Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Voting Equipment Security topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs bill to bar voting machines with wireless capability and set statewide equipment standards
Summary
Lawmakers approved a draft that would bar voting equipment capable of wireless communication and create a selection committee to set procurement standards. Sponsors said the change simply codifies existing practice that ballot-marking/tabulation systems are operated offline; election officials urged adoption.
The Government Operations Interim Committee on Aug. 20 favorably recommended a draft bill that would require any voting equipment procured for use in Utah to be incapable of wireless communications and establish a voting-equipment selection committee to set statewide standards.
Why it matters: The provision aims to standardize procurement, centralize technical expertise and remove equipment features (wireless communications) the committee views as a security risk.
Sponsor Representative Keller said the bill responds to audit recommendations and creates a committee appointed by the Lieutenant Governor to set requirements for future procurements. The committee would be composed of individuals who collectively have relevant experience in election procedures, computer technology, data security, auditing and accessibility. Language in the draft was clarified so the committee need only collectively possess those skills rather than requiring each appointee to have every listed qualification.
The bill would prohibit counties from choosing equipment that conflicts with the statewide standards after the state completes procurement. Staff said a full statewide procurement is expected in 2028 or 2029; counties may continue to replace equipment that meets current standards until then.
Testimony: Davis County Clerk Brian McKenzie told the committee current practice already disables wireless features and said the bill would codify existing safe practices. The Lieutenant Governor's office told the committee the selection committee would follow established state procurement processes. The sponsor and clerks said the intent is to keep ballot-marking devices and tabulators offline while allowing poll worker tools (poll books) to use wireless communication if appropriate.
Committee action: Members voted to favorably recommend the draft. The motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: With the committee's recommendation, the bill will be formalized as a committee file for session. The sponsor and Lieutenant Governor's Office said they will continue coordination on procurement timelines and technical definitions such as the scope of "wireless" and how future, unforeseen communication protocols would be treated.
