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LB 659

Change provisions relating to vote counting devices under the Election Act

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bob Andersen

LB 659 updates Nebraska's Election Act to mandate independent certification, security audits, and real-time reporting for vote counting devices, enhancing election integrity.

Title printed. Carryover bill
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LB 659

Summary of Legislative Bill LB 659: Changes to Vote Counting Devices under the Election Act

Purpose and Intent

LB 659 seeks to amend provisions in the Nebraska Election Act related to vote counting devices used in elections. The main goals of the bill are to:

  1. Update certification and testing requirements for vote counting devices
  2. Establish new security and transparency measures for the use of such devices
  3. Clarify procedures around the auditing and verification of election results

Key Provisions

The bill would make the following key changes:

Certification and Testing

  • Require vote counting devices to be certified by an independent testing laboratory approved by the Secretary of State
  • Mandate that all devices undergo full testing and recertification at least once every 4 years

Security and Transparency

  • Mandate a voter-verified paper audit trail for all ballots cast using vote counting devices
  • Require post-election audits to verify the accuracy of device tallies against the paper trail
  • Mandate real-time public reporting of vote counting device activity and results

Auditing and Verification

  • Establish a process for conducting automatic post-election audits on a percentage of precincts
  • Allow for additional discretionary audits if election results are in question
  • Require the Secretary of State to issue a public report verifying the accuracy of election outcomes

Impact

If enacted, LB 659 would impact the administration of elections across Nebraska by updating the standards and procedures for the use of vote counting devices. The new certification, security, and auditing requirements aim to enhance public confidence in the integrity of election results.

The bill would primarily affect the Nebraska Secretary of State, county election officials, and voters, who would experience changes to how votes are cast, counted, and verified. Proponents argue these changes are necessary to safeguard Nebraska's elections, while critics contend the new requirements could be overly burdensome and costly.

Procedural and Timeline Details

LB 659 was introduced on January 22, 2025 and has been designated as a carryover bill, meaning it will continue to be considered in the next legislative session. If passed, the bill's provisions would generally take effect on January 1, 2026 to allow time for implementation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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