I work in my local precinct in VA as an election official. I can tell you that there are a myriad of steps and multiple checks, double, and triple checks once the polls close. That is just in the precincts and we often stay 2-3 hrs after the polls close securing everything. Then everything is processed again at our election office in our county. Additionally, it is required by law to have election officials from BOTH PARTIES in each precinct. We are not allowed to discuss politics or wear any political attire. Our JOB is to ensure the safety of the process.
Our county also has record numbers of early voters, it will definitely be a few days before we know the results of the election.
All this to say, it really is EXTREMELY difficult for fraud to happen. Each state has systems and rules in place to ensure the validity and safety of all votes. In most states and counties, you can’t leave the precinct until you are dismissed. I really hope anyone else on this thread can share (in general terms. I don’t want to anyone’s safety jeopardized) the process in their state if they know. I think that discussion can also help others see the process more clearly.
Donald Trump is already sowing doubt about the election results. Steve Bannon spoke publicly that Trump should say he won as soon as the polls close to further sow doubt about the results. I am a triathlete. I have never seen someone finish the swim which is the first event and declare that they are the winner. They have to wait until they finish the bike and the run and cross the finish line first before they are declared the winner. Sowing doubt and saying states are cheating is childish and un-American. Politicians should be encouraging everyone to vote and not trying to purge voter rolls and make it harder for people to vote. If you are worried you can't win if a certain sector of people vote then work harder to earn their vote. Don't try to prevent them from voting. Our vote is our voice. Everyone's vote needs to be counted.
Just don’t try to hand out bottles of water to people who’ve been standing in line in the hot sun for hours waiting to vote in Georgia! That could land you in jail for a year!
All of this makes me want to advocate for *chipping* people. You know...like we chip our pets for identification purposes. When you register, they insert a chip in your arm with the details of your registration. Then, when you vote--they just scan your chip. Of course, I'm joking here. But the frustration borne out of distrust, and power mongers is taking a toll on my sanity.🤪
Just had to pinch myself. Reading this makes me feel trapped in a pre-technological time when we walked three miles to school, wrote letters that took weeks to arrive and lit our homes with candles and kerosene. THE most important part of democracy is securing, counting and abiding by the vote of the people and yet - here we are. Crazyland. Little if any modern technology has found its way into the voting process. We believe humans are more reliable. We believe in the US mail. We trust paper and pen and humans who count vs automation. Even my mammogram gets read by AI now (with a little human backup). Why we haven’t figured out how to make voting easy, accurate, fast, efficient and accurate to the very last vote is just stunning to me. Do I think we ultimately end up with a vote that’s reflective of the people’s will? I do. But I hope some day we’ll look back on how we “do voting” and see nothing but a quaint and deeply flawed system that allowed crazy wannabe dictators to suppress and *try* to steal elections. These kinds of people exploit the weakest part of any system and so voila: Happy Election Day!
As an oversees voter, what's the best (and most reputable) way to ensure my vote has been counted? Are the links provided by vote.org for my state legitimate? Thanks for all you do Sharon! ❤️
I ended up calling my county's election office for an unrelated question and they were able to confirm for me. Surprised I didn't have to wait on the line!
I don't know the state you're sending your ballot to, but where I live, it's possible to track our ballots. We can see that the ballots are received and moving through various steps in the process. Vote.gov, Ballotpedia and your state's Secretary of State website would all be good places to see if your state provides ballot tracking. Good luck!
I work in my local precinct in VA as an election official. I can tell you that there are a myriad of steps and multiple checks, double, and triple checks once the polls close. That is just in the precincts and we often stay 2-3 hrs after the polls close securing everything. Then everything is processed again at our election office in our county. Additionally, it is required by law to have election officials from BOTH PARTIES in each precinct. We are not allowed to discuss politics or wear any political attire. Our JOB is to ensure the safety of the process.
Our county also has record numbers of early voters, it will definitely be a few days before we know the results of the election.
All this to say, it really is EXTREMELY difficult for fraud to happen. Each state has systems and rules in place to ensure the validity and safety of all votes. In most states and counties, you can’t leave the precinct until you are dismissed. I really hope anyone else on this thread can share (in general terms. I don’t want to anyone’s safety jeopardized) the process in their state if they know. I think that discussion can also help others see the process more clearly.
Thank you for your service.
Thank you for your service from another Virginian!
Thank you for your diligence and to all workers. Thank you, for this concise information. You are greatly appreciated.
Donald Trump is already sowing doubt about the election results. Steve Bannon spoke publicly that Trump should say he won as soon as the polls close to further sow doubt about the results. I am a triathlete. I have never seen someone finish the swim which is the first event and declare that they are the winner. They have to wait until they finish the bike and the run and cross the finish line first before they are declared the winner. Sowing doubt and saying states are cheating is childish and un-American. Politicians should be encouraging everyone to vote and not trying to purge voter rolls and make it harder for people to vote. If you are worried you can't win if a certain sector of people vote then work harder to earn their vote. Don't try to prevent them from voting. Our vote is our voice. Everyone's vote needs to be counted.
It is all so complicated! Our thirst for immediate results is going to keep us dehydrated! Go vote and stay safe! Stay hydrated!
Just don’t try to hand out bottles of water to people who’ve been standing in line in the hot sun for hours waiting to vote in Georgia! That could land you in jail for a year!
Isn’t that insane?!
Remember when we used to take voting integrity for granted? Good times!
Sharon, you are a guiding light in an uncertain time. Thank you!!
Thank you, Sharon, for all the information
Once again. Thank you, Sharon, for this straightforward information, to calm my frazzled nerve… of which I truly think I have but one left.
I will not be able to survive the waiting period of Election Day (or week? Lol) without your instagram stories!
All of this makes me want to advocate for *chipping* people. You know...like we chip our pets for identification purposes. When you register, they insert a chip in your arm with the details of your registration. Then, when you vote--they just scan your chip. Of course, I'm joking here. But the frustration borne out of distrust, and power mongers is taking a toll on my sanity.🤪
Well now would be a great time for Bill Gates to use those chips that he put in all of our Covid vaccines 👀 [/sarcasm]
Very helpful information! Thank you so much!!!
Just had to pinch myself. Reading this makes me feel trapped in a pre-technological time when we walked three miles to school, wrote letters that took weeks to arrive and lit our homes with candles and kerosene. THE most important part of democracy is securing, counting and abiding by the vote of the people and yet - here we are. Crazyland. Little if any modern technology has found its way into the voting process. We believe humans are more reliable. We believe in the US mail. We trust paper and pen and humans who count vs automation. Even my mammogram gets read by AI now (with a little human backup). Why we haven’t figured out how to make voting easy, accurate, fast, efficient and accurate to the very last vote is just stunning to me. Do I think we ultimately end up with a vote that’s reflective of the people’s will? I do. But I hope some day we’ll look back on how we “do voting” and see nothing but a quaint and deeply flawed system that allowed crazy wannabe dictators to suppress and *try* to steal elections. These kinds of people exploit the weakest part of any system and so voila: Happy Election Day!
As an oversees voter, what's the best (and most reputable) way to ensure my vote has been counted? Are the links provided by vote.org for my state legitimate? Thanks for all you do Sharon! ❤️
I ended up calling my county's election office for an unrelated question and they were able to confirm for me. Surprised I didn't have to wait on the line!
I don't know the state you're sending your ballot to, but where I live, it's possible to track our ballots. We can see that the ballots are received and moving through various steps in the process. Vote.gov, Ballotpedia and your state's Secretary of State website would all be good places to see if your state provides ballot tracking. Good luck!