Posted: | January 26, 2021 12:50 PM |
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From: | Representative Bryan Cutler |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Post Election Audits |
In the near future I plan to introduce legislation that will statutorily require a “statistically significant” post-election audit using an approved auditing method for elections conducted in the Commonwealth. These audits, sometimes referred to as risk-limiting audits, are scientifically designed and highly effective procedures conducted after an election to strengthen election security and integrity, confirm the accuracy of election outcomes, and provide confidence to voters that their votes are being counted accurately. My legislation will require the Commonwealth and each county in this Commonwealth to implement a post-election audit using an approved auditing method. Approved election auditing methods must be consistent with best practices in the field and must include, but are not limited to, a risk-limiting audit. Each audit must confirm to a reasonable degree of statistical certainty that the election outcome is correct. If the outcome of an audited race cannot be confirmed by a post-election audit, a full recount of that race shall be completed by hand, in accordance with our current election law. Additionally, the Department of State will be required to issue a report to the General Assembly including the same data sets required by Act 35 of 2020 following the 2020 Primary Election. A copy of the report shall be made available on the Department of State's publicly accessible internet website. Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation to strengthen election security and integrity, confirm the accuracy of election outcomes, and provide confidence to voters that their votes are being counted accurately. |
Introduced as HB1482