2024 Regular Session - Day 39 - HB 53, Rep. John Hodgson

thank you Mr Speaker request the clerk to report the committee sub Mr clerk please report house committee substitute one to House Bill 53 gentleman from Jefferson move adoption of the sub motion made for the adoption of house committee substitute one is there any discussion seeing none all those in favor please signify by saying I I'll oppose nay motion carried pass committee substitute one is adopted gentleman from Jefferson thank you Mr Speaker citizens have been vocal in their concern that Kentucky elections need more transparent public witnessed election verification to improve the public confidence level low confidence can lead to low voter turnout this post elction human recount provides a layer of accuracy verification that does not currently exist that will move Kentucky higher up in the national rankings of election Integrity law and voter confidence House Bill 53 establishes a random post-election audit in every County to provide some validation that ballot scanners have not been compromised between the pre-election scanner certification and the reporting of official results the secretary of state will randomly select one ballot scanner in every County and One race that has been tabulated on that scanner to be audited by a hand to eye recount this will be performed by the County Board of Elections and or their design as well as two qualified pole workers one from each party this process would replace the current risk limiting audit protocol that has been piloted and found to be cumbersome and inconclusive any significant discrepancies that are detected would be investigated and reported to the Board of Elections the Secretary of State and the attorney general for any follow-up action with the grand jury and the courts I move the passage of House Bill 53