Election Laws - As introduced, requires all ballots cast in an election to have a secure watermark; requires the official tabulation count of a ballot scanner to be based on the text or machine mark portion of a ballot; makes certain other changes related to ballots and elections; creates programs for the scanning and auditing of ballots. - Amends TCA Title 2.

SB 1028 requires all paper ballots (including absentee ballots) and voting machine ballots in Tennessee elections to include a visible, secure watermark for verification. It mandates that ballot scanners count votes based solely on the text or machine mark portion of the ballot, prohibiting the use of QR codes, barcodes, or other machine-readable coding for tabulation. The bill also creates programs for scanning and auditing ballots, directs the coordinator of elections to define watermark specifications, and updates election equipment standards to ensure compatibility with these requirements. These changes directly affect Tennessee election officials, county commissions, ballot vendors, and all voters participating in elections.