCED amended to read as follows:

The committee may use certification of the equipment by an authorized independent testing authority, or successor entity, Page 1 SB9 Enrolled as evidence that the equipment meets the requirements of Section 17-7-21 and this section, where certification by the independent testing authority, or successor entity, is applicable.

The vendor submitting a system for Page 2 SB9 INTRODUCED certification shall pay to the State of Alabama by depositing with the State Treasury for distribution to reimburse the committee in an amount equal to the actual costs, if any, incurred in examining the system.

For purposes of this subdivision, "paper ballot" means a paper ballot marked Page 2 SB9 Enrolled by the voter by hand or by a disability accessible ballot marking device.

Page 3 SB9 INTRODUCED (5)(e) After an electronic vote counting system has been certified, any change or improvement in the system shall be certified by the committee prior to the adoption of such the change or improvement by any county.

If the system, as changed or improved, is not in compliance, the committee shall suspend all sales of the equipment or system in the state until such the equipment or 95 system complies with the requirements of this article.

(6)(f)(6) The adoption of an electronic vote counting system in which votes are recorded on an electronic ballot as authorized in this article is hereby validated.

It is the legislative intent of this subsection to declare that the use of electronic vote counting systems in which votes are recorded on an electronic ballot has, since the enactment of the Election Reform Act of 1983, been an acceptable method of Page 3 SB9 Enrolled electronic vote counting." Section 2.

Page 4 SB9 Enrolled 95 ________________________________________________ President and Presiding Officer of the Senate 99 ________________________________________________ Speaker of the House of Representatives SB9 Senate 04-Apr-23 I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and passed the Senate.

Senate 05-May-23 I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and passed the Senate, as amended by Executive Amendment.

Patrick Harris, Secretary.

House of Representatives Passed:

02-May-23 House of Representatives Passed:

31-MAR-22, as amended by Executive Amendment.

By:

Senator Chambliss Page 5