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Bill

LC 1461

Generally revise laws related to voting and tabulation machines

2025 Regular Session

Broadly revises voting and tabulation laws to update standards, testing, security, accessibility, and audits for voting machines and their procurement.

(LC) Draft Died in Process
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LC 1461

Summary of LC 1461 — Generally revise laws related to voting and tabulation machines

Overview

LC 1461 is a draft bill introduced on November 16, 2024, aimed at generally revising the statutes governing voting and tabulation machines. The bill is in the “draft” stage and has a history of remaining stalled, with its status transitioning to “Died in Process” as of May 26, 2025. The legislative actions show an early drafting trajectory that was placed on hold and subsequently did not advance.

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill’s stated purpose is to generally revise laws relating to voting and tabulation machines.
  • Without the enacted text, the precise aims (e.g., security enhancements, certification reform, accessibility improvements, or auditing requirements) cannot be confirmed. The title indicates a broad regulatory update rather than targeted amendments.

Envisioned Scope (Based on the Title)

Given the broad phrasing, the bill would likely address areas such as:
- Standards and certification processes for voting systems and tabulation equipment
- Security requirements (cyber and physical security) and system integrity
- Accessibility and usability for voters with disabilities
- Procedures for testing, validation, and certification of machines
- Procurement, deployment, maintenance, and replacement cycles
- Auditability, record-keeping, and transparency (e.g., post-election tabulation processes)
- Vendor oversight and accountability
- Compliance timelines and transition provisions for jurisdictions

Note: These are inferred topics common to legislation that "generally revise" voting and tabulation laws. The exact provisions would depend on the final text if reintroduced.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Voters and voters’ access services (through machine usability and accessibility requirements)
  • Election officials, county or local election agencies, and state election authorities (through procurement, testing, certification, and maintenance responsibilities)
  • Voting system vendors and contractors (through certification, compliance, and procurement rules)
  • Election observers and auditors (through transparency and auditability provisions)

Procedural History and Timeline

  • Introduced: November 16, 2024
  • 2024-11-16: Drafter Assigned
  • 2024-11-25: Draft On Hold
  • 2025-05-26: Draft Died in Process
  • Current status: Draft died in process; no further action reported

Potential Impacts if Enacted

  • Strengthened or clarified certification and testing requirements for voting machines
  • Potential cost implications for jurisdictions (procurement, upgrades, and maintenance)
  • Improved security and audit capabilities, influencing public trust
  • Changes to procurement timelines and vendor regulations
  • Transitional provisions may be needed for existing equipment and processes

Next Steps for Interested Parties

  • Monitor for any reintroduction or amendments in subsequent sessions
  • Review full text upon availability to assess exact provisions, timelines, and fiscal impacts
  • Engage with election officials and stakeholder groups to evaluate potential benefits or burdens of revised voting-machine regulations

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize a particular stakeholder group (e.g., counties, vendors, or voters) or compare it to similar prior bills.

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

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