HB 25-1143

HB 25-1143, which has been signed into law, requires that starting January 1, 2027, all voting systems in Colorado must use open-source software. This allows for greater transparency and security by enabling end-to-end verifiability. Each county will need to integrate this new software within their current budget constraints, while the Secretary of State will establish rules to ensure compliance and monitor progress annually at a "SMART Act" hearing. This change affects all voters in Colorado as it aims to improve the integrity and transparency of election systems.

Official Summary

Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill requires any voting system used in an election in the state to use open-source software that allows a voting system provider to incorporate end-to-end verifiability into its voting systems. The secretary of state is required to adopt rules to establish minimum standards for the certification and oversight of any open-source software used in a voting system, and each county is required to ensure that open-source software is incorporated into its voting system within the county's existing resources. Beginning in January 2028, and in January every year thereafter, the secretary of state is required to include information regarding the incorporation of open-source software in voting systems as part of the secretary's presentation at a "SMART Act" hearing. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)