Election results: risk-limiting audits.
By authorizing risk-limiting audits, AB 2125 is expected to significantly impact the way elections are verified. The bill mandates that the Secretary of State adopt regulations to ensure elections officials can skillfully conduct these audits. The audits aim to enhance transparency within the electoral process and reduce the likelihood that incorrect results are certified. This is particularly important for close elections where accuracy is paramount.
Assembly Bill 2125, authored by Quirk, aims to enhance election integrity in California through the implementation of risk-limiting audits. The bill allows elections officials to conduct risk-limiting audits instead of the traditional 1% manual tally of ballots during the official canvass of elections, starting with the March 3, 2020, statewide primary election. This change is anticipated to provide a scientifically robust method of verifying election outcomes, thereby increasing public confidence in election processes.
The sentiment surrounding AB 2125 is broadly supportive among election integrity advocates who view risk-limiting audits as a fundamental step toward ensuring accurate electoral outcomes. However, there are concerns about the resources and training required for officials to implement these audits effectively. The success of the bill relies on appropriate regulations being established to aid elections officials in their execution of the audits.
Notable points of contention include the potential logistics and costs associated with training officials to perform risk-limiting audits. Critics may argue that while the intent of increasing election integrity is important, the practical implications of implementing such audits could present challenges. Additionally, the pilot program stipulated in the bill is set to be repealed on January 1, 2021, raising questions about the long-term commitment to this auditing method.