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For Planning Purposes
March 18, 2019

Contact:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575

MEDIA ADVISORY

Secretary of State Alex Padilla to Hold Public Hearing on Voting System Modernization

SACRAMENTO, CA – In an effort to strengthen the security of California’s election infrastructure, Secretary of State Alex Padilla has initiated the process for withdrawing certification or conditional approval of voting systems that were not tested or certified under the most recent state security standards. County elections officials must now implement a voting system that meets the state’s newest testing and certification standards in time for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election.

While not required by state law, Secretary Padilla will hold a hearing on Tuesday, March 19 at the State Capitol on this effort to modernize California voting equipment ahead of the 2020 elections. This public hearing will provide interested parties an opportunity to register their support, opposition, or thoughts for consideration regarding this withdrawal of certification and conditional approval of voting systems that have not been tested and certified to the latest testing and certification standards.

Background

In 2015, California updated its voting system certification and testing standards — known as the California Voting System Standards. Since then, 20 of California’s 58 counties have purchased voting systems that meet these higher standards, while several other counties have started the process of upgrading their systems. However, many counties are still using legacy systems that were not tested to the latest standards.

The 2018-2019 state budget included $134.3 million for counties to replace aging voting systems. This was the first significant funding towards voting systems in California in 15 years.

The hearing will be livestreamed at https://www.senate.ca.gov/

*Media interested in attending should RSVP to sos.press@sos.ca.gov

What:

Public hearing on Secretary Padilla's withdrawal of certification of older voting systems.

Who:

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla
Dean Logan, Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Bill O'Neill, El Dorado County Registrar of Voters

When:

Tuesday, March 19, 2019
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Where:

State Capitol - Room 3191
Sacramento, CA

Contacts:

Sam Mahood (916) 653-6575

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