Claim: The Post Implies Duffel Bag Arriving At Maricopa County Vote Tallying Center Signs Fraud
For the past 14 years, Arizona law has Need live video recording of all ballots in the tallying room of a ballot counting center after a statewide, county or legislative election.
Recently, some social media users have shared that image. Live feed from Maricopa CountyArizona, claims images show evidence of election fraud after the 2022 midterm elections.
a Posted on Instagram on November 14More than 100 likes in two days shows a screenshot of a black duffel bag on a dolly at a vote counting center in Maricopa County.
“This is from a live feed from Maricopa County a few minutes ago,” reads the post’s caption. “Lots of bags randomly arrived at the counting center…nothing here..”
Some social media users thought the image showed something malicious.
One user commented on the post.
But the images are not proof of election fraud. A Maricopa County elections official told USA TODAY that his black duffel bags were part of a regular process of comparing the number of people who checked in with the number of votes cast or used. .
USA TODAY reached out to social media users who shared the post for comment.
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Duffel bags are typically used to carry ballots
Maricopa County Elections Office spokesperson Matt Roberts said the black canvas bag seen in the image is used to carry voted ballots and results reports from vote centers.
In an email to USA TODAY, Roberts said, “The bag was sealed with a tamper-evident seal for security, recorded on a custody form, and returned to the elections office by two poll workers from different political parties. “The opening of the black canvas bag is witnessed by party observers under 24/7 live-stream cameras.”
Maricopa County Elections Office tweeted the image November 16th in this process.
“This regular process will take place after each election to ensure that only legitimate votes are counted,” read one part of the tweet.
Tammy Patricka senior adviser to the Elections and Voting Program at the Fund for Democracy, said the black bags, which social media users were concerned about, have been used in Arizona elections for years.
According to Patrick, the bags are made of canvas or rubber and are secured with seals or locks. It includes a large tag showing the location of the polling place and information about the ballot in the bag.
Patrick likened the process to carrying cash from the grocery store. Instead of moving the entire cash register, employees deposit their money in a secure bag.
Fact check:Fact-checking: Viral images of election officials, not Katie Hobbs, in safe voting areas
The image shows the voting accounting process known as reconciliation
In the image, many people stand near a pile of black duffel bags at the Maricopa County Counting Center.
Patrick said the image shows election officials conducting a so-called reconciliation process, comparing the number of people who checked in with the number of votes cast or used. Patrick previously served as Federal Compliance Officer for the Maricopa County Elections Office, where he served for 11 years and oversaw the settlement process on numerous occasions.
Settlement, a process mandated by Arizona lawbegins when a ballot is completed and electronic results and electronic ballot information are in the hands of election officials. This process includes scanner counted ballots, provisional ballots, misread ballots and spoiled ballots.
“It’s a way of double-checking that the numbers are correct and counting,” Patrick said. , is standard practice. Arizona has been doing it literally for decades.”
And it’s not just Arizona. Reconciliations, also known as tally audits, take place in the majority of U.S. constituencies, Patrick said.
“It doesn’t matter if the public is watching. This is all happening,” she said.
Fact check:FACT CHECK: Arizona Poll Watcher Falsely Claims There Was Election Fraud in Maricopa County
Our Rating: Lack of Context
Based on our research, MISSING CONTEXT assesses the implications of a duffel bag arriving at a vote counting center in Maricopa County as a sign of fraud. The duffel bag is part of the adjustment process, where officials compare the number of voters with the number of votes cast to ensure they match. A bag that has been used in Arizona for years is where ballots are stored.
Fact-check sources:
- Matt Roberts, email exchange with USA TODAY, Nov. 18
- Tammy PatrickNov. 18, telephone interview with USA TODAY
- Maricopa County Elections Office, Nov. 16, Tweet
- Arizona State Legislature, accessed November 18, 16-608.ballot delivery; electronic voting system
- Arizona State Legislature, accessed November 18, Senate Bill 1623
- Maricopa County Elections Office, accessed November 18 live video feed
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