At a time when election integrity is of utmost importance, the recent decision by the Mojave County Supervisory Authority to refuse to hand count election ballots should be applauded. The idea of hand counting may seem appealing in its simplicity, but a closer look reveals that it can compromise accuracy, take excessive time, and place an undue financial burden on local taxpayers. I understand.
Voting to continue using electronic voting machines demonstrates the county’s commitment to efficient and safe elections. A recent report by Mojave County Election Commissioner Allen Tempert highlights the pitfalls of hand counting. Notably, his trial tally of 850 votes for the 2022 general election revealed 46 errors. Mistakes like this only exacerbate the time-consuming process, requiring recounts and further delaying election results.
Time is of the essence in a fast-paced world, and a large number of people will certainly lengthen the process. The need for a large workforce, including background-checked staff and security guards, puts a strain on resources and budgets. Tempert’s prediction that the move to handcount could cost the county more than $1.1 million in 2024 alone cannot be ignored, especially since Mojave County is already facing financial difficulties. Can not.
A compromise solution is to balance transparency and efficiency. Counties must conduct automatic recounts for all elections and manually count a select number of ballots to confirm the results. This provides an extra layer of assurance without sacrificing accuracy and financial liability. This approach ensures that machine-based aggregation is double-checked without burdening the system with insurmountable complexity.
Election security is a cornerstone of the democratic process, and it is commendable that Mojave County officials take this seriously. By carefully considering the feasibility of handcounting and considering its potential shortcomings, the supervisors have demonstrated a commitment to preserving electoral integrity in the face of evolving challenges. It’s important to remember that technology has evolved because it offers accuracy, efficiency, and transparency.
