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A 6196

Relates to the examination of voting machines by the state board of elections

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Carroll and 5 co-sponsors

Bill Summary: A 6196 - Examination of Voting Machines OverviewThis bill, introduced on February 27, 2025, relates to the examination and certification of voting machines used in el

REFERRED TO ELECTION LAW
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Bill Summary · A 6196

Bill Summary: A 6196 - Examination of Voting Machines

Overview

This bill, introduced on February 27, 2025, relates to the examination and certification of voting machines used in elections by the New York State Board of Elections. It aims to establish new requirements and procedures for the testing and approval of voting equipment to ensure the integrity and security of the state's electoral process.

Key Provisions

  • Requires the State Board of Elections to conduct a comprehensive examination of all voting machines, systems, and software used in state and local elections prior to certification for use.
  • Mandates that the examination include testing for accuracy, security, and vulnerability to tampering or hacking.
  • Directs the Board to establish regulations and standards for the design, manufacture, and use of voting equipment to protect against vulnerabilities.
  • Prohibits the use of any voting machine or system that has not been explicitly certified and approved by the Board.
  • Allows for unannounced, random audits of certified voting equipment to verify continued compliance.
  • Imposes penalties for the use of uncertified or non-compliant voting systems in elections.

Impact

This bill, if enacted, would significantly impact state and local election officials, as well as voting machine vendors and manufacturers. Key stakeholders that would be affected include:

  • State and county Boards of Election: Required to conduct thorough examinations and certifications of all voting equipment, as well as ongoing audits.
  • Voting machine vendors: Must submit their equipment for rigorous testing and certification to be approved for use in New York elections.
  • Voters: Intended to increase confidence in the security and integrity of the voting process through enhanced oversight and testing of voting technology.

Procedural Considerations

  • This bill has been referred to the New York State Assembly's Election Law Committee for consideration.
  • It is a reintroduction of previous legislation (A 9979, A 829, A 3993) that did not pass in prior sessions.
  • A companion bill, S 5158, has also been introduced in the State Senate.
  • If passed by the Assembly and Senate, the bill would require the Governor's signature to become law.

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

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