Voting Machines Wiped During Vendor Updates (WI)

The OSC consulted with multiple computer security experts regarding voting machine data retention in Wisconsin. A representative of one machine manufacturer stated that voting machines “were wiped during updates” – meaning they did not retain federally required voter data. If voting machines were wiped before expiration of the 22-month federal retention period, this constitutes a potential violation of 52 U.S.C. § 20701 and may constitute destruction of records under 18 U.S.C. § 1519, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment.