Ever wondered what a ballot audit is like in Okanogan County? I decided to observe one.
The Okanogan County Auditor’s office conducted a public audit on Thursday, Aug. 8. In reality, there are only four seats available to the public. Representatives of both parties were there, plus me and another observer who commented, “People don’t like me. I ask a lot of questions.”
Three precincts and one race were chosen for an audit by mutual agreement with the Okanogan County Democrat and Republican parties. If they hadn’t agreed to notify the county auditor’s office, the auditor’s office would have chosen for them.
The parties chose to audit the ballots for the insurance commissioner in three precincts: Pine Creek, Twin Lakes and Okanogan #1.
No pictures were allowed in the auditing room on the first floor of the county courthouse building. A large security guard in a bright blue uniform stood silently inside the doorway. Besides mentioning that he had just registered to vote, he said nothing.
Two auditors worked side by side in front of the four witnesses to count and re-affirm each other’s hand count of votes for insurance commissioner in the three precincts. The entire process took about an hour and the results matched the printout from the voter tabulation machine upstairs.
Although I didn’t get to see the voter tabulation machine, I did get to hear the envelope opening machine that stood in the back of the room where we were sitting. After each signature verification, the yellow envelopes go into a machine that opens the exterior yellow envelopes. The interior pink envelopes are then opened by hand.
If you’ve ever wondered if there is a purpose to the hole in the middle of the pink envelopes, it’s to put a string through to tie the envelopes together.
Why would you put a string through the ballot envelopes, you ask?
….
To make sure there are no ballots left in the envelopes.
That tidbit was worth the trip alone. With ever increasing automation, it’s good to know some things can still be solved with a string.
Jamie Groomes, Chief Deputy Auditor and Certified Elections Administrator, has been in her position for 6 years. Her position is appointed and her boss, the Okanogan County Auditor, is elected. After this many years, Groomes looks comfortable and in control of what she is doing. Many on her auditing crew have been with her several years, although she said she could use at least six more people for the general election in November.
The auditing team was still opening new ballots from the primary on Tuesday. Any count that has a .005 difference between the second and third place finishers goes through an automatic machine recount.
Katie Haven, a Methow Valley resident and chair of the Okanogan County Democrats, said she has “101%” confidence in the election system.
“I observe every single election. I watch them scanned by teams of two. I’m extremely confident,” she said.
When the party has sent volunteers to the auditor’s office, Haven said, “Every volunteer has been amazed.”
When asked if she trusts the election system, Groomes replied, “500%. In Okanogan County? Yes.”
Groomes said each county may have different procedures for counting ballots, which she isn’t aware of. She attends state conferences and trainings.
“I love my job,” Groomes said about her work.
A live unrecorded stream of the ballot counting room is broadcast on YouTube. After questions were raised following video of ballot counts from the 2020 elections, the auditor’s office chose not to record, only livestream. The auditor’s YouTube account is empty.
In case you’re wondering, someone not only checks there is a signature on every ballot but also makes sure it matches the signature on your voter registration. If you registered when you updated your driver license, the signature on your ballot would be compared to that. If a signature cannot be verified, the voter is contacted by phone, text, and email. If you have several signatures, or your signature isn’t what it used to be, Groomes recommends contacting the auditor’s office to submit several signatures to be on file.
If you need a witness for your signature, the auditor’s office provides that service. You will just need to show ID.
“We’ll witness anyone’s signature. I beg them to come in,” said Groomes.
Ballots are kept for 22 months, the legal requirement. After that time, they are destroyed.
You do not have to vote for every candidate. This is called an undervote. During Thursday’s audit, the machine picked up two overvotes, which is where voters pick more than one candidate. In both cases, the voter’s intent was clear as one of the candidates was crossed out.
If you use white out, the machine will not process your ballot. In that case, a team of two creates an identical ballot and runs it through the machine, Another team of two confirms the process was done correctly.
Groomes said the only time there has been a mismatch between the machine and hand count is human error.
“If it’s not accurate, we have to figure out why it’s not accurate,” said Groomes.
Groomes prefers people ask her questions prior to making assumptions or accusations about voting irregularities. She said she takes doubts about the election process personally.
I had one question that has been bugging me- how does the election office know that a person is a citizen of the United States? Neither a driver license nor a social security number confers citizenship. Groomes said this is done at the state level and that I would have to ask the state, but I could see how this process could invite speculation.
The canvas board is the only body that can reject a ballot. The canvas board is comprised of the auditor, the Okanogan County Commissioner Chair, and the county prosecutor. They also certify the election results, which will occur on August 20 this year. The Secretary of State certifies the results by August 23.
Prior to leaving, I had to sign a form stating that I observed the audit. I walked out with four employees who worked in the auditor’s office that day. Turns out they all carpooled from Methow Valley.
If you are wondering if your ballot has been counted, visit VoteWA. If you are a registered voter, you are already in the system. Just enter your name and birthdate.
If you are interested in working for the auditor’s office for the general election, email [email protected]
Thanks for doing this!
You’re welcome!