Indiana Code 3-11-18.1-12. Electronic poll books at vote centers; application for certification; examination by VSTOP; report; approval of certification; expiration of certification; display or demonstration of uncertified electronic poll book
(1) a precinct polling place, office of the circuit court clerk, or a satellite office in accordance with Ind. Code § 3-7-29-6; or
Terms Used In Indiana Code 3-11-18.1-12
- Clerk: means the clerk of the court or a person authorized to perform the clerk's duties. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
- Escrow: Money given to a third party to be held for payment until certain conditions are met.
- Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
- Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
- Year: means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the electronic poll book used must satisfy all of the following:
(1) The electronic poll book must comply with Ind. Code § 3-11-8-10.3.
(2) The electronic poll book must be approved by the secretary of state in accordance with this section.
(3) Except with prior written authorization by the VSTOP, the electronic poll book must have been delivered to the county election board not less than sixty (60) days before an election at which the electronic poll book is used.
(c) A person who wishes to market, sell, lease, or provide an electronic poll book for use in an election in Indiana must first file an application for certification with the election division on a form prescribed by the secretary of state. Except as provided in subsection (i), a person may not market, sell, lease, or provide an electronic poll book for use in an election in Indiana until the secretary of state has approved the application for certification under this section. The application must state that the vendor has complied, and will continue to comply, with subsection (d) following certification of the electronic poll book. Each application for certification of an electronic poll book must be accompanied by a fee of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500). However, this fee does not apply to an application for a de minimis change. All fees collected under this section shall be deposited with the treasurer of state in the voting system technical oversight program account established by Ind. Code § 3-11-17-6.
(d) The person seeking certification of an electronic poll book shall conduct a background check at least once each year on each individual employed or contracted by the vendor who has access to the electronic poll book to determine if the individual has been convicted of a felony. An individual described by this subsection who has been convicted of a felony may not have access to an electronic poll book in the individual’s capacity as an employee or contractor of the vendor.
(e) The secretary of state shall refer the application to the person or entity conducting the VSTOP.
(f) The VSTOP shall examine the electronic poll book with its accompanying documentation and file a report with the secretary of state indicating all of the following:
(1) Whether the electronic poll book would operate in compliance with this title.
(2) Whether VSTOP has reviewed tests conducted by an approved voting system testing laboratory.
(3) Whether VSTOP has conducted a field test.
(4) Whether the electronic poll book complies with additional requirements for the electronic poll book application for certification and acceptance testing, as described in the Indiana Electronic Poll Book Certification Test Protocol approved by the secretary of state (as in effect January 1, 2023).
(5) Any recommendations regarding the acquisition or use of the electronic poll book.
(6) Whether documentation of the escrow of the electronic poll book’s software, firmware, source codes, and executable images with an escrow agent approved by the election division has been received by VSTOP.
(7) Whether VSTOP recommends that the secretary of state approve the electronic poll book under this section, including any recommended restrictions that should be placed on the secretary of state’s approval.
(g) After the report required by subsection (f) is filed, the secretary of state may approve the application for certification permitting the electronic poll book to be used in an election in Indiana.
(h) A certification under this section expires on December 31 of the year following the date of its issuance, unless earlier revoked by the secretary of state upon a written finding of good cause for the revocation, including a violation of Ind. Code § 3-11-17-7(b).
(i) A person may display or demonstrate an electronic poll book that has not been certified under this section if the person complies with all the following requirements:
(1) The display or demonstration occurs at a conference of election officials sponsored by:
(A) a state agency; or
(B) an association of circuit court clerks or voter registration officers.
(2) The person files a notice with the election division at least seven (7) days before the scheduled starting date of a conference referred to in subdivision (1) setting forth the following:
(A) The name of the person and each representative scheduled to display or demonstrate the electronic poll book.
(B) The address and telephone number of the person.
(C) The model name of the electronic poll book.
(D) The name and manufacturer of the electronic poll book.
(E) The date and location of the display or demonstration of the electronic poll book.
(3) The person displays the electronic poll book with a notice that:
(A) is at least 16 point type size;
(B) is posted on the surface of the electronic poll book; and
(C) states that the electronic poll book is “Not Approved for Use in Indiana”.
(4) The person ensures that each communication concerning the electronic poll book that is available or made at a conference referred to in subdivision (1) includes a statement that the electronic poll book is “Not Approved for Use in Indiana”. A printed communication must include the statement in a type size that is at least as large as the largest type size used in the communication.
As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.271-2013, SEC.25; P.L.64-2014, SEC.61; P.L.100-2018, SEC.15; P.L.71-2019, SEC.29; P.L.278-2019, SEC.118; P.L.135-2020, SEC.7; P.L.193-2021, SEC.69; P.L.227-2023, SEC.112.