103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB2835

 

Introduced 2/16/2023, by Rep. Mary Beth Canty

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
10 ILCS 5/22-19 new

    Amends the Election Code. Authorizes election authorities to conduct risk-limiting audits before and after the certification of election results. Provides that the determination to conduct a risk-limiting audit, the scope of an audit, and the uses of the results of an audit are entirely within the discretion of the election authority. Requires the State Board of Elections to adopt rules for the creation of a certification process for certifying that the procedure to be used by an election authority comports with the specified requirements. Provides for waiver of the certification process. Defines "risk-limiting audit". Effective immediately.


LRB103 27728 BMS 54105 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB2835LRB103 27728 BMS 54105 b

1    AN ACT concerning elections.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Election Code is amended by adding Section
522-19 as follows:
 
6    (10 ILCS 5/22-19 new)
7    Sec. 22-19. Risk-limiting election audits.
8    (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an
9election authority is authorized to conduct a risk-limiting
10audit before the certification of the results of an election
11as provided under Section 22-18. The determination to conduct
12a risk-limiting audit, the scope of an audit, and the uses of
13the results of an audit are entirely within the discretion of
14the election authority. The provisions of the law regarding
15the anonymity of the ballot and chain of custody shall be
16observed in any process conducted under this subsection (a).
17    (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an
18election authority is authorized to conduct a risk-limiting
19audit after the results of an election have been certified and
20the period for filing an election contest has expired. The
21determination to conduct a risk-limiting audit, the scope of
22an audit, and the uses of the results of an audit are entirely
23within the discretion of the election authority.

 

 

HB2835- 2 -LRB103 27728 BMS 54105 b

1    (c) The State Board of Elections shall adopt rules to
2create a certification process for certifying that the
3procedure to be used by an election authority comports with
4the requirements of this Section, uses generally-accepted
5statistical methods, and meets the standards for best
6practices to insure statistically sound results. Upon
7application by an election authority, accompanied by a
8sufficient showing of the statistical soundness of an election
9authority's risk-limiting audit methods, the State Board of
10Elections may waive the certification process requirement for
11that election authority, notwithstanding the rules adopted
12under this subsection (c).
13    (d) For the purposes of this Section, "risk-limiting
14audit" means a process of examining election materials,
15including ballots, under an audit protocol that makes use of
16statistical methods and is designed to limit the risk of the
17certification of an incorrect election outcome. The method
18used in a risk-limiting audit shall be capable of producing an
19outcome that demonstrates a strong statistical likelihood that
20the outcome of an election is correct.
 
21    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
22becoming law.