Bill > SB313

This bill modifies Maryland's election audit procedures by introducing risk-limiting audits (RLAs) as a more statistically robust method of verifying election results. Under the new law, the State Board of Elections will be required to conduct a risk-limiting audit after each statewide election, examining at least one statewide contest and potentially other selected contests. A risk-limiting audit is a statistical process designed to provide a high probability of detecting election irregularities by randomly examining voter-verifiable paper records until the audit can confirm the accuracy of the electronic vote count or determine that a full manual recount is necessary. The bill allows the State Board to optionally conduct an automated software audit and permits local boards to conduct risk-limiting audits of local contests at their discretion. If an RLA finds the electronic vote count potentially inaccurate, the Board of Canvassers must investigate and correct the results within three days. The bill also defines key terms like "risk limit" and "electronic count" and requires the State Board to develop regulations specifying how these audits will be conducted. The new election audit procedures will take effect on June 1, 2025, providing time for election officials to prepare for the new requirements.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0313?ys=2025RS