Counting our ballots

When Election Day comes to a close in our cities and at the Borough, the work of tallying votes begins. This process is a cornerstone of our democracy, yet many residents misunderstand much of how it works. So today we will review the methods used to count ballots, the security measures in place, and how concerned citizens can get involved.

In every election, a combination of technology and human oversight collects, counts, and secures ballots. The primary tool for this task is the tabulator machine. These devices quickly and accurately scan paper ballots, recording votes for each race or issue. Tabulators can process hundreds of ballots per minute, making them efficient for handling large numbers of votes.

Here’s how it works: You cast your vote at a polling place and feed your completed ballot into the tabulator. The machine scans the ballot, records your choices, and then stores the physical ballot securely within the machine. At the end of the day, election workers can quickly get vote totals from the tabulators with full privacy of who voted in what way. There is no way to review who has how many votes or what the last ballot said.

Election workers process mail-in ballots or absentee votes separately. On a separate day, usually within a week of election day, election workers verify details and eligibility to ensure each ballot is valid. The reason for the delay is to allow ballots mailed on election day (which are valid if postmarked before or on election day) to get to the address.

Then election workers run these ballots through tabulators in a centralized location under careful supervision. The workers only see the envelope you put your information on. Once they verify it, they stack the ballot still in its privacy sleeve to be counted, with no identifiers on them. Once workers remove these ballots from all the mailed envelope and run them through the same tabulators.

While tabulators are fast and reliable, hand-counting still plays a role in our election process. Hand counts may occur when tabulators are not available or practical. Hand counting also serves as a tool for audits: election officials manually review a sample of ballots run through tabulators to verify the accuracy of machine counts in the weeks before the election.

During a hand count, election workers carefully examine each ballot, calling out votes for each race while others keep tally. This process is slower but allows for direct human verification of each ballot, as it is called out.

Several measures are in place to protect the integrity of our votes. First, tabulators are never connected to the internet, preventing potential hacking attempts. Before each election, the officials test the machines to ensure they are working correctly and no one has tampered with them. Once the ballots have been input into the tabulator and it has the information, the election team connects them to a fax line that automatically updates the Division of Elections with the numbers.

This is also why precincts don’t all upload at the same time, and why the order seems random: it comes down to which machine makes connection first. There is no cellular upload, Internet connection, or wireless digital transmission.

Physical security is equally important. Ballots and voting equipment are stored in secure locations with limited access. During counting, observers can be present to watch the process, adding another layer of accountability.

After the initial count, results aren’t immediately made official. There’s a canvassing period where officials can address any discrepancies or issues. This might include counting provisional ballots, double-checking numbers, or investigating any reported irregularities.

Despite these safeguards, some residents may still have concerns about the election process. It’s natural to want assurance that our democratic system is working as it should. Fortunately, there are several ways for citizens to address these concerns constructively.

One of the most direct ways to get involved is by becoming an election worker or observer. The state, boroughs, and cities always need individuals to help run polling places and count votes. This firsthand experience can provide valuable insight into the process and help build trust in the system.

It’s also worth mentioning that Alaska has a unique system that helps verify results. The state keeps an image of all ballots cast, which officials can review if there are questions about the count. This level of transparency is not available in many other places and adds an extra layer of accountability to our elections.

Ultimately, the ballot counting processes are designed to be accurate, redundant, secure, and transparent. Combining technology with human oversight and public involvement ensures that every vote is counted correctly.

We all have a stake in the integrity of our elections. Your involvement matters in upholding the fairness and accuracy of our elections.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.