Bill to develop election audit procedures signed into law

April 18, 2019 – A bill authored by State Sen. Victoria Spartz (R-Noblesville) that would allow for the creation of election audit procedures was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Senate Bill 405 allows the secretary of state to develop risk-based audit procedures using statistically valid techniques and procedural audits to verify the accuracy of voter registration procedures.

“Hoosiers should have confidence in Indiana’s election process,” Spartz said. “Faith in the election process is an important element of a democratic society. Audit procedures are important to increase confidence in the results of elections, identify errors, and detect and deter fraud.”

A post-election audit is used to ensure the equipment and procedures used to count votes during an election work correctly and that the election outcome is correct.

Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia currently have post-election audits, and three states have a statutory requirement for a risk-limiting audit, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.