MA S517

Requires hand-counted audits following every biennial state election and regular state primary for congressional races, state legislature races, governor/president races, and one randomly selected statewide office or ballot question

Audits must begin on the 15th day after the election, be conducted in full public view, and be completed before returns are certified; extends the certification deadline from 15 to 21 days

State secretary must publish audit findings online within 30 days of the election, with supplemental reports permitted within 90 days; all reports must be maintained online for at least 6 years

Creates a risk-limiting audit workgroup including 3 governor-appointed experts, state officials, and representatives from Common Cause, League of Women Voters, Verified Voting, and the Brennan Center for Justice

Workgroup must hold its first meeting within 90 days of the act's passage and publish recommendations for future risk-limiting audit legislation by July 31, 2027; may conduct pilot audits using ballots from previous elections