Technology (Elections)

This bill allows disabled voters in Montana to return their completed ballots electronically using a secure, encrypted system approved by the Secretary of State. It amends existing election laws to permit electronic ballot transmission in federal elections, provided the ballot and affirmation are received by 8 p.m. on election day. The Secretary of State must establish encryption and security standards for the electronic transmission system, and a $10,000 appropriation is included to fund the system's implementation. The changes apply starting with the federal general election in November 2026.

SB 494 would require Montana election administrators to test new voting systems for functionality before use and after major changes like upgrades or hardware transfers. It mandates that administrators print, examine, and retain voting system audit logs and vote records for 22 months, with certain logs required to be kept permanently as public records. The bill also specifies that counties using vote-counting machines must retain these audit logs in perpetuity for public access. These changes aim to improve election transparency and verification by standardizing how voting system data is documented and preserved.

HB 488 would allow Montana voters with disabilities to return their voted ballots electronically for federal elections using a secure, encrypted system approved by the Secretary of State. To use this option, voters must request an electronic ballot in writing, by email, or in person, and return the completed ballot with a signed affirmation by 8 p.m. on election day. The Secretary of State would establish security and encryption standards for the system, and the bill appropriates $10,000 to develop the technology. This change would apply only to federal primary and general elections beginning in 2026.