Iowa Sec. of State Pate expanding post-election audits to ensure vote integrity

(ABC 6 News) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced he is adding another layer of protection to Iowa’s electoral process following the November 8 election.

Secretary Pate said he is expanding post-election audits across Iowa. All 99 counties will be required to conduct a hand count audit of two races. Previously, they audited one race.

One randomly selected precinct in each county will hand count the votes for the Governor’s race to match with the ballot tabulators to ensure the accuracy of the vote. On November 9, the day after the election, Secretary Pate will announce an additional race in a randomly selected precinct in each county.

“This is being done to ensure Iowans of the integrity of the vote,” Secretary Pate said. “Our post-election audits consistently match the ballot tabulators perfectly. Adding another race to the process gives greater protection, transparency and security to the process. We want Iowans to know their vote counts.”

Every ballot tabulator in Iowa undergoes a public pre-election audit to ensure it will count votes accurately on Election Day. Post-election audits are mandatory in all 99 counties following each election.

To learn more about election security in Iowa, visit the Secretary of State’s website, HERE.