Elections; creating the Election Notary Accountability Act; requiring notary public to submit copy of log to county election board within certain time period. Effective date.
The implementation of SB1013 is expected to tighten regulation around notaries public in the electoral process, potentially reducing incidents of election fraud. By instituting this measure, the bill seeks to ensure that notaries do not exceed their authorized number of notarized ballots, which is a critical factor in maintaining the integrity of elections. Additionally, the act stipulates that if a notary is found to have violated these provisions or provided false information in their logs, the county election board is required to refer the matter to the district attorney for further investigation.
SB1013, known as the Election Notary Accountability Act, aims to enhance accountability among notaries public involved in elections. Under this bill, notaries are required to submit a copy of their notary log to the county election board within thirty days after an election. This log should cover the ninety days leading up to the election and will help in verifying the number of ballots notarized by each notary. Failure to comply with these requirements would make notaries guilty of a misdemeanor, subject to a fine of up to $500 for each instance of noncompliance.
While proponents argue that SB1013 will enhance election security and accountability, there may be concerns about the burden it places on notaries. Critics could argue that the requirements may be overly stringent and complicate the notary process, particularly for those who handle numerous transactions. There is also the possibility that this bill might disproportionately affect smaller, less experienced notaries who may not have the resources to maintain meticulous records or navigate legal scrutiny. Thus, as this bill progresses, discussions will likely focus on balancing election integrity with the operational realities of notaries.