The bill would amend the Election Code to prohibit a political subdivision from purchasing a voting system consisting of direct recording electronic (DRE) voting machines unless it is an auditable voting system beginning September 1, 2021. Beginning September 1, 2023, a non-auditable voting system consisting of DRE machines would not be permitted to be used in an election.
According to the Secretary of State (SOS), no significant fiscal impact to the State is anticipated.
According to SOS, the bill's provisions would have a significant fiscal impact on local political subdivisions. Approximately 82 counties are currently using voting machines that would not meet the bill's requirements. All of these counties would be required to purchase new equipment or upgrade to auditable systems.
According to the Cameron County Election Administrator, the bill's provisions would have no fiscal impact on Cameron County.
According to the Brazos County Election Administrator, the bill's provisions would have a significant fiscal impact, costing the county an estimated $1.2 million to retrofit equipment and to build a new warehouse for additional equipment and storage of paper ballots.
According to the Aransas County Election Administrator, the bill's provisions would have a significant fiscal impact to the county, estimated at a total cost of $150,000 to $200,000 to retrofit existing equipment.