10 Key Benchmarks to Monitor in North Carolina’s Vote Counting, Certification Process and Guard Against Election Subversion
Informing Democracy issues a new guide detailing each step Of North Carolina’s vote counting, and certification process to help reporters, and pro-democracy allies safeguard against election subversion
Group Pinpoints 10 Crucial Benchmarks To Watch After Polls Close To Identify Potential Breakdowns In The System
Guide Identifies North Carolina State and Local Official Responsible For Each Step Of the Process To Ensure Accountability
Informing Democracy Will Run Rapid Response Identifying Real-Time Problems In North Carolina After Polls Close
Background Briefings Available For Reporters Upon Request
Full Guide Can Be Found Here
Today, Informing Democracy, a new non-profit organization made up of election professionals, researchers, and lawyers, released a detailed report that analyzes the process, practice, and personnel involved in North Carolina’s vote counting and election certification to help reporters and watchdogs safeguard against any attempts at election subversion.
The report outlines North Carolina’s multi-step process to count votes and certify results, as well as the specific officials who are responsible for each step. Importantly, the group identified 10 key benchmarks in the process the days and weeks after polls close that watchers should pay close attention to in order to check that there aren’t any breakdowns in the system perpetrated by those attempting to subvert the election. Further, it indicates each state and local official with responsibility for any step in which a breakdown occurs.
The goal of the report is to 1) to build confidence in the vote counting and election certification processes by showing, in detail, the systems, checks, and quality assurance steps in place; and 2) to allow pro-democracy partners and reporters to better monitor our elections, target corrective action, and, in turn, protect the integrity of our elections from potential vulnerabilities.
“We undertook this project in response to the growing movement to subvert the outcome of free and fair elections, and the known and documented support from some elected and appointed officials in that effort,” says the report. “While anti-democratic forces once focused most of their attention on compromising access to voting, they have taken new aim at the vote counting and election certification processes. Although we have not seen election results overturned as a result, this movement is gaining momentum, and the threat is real.”
Informing Democracy will be doing rapid response beginning on Election Day identifying real-time problems before and after the vote counting and election certification processes get underway.
The full guide can be found here.
Ten Key Benchmarks To Watch For After The Polls Close
The following are ten key and observable steps in the exhaustive step-by-step processes of vote counting and election certification in North Carolina and will help outside watchers track if the process is progressing smoothly, or if problems are impeding these essential activities.
These benchmark steps encompass the vote tabulation, internal error checking, canvassing, and certification decision points that could present evidence of any subversion efforts.
Completion of Count. Look for the unofficial results starting at 7:30-8:30 pm on Election Night and continuing as they are released.
Counting of Early Ballots. Look for the unofficial results after polls close, public meetings, and announcements from election departments.
Counting of Provisional Ballots. Look for information from County Board of Elections meetings or announcements from election departments.
Hand-To-Eye Sample Count. Look for announcements from election departments.
Election Protests. Look for information at County Board of Elections hearings. This is also heard by the State Board of Elections. If the protest is related to tabulation or computation the hearing must be before the canvass.
County Canvass. Look for announcements for a public meeting, typically 11 am on the 10th day after Election Day, unless the initial count is not completed.
State Canvass. Look for announcements for a public meeting, typically 11am on the Tuesday three weeks after Election Day.
Any Recounts. Look for announcements from the state or county. A written demand must be received by the State Board of Elections by 12pm on the 2nd business day after the county canvass.
Election Contests Hearing. Look for a hearing by the Wake County Superior Court.
Statewide Certification. Look for this to occur within six days after the completion of canvass or ten days after the last election protest is resolved.