This bill requires all voting systems in Colorado to use open-source software starting January 1, 2027. Open-source software allows for greater transparency and end-to-end verifiability in elections. The Secretary of State must set certification and oversight standards for this software, and counties must implement it within their existing budgets. Beginning in 2028, the Secretary of State must report annually on the use of open-source software in voting systems during a legislative hearing.
Summary
Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill requires any voting system
used in an election in the state to use open-source software that allows a voting system provider to incorporate end-to-end verifiability into its voting systems. The secretary of state is required to adopt rules to establish minimum standards for the certification and oversight of any open-source software used in a voting system, and each county is required to ensure that open-source software is incorporated into its voting system within the county's existing resources. Beginning in January 2028, and in January every year thereafter, the secretary of state is required to include information regarding the incorporation of open-source software in voting systems as part of the secretary's presentation at a SMART Act hearing.
