|
TO: Election Officials and Party Chairs
FROM: Elections Division, Texas Secretary of State
SUBJECT: Advisory No. 2024-21 - Updated Ballot Numbering Requirements
DATE: June 24, 2024
Dear Election Officials and Party Chairs:
In light of recent events, we have been conducting a comprehensive review of all publicly available election data with the goal of preserving Texans’ constitutional right to a secret ballot.
Earlier this month we issued Advisory No. 2024-20 - Emergency Guidance on Voter Privacy, which details potential redactions to information on ballot images and election records that, in limited circumstances, can make it easier to find a specific ballot. Today we are revising our electronic pollbook standards as part of our ongoing effort to further protect voter privacy.
Advisory No. 2024-21 - Updated Ballot Numbering Requirements prohibits the generation of ballot numbers using electronic pollbook systems or using peripheral devices that directly connect to electronic pollbook systems. Jurisdictions using those systems are now required to use ballot numbering methods that do not involve the use of the pollbook system or peripherals that are directly connected to the electronic pollbook.
Our office has issued revised Electronic Pollbook Certification Standards including the Texas Electronic Pollbook Functional Standards (PDF) and the Texas Electronic Pollbook Test Cases (PDF).
For the jurisdictions affected, this may result in changes to your elections procedures. Our office stands ready to guide and assist you as needed. The right to a secret ballot is sacred and must be protected, and we must take any actions necessary to eliminate unnecessary risks to voters.
Thank you,
Christina Worrell Adkins
Director of Elections
Office of the Texas Secretary of State
1019 Brazos Street | Rudder Building, 2nd Floor | Austin, Texas 78701 1.800.252.VOTE (8683)
elections@sos.texas.gov | www.sos.state.tx.us/elections
|
