(a) A county election commission may utilize precinct-based optical scanners.
(b) As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “Precinct-based optical scanner” means an optical ballot scanner that is located in the precinct and into which optical scan voter-verified paper ballots, marked either by hand by the voter or with the assistance of a device, are inserted to count the voter verified paper ballot;
(2) “Top race” means the presidential race, if the presidential race is on the ballot, or the governor's race, if the governor's race is on the ballot; and
(3) “Voter-verified paper ballot” means a permanent, individual paper ballot that is marked either manually by the voter or with the assistance of a device and verified by the voter as correctly reflecting the voter's intent, before the voter's vote is counted by the precinct-based optical scanner.
(c) It is the intent of the general assembly that any county election commission utilizing a precinct-based optical scanner pursuant to this chapter shall comply in all respects with this chapter and federal law.