MT SB494

Election administrators must conduct end-to-end functionality tests of voting systems when acquiring new systems or after events that could alter the system, including upgrades, software patches, fixes, downloads, or when hardware leaves the administrator's custody

Counties using vote-counting machines capable of producing audit logs or cast vote records must retain copies permanently as public records under Title 2, Chapter 6

Removes the previous requirement that election administrators print and examine voting system audit logs before and after vote counts; replaces the 22-month retention period with permanent retention as public records

Amends Section 13-1-303 MCA regarding disposition of ballots and election materials to add the new public record retention requirement for audit logs and cast vote records