Pollbooks, voter lists, reports generated from the central voter file, and reports submitted to the county auditor.
The enactment of SB2386 is expected to enhance the transparency and integrity of the electoral process in North Dakota. By mandating that specific records are generated and maintained, the bill provides a clearer structure for how voter registration data is managed and accessed during elections. This could potentially improve the efficiency of election operations and help ensure that the voter rolls are up to date. Additionally, it aims to grant access to certain voter lists and reports for election-related purposes to political candidates and parties, further promoting engagement in the electoral process.
Senate Bill 2386 aims to amend several sections of the North Dakota Century Code concerning the management of election-related records, particularly focusing on pollbooks and voter lists. The bill seeks to ensure that county auditors generate pollbooks from the central voter file by the day prior to elections, thereby standardizing the information available for voters. It outlines the information that must be included in the pollbooks, such as individual legal names and residential addresses, while also specifying which records are considered exempt from public access for security reasons.
Despite its intent to improve electoral management, SB2386 has been met with criticism concerning the balance between transparency and privacy. Concerns have been raised about the public availability of voter information, and whether this could lead to misuse or intimidation of voters. Opponents of the bill argue that while ensuring voter transparency is vital, it must not come at the cost of individual privacy and security, as certain records are labeled 'secured active' and thus are exempt from disclosure. This has led to debates about the best practices for managing sensitive voter information while maintaining electoral integrity.