Answers to Hand Count Questions

View frequently asked questions about hand counting ballots, and the risks of electronic voting machines. The Return to Hand Counting eManual answered many of these questions (beginning on page 175), but this webpage expands the list of FAQs.

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ANSWERS

The Missouri Method

Return to Hand Counting

Is it possible to hand count ballots for an election without using voting machines? YES! Will it take days, weeks, or months to count all the ballots? NO – the time needed to hand count ballots is measured in hours. What about costs, accuracy, and the people needed to count ballots, and all the other so-called objections? Most objections are actually myths: popular beliefs that are false or unsupported.

Color-printed, paperback or hardcover binding, with the full hand-count process, Myth-Debunking Workbook, commentary, and resources. Learn more on our eManual page.

A Hand Counting Instruction Manual for a Complete Hand Count Process, with Commentary and Resources.

Change the Narrative!

Myth-Debunking Workbook

Real “objections” have grounds. Most “objections” about hand counting are MYTHS. Learn how to respond to myths about hand counting.

Debunk Myths

Learn How to Respond to Myths

Use the Search bar below to locate an FAQ for a specific word or phrase. The category list below the search bar will filter all FAQs by popular topics. To search the entire website, beyond just FAQs, use the Search bar in the header at the top of the page. Have a question not in our FAQs. Use the FAQ Submission Form to send us your question.

What are the Benefits of Returning to Hand Counting?Linda Rantz2025-08-04T15:12:55-05:00

What are the Benefits of Returning to Hand Counting?

The benefits of hand counting are that it saves time, saves money, provides same-day or election-day results, provides better election security, and has more transparency for The People. America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday making it a good time to reflect on more than 200 years of hand counting ballots.

Scroll through the timeline on the Mission page which will show how Americans were convinced that electronic voting systems were necessary to count ballots after the ‘debacle’ of the “hanging chads” in Florida in 2000.

It has taken just 25 years to convince the American public that the only way to count ballots is with voting machines. Learn how most of the ‘objections’ to hand counting are actually myths.

Is there a “Gold Standard” Hand Count Method?Linda Rantz2025-08-04T19:07:05-05:00

Is there a “Gold Standard” Hand Count Method?

Hand Counting IS the “Gold Standard” for counting votes and tabulating election results.

Proof that hand counting is the gold standard for elections is evidenced by the fact that hand counting is used after elections to verify machine results. Of course, the use of a sample only of ballots is referred to as a “dog & pony show” by experts such as Shawn Smith and Clay Parikh. But that is covered in the FAQ: Are Post-Election Audits Accurate (Voting Machines)?

So, repeating, Hand Counting in and of itself is the gold standard – not any particular method or process. Let me explain using the “Missouri Method” as an example. In September of 2022, I was looking for information from anyone who knew how to hand count ballots. I spoke with the Cause of America team, and they were unaware of any documented hand count processes. But they were able to point me to the state CoA team in Louisiana that was testing a method they were developing.

Developing the Missouri Method

After participating in the Louisiana test, I returned to Missouri and began researching state statutes for election laws. By Dec. 29, 2022, I had compiled a complete hand count process and was presenting it to Mike Lindell on a webinar. The resulting eManual, though, was not simply the process, I included everything I had learned so that people in other states could follow similar steps to research and determine a hand count process that complies with their state laws.

So, does this all mean the Missouri Method is ‘A’ gold standard, or ‘THE’ gold standard – either for Missouri, other states, or the whole nation? I feel that the Missouri Method is an excellent hand count process. But if an election official in Missouri opted to use hand counting for an election, nothing obligates them to use the Missouri Method. They can use their own method, or any method they feel is best for their county and complies with state law.

Can other hand count methods claim to be ‘THE’ Gold Standard? In my opinion, they may be excellent methods, but hand counting ballots IS the gold standard. What are the attributes of an ‘excellent’ hand count method? See the FAQ: What are the Attributes of an “Excellent” Hand Count Method?

What are the Attributes of an “Excellent” Hand Count Method?Linda Rantz2025-08-04T19:45:29-05:00

What are the Attributes of an “Excellent” Hand Count Method?

What Makes a Hand Count Method an “Excellent” Method?

In a previous FAQ, Is there a “Gold Standard” Hand Count Method?, we discussed that hand counting itself is the Gold Standard for elections. Individual hand count methods, in my opinion, may be considered “excellent,” but the title of “Gold Standard” applies to hand counting overall (vs. machine counting), and not to any single hand count method.

To anyone who speaks with me about hand counting, I encourage them to learn any method. More important than the method is helping people understand that hand counting is easy and humans are capable of counting ballots. That is the entire premise behind our Hand Count Mission — to defeat the narrative that has been used to convince Americans that only machines can accurately count votes.

Top 5 Hallmarks of an Excellent Hand Count Method

I am not a fan of comparing hand count methods and have declined to be part of events that ‘showcase’ multiple methods, or are quasi-competitions of hand count methods. It is so much more important for the general public to understand that hand counting is easy and possible.

But, if someone is interested in learning more about hand count methods, what should they consider? While the Tally Sheet is usually the core of the hand count process, there is much more to a complete hand count method. These are my Top 5 items for determining if a hand count method should be considered “Excellent.”

Compliant and Adaptable: If the hand count method is based on the laws of a specific state, it must be compliant with those laws (and reference the specific statutes). The method can be considered excellent if it is compliant, and also has the ability to be adapted to other states’ laws.
Start-to-Finish, Documented Method: An excellent hand count method goes beyond the tally sheet. The method must include all steps for hand counting ballots, from the beginning of the process through returning tabulated results to the election official. An excellent hand count method is documented with instructions, all forms, and training materials.
Proven Method, Not Theoretical: Every hand count method begins with ideas, and moves through documenting, testing, and tweaking. Some methods may be good or very good. But, in my opinion, until a method has been successfully used in an actual election administered by an election authority, it has not yet achieved “excellent” status.
Easy to Train, Easy to Learn, Easy to Count: Election authorities deal with many complexities of voting machines. There is no reason for a hand count method to be complex. An excellent hand count method is straightforward, easy to understand, easy to train and learn, and easy to use when counting ballots.
Standalone — Not Reliant on Electronics or Peripheral Requirements: An excellent hand count method relies on paper, markers or pens, and people. It does not need cameras, scanners, or other equipment in order to accomplish the counting of ballots. The use of watermarks, special paper, bar codes, serial numbers, or other ballot features are also not required for a method to be excellent. Those types of features might be desired or required by the state or county, but they are not a necessary feature for a hand count method to be considered excellent.

Who Decides: Hand Counting or Voting Machines?Linda Rantz2025-07-31T15:49:12-05:00

Who Decides: Hand Counting or Voting Machines?

There are state laws and regulations in Missouri that set forth who decides if ballots will be counted using electronic voting systems. The decision lies with each county’s “election authority” (see Statute 115.015). The election authority in almost all counties (about 109) is the County Clerk. In about five voting jurisdictions, it is a Board of Elections or Directors. The election authority in the county is responsible for conducting elections.

Missouri’s Statute 115.267 states that an election authority may adopt, experiment with, or abandon electronic voting equipment. A County Clerk may choose to abandon the use of voting machines in their county. This is very important for voters of the county to understand, and to let their clerk know if they would like to see the machines abandoned and the county return to hand-counting ballots.

Learn how Osage County Missouri hand-counted the April 4, 2023, election with 100% accuracy! Voting machines left in storage in the clerk’s office, while the people stepped forward to hand count the ballots!

Is There Election Fraud with Voting Machines?Linda Rantz2025-08-04T17:05:17-05:00

Is There Election Fraud with Voting Machines?

People Do Not Believe There is Fraud in Our State, County, etc. Why should we worry about voting machines? Is there election fraud with voting machines?

The best way to understand is to listen to what other people say about voting machines. Check out Democrats say Easy to Hack and Democrats Denying Results. Also, be sure to scroll through the timeline on the Mission page for other resources about election fraud, such as Black Box Voting 2.0 Website, Votescam (book) – Uncovering Election Fraud, and The 2020 Coup.

A statement frequently heard is, “I asked my clerk (or SOS, etc.) and they said there is no election fraud in our state, county, etc.” If that answer satisfies you, there is little chance you are truly interested in proving or disproving the answer.

Are Post-Election Audits Accurate (Voting Machines)?Linda Rantz2025-08-04T14:48:24-05:00

Are Post-Election Audits Accurate (Voting Machines)?

Do Post-Election Audits of Voting Machines Match Election Results Every Time?

Consider this statement by a former President of the Missouri clerks association, who was addressing the 5% hand count done after an election to verify the voting machine results. It seems to say that humans had to recount 8 times to get results that matched voting machines totals, because the voting machines were deemed accurate.

“The bipartisan team’s count is often not accurate on the first try. Some teams recounted 8 times to get an accurate count. On the other hand, the results of the tabulator were correct the first time.”

In the hand count eManual, we discuss Logic & Accuracy and Risk-Limiting Audits on page 49, two methods used to verify machine totals. But, computer experts have been complaining about the validity of these tests for decades with, according to Col. Shawn Smith, the originator of the Risk-Limiting Audits being “disavowed” by their creator. Watch Col. Smith’s presentation at a 2024 Turning Point Action event, where he discusses the risks of election voting systems.

And, NO, audit results do not match voting machine totals EVERY single time (a common assertion of election officials). Our Election Results Verification tool has uncovered mistakes in Nov. 2024 election results in two different Missouri counties. See Legacy Teams Undermine Election Integrity.

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