On the morning of June 19, 2024, I witnessed an audit of ballots for Precincts 12 and 18. It was a pleasure to see the young people who participated in the audit taking part in the electoral and political process. I believe it is essential for more young individuals to engage in such activities objectively and without bias.
However, my concerns were raised during the audit process. While County Auditor John Smith seemed well-prepared with clear instructions, I noticed some issues that could have been addressed more efficiently. The process used today lacked clarity and failed to consider voter intent, which could have led to incorrect results. Despite Secretary of State Monae Johnson’s presence, there was no intervention to correct these issues, despite being informed about hand count training in South Dakota.
The audit results suggest that vote tabulating machines are accurate; however, an incident occurred that highlighted voter disenfranchisement. In one case, a voter circled the circles on the ballot instead of filling them in according to instructions, leading to the machine not counting their vote. However, during the hand count process, it became clear that their intent was validated, underscoring the importance of ensuring voter intent is accurately reflected in the counting process.
It is crucial for voters to pay attention to ballot instructions and complete them correctly to avoid disenfranchisement. Additionally, counties should conduct hand counts of ballots efficiently and objectively to ensure accurate results. While vote tabulating machines may seem convenient, they are prone to errors and manipulation, making hand counting a more reliable option for producing objective and accurate results. In conclusion, we must prioritize accuracy and integrity in our election processes to uphold democratic values in society.