NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

 

The most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website.  The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

 

 

F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Sandoval

 

DATE TYPED:

3/12/03

 

HB

603/aHVEC/aSRC

 

SHORT TITLE:

Hand Tallying of Ballots by Computer

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Chavez

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

 

See Narrative

Non-Recurring

County

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Secretary of State (SOS)

LFC Files

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of SRC Amendment

 

The Senate Rules Amendment strikes the House Voters and Elections Committee Amendments.  The Amendment requires the Secretary of State to approve a county’s use of computer-based tally sheets if the county submits the software program to be used for tallying to the secretary at least sixty days prior to the election and the secretary determines that the program is acceptable for the proposed use.  Prior to this amendment the Secretary of State could approve a county’s use of computer-based tally sheets.

 

     Synopsis of HVEC

 

The House Voters and Elections Committee removes the requirement that the Secretary of State determine that the computer software program meets election standards.

 

     Synopsis of Original Bill

 

House Bill 603 amends Section 1-11-14 NMSA 1978 to permit a county’s use of computer-based tally sheets if it is determined by the Secretary of State that the software program meets election standards.

 

     Significant Issues

 

The bill does not provide guidelines for the counties prior to their purchase of computer software.  For cost-effectiveness, counties should be given some guidance on what computer software will be acceptable to the Secretary of State .

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The bill does not contain an appropriation.  However, counties who desire to use computer-based tally sheets will incur costs for the purchase of computer software.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

Allowing for hand tallying of ballots by approved computer systems may optimize time.  There would be minimal administrative implications for the Secretary of State’s office.

 

TECHNICAL ISSUES

 

The bill may be modified to give some guidance to the counties prior to their purchase of computer software.

 

FC/ls:prr:njw