13-13-276. Legislative findings and purpose. The legislature finds that the increased use of facsimile transmissions and the internet has encouraged the possibility of absentee voter registration and the sending and receiving of absentee ballots by facsimile and electronically through the internet. The legislature also finds that while federal law encourages but does not require the use of facsimile transmissions and the internet in federal elections, there is sufficient reliability in facsimile and internet technology and sufficient evidence that absentee facsimile and internet voting would be of benefit to electors in the United States service to provide for absentee registration and voting by facsimile and electronically through the internet. It is the purpose of 13-13-276 through 13-13-278 to allow for absentee voter registration and voting by facsimile and electronically through the internet for overseas electors in the United States service, 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 and internet 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; amd. Sec. 48, Ch. 42, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 80, L. 1999.