Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 183-1-12-.05 - Security of Voting System Components at County Elections Office or Designated County Storage Area

1. Software security. The software contained in electronic ballot markers, ballot scanners, election managements systems, and electronic poll books, regardless of whether the unit is owned by the county or the State, shall not be modified, upgraded, or changed in any way without the specific prior approval of the Secretary of State.

2. Electronic ballot markers, ballot scanners, and election management systems shall not be connected to the internet and no other software shall be loaded onto or maintained or used on computers on which the election management system software is located except as specifically authorized by the Secretary of State.

3. The room in which the election management system is located shall be locked at all times when the system is not directly under the supervision of the election superintendent or his or her designee. Lock and key access to the room where the election management system is located shall be limited to the county election superintendent; the election supervisor, if any; personnel of the county election superintendent's office designated by the county election superintendent; building maintenance personnel; and emergency personnel. Building maintenance personnel shall have access to the room in which the election management system is located only to the extent necessary to carry out their maintenance duties. The election superintendent shall maintain on file at all times in the office of the election superintendent a complete and up to date list of all maintenance personnel with access to the room in which the election management system is located. Emergency personnel shall have access to the room in which the election management system is located only as necessary in the event of an emergency and only for the duration of such emergency condition.

4. The election management system shall remain password-locked at all times when not in use.

5. While in storage at the county elections office or designated county facility, all components of the voting system (including electronic ballot markers, ballot scanners, electronic poll books, ballot boxes, and election management systems) shall be stored under lock and key at all times when not in use. Lock and key access to such items shall be limited to the county election superintendent; members of the county board of elections; the election supervisor, if any; personnel of the county election superintendent's office designated by the county election superintendent; building maintenance personnel; and emergency personnel. Building maintenance personnel shall have access to the area where such items are stored only to the extent necessary to carry out their maintenance duties. The election superintendent shall maintain on file at all times in the office of the election superintendent a complete and up to date list of all maintenance personnel with access to the area in which such items are stored. Emergency personnel shall have access to the area where such items are stored only as necessary in the event of an emergency and only for the duration of such emergency condition. Whenever maintenance or emergency personnel are required to enter the storage area, the election superintendent must be notified of that entry as soon as possible and the election superintendent must maintain a log of those persons who entered the storage area.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 183-1-12-.05

O.C.G.A. § 21-2-31.

Original Rule entitled "Ballot Envelopes" adopted. F. July 24, 1968; eff. August 12, 1968. Amended: F. Aug. 5, 1969; eff. Aug. 24, 1969. Repealed: New Rule entitled "Ballot Envelopes and Fold Over Ballot Cards" adopted. F. May 26, 1970; eff. June 14, 1970. Amended: F. Mar. 6, 1987; eff. Mar. 26, 1987. Repealed: F. Dec. 11, 2003; eff. Dec. 31, 2003. Adopted: New Rule entitled "Security of Voting System Components at County Elections Office or Designated County Storage Area." F. Jan. 23, 2020; eff. Feb. 12, 2020.