1. (a) For any voting tabulation device, or any modification to a voting tabulation device, to be certified for use in Texas elections, the device shall include a continuous feed printer dedicated to a real-time audit log. All significant election events and their date and time stamps shall be printed to the audit log.

2. (b) The definition of "significant election events" in subsection (a) of this rule includes but is not limited to:

   1. (1) error messages and operator response to those messages;
   2. (2) number of ballots read for a given precinct;
   3. (3) completion of reading ballots for a given precinct;
   4. (4) identity of the input ports used for modem transfers from precincts;
   5. (5) users logging in and out from election system;
   6. (6) precincts being zeroed;
   7. (7) reports being generated; and
   8. (8) diagnostics of any type being run.
3. (c) The audit log for an election shall be retained by the custodian of election records for the appropriate preservation period.
4. (d) An alternative to the real-time printed audit log requirement may be approved by the Secretary of State for use on a precinct level voting system if the Secretary determines that the alternative produces at a minimum a sufficient record of items (b)(1)-(8) listed above and any administrative functions performed prior to opening the polls, the opening and closing of the polls, all ballot images, and any administrative functions performed after the closing of the polls. The alternative audit must be capable of being printed and a printed copy must be made available upon request.

Source Note:The provisions of this §81.62 adopted to be effective January 31, 1999, 24 TexReg 553; amended to be effective March 25, 2003, 28 TexReg 2303.