1-7-512. Voting system providers – duties
Overview of Statute
Voting system providers must provide notification to the secretary of state of the installation of any hardware, firmware, or software prior to beginning the installation, as well as notify after a completed installation. The providers must also notify all political subdivisions using its software about any defect identified in any of their software and any subsequent changes implemented. The secretary of state will promulgate rules[1] for implementing this procedure.
[1] Article 4 of title 24, C.R.S. (“State Administrative Procedure Act”) provides rule-making procedure.
Statute
(1) A voting system provider under contract to provide a voting system to a political subdivision in this state shall:
(a) Notify the secretary of state of the installation of any hardware, firmware, or software prior to the installation or of any change in the election software or the voting system;
(b) Place in escrow with the secretary of state or an independent escrow agent approved by the secretary of state, immediately after the installation of election software, one copy of the state certified election software that was installed in each political subdivision, along with supporting documentation;
(c) Place in escrow with the secretary of state any subsequent changes to the escrowed election software or supporting documentation;
(d) Provide to the secretary of state a sworn statement by an officer of the voting system provider with legal authority to bind the voting system provider attesting that the election software in escrow is the same as the election software certified for use in its voting systems in this state, and ensure that the statement is true on a continuing basis;
(e) Notify the secretary of state and the designated election official of any political subdivision using its voting system of any defect in the same system known to occur anywhere; and
(f) Notify the secretary of state and the designated election official of any political subdivision using its voting system of any change in the election software or the voting system.
(2) The secretary of state shall promulgate rules in accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., establishing procedures for voting system providers to comply with this section.
(3) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, “election software” means the software to be installed or residing on election equipment firmware or on election management computers that controls election setup, vote recording, vote tabulation, and reporting.
Source: L. 2005: Entire section added, p. 1408, § 27, effective June 6; entire section added, p. 1443, § 27, effective June 6.
- Cross-References:
- Audits of Voting Technology
- Storage and Control of Voting Machines
- Technological Standards
- Voting Technology
The rules define “firmware” as computer programs stored on read-only memory devices or other electronic circuitry in voting devices that control the basic operation and function of those devices.
1. Definition for Political subdivision
A governing subdivision of the state, including counties, municipalities, school districts, and special districts. C.R.S. § 1-7.5-103.
2. Definition for Designated election official
The secretary of state, a county clerk and recorder, or other election official as provided by article XXI of the state constitution. C.R.S. § 1-12-100.5.
3. Definition for State
A state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. C.R.S. § 1-8.3-102.
4. Definition for Title
A brief statement that fairly and accurately represents the true intent and meaning of the proposed text of the initiative.
5. Definition for Section
A bound compilation of initiative forms approved by the secretary of state, which shall include pages that contain the warning required by section 1-40-110 (1), the ballot title, the abstract required by section 1-40-110 (3), and a copy of the proposed measure; succeeding pages that contain the warning, the ballot title, and ruled lines numbered consecutively for registered electors’ signatures; and a final page that contains the affidavit required by section 1-40-111 (2). Each section shall be consecutively prenumbered by the petitioner prior to circulation.
6. Definition for Election
Any election under the “Uniform Election Code of 1992” or the “Colorado Municipal Election Code of 1965”, article 10 of title 31, C.R.S. C.R.S. § 1-7.5-103.
7. Definition for Secretary
The Colorado secretary of state. C.R.S. § 1-1.5-102.