Election Laws - As introduced, requires all ballots cast in an election to have a secure watermark; requires the official tabulation count of a ballot scanner to be based on the text or machine mark portion of a ballot; makes certain other changes related to ballots and elections; creates programs for the scanning and auditing of ballots. - Amends TCA Title 2.

HB 999 requires all voting machine and paper ballots in Tennessee elections to include a visible secure watermark for verification. It mandates that ballot scanners count votes based solely on the text or machine mark portion of the ballot, prohibiting the use of QR codes, bar codes, or other machine-coded markings for tabulation. The bill also creates new programs for scanning and auditing ballots, directing the coordinator of elections to define watermark specifications and placement. These changes directly affect Tennessee election officials, county election commissions, and the ballot processing systems used in all statewide and local elections.