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HB 5236

The purpose of this bill is to ensure compliance with state law requiring ballot tabulating equipment to not be connected to the internet, by requiring random inspections by the Secretary of State, including all necessary reporting.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Campbell and 7 co-sponsors

Bill requires West Virginia Secretary of State to conduct random inspections ensuring ballot machines aren't internet-connected, strengthening election security compliance monitoring.

To House Judiciary
#elections
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5236

Legislative bill overview

HB 5236 establishes a random inspection protocol requiring West Virginia's Secretary of State to conduct compliance checks on ballot tabulating equipment to verify they remain disconnected from the internet, as mandated by existing state law. The bill includes provisions for mandatory reporting on inspection findings and results.

Why is this important

Election security and public confidence in voting systems depend partly on ensuring tabulating equipment cannot be remotely accessed or manipulated. This bill creates an enforcement mechanism for existing legal requirements that may have lacked systematic oversight, addressing a critical vulnerability in the election infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Resource allocation: Random inspections statewide require funding, staffing, and logistics that may strain the Secretary of State's office budget and operations
  • Inspection scope clarity: The bill doesn't specify what "random" means (frequency, sampling methodology, geographic coverage), potentially creating implementation uncertainty
  • Reporting requirements burden: Mandatory reporting requirements could create administrative overhead; details on what must be reported, to whom, and frequency are not outlined in the summary

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

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