- Home
- About Us
- MN's Voting System
- News
- Take Action
- Resources
- State Audit Legislation Reference Guide
- 2006 Election Audit Reports
- Auditing Elections
- Electronic Voting
- Handouts
- History of Voting in the US
- Important Reports
- Leading Computer Security Experts
- Local and State Groups
- MN '06 Audit Observation Archive
- National Organizations
- Ohio 2004 Presidential Election Recount
- Contact Us
- Donate
How can I help?
It’s easy! - Sign up to observe the post-election audit
- Attend a short training (by phone outside the metro area)
- Observe the audit as part of a team
» Download the post-election audit brochure
» Download '06 post-election audit report
What is the post-election audit?
In 2006 a new audit law (MS204C.21) was passed by the state legislature with the goal of assessing the accuracy of Minnesota’s optical scan voting machines and verifying the election results.The first step in the audit is to randomly select 2 - 4 precincts or 3%, whichever is greater, in each county to be counted by hand. Ballots cast for President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives from the selected precincts will be manually counted. These hand counted totals will be compared to the machine tally from Election Day.
What if the audit differs from the election-day results?
If the audit reveals a difference greater than one-half of one percent (0.5%) between the hand counted audit in any given precinct, and the machine total from Election Day, this will require further precincts to be audited.The results of the manual count will become the official tally for the precincts audited.
What does it mean to observe the election audit?
As a volunteer observer, you will be part of a non-partisan team that will attend your county’s audit. Your team will observe election officials hand count the ballots.As a volunteer you will observe, document, and report what takes place. You will not be expected to intervene or be allowed to handle the ballots.
Most audits last between two and five hours and take place in the County Seat. CEIMN will provide training and materials to assure consistency in the observation. Election judges are welcome to volunteer – it is not a conflict of interest to do so.