13-13-276. Legislative findings and purpose. The legislature finds that the increased use of facsimile transmissions has encouraged the possibility of absentee voter registration and the sending and receiving of absentee ballots by facsimile. The legislature also finds that while federal law encourages but does not require the use of facsimile transmissions in federal elections, there are sufficient reliability in facsimile technology and sufficient evidence that absentee facsimile voting would be of benefit to electors in the United States service, to provide for absentee registration and voting by facsimile. It is the purpose of 13-13-276 through 13-13-279 to allow for absentee voter registration and voting by facsimile, while recognizing that state and local election officials have the responsibility to maintain the accuracy, integrity, and secrecy of the election process and the individual election ballot. It is the purpose of the legislature to allow facsimile voting for electors in the United States service but to continue to ensure that voting security is maintained for the ultimate purpose of preventing election fraud and maintaining the validity of the election process.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 111, L. 1991.