This question came to me through the “Ask Teri” tab on my blog 👇
Can we be sure that election results are processed fairly and honestly? Can poll workers fudge the results? Is there oversight as people count the votes?
Yes, no, and yes. Elections are regulated by statute, the statutes provide for oversight, and fudging on a large scale without detection really isn’t possible.
Shorter answer: Get involved!
In CA, for example, the precinct “inspector” (person in charge of the polling place) and the poll workers count the ballots according to detailed instructions. The number of ballots is then reconciled between those voted and those unused so that each ballot is accounted for.
Observers are allowed to watch the counting and recording of votes.
The inspector keeps a copy of the total so he or she can verify the number against the number used in the final state tally.
And who are these inspectors? Regular people who apply. My husband is one. After working a few elections as a poll worker, he was promoted to inspector.
In Georgia, the poll manager for each polling place and two sworn witnesses tabulate the votes. Observers (usually sent by the parties) are allowed to be present and watch. People observing the votes can’t interfere, but if they see a problem they can relay the problem to a team of lawyers monitoring the voting in that particular state. (If you’re a lawyer consider joining these teams. Most are volunteers.)
In GA, three copies of the tabulation are generated: One copy is affixed to the door for the information of the public, another provided to the superintendent, and a third is kept with the polling place records. (I’m getting this info from the GA rules)
In Minnesota, all election workers, including those who count the votes, are called “judges.” (I love that) Also, in MN employers are required to give employees time off work to be an elections judge.
Don’t worry! I’m not going to run through each state, even though me = 🤓
Much of my “to do” list is what you, as a citizen, can do to help with election integrity. If you haven’t seen it, take a look.
When 150 million people vote in an election largely monitored by volunteers (some with very little training) there can (and will) be problems and issues. (Gotta keep those teams of lawyers busy, right?)
Problems will be exacerbated by the fact that one political party is trying hard to create trouble specifically to undermine public confidence in the results. (I won’t name which party, but . . . gimme an “R” 📣)
But don’t confuse the frustrating problems that can (and will) arise when 150 million people vote with the ability to subvert and undermine a U.S. presidential election. My credentials: I’ve worked as a volunteer lawyer monitoring voting in 3 states.
After I posted this on Twitter, people immediately started tagging me with “worries” about how Russia or someone else can hack or flip millions of votes without being detected.
A goal of Active Measures is to undermine public confidence in democratic processes as a way to undermine democracy.
Consider: Thomas Rid, an expert in Russian disinformation tactics, said that the extent of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election was “designed to be overestimated.”
I can only speak about machines in Georgia and Nevada, and YES they are safe with a paper trail. A court has looked at the GA machines after the 2018 fiasco and has ordered regulations and procedures to make sure that the election is secure.
Why would Russia want to be overestimated? It’s another example of the Strongman Con. They hack into state systems, not because they can flip votes, but so that people will THINK they can flip votes, thereby elevating Putin’s stature and undermining confidence in democracy.
The real weapon they have is disinformation. People underestimate the power of disinformation and overestimate the ability to fix a presidential election by flipping votes.
I was so startled to see Sen. Rubio tweet something that was 100% true, I did a doubletake and wondered if there as a catch. No catch. Rubio is correct.
