Bill Text: TX SB27 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 2nd Special Session | Introduced

Texas Senate Bill 27 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to the tabulation and reporting of votes, including certain technological requirements for ballots.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-08-06 - Filed [SB27 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SB27-Introduced.html



	By: Hall	S.B. No. 27


	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the tabulation and reporting of votes, including
	certain technological requirements for ballots.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 52.061, Election Code, is amended by
	adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
	(c) A ballot must contain a watermark.
	SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 65, Election Code, is
	amended by adding Section 65.017 to read as follows:
	Sec. 65.017. VERIFICATION OF VOTE TOTALS. (a) After
	precinct returns have been prepared under Section 65.014, each
	county shall print and compare the returns to ensure the number of
	votes cast in each precinct in the county matches the total number
	of votes cast in the county.
	(b) After the comparison in Subsection (a) is completed, the
	secretary of state shall print and compare the returns to ensure the
	number of votes cast in each county matches the total number of
	votes cast in the state.
	(c) If the comparison in Subsection (a) results in a
	disparity between the vote counts, an automatic recount under
	Chapter 216 must be conducted in the precinct for the election in
	which the disparity is identified. The recount shall be a manual
	recount by hand of paper records in accordance with Subchapter A,
	Chapter 214.
	(d) If the comparison in Subsection (b) results in a
	disparity between the vote counts, an automatic recount under
	Chapter 216 must be conducted in the county for the election in
	which the disparity is identified. The recount shall be a manual
	recount by hand of paper records in accordance with Subchapter A,
	Chapter 214.
	SECTION 3. Chapter 279, Election Code, is amended by adding
	Section 279.004 to read as follows:
	Sec. 279.004. TRANSMISSION BETWEEN SECRETARY OF STATE AND
	COUNTY ELECTION OFFICERS. (a) In this section, "asymmetric
	cryptography" means a system of cryptography that employs a pair of
	keys, one known to county election officers, the other only known to
	the secretary of state, to encrypt and decrypt the transmission of
	election data.
	(b) Any transmission of election data that occurs between
	the secretary of state and a county election officer must be done on
	a device that is not capable of being connected to the Internet or
	another computer network or electronic device through:
	(1) a secure virtual private network; or
	(2) a landline link that employs asymmetric
	cryptography.
	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
	last day of the legislative session.