Volz: Bill adds ballot-count security

OLYMPIA — A Spokane lawmaker has introduced a bill to increase transparency in ballot counting.

Rep. Mike Volz, R-Spokane, filed House Bill 1708, which would require each ballot to have a unique 16 digit serial number embedded on a removable portion of the ballot.

Under the bill, the number would not be tied to a specific voter, but rather tied to the specific ballot.

The voter would then be able to use this serial number in an online portal administered by the Office of the Secretary of State to view an electronic record of all the votes cast on their ballot, Volz said.

“For some voters out there, their confidence in the election process has been shaken. I think we can do a better job, with the technology we have today, of being transparent with our ballots,” Volz said. “At the end of the day, we all want our elections to be as accurate and as fair as possible.

“If there is a possibility of utilizing technology in an efficient and effective way to bring more transparency to the election process, I think it should seriously be considered.”

Volz said his bill will help alleviate concerns of voters in regard to ballot tampering.

All records related to the online portal, including the serial numbers and ballot image, would be protected under the public records act, he said.

Volz’s bill has 19 cosponsors and was referred to the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee.