Ohio Capital Journal
Ohio embracing more efficient way to audit state election results
In this photo illustration a pencil lies on a U.S. presidential election mail-in ballot. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images).
As lawmakers debate proposed changes to Ohio’s election system, the Secretary of State’s Office is planning ahead on ensuring future election results are accurate.
County boards of elections conduct General Election audits in midterm and presidential years, in accordance with state law. The results announced on election night are “unofficial” until they are officially certified by elections workers.
The audits help to make sure Ohio reports the correct winners through comparing a sample of paper ballots with the results produced by tabulation machine.