Arizona audit update: Follow me here today. I am signed up to be a volunteer observer for the first 6-hour shift of the hand count.

My shift is supposed to start at 8 a.m.

I'm not sure how this will go.

For one: The rules are changing rapidly.

At first, I was told that I wouldn't be able to record anything, but the observers would be able to take notes. Then, they said no note taking allowed.

Think about trying to be somewhere for 6 hours, observe what is happening, and then write it down later.

Human brains forget very quickly. Even trained ones (journalists).

Would it be worth it?

Off to an interesting start. Got in line to go into coliseum and was told they aren’t letting people in yet because they don’t have the list of observers ready.

Meanwhile the line behind me is stretched out onto McDowell backing up traffic.

They told us to get here 30 minutes before our shift.

We are still in this line outside waiting to get in.

I can’t take my cell phone in today. Hoping they let us go to our car when we want so I can write stuff down and update you all here. I plan to try to find out the rules at the door and update before I go in.

We are all still waiting here (15 min now) to get in.

Here’s the livestream that you can watch to follow what happens inside the coliseum today. https://azaudit.org 

I’m watching now like don’t y’all start without us.

Update.

Audit is supposed to start right now, 8 am. No observers have been let in the gate yet.

Just turned off my car. I’ve been sitting here for 40 minutes.

Best update yet: @kc_haas and I just figured out she is in the car behind me. Say hi!

Line is moving. Woman with list.

I got in. But several people are being turned away. I found out what happened. The original signup sheet was on Google. When Google shut their gmail down, they lost their entire list. Those people are being turned away. For some reason, I was not, even though I used Google form.

I am in the doors but not through checkpoint.

I am checking my purse and belongings soon. I will be able to take breaks and give updates here.

I am taking a short break. Posting an update soon on http://azcentral.com .

Observers just got a brief verbal training. We were told to make sure counters were marking votes correctly.

Test ballots go first. Then the goal is to count one real box of ballots per table today.

I noticed the counters had blue pens. Supposed to only have red when you’re around ballots since ballots can read black and blue ink.

Those blue pens the counters have could potentially be used to mark the ballots.

I pointed this out to Doug Logan with Cyber Ninjas...

Doug is running this audit. He told me that his understanding was that blue ink was fine - that the ballots only read black ink.

Then he came back and said actually it seems I am correct. But he still seemed unsure. He said that they would work on this.

I want to note that I didn’t submit letters of recommendation. I got in during the first Google sign in group when they weren’t asking for that. Never told to submit. Never asked that here.

Watch http://azcentral.com  for an update soon.

One other note. I was told absolutely no pen or notebooks on the floor. Then I noticed another observer had a notepad. He said no one stopped him.

Later out of guilt I guess he went and checked it. But the security was not...

Clear to each person that they had to hand everything over.

Anyway, I’m going back in. Watch for me on the screen on http://azaudit.org . I’m in a black blazer. The observers are all in orange.

One last note. Can we start a hashtag #letkyrain @kc_haas went through the same exact process I did but was not allowed in as an observer.

I’ve been banned from further updates until my shift is over.

Hi! Checking back into the real world. Will update ASAP.

They are still working on their first few boxes.

Overall, a lot of questions about the procedures and a few changes being make sure chain of custody on ballots is maintained.

One quick update. They switched to green and red pens before the actual real ballots were out on the floor.

Thanks so much for following today. I now have a print deadline to meet!

Before I lose you, please subscribe to http://azcentral.com  and support local journalism. https://cm.azcentral.com/specialoffer/?gps-source=CPSUBSERV&itm_medium=ONSITE&itm_campaign=CPSUBSERV&itm_content=CPSUBSERV&itm_source=CPSUBSERV