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(Thread) Election Integrity
This question came to me through the “Ask Teri” tab on my blog
Short answer: Yes there is oversight. Elections are regulated by statute, and the statutes provide for oversight. Each state has its own processes.
Shorter answer: Get involved!
This question came to me through the “Ask Teri” tab on my blog
Short answer: Yes there is oversight. Elections are regulated by statute, and the statutes provide for oversight. Each state has its own processes.
Shorter answer: Get involved!
1/ In CA, for example, the precinct “inspector” (person in charge of the polling place) and the poll workers count the ballots according to detailed instructions. The number of ballots is then reconciled between those voted and those unused so that each ballot is accounted for.
2/ Observers are allowed to watch the counting and recording of votes.
The inspector keeps a copy of the total so he or she can verify the number against the number used in the final state tally.
And who are these inspectors? Regular people who apply. My husband is one.
The inspector keeps a copy of the total so he or she can verify the number against the number used in the final state tally.
And who are these inspectors? Regular people who apply. My husband is one.
3/ After working a few elections as a poll worker, he was promoted to inspector.
In Georgia, the poll manager for each polling place and two sworn witnesses tabulate the votes. Observers (usually sent by the parties) are allowed to be present and watch.
In Georgia, the poll manager for each polling place and two sworn witnesses tabulate the votes. Observers (usually sent by the parties) are allowed to be present and watch.
4/ People observing the votes can’t interfere, but if they see a problem they can relay the problem to a team of lawyers monitoring the voting in that particular state. (If you’re a lawyer consider joining these teams. Most are volunteers.)
5/ In GA, three copies of the tabulation are generated: One copy is affixed to the door for the information of the public, another provided to the superintendent, and a third is kept with the polling place records.
(I'm getting this info from the GA rules)
(I'm getting this info from the GA rules)
6/ In Minnesota, all election workers, including those who count the votes, are called “judges.” (I love that)
Also, in MN employers are required to give employees time off work to be an elections judge. https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/3110/election-judge-interest-form.pdf https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/get-involved/become-an-election-judge/
Also, in MN employers are required to give employees time off work to be an elections judge. https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/3110/election-judge-interest-form.pdf https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/get-involved/become-an-election-judge/
7/ Don't worry! I'm not going to run through each state, even though me = 
Much of my “to do” list is what you, as a citizen, can do to help with election integrity. See: https://terikanefield-blog.com/things-to-do/
Much of my “to do” list is what you, as a citizen, can do to help with election integrity. See: https://terikanefield-blog.com/things-to-do/
8/ When 150 million people vote in an election largely monitored by volunteers (some with very little training) there can (and will) be problems and issues.
(Gotta keep those teams of lawyers busy, right?)
(Gotta keep those teams of lawyers busy, right?)
9/ Problems will be exacerbated by the fact that one political party is trying hard to create trouble specifically to undermine public confidence in the results.
(I won't name which party, but . . . gimme an "R"
)
(I won't name which party, but . . . gimme an "R"
)
10/ But don't confuse the frustrating problems that can (and will) arise when 150 million people vote with the ability to subvert and undermine a U.S. presidential election.
My credentials: I've worked as a volunteer lawyer monitoring voting in 3 states.
My credentials: I've worked as a volunteer lawyer monitoring voting in 3 states.
11/ I knew people would start tagging me with "worries" about how Russia or someone else can hack or flip millions of votes without being detected.
A goal of Active Measures is to undermine public confidence in democratic processes as a way to undermine democracy.
A goal of Active Measures is to undermine public confidence in democratic processes as a way to undermine democracy.
12/ I can only speak about machines in Georgia and Nevada, and YES they are safe with a paper trail.
Consider: Thomas Rid, an expert in Russian disinformation tactics, said that the extent of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election was “designed to be overestimated.”
Consider: Thomas Rid, an expert in Russian disinformation tactics, said that the extent of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election was “designed to be overestimated.”
13/ Why would Russia want to be overestimated? It’s another example of the Strongman Con.
They hack into state systems, not because they can flip votes, but so that people will THINK they can flip votes, thereby elevating Putin's stature and undermining confidence in democracy.
They hack into state systems, not because they can flip votes, but so that people will THINK they can flip votes, thereby elevating Putin's stature and undermining confidence in democracy.
14/ The real weapon they have is disinformation.
People underestimate the power of disinformation and overestimate the ability to fix a presidential election by flipping votes.
People underestimate the power of disinformation and overestimate the ability to fix a presidential election by flipping votes.
15/ I was so startled to see @marcorubio tweet something that was 100% true, I did a doubletake and wondered if there as a catch.
No catch.
Rubio is correct. https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/1319240475904270338
No catch.
Rubio is correct. https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/1319240475904270338
16/ P.S.
Please don't tell me that I'm naive and I don't understand how ballot-marking machines work. I understand it quite well, actually. My opinion is that spreading fear about the machines is more dangerous than any possible problems with machines . . .
Please don't tell me that I'm naive and I don't understand how ballot-marking machines work. I understand it quite well, actually. My opinion is that spreading fear about the machines is more dangerous than any possible problems with machines . . .
17/ A court has looked at the GA machines and made appropriate orders to secure the election.
This thread is a blog post. https://terikanefield-blog.com/election-integrity/
There are bound to be problems election day, which is why there are teams of lawyers and procedures in place to deal with them.
The most helpful thing people can do is vote early if possible.
There are bound to be problems election day, which is why there are teams of lawyers and procedures in place to deal with them.
The most helpful thing people can do is vote early if possible.
People who work elections are not only doing a huge service (many-- if not most-- issues on election day could be solved with good workers) they also see up close how the procedures (and checks) actually work. https://twitter.com/K_Bocephus/status/1319847296734007296
Thanks, @CindyEcksol
After the election, I think I'll do a special blog post and ask people who worked the election to contribute.
I did a screenshot so I could fit all three tweets.
After the election, I think I'll do a special blog post and ask people who worked the election to contribute.
I did a screenshot so I could fit all three tweets.
