A-Count-Able Hand Count Tabulation Method

Co-Developed by We The People USA Alliance and Hand Count Road Show

Information

Full Process Explanation
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Resources

Time and Cost Calculator
Sample Ballot Pack
Sample Tally Sheet Pack
Sample Tally Sheet Pack with By-Race Under/Over-Votes
Tally Sheet Excel Source (if you want to customize)

NOTE: A new second set of tally sheets has been placed above to include by-race under and over votes. This addition is superfluous but may be necessary in your jurisdiction to meet certain existing requirements stemming from other poorly designed tally sheets. Below is an example of how to indicate per-race under or over votes:

Sample showing under and over-vote tabulation
image_pdfimage_print

Process Explanation:

  1. Setup and Organization:
    • Setup each station in advance with a camera and a UV light (if desired)
    • Assign 1 Quality Control (QC), 1 Caller and two talliers to work as a team, with observers (if applicable) present to monitor the process.
    • Provide scissors, red ink pens, security bags, security seals and black and blue sharpies.
    • Provide a sheet-fed scanner to scan each batch of ballots into a single locked PDF file.
  2. Batching and Initial Scanning:
    • A Secure tub of ballots is delivered and assigned to each station.
    • Security tabs are reviewed and tub is signed for and opened. (seals should be preserved in tub.
    • Batcher Counts 25 ballots, puts batch cover sheet with Batch identifier on top, followed by the blank X and Y tally sheets, then followed by the ballots.
    • Batcher inserts the batch into the scanner, then scans the batch to a Scanned Un-Tallied Batch PDF.
  3. Ballot Verification:
    • If UV fibers or UV watermark features were used in the ballot paper, verify those exist as ballots are called.
    • If there are any questionable ballots, raise flag for judge to come to table and address this in real-time.
  4. Caller Reads Votes:
    • The first caller takes a ballot and clearly announces the individually sequentially-marked choices.
    • The QC listens and confirms the announced votes by visually checking the same ballot.
    • For security purposes, the QC and Caller should rotate between batches.
  5. Tallying Votes:
    • The first tallier records the votes on their tally sheet as announced by the callers.
    • The second tallier independently records the same votes on a separate tally sheet.
    • Both talliers dabs the corresponding box on the cast-vote record tally sheet to track votes.
    • After the batch is complete, the talliers total up the number of dabs in each column, then writes those totals at the bottom of each column in red ink.
  6. Batch Completion:
    • Both talliers confirm their totals match for each race or question by X calling results to Y or Vice-versa
    • If totals differ, identifies the area that does not match and reviews the ballots as needed to correct the error.
    • Errors should be corrected with the red ink pens. <ERROR CHECKING PERFORMED HERE>
    • Once results are a confirmed match, the Talliers, Caller and QC should sign the results as confirmed.
  7. Tally Sheet Scanning:
    • The tally sheets are added to the batch of ballots, retaining the batch cover sheet on top, followed by the tally sheets, then the ballots, and the entire batch is again run through the scanner to create a full Scanned Tallied Batch PDF.
    • Batch cover and ballots are security sealed with cover facing out and placed back into security tub and aggregation sheets are sent to aggregation station.
    • Tally team repeats this process until all batches are tallied. Once all batches are tallied and scanned and all aggregation sheets have been delivered, the team should security seal there bin and complete the chain of custody document to deliver the ballots to the appropriate officer in charge of elections.
  8. Tally Aggregation:
    • Aggregation teams consist of two aggregators, duplicating each other’s work on their corresponding X and Y tally sheets.
    • As the tabulation teams complete their batches, those tally sheets are brought to the aggregation teams.
    • Batch Tallying
      • The aggregation teams take the Batch Tally Sheet totals of each batch and transfers the totals to the corresponding Batch Totals Sheets on a new row corresponding to the batch number.
      • After they have filled out all the totals for all the Batch Tally Sheets onto the Batch Totals Sheets, they they then add up each column for each choice and write the total at the bottom of the Batch Totals Sheet. The aggregators then confirm the results match by X calling results to Y or Vice-versa
      • If totals differ between the two aggregators, the team recounts the Batch Tally Sheets, identifying and resolving the error. <ERROR CHECKING PERFORMED HERE>
      • When the totals match, If the batches are less than 25, the results become the FINAL RESULTS.
      • The Batch Totals Sheets is run through the scanner to create the Batch Totals and Final Totals Sheet PDF.
    • If there are more than 25 batches, the aggregators will transfer those totals from each Batch Totals Sheet a to their corresponding X and Y for Final Totals Sheets on a new row labeled with the corresponding batch range.
    • Final Tallying
      • After they have filled out all the totals for all the Batch Totals Sheets onto the Final Totals Sheet, they add up each column for each choice and write the total at the bottom of the Final Totals Sheet.
      • If totals differ between the two aggregators, the team confirms each row of the the Final Totals Sheet, identifying and resolving the error. <ERROR CHECKING PERFORMED HERE>
      • The Batch Totals Sheets and the Final Totals Sheet is run through the scanner to create the Batch Totals and Final Totals Sheet PDF.
    • The team submits their final tally sheets to a supervisor or election official.
    • Include a signed statement from the team confirming the accuracy of the count.
  9. Precinct Results
    • The Precinct Results Page is populated with the total from the Final Totals Sheet
    • The entire counting team all signs the Precinct Results Page certifying under perjury that they were part of the team that day.
    • The Precinct Results Page is scanned to create the Precinct Results PDF.
    • Copies are made of the Precinct Results Page:
      • Posted at the door of the precinct building for the citizens to reference.
      • Each team member takes a copy with them.
  10. Securing Election Records:
    • Transfer to a designated storage area under supervision:
      • Ballot Batch Packages
      • Flash drives with PDF Ballot Images
      • Storage media for all the Cameras
  11. Audit and Oversight:
    • Observers or auditors verify the process, checking tally sheets against ballots if required.
    • Resolve any disputes or discrepancies through a predefined reconciliation process.

 

This process ensures accuracy through dual verification (two callers, two talliers) and transparency with observer oversight. Adjustments may be made based on local election laws or specific requirements.

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