Includes the general assembly elections within the category of elections subject to the risk-limiting audits within the jurisdiction of the board of elections.
Impact
If enacted, H7328 will significantly amend Section 17-19-37.4 of the General Laws regarding election audits. The revised regulations will mandate the conduct of risk-limiting audits after primary and general elections, which would ensure that elections are thoroughly checked against reported results. Furthermore, the results of these audits will be publicly available, facilitating greater transparency in the electoral process. This change could lead to increased public trust in electoral outcomes as audits will serve as a check on the performance of voting systems and the validity of results reported by vote-tabulating devices.
Summary
House Bill H7328 addresses the conduct of elections in Rhode Island, specifically focusing on the implementation of risk-limiting audits for statewide elections. The bill amends existing laws to ensure that post-election audits include elections held by the General Assembly. This move aims to enhance integrity and confidence in election outcomes by making the auditing process more systematic and resource-efficient, especially in close contests. By incorporating risk-limiting audits as a standard procedure, the bill seeks to reassure voters and stakeholders about the accuracy of election results.
Contention
This bill is likely to spark discussions over the resources required to implement these audits and their implications for local election boards. While supporters argue that such measures are essential for maintaining election integrity, critics may raise concerns about the potential administrative burden and costs involved in conducting regular risk-limiting audits. Furthermore, there may be debates about the best practices for auditing, including the selection of audit units and the transparency of the auditing process ensuring public involvement and oversight.
Senate Resolution Creating A Special Senate Commission To Study Non-plurality Voting Methods And Runoff Elections For General Assembly And General Officer Primaries (creates A 7 Member Commission To Study Non-plurality Voting And Runoff Elections For General Assembly And General Officer Primaries, And Report Back To The President Of The Senate By October 31, 2023, And Expire On December 31, 2023)