Montana Code 13-17-505. Selection process for random-sample audit after federal election
13-17-505. Selection process for random-sample audit after federal election. (1) No sooner than 7 days after the federal election and no later than 9 days after the federal election, the state board of canvassers, pursuant to 13-17-503 and as established by rule, shall randomly select:
Terms Used In Montana Code 13-17-505
- Ballot: means a paper ballot counted manually or a paper ballot counted by a machine, such as an optical scan system or other technology that automatically tabulates votes cast by processing the paper ballots. See Montana Code 13-1-101
- Election: means a general, special, or primary election held pursuant to the requirements of state law, regardless of the time or purpose. See Montana Code 13-1-101
- Election administrator: means , except as provided in subsection (14)(b), the county clerk and recorder or the individual designated by a county governing body to be responsible for all election administration duties, except that with regard to school elections not administered by the county, the term means the school district clerk. See Montana Code 13-1-101
- Federal election: means an election in even-numbered years in which an elector may vote for individuals for the office of president of the United States or for the United States congress. See Montana Code 13-1-101
- issue: means a proposal submitted to the people at an election for their approval or rejection, including but not limited to an initiative, referendum, proposed constitutional amendment, recall question, school levy question, bond issue question, or ballot question. See Montana Code 13-1-101
- Process: means a writ or summons issued in the course of judicial proceedings. See Montana Code 1-1-202
- Random-sample audit: means an audit involving a manual count of ballots from designated races and ballot issues in precincts selected through a random process as provided in 13-17-503 and 13-17-510. See Montana Code 13-1-101
- State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Montana Code 1-1-201
(a)the races and ballot issue to be audited;
(b)the precincts to be audited in each county; and
(c)three additional precincts in each county that would be audited if a discrepancy in vote tallies occurs and results in the need to audit additional precincts pursuant to 13-17-507.
(2)The selection process must be open to the public.
(3)After selecting the precincts, races, and ballot issue for the random-sample audit, the state board of canvassers shall direct the secretary of state to:
(a)notify each county election administrator of the selections; and
(b)make a list of the selections available electronically.