Metro Clerk

Substitute Resolution RS2018-1509

A resolution supporting the Davidson County Election Commission’s plan to purchase voting machines that provide a voter-verifiable paper audit trail and pledging Metro Council support for the implementation of such functionality.

WHEREAS, free and equal elections are a guaranteed right of our citizens under Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, free, equal, and fair elections require secure, accessible, and accurate methods to cast and count votes; and

WHEREAS, a voter-verifiable paper audit trail is a method of providing feedback, typically via a paper slip, to a voter verifying that his or her vote was cast correctly; and

WHEREAS, voting machines currently used in Davidson County lack a voter-verifiable paper audit trail; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee is one of just fourteen (14) states that use electronic voting machines but do not require that they provide a voter-verifiable paper audit trail; and

WHEREAS, the lack of a voter-verifiable paper audit trail makes accurate tabulation of results in the event of a malfunction or hacking incident unachievable; and

WHEREAS, the lack of a voter-verifiable paper audit trail further makes it more difficult to identify whether a malfunction or hacking incident has occurred and imperils the ability to effectively audit the extent of such an incident; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary for the health of our democracy that our citizens have confidence in the electoral process; and

WHEREAS, the Davidson County Election Commission has announced its intention to replace the voting machines currently in use for implementation prior to the 2020 Presidential, State, and City Election; and

WHEREAS, the Davidson County Election Commission further plans to purchase voting machines that provide a voter-verifiable paper audit trail; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is the sole appropriating authority for the Davidson County Election Commission.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as supporting the Davidson County Election Commission’s plan to purchase voting machines that provide a voter-verifiable paper audit trail.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council further goes on record as supporting the implementation of the voter-verifiable paper audit trail functionality in such machines.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this Resolution to the members of the Davidson County Election Commission and Administrator of Elections.

Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.