SB 1518 Summary

• Requires county recorders to submit unaltered ballot images and cast vote records to the secretary of state within 48 hours after election certification, which must be posted on a secure, downloadable website as public records.

• Establishes an electronic portal administered by the secretary of state for requesting access to ballot images and cast vote records, requiring requesters to provide personal information and sign a declaration prohibiting alteration of records or use of records to reveal how individuals voted; violations are classified as class 5 felonies.

• Requires county recorders to store paper ballots for convenient retrieval and makes the county recorder and secretary of state not liable for personal identifying information or voter notations included in ballot images.

• Allows voters who present valid identification during early voting to have their early ballots deemed immediately ready for tabulation without additional signature verification as prescribed in section 16-550.

• Makes the chain of custody log for early ballots returned at voting locations on election day available for public inspection within 48 hours after election day.

• Extends the timeline for filing election contest statements from five days to seven days after completion of the election canvass and declaration of results.