SB1175

THE CONTEXT: Precinct registers and other lists and information derived from voter registration forms may only be used for: 1) purposes relating to a political or political party activity, political campaign or election; 2) revising election district boundaries; or 3) any other purpose authorized by law. A county recorder, the Secretary of State (SOS) or an officer in charge of elections, on a request for an authorized use, must prepare additional copies of the list and furnish them to any requesting person on payment of a statutory fee, based on the number of voter registration forms provided.

WHAT THE BILL DID: Effective January 1, 2024, expands access to precinct registers and information derived from voter registration forms. Outlines procedures for a hand count audit if a political party provides an insufficient number of board workers to conduct the hand count audit.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give the people who rely on the rule clearer information and a defined reporting process. It would expand the authorized uses of precinct registers and other lists of information derived from voter registration forms to any noncommercial use, rather than only for: a) purposes relating to a political or political party activity, political campaign or an election; b) revising election district boundaries; or c) any other purpose specifically authorized by law, and would also require a county recorder, the SOS or an officer in charge of elections to provide for electronic access to voter registration information, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.