Hand Counting
Support Hand-Counted Paper Ballots at the Precinct Level
America’s elections should be transparent, accountable, and verifiable—starting at the ballot box.
Why Hand Count?
Hand counting paper ballots:
- Is the historic standard—used for generations to preserve trust in outcomes
- Is still the norm in most democratic countries
- Clearly reflects voter intent, avoiding machine interpretation errors
- Reduces costs and complexity—no expensive machines or proprietary software
- Increases public trust with local oversight and transparency
- Reconciles ballots and voter check-ins easily, reducing fraud and error
- Ensures a clear chain of custody, eliminating gaps between ballot and result
- Audits machine counts and can independently verify election outcomes
- Delivers results the same day—no waiting, no delays
Join a Mock Hand-Counted Election Event:
- Monthly Meeting via zoom with (Mark W.)
- Host an In Person at a Library to not only learn how to do hand counting but teach the process to others.
Learn How Reconciliation Works Firsthand
- We’re offering interactive, in-person training sessions—fun, fast-paced, and great for team building.
You’ll experience:
- How to count and record ballots accurately
- How to match ballots to voter check-in logs
- How to resolve discrepancies with transparency
- How to audit or verify machine counts using paper ballots
Get Involved
Connect with a local group hosting mock hand-counted elections or request a training session in your area. Whether you're a citizen, poll worker, or election official, you can help protect our elections.
Questions?
- Want to host your own training?
- Contact us
Transparent. Local. Secure. Let’s bring elections back to the people—one hand-count at a time.
Columbia County, NY Hand Counting
- Virginia Martin discusses her modified 100% hand-count elections in Columbia County, New York, just southeast of Albany.
- Dr. Virginia Martin was appointed Democratic Election Commissioner in Columbia County, New York, in 2008.
Since the introduction of optical scanners in 2010, she and her Republican counterpart have conducted full hand counts of paper ballots in every election. They have developed an efficient, prompt, cost-effective, and fully secure bipartisan process that welcomes public oversight.
The “Missouri Method” is Demonstrated Using Missouri Election Law
Verifying Voting-Machine Output with Digitally Imaged Ballots -- Demonstration of a ballot auditing technique developed by Wisconsin Election Integrity. Verifying voting-machine output with digitally imaged ballots – April 14, 2015.