On June 19, 2024, I observed an audit of ballots for Precincts 12 and 18. It was a positive experience to see young people taking part in the process, as their involvement in the electoral and political process is crucial. However, I have some concerns about the audit process itself. The County Auditor seemed unprepared and provided poor instructions and guidance on the hand counting process. Despite being well-informed on hand count training in South Dakota, Secretary of State Monae Johnson did not intervene to correct these issues.
The results of the audit showed that vote tabulating machines are generally accurate, but there was one instance where a voter’s intent was clear, but their ballot was invalidated because they circled their choices instead of filling them in. This incident highlights the issue of voter disenfranchisement and how it can impact election outcomes. It is important for voters to carefully follow ballot instructions to avoid such situations, and for counties to conduct hand counts in an efficient and objective manner.
It is clear that vote tabulating machines have limitations and can produce inaccurate results or be manipulated. This is why some counties in South Dakota are considering moving towards hand counting of ballots. The focus should be on obtaining objective and accurate results rather than relying solely on technology. We need to prioritize election integrity and ensure that every vote counts.
