Washington Administrative Code
Title 434 - Secretary of State
Chapter 434-262 - Canvassing and certification
Section 434-262-105 - Audit of results of votes cast on direct recording electronic device

Universal Citation: WA Admin Code 434-262-105

Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024

In an audit, the county auditor must compare the paper records with the electronic results cast on the direct recording electronic devices.

(1) The audits required by RCW 29A.60.185 must use the same three races or issues, randomly selected by lot, for every direct recording electronic device subject to the audit and utilized in the election. If there are not three countywide races or issues on the ballot, the county must select the maximum number of contests available but no more than three contests from each of the devices randomly selected for the audit.

(2) Only races and issues with more than ten votes cast on all direct recording electronic devices in the county may be selected for the audit. If the county does not have such a contest, it must not conduct the audit of paper records required by RCW 29A.60.185.

(3) Counties that utilized more than one direct recording electronic device in the primary or election must randomly select the devices until the aggregate total of votes cast in each selected contest is greater than ten. The devices must also be aggregated until the number of devices selected meets the minimum required by RCW 29A.60.185.

(4) Written procedures to perform audits of direct recording electronic devices as outlined in RCW 29A.60.185 and to resolve discrepancies identified in the audit must be promulgated by the county auditor.

(a) The procedures must provide for a process of randomly selecting by lot the direct recording electronic devices that will be audited.

(b) The procedures for manually tabulating results must be conducted using a process that includes the following elements:
(i) A continuous paper record must be utilized; the paper record must not be cut into separate individual records;

(ii) If a paper record indicates a ballot has been canceled, that ballot must be exempt from the audit; and

(iii) If the paper records are incomplete, the ballot images stored on the direct recording electronic device must be printed and then compared to the electronic results recorded on the direct recording electronic device.

(5) If there is a discrepancy between the electronic results and the paper record results, the canvassing board must take necessary actions to investigate and resolve the discrepancy. The canvassing board must prepare a public report that outlines the discrepancy and how it was resolved. The results as determined by the canvassing board must replace the electronic results in the official certification.

(6) If there is a discrepancy that cannot be resolved:

(a) The secretary of state must be notified immediately; and

(b) The vendor must be notified and required to provide a satisfactory explanation for the discrepancy within thirty days.

(7) The aggregate total of paper records counted manually is subject to public disclosure.

Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 07-20-074, § 434-262-105, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; 07-09-036, § 434-262-105, filed 4/11/07, effective 5/12/07; 05-24-040, § 434-262-105, filed 11/30/05, effective 12/31/05.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Washington may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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