Hand Counting Enhances Transparency and Security
The Myth: Machines Are Safer Than Humans
Many claim machines are safer than humans, but machines are vulnerable. Norway and the Netherlands reverted to hand counting in 2017 due to hacking fears, and DEF CON’s Voting Village (since 2017) exposes machine flaws annually. A 2022 CISA advisory confirmed vulnerabilities in Dominion systems. Meanwhile, a 2023 Missouri official stated, “The elections world wanted… to take the humans out,” reducing oversight and leaving clerks reliant on vendors. Hand counting enhances transparency by keeping humans in control.
Finding: Hand Counting is More Transparent and Secure
Hand counting ensures security through:
- Verifiable Forms: Osage County’s 2023 hand count used Ballots Tally Forms with batch numbers, judges’ initials, and ink colors to prevent counterfeiting. Sharpie bleed-through adds authenticity.
- Social Media Transparency: Judges posted results online online after polls closed, allowing public access before materials left polling places.
- Chain of Custody: Multiple judges transport forms, making tampering nearly impossible.
Experts like Clay Parikh and Shawn Smith advocate hand counting to eliminate machine risks. The eManual provides tools to implement transparent, secure hand counting at the precinct level.
Action for Elected Officials
Hand counting ensures transparency and security machines can’t match. Support policies to adopt hand counting, using the tools at ReturntoHandCounting.com/Tools.
Read the full content at Finding: Hand Counting Ensures More Transparency and Better Security
