relative to hand counts of ballots in elections.

SB 44 requires cities and towns using electronic voting machines to conduct a hand recount of all or part of an election if 100 registered voters who participated in that election request it. The request must be submitted to the secretary of state within 15 days of the election. This applies to any election where electronic machines were used, ensuring voters can seek a manual verification of results. The bill adds this requirement to existing election law and takes effect 60 days after passage.