HB1280 Summary

• Replaces references to "electronic voting systems" with "electronic counting machines" throughout North Dakota election law, establishing that only paper ballots with electronic counting of votes are authorized.

• Requires electronic counting machines to be unable to connect to the internet and unable to change or manipulate votes after they are cast or vote tallies after counting.

• Repeals sections authorizing direct-recording electronic voting systems and related provisions, eliminating touchscreen voting devices from state elections.

• Creates new provision allowing vacation or nullification of all official actions taken by a public official removed from office through an election contest judgment.

• Expands election contest timeframe to allow challenges based on use of non-paper ballots, improper ballot retention, or non-compliant counting machines until the date ballots for the next comparable election are printed.