8 Key Benchmarks to Monitor in Arizona’s Vote Counting, Certification Processes and Guard Against Election Subversion
Informing Democracy issues new guide detailing each step of Arizona’s vote counting, and certification processes to help reporters, and pro-democracy allies safeguard against election subversion
Group Pinpoints 8 Crucial Benchmarks To Watch After Polls Close To Identify Potential Breakdowns In The System
Guide Identifies Arizona 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 Arizona After Polls Close
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 Arizona’s vote counting and election certification to help reporters and watchdogs safeguard against any attempts at election subversion.
The report outlines Arizona’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 8 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.
Eight Key Benchmarks To Watch For After The Polls Close
The following are eight key and observable steps in the exhaustive step-by-step processes of vote counting and election certification in Arizona 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 8pm on Election night and continuing as they are released.
Counting of Early Ballots. Look for the unofficial results after polls close, announcements from recorders and possible data from observers monitoring operations at central count.
Counting of Provisional Ballots. Look for announcements from recorders offices after Election Day and before the final certification
Hand Count Sampling. Look for announcements and reports from county recorders offices days after Election Day and after the completion of the vote counting.
County Canvass. Look to the websites of county offices, and a public meeting between 6 and 20 days after the election and after all audits are completed.
State Canvass. According to Arizona state statute, this will occur on the fourth Monday following the election, assuming all county canvass results are received.
Any Recounts. Look for updates via state and county announcements following state-wide canvass and before final certification.
Final Certification. Look for this step on the 4th Monday following a general election. (If the results of any county are not received can be postponed, but not to exceed 30 days from the date of the election.)