HB 519 Summary

• Defines "automatic tabulating equipment" as apparatus that automatically examines, counts, and records votes in election statutes.

• Requires vote-by-mail ballots with overvotes or undervotes to be duplicated with all valid votes as determined by canvassing board following Department of State rules.

• Allows ballots already processed through automatic tabulating equipment that is not part of the voting system to skip re-tabulation during recounts.

• Mandates manual recounts consist of person-reviewed paper ballots or digital ballot images; hardware and software for identifying overvotes and undervotes must be Department of State certified.

• Requires Department of State to adopt detailed recount procedures addressing ballot security, timing, public observation, objections, record-keeping, candidate representation, and use of automatic tabulating equipment not part of the voting system.