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2006 Georgia Code - 21-2-379.12
21-2-379.12. (a) The Secretary of State shall implement a
pilot program providing for the use of direct recording electronic
(DRE) voting equipment equipped and configured with an elector
verified, permanent paper record of the votes cast by each elector
on each DRE unit in one precinct each in the Counties of Cobb,
Bibb, and Camden in the 2006 November general election and any
runoff from such election. (b)(1) Each DRE unit used in the pilot project
shall meet the requirements of this subsection and shall be of the
same general type from the same vendor or manufacturer as those DRE
units in use in the state. (2) Each DRE unit used by the counties in the
pilot project shall have received national qualification and shall
have passed state certification for use in elections. For the
purposes of this Code section, the Secretary of State is authorized
to provide for a conditional certification of the units which shall
expire on December 31, 2006. (3) Each unit shall produce an elector verified,
permanent paper record of the votes cast by each elector on such
device and shall provide the elector with an opportunity to review
the permanent paper record privately and independently before
casting his or her vote on the unit and to change his or her ballot
or correct any error in such record or vote; provided, however,
that it shall not allow the elector to have actual physical
possession of such record. Each unit shall bear a unique
identifying number and each unit shall be equipped with a storage
device that: (A) Stores each
of the elector verified, permanent paper records at the same time
as such electoŕs
votes are stored electronically by the DRE unit;
(B) Bears the same unique
identifying number as the DRE unit to which it is attached;
and (C) Can be removed from
the DRE unit for the purpose of transporting the permanent paper
records contained therein to a central tabulating center.
(c) In those counties constituting
the pilot project in the 2006 November general election and any
runoff therefrom, each duly qualified elector shall cast his or her
vote on a DRE unit by touching the screen or pressing the
appropriate button on the unit for the candidate or issue of such
electoŕs
choice. After having the opportunity to vote in all races and upon
all questions in which the elector is eligible to vote, the unit
shall display a summary of the choices which the elector has made.
At that time, the elector shall also be notified of any races or
questions in which the elector did not make a selection and all
other choices of the elector shall be displayed for the
electoŕs
review. The elector shall have the opportunity to change any
choices which the elector made in voting the ballot and be allowed
to vote in those races and on those questions in which the elector
did not previously make a selection or cast a vote, and the elector
shall again be presented with a summary display of his or her
choices. After the summary screen is displayed and the elector
desires to make no further changes to his or her votes, the elector
shall be notified that he or she is about to cast the ballot. Prior
to the elector casting his or her vote on the unit, the unit shall
print a permanent paper record of the electoŕs
votes. The elector shall then review such permanent paper record
and, if such record is correct, the elector shall then press the
appropriate button on the unit or location on the screen to
actually cast his or her ballot and cause such votes to be
recorded, which shall also cause the permanent paper record to be
deposited in a ballot box or other secure container. If the votes
shown on the permanent paper record are incorrect, the unit shall
allow the elector to correct such error or errors by rejecting and
voiding the permanent paper record that was printed and changing
such electoŕs
votes on the unit. After making such corrections, the unit shall
print a new permanent paper record for the
electoŕs
review. If the new record is correct, the elector shall then press
the appropriate button on the unit or location on the screen to
actually cast his or her ballot. If the new record is incorrect,
the unit shall allow the voter to reject and void the new permanent
paper record and again change the electoŕs
votes on the unit. After making such corrections, the unit shall
print a permanent paper record of the electoŕs
votes and shall cause the electoŕs
ballot to be cast and such votes to be recorded. The elector shall
only be allowed to adjust his or her votes three times before
casting the ballot. After pressing the appropriate button on the
unit or location on the screen to cast the ballot, the
electoŕs
vote shall be final and shall not be subsequently altered. The
permanent paper records shall be secured in locked ballot boxes or
other secure containers at all times and such ballot boxes or
containers shall not be opened nor shall such ballots be counted
unless and until required to be counted pursuant to a recount or an
election contest proceeding; provided, however, that the Secretary
of State shall cause a complete manual audit to be performed on
each DRE unit used in the pilot project for voting within 30 days
following the 2006 November general election and within 30 days of
any runoff of such election. The audit shall compare the results of
the permanent paper records from each DRE unit with the electronic
record recorded by the DRE unit. The results of such audits shall
be made available to the public upon the completion of the
audits. (d) The Secretary of
State shall provide the DRE units and all necessary software,
supplies, training, and support for the pilot project.
(e) The State of Georgia shall
provide the funding needed to implement such pilot project. (f) Not
later than the second Monday in January, 2007, the Secretary of
State shall conduct a public hearing in each of the pilot areas. A
summary of the findings as well as the comments received shall be
submitted to the General Assembly and made available to the general
public. (g) This Code section
shall be repealed by operation of law on February 1, 2007.
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