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Bill

SB 1028

Election Laws - As introduced, requires all ballots cast in an election to have a secure watermark; requires the official tabulation count of a ballot scanner to be based on the text or machine mark portion of a ballot; makes certain other changes related to ballots and elections; creates programs for the scanning and auditing of ballots. - Amends TCA Title 2.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Janice Bowling

Tennessee requires ballot watermarks and machine-readable scanning instead of handwritten text counting, establishing new auditing programs to enhance election security and accuracy.

Failed in Senate State and Local Government Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1028

Legislative bill overview

SB 1028 mandates that all ballots in Tennessee elections include secure watermarks and requires ballot scanners to count ballots based on machine-readable marks rather than handwritten text. The bill also establishes new programs for ballot scanning and auditing procedures under Tennessee's election code.

Why is this important

Election security and vote counting accuracy are foundational to public confidence in democratic processes. This bill addresses concerns about ballot authentication and scanner accuracy, though its effectiveness depends heavily on implementation details and whether the technology reliably distinguishes between voter intent and machine error.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and implementation burden: Watermark requirements and new scanning/auditing programs require significant investment in new equipment, training, and infrastructure that counties must fund and manage
  • Voter accessibility concerns: Prioritizing machine-readable marks over handwritten text could disadvantage voters with disabilities or those who make marking errors, potentially invalidating legitimate votes
  • Technical reliability questions: The bill doesn't specify which watermarking technology, scanning standards, or audit protocols would be used—leaving critical security details undefined and vulnerable to future disputes over whether systems actually work as intended

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

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