Election Integrity

Intent

To ensure that people can verify and trust the outcome of an election.

Proposal

The local government adds up the certified tallies from each voting district within its boundaries and certifies the sum of tallies for all local, regional, state, and federal candidates and ballot questions. For local candidates and ballot questions, the local government certifies the outcome of the election.

The regional government adds up the certified tallies from each local government and certifies the sum of tallies for all regional, state, and federal candidates and ballot questions. For regional candidates and ballot questions, the regional government certifies the outcome of the election.

The state government adds up the certified tallies from each local or regional government and certifies the sum of tallies for all state and federal candidates and ballot questions. For state candidates and ballot questions, the state government certifies the outcome of the election.

The federal government adds up the certified tallies from each state government and certifies the sum of tallies for all federal candidates and ballot questions. For federal candidates and ballot questions, the federal government certifies the outcome of the election.

A local, state, regional, or state government must secure and maintain all voting records for an election for a period of two years.

Discussion

When each level of government tallies and publishes the number of votes for each candidate or ballot question presented to its constituents, independent observers are able to confirm the outcome of an election by adding up the published tallies from all voting districts, local and regional governments, state governments, and federal governments.

The requirement for each level of government to secure and maintain all voting records for an election for a period of two years, to be extended only if there is a pending court case involving the integrity of that election within that government’s boundaries, ensures that the records are available for inspection in case of an election integrity challenge.