Bill > SB147

This bill amends Oklahoma's election law to expand the Secretary of the State Election Board's authority to conduct post-election audits. Specifically, the bill requires the Secretary to direct county election boards to conduct post-election audits for elections held on specific dates outlined in state law. A post-election audit is defined as a manual or electronic examination of a limited number of ballots following an election, with the purpose of maintaining election system security by verifying that voting devices and software correctly tabulated votes. The Secretary retains discretion in determining the method, timing, and procedures for these audits, and county election boards must report their audit findings to the State Election Board, making those reports publicly available. The bill updates some technical language and provides clarity around the audit process, with the changes set to take effect on November 1, 2025. The key enhancement is the mandatory nature of post-election audits for certain specified elections, which aims to increase transparency and confidence in the electoral process.