Second Regular Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 24-0930.01 Pierce Lively x2059
HOUSE BILL 24-1279
House Committees Senate Committees
State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING THE USE OF VOTE TRACKING NUMBERS IN ELECTIONS ,101
AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH , ESTABLISHING102
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CREATION AND USE OF A DISTRIBUTED103
LEDGER, CAST VOTE RECORD , TALLY STATUS REPORT , VOTE104
TRACKING NUMBER ASSIGNMENT , AND VOTER ELIGIBILITY105
STATUS DISTRIBUTED LEDGERS .106
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
A distributed ledger is a permanent database that is consensually
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
DeGraaf,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
(None),
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. shared, synchronized, and publicly accessible. A distributed ledger allows
information to be entered into a publicly available common database from
multiple locations at different times. The bill establishes a system for the
use of distributed ledgers in elections.
In the case of an elector who votes in person:
! A vetting registrar, in the presence of a vetting registration
observer team, verifies that the elector is eligible to vote
and updates the voter eligibility status distributed ledger to
reflect this process;
! A token assignment registrar, in the presence of a token
assignment observer team, assigns the elector a vote
tracking number, which is a unique, randomly assigned,
anonymous, text identifier, and updates the token
assignment status which causes the vetting registrar to
update the voter eligibility status distributed ledgers to
reflect the assignment. This vote tracking number is part of
the ballot.
! The elector completes the elector's ballot and the vote
tracking number is attached to that ballot whether
beforehand or at that time; and
! An election official ensures that the elector is provided
with a copy of the elector's ballot and the elector's vote
tracking number.
In the case of an elector who votes by mail:
! A vetting registrar, in the presence of a vetting registration
observer team, notifies the elector that the elector's ballot
which contains a unique, randomly assigned, anonymous
vote tracking number has been received and will only be
counted after the elector acknowledges the ballot's receipt;
! If the elector confirms the receipt of the elector's ballot
with the vetting registrar, in the presence of the vetting
registration observer team, the vetting registrar shall
indicate this confirmation on a voter eligibility form
attached to the ballot and update the voter eligibility status
distributed ledger to reflect the confirmation; and
! A token assignment registrar, in the presence of a token
assignment observer team, assigns the ballot a vote tracking
number, and updates the token assignment status, which
causes the vetting registrar to update the voter eligibility
status distributed ledgers to reflect the assignment.
Before any ballot is counted, it is verified, in the presence of a
token assignment observer team, that a unique vote tracking number is
attached to the ballot. Upon counting a ballot, unless the ballot is counted
as part of a manual count, a cast vote record of the ballot including the
vote tracking number must be created and entered into the cast vote
HB24-1279
-2- record distributed ledger.
The public may access the various distributed ledgers described in
the bill to confirm that the approach in the bill is followed and that votes
are counted accurately. The public may also access a tally status report
distributed ledger as votes are counted to track election results.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 11 to article2
7 of title 1 as follows:3
PART 114
VOTE TRANSPARENCY PROTOCOL5
1-7-1101. Short title. T
HE SHORT TITLE OF THIS PART 11 IS THE6
"V
OTE TRANSPARENCY PROTOCOL ACT".7
1-7-1102. Legislative declaration. (1) T
HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY8
FINDS, DETERMINES, AND DECLARES THAT:9
(a) E
LECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE THE MEANS BY WHICH10
PUBLIC OFFICIALS REMAIN ACCOUNTABLE TO THE CITIZENS . IT IS11
PARAMOUNT THAT ELECTIONS ARE AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF THE12
WILL OF THE PEOPLE.13
(b) C
OLORADO HAS AN EXTENSIVE ELECTION PROCESS , BUT14
VOTERS NEED ASSURANCE THAT THEIR VOTES ARE COUNTED AND15
RECORDED ACCURATELY . BECAUSE ALL COMPUTERS HAVE THE POTENTIAL16
TO BE HACKED AND THERE IS OPEN ACCESS TO BALLOT BOXES , VOTERS17
ALSO CANNOT BE CERTAIN THAT FAKE BALLOTS ARE NOT NEGATING THEIR18
VOICE. WITH DAILY REMINDERS OF SECURITY BREACHES , VOTERS SHARE19
A WIDESPREAD AND APPROPRIATE DISTRUST OF THE ELECTRONIC20
APPARATUS OF COLORADO'S ELECTION PROCESS.21
(c) I
MPROVING COMMUNITY CONFIDENCE IN THE VOTING PROCESS22
BY ENHANCING TRANSPARENCY AND SECURITY WILL INCREASE VOTER23
HB24-1279-3- PARTICIPATION.1
(2) T
HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FURTHER FINDS AND DECLARES THAT :2
(a) E
ACH AND EVERY DAY , AMERICANS TRUST ELECTRONIC3
TRANSACTIONS THAT ARE DONE THROUGH THEIR BANKS , CREDIT CARDS,4
AND ONLINE SHOPPING ACCOUNTS . THE ABILITY TO SEE THESE5
TRANSACTIONS THROUGH BANK STATEMENTS , CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS,6
AND ONLINE ACCOUNTS AIDS CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN THESE7
TRANSACTIONS. THESE STATEMENTS ARE A LEDGER, INCLUDING THE DATE8
AND METHOD, OF EACH CUSTOMER TRANSACTION . CUSTOMERS ARE ALSO9
GIVEN RECEIPTS FOR EACH TRANSACTION TO ALLOW THEM TO VERIFY THAT10
THEIR TRANSACTION WAS PROCESSED CORRECTLY OR TO CHALLENGE A11
TRANSACTION.12
(b) M
ETHODS THAT INCREASE CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN13
CONDUCTING TRANSACTIONS OVER ELECTRONIC PLATFORMS CAN ALSO BE14
APPLIED TO VOTING SYSTEMS BY USING DISTRIBUTED LEDGERS IN15
ELECTIONS, WHEREIN EACH BALLOT IS MARKED WITH A UNIQUE16
IDENTIFYING VOTE TRACKING NUMBER , EACH VOTER IS GIVEN A RECEIPT17
WHICH IS A COPY OF THE VOTER'S COMPLETED BALLOT WITH THAT UNIQUE18
NUMBER, AND THE ELECTION RESULTS ARE PUBLISHED TO A DISTRIBUTED19
PUBLIC VOTE LEDGER AS SOON AS THEY ARE RECEIVED , WHICH ALLOWS A20
VOTER TO KNOW THAT EVERYONE IS LOOKING AT THE SAME LEDGER AND21
THAT THEIR VOTE ON THAT LEDGER IS ACCURATE , WITH THE OPTION TO22
CHALLENGE IT IF NOT;23
(c) V
OTER IDENTITY IS NOT IN ANY WAY ASSOCIATED WITH A VOTE24
TRACKING NUMBER;25
(d) V
OTE TRACKING NUMBER VOTING IS FLEXIBLE AND SUPPORTS26
THE MODIFICATION OF EXISTING SYSTEMS AND THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW27
HB24-1279
-4- ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS;1
(e) V
OTE TRACKING NUMBER VOTING ALLOWS EVERY INDIVIDUAL2
TO COUNT THE VOTE. BY LOOKING AT THE SAME RESULTS SEEN BY EVERY3
OTHER VOTER, AN INDIVIDUAL CAN KNOW THAT THEIR VOTE WAS4
RECORDED ACCURATELY AND THAT EVERY OTHER VOTER CAN VERIFY5
THEIR OWN VOTE. THIS ALLOWS CONFIDENCE IN FINAL VOTE COUNTS TO BE6
REACHED THROUGH CONSENSUS , RATHER THAN THROUGH A RELIANCE ON7
SECRECY.8
(f) V
OTE TRACKING NUMBER VOTING ALLOWS UNPRECEDENTED9
AUDIT FIDELITY. INSTEAD OF AUDITING THE PROCESS UTILIZING BATCH10
AUDITS, OR POTENTIALLY STATISTICALLY INVALID "LIMITED RISK AUDITS",11
VOTE TRACKING NUMBER VOTING ALLOWS AN AUDIT OF ONLY THE ACTUAL12
RESULTS BY ANYONE AND EVERYONE . VOTE TRACKING NUMBER BALLOTS13
CAN BE AUDITED BY THE INDIVIDUAL BALLOT TO YIELD THE HIGHEST14
RESOLUTION POSSIBLE, EVEN BEFORE INDIVIDUAL VOTERS RECEIVE A15
VERIFICATION OF THEIR OWN VOTE. NETWORK SECURITY AUDITS, MACHINE16
VULNERABILITY TESTS, AND SYSTEMS COMPLIANCE TESTS , WHICH ARE17
EXPENSIVE AND INEFFECTIVE, BECOME IRRELEVANT WHEN EACH VOTER18
CAN VALIDATE THEIR VOTE AND CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT ALL OTHER19
VOTERS CAN DO THE SAME. IN COLORADO, THE REMOVAL OF THESE NOW20
UNNECESSARY MACHINE -ORIENTED AUDIT REQUIREMENTS .21
1-7-1103. Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS PART 11, UNLESS THE22
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :23
(1) "C
AST VOTE RECORD" MEANS A RECORD OF THE FOLLOWING24
FOR EACH BALLOT:25
(a) A
UNIQUE IDENTIFIER FOR THE CAST VOTE RECORD FOR THE26
BALLOT;27
HB24-1279
-5- (b) A DESCRIPTION OF THE BALLOT TYPE;1
(c) T
HE VOTE TRACKING NUMBER ASSOCIATED WITH THE BALLOT2
OR THE ELECTOR WHO CAST THE BALLOT ;3
(d) T
HE NAMES OF THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR AND4
VETTING REGISTRAR ASSOCIATED WITH THE VOTE TRACKING NUMBER ;5
(e) T
HE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM LOCATION , ADDRESS, OR6
PRECINCT WHERE THE BALLOT WAS COUNTED ;7
(f) W
HEN THE BALLOT WAS COUNTED , EXPRESSED IN8
COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME ;9
(g) T
HE CHOICE FOR EACH OFFICE, BALLOT ISSUE, OR BALLOT10
QUESTION THAT IS INDICATED ON THE BALLOT AND AN INDICATION OF ANY11
OFFICE, BALLOT ISSUE, OR BALLOT QUESTION FOR WHICH AN ELECTOR DID12
NOT MAKE A SELECTION; AND13
(h) A
PREVIOUS HASH.14
(2) "C
AST VOTE RECORD DISTRIBUTED LEDGER " MEANS A15
DISTRIBUTED LEDGER THAT CONSISTS OF CAST VOTE RECORDS .16
(3) "D
ISTRIBUTED LEDGER" MEANS A PERMANENT DATABASE THAT17
IS CONSENSUALLY SHARED AND SYNCHRONIZED ACROSS MULTIPLE18
LOCATIONS AND IS PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE . EACH RECORD IN A19
DISTRIBUTED LEDGER MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE IMMEDIATELY20
PRECEDING RECORD BY WAY OF A ONE -WAY HASH FUNCTION EXPRESSED21
AS A PREVIOUS HASH. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL ENSURE THAT ALL22
DISTRIBUTED LEDGERS ARE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE , EASILY SEARCHABLE,23
ACCURATE, AND SECURE.24
(4) "O
NE-WAY HASH FUNCTION " MEANS A MATHEMATICAL25
FUNCTION THAT TAKES A VARIABLE-LENGTH INPUT STRING AND CONVERTS26
IT INTO A FIXED-LENGTH TEXT SEQUENCE THAT IS COMPUTATIONALLY27
HB24-1279
-6- DIFFICULT TO INVERT. AT A MINIMUM, THE ONE-WAY HASH FUNCTION1
MUST BE A SECURE HASH ALGORITHM TWO HUNDRED FIFTY -SIX ONE-WAY2
CRYPTOGRAPHIC HASH FUNCTION .3
(5) "P
REVIOUS HASH" MEANS A UNIQUE HASH GENERATED BY THE4
ONE-WAY HASH FUNCTION FOR A DISTRIBUTED LEDGER .5
(6) "T
ALLY STATUS REPORT DISTRIBUTED LEDGER " MEANS A6
DISTRIBUTED LEDGER FOR EACH OFFICE , BALLOT ISSUE, OR BALLOT7
QUESTION THAT IS ON THE BALLOT AND THAT IS UPDATED AS VOTES ARE8
COUNTED DURING AN ELECTION WITH ENTRIES THAT INCLUDE :9
(a) W
HEN THE ENTRY IS UPDATED, EXPRESSED IN COORDINATED10
UNIVERSAL TIME;11
(b) T
HE MOST CURRENT VOTE COUNTS FOR THE RELEVANT OFFICE ,12
BALLOT ISSUE, OR BALLOT QUESTION WHEN THE ENTRY IS UPDATED ; AND13
(c) A
PREVIOUS HASH.14
(7) "T
OKEN ASSIGNMENT OBSERVER TEAM " MEANS AT LEAST TWO15
INDIVIDUALS, ONE OF WHOM IS AFFILIATED WITH THE STATE 'S LARGEST16
POLITICAL PARTY AND ONE OF WHOM IS AFFILIATED WITH THE STATE 'S17
SECOND LARGEST POLITICAL PARTY, WHO SHALL ENSURE THAT ELECTORS18
AND TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRARS COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS19
OF THIS PART 11.20
(8) "T
OKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR " MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO21
PERFORMS THE DUTIES ENUMERATED IN SECTIONS 1-7-1104 AND 1-7-110522
WHILE BEING OBSERVED BY A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT OBSERVER TEAM . A23
TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR MAY BE AN ELECTION OFFICIAL .24
(9) "T
OKEN ASSIGNMENT STATUS DISTRIBUTED LEDGER " MEANS A25
DISTRIBUTED LEDGER THAT INCLUDES AN ENTRY WITH THE FOLLOWING26
FOR EACH VOTE TRACKING NUMBER :27
HB24-1279
-7- (a) A UNIQUE IDENTIFIER FOR THE ENTRY;1
(b) T
HE VOTE TRACKING NUMBER ;2
(c) T
HE NAME OF THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR WHO ISSUED3
THE ELECTION TOKEN;4
(d) T
HE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM LOCATION , ADDRESS, OR5
PRECINCT WHERE THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR ISSUED THE VOTE6
TRACKING NUMBER;7
(e) A
PREVIOUS HASH; AND8
(f) F
OR ELECTRONIC BALLOTS , A SECURE PERSONAL9
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.10
(10) "U
NIQUE VOTER IDENTIFIER" MEANS THE UNIQUE IDENTIFIER11
ASSIGNED TO EACH LEGALLY REGISTERED VOTER PURSUANT TO SECTION12
1-2-301
(1).13
(11) "V
ETTING REGISTRAR" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO PERFORMS14
THE DUTIES ENUMERATED IN SECTIONS 1-7-1104 AND 1-7-1105 WHILE15
BEING OBSERVED BY A VETTING REGISTRATION OBSERVER TEAM . A16
VETTING REGISTRAR MAY BE AN ELECTION OFFICIAL .17
(12) "V
ETTING REGISTRATION OBSERVER TEAM " MEANS AT LEAST18
TWO INDIVIDUALS, ONE OF WHOM IS AFFILIATED WITH THE STATE 'S19
LARGEST POLITICAL PARTY AND ONE OF WHOM IS AFFILIATED WITH THE20
STATE'S SECOND LARGEST POLITICAL PARTY , WHO SHALL ENSURE THAT21
ELECTORS AND VOTER REGISTRARS COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF22
THIS PART 11.23
(13) "V
OTE TRACKING NUMBER" MEANS A UNIQUE, ANONYMOUS24
TEXT IDENTIFIER ASSIGNED TO AN ELECTOR OR A BALLOT .25
(14) "V
OTING ELIGIBILITY STATUS DISTRIBUTED LEDGER " MEANS26
A DISTRIBUTED LEDGER THAT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ENTRIES :27
HB24-1279
-8- (a) FOR EACH ELECTOR WHO CASTS A VOTE IN PERSON IN1
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 1-7-1104, THE FOLLOWING:2
(I) A
UNIQUE IDENTIFIER FOR THE ENTRY;3
(II) T
HE ELECTOR'S UNIQUE VOTER IDENTIFIER;4
(III) T
HE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM LOCATION , ADDRESS, OR5
PRECINCT WHERE A RECEIVING JUDGE ASSIGNED THE VETTING REGISTRAR6
TO THE ELECTOR;7
(IV) W
HETHER THE ELECTOR IS AT THE SAME LOCATION AS THE8
VETTING REGISTRAR WHEN THE VETTING REGISTRAR DETERMINES THAT9
THE ELECTOR MAY ENTER THE IMMEDIATE VOTING AREA IN ACCORDANCE10
WITH SECTION 1-7-110;11
(V) T
HE NAME OF THE VETTING REGISTRAR WHO DETERMINES12
THAT THE ELECTOR MAY ENTER THE IMMEDIATE VOTING AREA IN13
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 1-7-110;14
(VI) W
HEN THE VETTING REGISTRAR BEGINS TO DETERMINE15
WHETHER THE ELECTOR MAY ENTER THE IMMEDIATE VOTING AREA IN16
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 1-7-110, EXPRESSED IN COORDINATED17
UNIVERSAL TIME;18
(VII) W
HEN THE VETTING REGISTRAR DETERMINES THAT THE19
ELECTOR MAY ENTER THE IMMEDIATE VOTING AREA IN ACCORDANCE WITH20
SECTION 1-7-110, EXPRESSED IN COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME ;21
(VIII) W
HEN THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR ISSUES THE22
ELECTOR A VOTE TRACKING NUMBER , EXPRESSED IN COORDINATED23
UNIVERSAL TIME; AND24
(IX) A
PREVIOUS HASH.25
(b) F
OR EACH ELECTOR WHO CASTS A VOTE BY MAIL IN26
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 1-7-1105, THE FOLLOWING:27
HB24-1279
-9- (I) A UNIQUE IDENTIFIER FOR THE ENTRY;1
(II) T
HE ELECTOR'S UNIQUE VOTER IDENTIFIER;2
(III) T
HE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM LOCATION , ADDRESS, OR3
PRECINCT WHERE AN ELECTION OFFICIAL ASSIGNED THE VETTING4
REGISTRAR TO THE ELECTOR;5
(IV) W
HETHER THE ELECTOR IS AT THE SAME LOCATION AS THE6
VETTING REGISTRAR WHEN THE V ETTING REGISTRAR RECEIVES7
CONFIRMATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 1-7-1105 (2)(b) FROM THE8
ELECTOR THAT THE ELECTOR'S BALLOT HAS BEEN RECEIVED;9
(V) T
HE NAME OF THE VETTING REGISTRAR WHO RECEIVES10
CONFIRMATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 1-7-1105 (2)(b) FROM THE11
ELECTOR THAT THE ELECTOR'S BALLOT HAS BEEN RECEIVED;12
(VI) W
HEN THE VETTING REGISTRAR NOTIFIED THE ELECTOR ,13
PURSUANT TO SECTION 1-7-1105 (2)(a), THAT THE ELECTOR'S BALLOT HAS14
BEEN RECEIVED, EXPRESSED IN COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME ;15
(VII) W
HEN THE VETTING REGISTRAR RECEIVES CONFIRMATION16
PURSUANT TO SECTION 1-7-1105 (2)(b) FROM THE ELECTOR THAT THE17
ELECTOR'S BALLOT HAS BEEN RECEIVED , EXPRESSED IN COORDINATED18
UNIVERSAL TIME;19
(VIII) W
HEN THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR ASSOCIATES A20
VOTE TRACKING NUMBER WITH THE ELECTOR 'S BALLOT, EXPRESSED IN21
COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME ; AND22
(IX) A
PREVIOUS HASH.23
1-7-1104. Voting transparency protocol for in-person voting.24
(1) (a) U
PON AN ELECTOR ARRIVING AT A POLLING LOCATION , AN25
ELECTION JUDGE SHALL ASSIGN THAT ELECTOR TO A VETTING26
REGISTRATION OBSERVER TEAM AND A VETTING REGISTRAR . THE27
HB24-1279
-10- ELECTOR'S ASSIGNED VETTING REGISTRATION OBSERVER TEAM SHALL1
ESCORT THE ELECTOR TO THE ELECTOR 'S ASSIGNED VETTING REGISTRAR.2
(b) T
HE ELECTOR AND THE ELECTOR 'S ASSIGNED VETTING3
REGISTRAR SHALL COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 1-7-1104
WHILE BEING OBSERVED BY A VETTING REGISTRATION OBSERVER TEAM .5
(c) U
PON DETERMINING THAT AN ELECTOR MAY ENTER THE6
IMMEDIATE VOTING AREA IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 1-7-110, THE7
VETTING REGISTRAR SHALL, IN THE PRESENCE OF A VETTING REGISTRATION8
OBSERVER TEAM, UPDATE THE VOTER ELIGIBILITY STATUS DISTRIBUTED9
LEDGER TO INCLUDE AN ENTRY WITH THE FOLLOWING :10
(I) A
UNIQUE IDENTIFIER FOR THE ENTRY;11
(II) T
HE ELECTOR'S UNIQUE VOTER IDENTIFIER;12
(III) T
HE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM LOCATION , ADDRESS, OR13
PRECINCT WHERE A RECEIVING JUDGE ASSIGNED THE VETTING REGISTRAR14
TO THE ELECTOR;15
(IV) W
HETHER THE ELECTOR IS AT THE SAME LOCATION AS THE16
VETTING REGISTRAR WHEN THE VETTING REGISTRAR DETERMINES THAT17
THE ELECTOR MAY ENTER THE IMMEDIATE VOTING AREA IN ACCORDANCE18
WITH SECTION 1-7-110;19
(V) T
HE NAME OF THE VETTING REGISTRAR WHO DETERMINES20
THAT THE ELECTOR MAY ENTER THE IMMEDIATE VOTING AREA IN21
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 1-7-110;22
(VI) W
HEN THE VETTING REGISTRAR BEGINS TO DETERMINE23
WHETHER THE ELECTOR MAY ENTER THE IMMEDIATE VOTING AREA IN24
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 1-7-110, EXPRESSED IN COORDINATED25
UNIVERSAL TIME; AND26
(VII) W
HEN THE VETTING REGISTRAR D ETERMINES THAT THE27
HB24-1279
-11- ELECTOR MAY ENTER THE IMMEDIATE VOTING AREA IN ACCORDANCE WITH1
SECTION 1-7-110, EXPRESSED IN COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME .2
(d) A
FTER UPDATING THE VOTER ELIGIBILITY STATUS DISTRIBUTED3
LEDGER, THE VETTING REGISTRAR SHALL ASSIGN THE ELECTOR TO A TOKEN4
ASSIGNMENT OBSERVER TEAM AND A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR .5
(2) (a) T
HE ELECTOR'S ASSIGNED TOKEN ASSIGNMENT OBSERVER6
TEAM SHALL ESCORT THE ELECTOR TO THE ASSIGNED TOKEN ASSIGNMENT7
REGISTRAR.8
(b) T
HE ELECTOR'S ASSIGNED TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR9
SHALL ISSUE THE ELECTOR A VOTE TRACKING NUMBER WHILE BEING10
OBSERVED BY THE ELECTOR'S ASSIGNED TOKEN ASSIGNMENT OBSERVER11
TEAM. THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT OBSERVER TEAM SHALL ENSURE THAT THE12
TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR ISSUES THE ELECTOR A VOTE TRACKING13
NUMBER IN AN ANONYMOUS MANNER .14
(c) U
PON ISSUING AN ELECTOR A VOTE TRACKING NUMBER , WHILE15
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT OBSERVER TEAM , THE16
TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR SHALL UPDATE THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT17
STATUS DISTRIBUTED LEDGER TO INCLUDE AN ENTRY WITH THE18
FOLLOWING:19
(I) A
UNIQUE IDENTIFIER FOR THE ENTRY;20
(II) T
HE VOTE TRACKING NUMBER THAT THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT21
REGISTRAR ISSUED TO THE ELECTOR;22
(III) T
HE NAME OF THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR WHO23
ISSUED THE VOTE TRACKING NUMBER ;24
(IV) T
HE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM LOCATION , ADDRESS, OR25
PRECINCT WHERE THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR ISSUED THE VOTE26
TRACKING NUMBER;27
HB24-1279
-12- (V) A PREVIOUS HASH; AND1
(VI) F
OR ELECTRONIC BALLOTS , A SECURE PERSONAL2
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER; AND3
(d) U
PON THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR UPDATING THE4
TOKEN ASSIGNMENT STATUS DISTRIBUTED LEDGER PURSUANT TO5
SUBSECTION (2)(c) OF THIS SECTION, THE VETTING REGISTRAR SHALL6
UPDATE THE VOTING ELIGIBILITY STATUS DISTRIBUTED LEDGER TO7
INCLUDE:8
(I) W
HEN THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR ISSUED THE9
ELECTOR A VOTE TRACKING NUMBER , EXPRESSED IN COORDINATED10
UNIVERSAL TIME; AND11
(II) A
PREVIOUS HASH.12
(e) A
FTER A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR ISSUES AN ELECTOR13
A VOTE TRACKING NUMBER , THE ELECTOR MAY ENTER THE IMMEDIATE14
VOTING AREA AND COMPLETE THE ELECTOR 'S BALLOT.15
(3) (a) I
F AN ELECTOR IS ISSUED A PAPER BALLOT IN ACCORDANCE16
WITH SECTION 1-7-304, ONCE THE ELECTOR HAS COMPLETED THE17
ELECTOR'S BALLOT AND IS READY TO VOTE, THE ELECTOR SHALL LEAVE18
THE VOTING BOOTH AND APPROACH A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR . IF19
THE VOTE TRACKING NUMBER HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN ATTACHED TO THE20
BALLOT, THE ELECTOR SHALL, IN FULL VIEW OF A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT21
OBSERVER TEAM AND A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR , ATTACH THE22
ELECTOR'S VOTE TRACKING NUMBER TO THE ELECTOR 'S BALLOT AND23
DEPOSIT BOTH IN THE BALLOT BOX.24
(b) I
F AN ELECTOR CASTS A VOTE WITH ELECTRONIC VOTING25
EQUIPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 1-7-503 (1) AND (2), AND A26
VOTE TRACKING NUMBER HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN ATTACHED TO THE27
HB24-1279
-13- BALLOT, ONCE THE ELECTOR HAS PLACED THE ELECTOR 'S BALLOT IN A1
PRIVACY ENVELOPE, THE ELECTOR SHALL LEAVE THE VOTING BOOTH AND2
APPROACH A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR . THE ELECTOR SHALL, IN3
FULL VIEW OF A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT OBSERVER TEAM AND A TOKEN4
ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR , ATTACH THE ELECTOR 'S VOTE TRACKING5
NUMBER TO THE ELECTOR'S BALLOT AND DEPOSIT THE BALLOT OR BALLOT6
CARD WITH THE ATTACHED VOTE TRACKING NUMBER IN THE BALLOT BOX7
WITH THE OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT ON THE BALLOT OR BALLOT CARD8
FACING UPWARD.9
(c) I
F AN ELECTOR CASTS A VOTE IN A MANNER OTHER THAN THOSE10
DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTIONS (3)(a) AND (3)(b) OF THIS SECTION, THE11
COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER SHALL ENSURE THAT THERE IS A METHOD12
FOR THE ELECTOR TO ATTACH THE ELECTOR 'S VOTE TRACKING NUMBER TO13
THE ELECTOR'S BALLOT OR OTHERWISE ASSOCIATE THE ELECTOR 'S TOKEN14
WITH THE ELECTOR'S BALLOT AND FOR AN ELECTRONIC ENTRY CAST VOTE15
RECORD TO BE ADDED TO THE CAST VOTE RECORD DISTRIBUTED LEDGER .16
T
HE ELECTOR SHALL FOLLOW THE METHOD PRESCRIBED BY THE COUNTY17
CLERK AND RECORDER.18
(d) I
F AN ELECTOR IS UNABLE TO ATTACH A VOTE TRACKING19
NUMBER TO A BALLOT OR BALLOT CARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS20
SUBSECTION (3), A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR MAY ATTACH THE21
VOTE TRACKING NUMBER TO THE BALLOT OR BALLOT CARD FOR THE22
ELECTOR SO LONG AS THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR DOES SO IN23
FULL VIEW OF A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT OBSERVER TEAM .24
(4) A
N ELECTION OFFICIAL SHALL ENSURE THAT EVERY ELECTOR25
WHO CASTS A BALLOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION IS PROVIDED26
WITH A COPY OF THE ELECTOR'S BALLOT AND VOTE TRACKING NUMBER27
HB24-1279
-14- BEFORE THE ELECTOR LEAVES THE POLLING LOCATION . A VETTING1
REGISTRATION OBSERVER TEAM OR A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT OBSERVER2
TEAM SHALL ENSURE THAT THIS PROCESS MAINTAINS THE ANONYMITY OF3
THE ELECTOR'S BALLOT AND VOTE TRACKING NUMBER .4
1-7-1105. Vote transparency protocols for mail ballot voting.5
(1) U
PON THE RECEIPT OF A MAIL BALLOT , A RECEIVING JUDGE SHALL6
ASSIGN THE MAIL BALLOT TO A VETTING REGISTRATION OBSERVER TEAM7
AND A VETTING REGISTRAR.8
(2) (a) A
FTER A RECEIVING JUDGE HAS VERIFIED THAT AN9
ELECTOR'S SELF-AFFIRMATION ON THE RETURN ENVELOPE OF A MAIL10
BALLOT IS VALID IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 1-7.5-204, BUT PRIOR TO11
OPENING THE MAIL BALLOT , WHILE IN THE PRESENCE OF A VETTING12
REGISTRATION OBSERVER TEAM , THE VETTING REGISTRAR SHALL NOTIFY13
THE ELECTOR THAT THE ELECTOR'S BALLOT HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND WILL14
ONLY BE COUNTED AFTER THE ELECTOR ACKNOWLEDGES THE MAIL15
BALLOT'S RECEIPT.16
(b) O
NCE THE VETTING REGISTRAR, WHILE IN THE PRESENCE OF17
THE VETTING REGISTRATION OBSERVER TEAM , UNLESS THE VOTER ROLLS18
HAVE BEEN WIPED COMPLETELY CLEAN PRIOR TO THE ELECTION , RECEIVES19
CONFIRMATION FROM THE ELECTOR THAT THE ELECTOR 'S BALLOT HAS20
BEEN RECEIVED, THE VETTING REGISTRAR SHALL SIGN A FORM INDICATING21
THAT THE ELECTOR CONFIRMED THE RECEIPT OF THE BALLOT AND THAT A22
TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR MAY ASSIGN A VOTE TRACKING NUMBER23
TO THE BALLOT.24
(c) T
HE VETTING REGISTRAR SHALL , IN THE PRESENCE OF A25
VETTING REGISTRATION OBSERVER TEAM , UPDATE THE VOTER ELIGIBILITY26
STATUS DISTRIBUTED LEDGER TO INCLUDE AN ENTRY WITH THE27
HB24-1279
-15- FOLLOWING:1
(I) A
UNIQUE IDENTIFIER FOR THE ENTRY;2
(II) T
HE ELECTOR'S UNIQUE VOTER IDENTIFIER;3
(III) T
HE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM LOCATION , ADDRESS, OR4
PRECINCT OF THE VETTING REGISTRAR WHERE A RECEIVING J UDGE5
ASSIGNED THE VETTING REGISTRAR TO THE ELECTOR ;6
(IV) W
HETHER THE ELECTOR IS AT THE SAME LOCATION AS THE7
VETTING REGISTRAR WHEN THE V ETTING REGISTRAR RECEIVES8
CONFIRMATION PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2)(b) OF THIS SECTION FROM9
THE ELECTOR THAT THE ELECTOR 'S BALLOT HAS BEEN RECEIVED;10
(V) T
HE NAME OF THE VETTING REGISTRAR WHO RECEIVED11
CONFIRMATION PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2)(b) OF THIS SECTION FROM12
THE ELECTOR THAT THE ELECTOR 'S BALLOT HAS BEEN RECEIVED;13
(VI)
WHEN THE VETTING REGISTRAR NOTIFIED THE ELECTOR14
PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS SECTION THAT THE ELECTOR'S15
BALLOT HAS BEEN RECEIVED , EXPRESSED IN COORDINATED UNIVERSAL16
TIME; AND17
(VII) W
HEN THE VETTING REGISTRAR RECEIVES CONFIRMATION18
PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2)(b) OF THIS SECTION FROM THE ELECTOR19
THAT THE ELECTOR'S BALLOT HAS BEEN RECEIVED , EXPRESSED IN20
COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME .21
(3) A
FTER RECEIVING A BALLOT WITH THE SIGNED FORM22
DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (2)(b) OF THIS SECTION, A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT23
REGISTRAR SHALL, WHILE IN THE PRESENCE OF A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT24
OBSERVER TEAM, ASSIGN A VOTE TRACKING NUMBER TO THE BALLOT IF25
ONE HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN ASSIGNED . THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT26
OBSERVER TEAM SHALL ENSURE THAT THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR27
HB24-1279
-16- ASSIGNS THE VOTE TRACKING NUMBER TO THE BALLOT IN AN ANONYMOUS1
MANNER.2
(4) U
PON ASSIGNING A VOTE TRACKING NUMBER TO A BALLOT , IN3
THE PRESENCE OF A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT OBSERVER TEAM , THE TOKEN4
ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR SHALL UPDATE THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT STATUS5
DISTRIBUTED LEDGER TO INCLUDE AN ENTRY WITH THE FOLLOWING :6
(a) A
UNIQUE IDENTIFIER FOR THE ENTRY;7
(b) T
HE VOTE TRACKING NUMBER THAT THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT8
REGISTRAR ASSIGNED TO THE BALLOT ;9
(c) T
HE NAME OF THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR WHO10
ASSIGNED THE VOTE TRACKING NUMBER ;11
(d) T
HE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM LOCATION , ADDRESS, OR12
PRECINCT WHERE THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR ASSIGNED THE VOTE13
TRACKING NUMBER;14
(e) A
PREVIOUS HASH; AND15
(f) I
F THE ELECTOR SO CHOOSES , A SECURE PERSONAL16
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER;17
(5)
UPON THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR UPDATING THE18
TOKEN ASSIGNMENT STATUS DISTRIBUTED LEDGER PURSUANT TO19
SUBSECTION (4) OF THIS SECTION, THE VETTING REGISTRAR SHALL UPDATE20
THE VOTING ELIGIBILITY STATUS DISTRIBUTED LEDGER TO INCLUDE :21
(a) W
HEN THE TOKEN ASSIGNMENT REGISTRAR ASSOCIATED A22
VOTE TRACKING NUMBER WITH THE ELECTOR 'S BALLOT, EXPRESSED IN23
COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME ; AND24
(b) A
PREVIOUS HASH.25
(6) I
N ORDER TO ENSURE PROPER VOTER TRANSPARENCY AND26
SECURITY, ALL MAIL BALLOTS MUST HAVE TWO IDENTICAL VOTE27
HB24-1279
-17- TRACKING NUMBERS PRINTED AT THE TOP OF THE BALLOT , ONE ON TOP OF1
THE OTHER, SEPARABLE BY PERFORATION . WHEN FOLDED, THE2
PERMANENT VOTE TRACKING NUMBER MUST BE OBSCURED BY THE3
INCLUSION OF A PATTERN OF RANDOMIZED NUMBERS IN THE SAME FONT4
AND SIZE AS THE VOTE TRACKING NUMBER . ONLY THE VOTE TRACKING5
NUMBER UNDER THE PERFORATION SHOULD BE MAILED WITH THE MAIL6
BALLOT. THE VOTE TRACKING NUMBER ABOVE THE PERFORATION MUST BE7
ABOVE THE SEAL-FOLD OF THE ENVELOPE CONTAINING THE BALLOT TO8
ENSURE REMOVAL SO THAT THE VOTER RETAINS THE VOTE TRACKING9
NUMBER. THE INSIDE OF THE RETURN ENVELOPE MUST BE PRINTED WITH10
A SECURITY PATTERN IN THE SAME COLOR OF INK AS USED ON THE BALLOT11
TO RENDER THE BALLOT UNREADABLE FROM OUTSIDE OF THE ENVELOPE .12
1-7-1106. Vote transparency protocol for counting ballots.13
(1) B
EFORE ANY BALLOT IS COUNTED , IT MUST BE VERIFIED, IN THE14
PRESENCE OF A TOKEN ASSIGNMENT OBSERVER TEAM , THAT A UNIQUE15
VOTE TRACKING NUMBER IS ATTACHED TO THE BALLOT .16
(2) (a) U
PON THE COUNTING OF A BALLOT, UNLESS THE BALLOT IS17
COUNTED AS PART OF A MANUAL C OUNT , A CAST VOTE RECORD OF THE18
BALLOT MUST BE CREATED AND ENTERED INTO THE CAST VOTE RECORD19
DISTRIBUTED LEDGER.20
(b) I
F A MAIL BALLOT IS COUNTED AS A PART OF A MANUAL COUNT ,21
A CAST VOTE RECORD DOES NOT HAVE TO BE CREATED FOR THE MAIL22
BALLOT, AND THE TALLY STATUS REPORT DISTRIBUTED LEDGER MAY BE23
UPDATED MANUALLY .24
1-7-1107. Vote dissemination. (1) E
VERY COUNTY CLERK AND25
RECORDER SHALL ADOPT A VOTE DISSEMINATION POLICY THAT26
DETERMINES WHEN THE DISTRIBUTED LEDGERS ASSOCIATED WITH AN27
HB24-1279
-18- ELECTION WILL BECOME PUBLICLY AVAILABLE .1
(2) T
HE COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER SHALL ENSURE THAT THE2
TALLY STATUS REPORT DISTRIBUTED LEDGER FOR EACH OFFICE , BALLOT3
ISSUE, OR BALLOT QUESTION THAT IS INDICATED ON A BALLOT IN THE4
COUNTY IS UPDATED AS SOON AND AS OFTEN AS IS PRACTICABLE AND IN5
COMPLIANCE WITH THE VOTE DISSEMINATION POLICY DESCRIBED IN6
SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION.7
1-7-1108. Applicability. N
OTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW TO THE8
CONTRARY, THIS PART 11 APPLIES IN ALL ELECTIONS IN WHICH NOT ALL9
BALLOTS ARE COUNTED BY HAND AND SUPERSEDES ANY CONFLICTING10
PROVISION OF THIS TITLE 1 OR ANY OTHER LAW THAT GOVERNS THE11
CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS TO WHICH THIS PART 11 APPLIES.12
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-7-304, repeal (2)13
as follows:14
1-7-304. Manner of voting in person. (2) Each eligible elector
15
who has completed the ballot and is ready to vote shall then leave the16
voting booth and approach the election judges having charge of the ballot17
box. The elector shall, in full view of the election judges, deposit it in the18
ballot box.19
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-7-503, amend (1);20
and repeal (2) and (4) as follows:21
1-7-503. Manner of voting. (1) Each eligible elector, upon22
receiving a ballot, shall immediately proceed unaccompanied to one of23
the voting booths provided. To cast a vote, the eligible elector shall24
clearly fill the oval, connect the arrow, or otherwise appropriately mark25
the name of the candidate or the names of the joint candidates of the26
elector's choice for each office to be filled. In the case of a ballot issue,27
HB24-1279
-19- the elector shall clearly fill the oval, connect the arrow, or otherwise1
appropriately mark the appropriate place opposite the answer that the2
elector desires to give. Before leaving the voting booth, the eligible3
elector, without displaying the marks thereon, shall place the ballot in the4
privacy envelope so that the contents of the ballot or ballot card are5
concealed. and shall place the envelope and the ballot or ballot card in the6
ballot box.7
(2) Each eligible elector who has prepared the ballot and is ready8
to vote shall then leave the voting booth and approach the election judges9
having charge of the ballot box. The eligible elector shall give his or her10
name to one of the election judges. The elector shall, in full view of the11
election judges, deposit the ballot or ballot card in the ballot box, with the12
official endorsement on the ballot or ballot card facing upward.13
(4) Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (1) or (2) of this14
section to the contrary, at a polling location at which a ballot marking15
device, as defined in section 1-5-702 (2.5), is available for accessible16
voting, the election judge in charge of the ballot box shall deposit every17
elector's ballot card in the ballot box.18
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-7.5-107, amend (6)19
as follows:20
1-7.5-107. Procedures for conducting mail ballot election -21
primary elections - first-time voters casting a mail ballot after having22
registered by mail to vote - in-person request for ballot - repeal.23
(6) All deposited ballots shall be counted as provided in this article and24
by rules promulgated by the secretary of state. A mail ballot is valid and25
shall be counted only if it is returned in the return envelope, the26
self-affirmation on the return envelope is signed and completed by the27
HB24-1279
-20- eligible elector to whom the ballot was issued, THE ELIGIBLE ELECTOR1
CONFIRMS THE RECEIPT OF THE MAIL BALLOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH2
SECTION 1-7-1104 (2), and the information on the return envelope is3
verified in accordance with subsection (5) of this section. Mail ballots4
shall be counted in the same manner provided by section 1-7-307 for5
counting paper ballots or section 1-7-507 for counting electronic ballots.6
If the election official determines that an eligible elector to whom a7
replacement ballot has been issued has returned more than one ballot, the8
first ballot received is the accepted ballot. All candidates and issues for9
which the voter is eligible to vote will be counted on the accepted ballot.10
Rejected ballots shall be handled in the same manner as provided in11
sections 1-7.5-204 and 1-7.5-210.12
SECTION 5. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,13
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate14
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for15
the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state16
institutions.17
HB24-1279
-21-