From the Press Release:
Watchdog Group: 24 Audits Since 2007 with Little Improvement
Independent Observation and Analysis of Connecticut’s Nov 2022 Post-Election Audit
HARTFORD: We conclude, based on citizen observations and analysis of official municipal post-election vote audit of the November 2022 election, that it failed to meet basic audit standards
After 16 years with disappointing, locally performed, hand-count audits, we recommend replacement of all local hand-count audits with sufficient and efficient electronically assisted manual audits utilizing the UConn Audit Station.
The non-partisan Connecticut Citizen Election Audit has provided volunteer observation and post-election audit reports since the adoption of optical scanners statewide in 2007. Without the hours and mileage incurred by these volunteers after every election nobody but a few election officials would know the actual quality of the audits performed, while officials would have less motivation toward credible audits.
<Press Release .pdf> <Full Report pdf> <Detail data/municipal reports>
The Purpose of the Citizen Audit is to increase integrity and confidence in elections, for the benefit of the voters of Connecticut. We provide independent audits, audit observations, and reports focusing on the integrity of elections and election administration. <More about the Citizen Audit>
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On Thursday Secretary of the State Mark Kohler led the drawing of districts for audit.
Here is a list of the selected districts <press release>
From the Press Release:
Watchdog Group: Time to Change Post-Election Audit
Independent Observation and Analysis of Connecticut’s 2022 Post-Election Audit
HARTFORD: We conclude, based on citizen observations and analysis of official municipal post-election vote audit of the November 2022 election, that it failed to meet basic audit standards. Again, the Secretary of the State’s Office failed to require local officials to conduct the audit according to law and published procedures. As a result, voters cannot have confidence in the accuracy of election results when 41% of official audit reports from registrars were incomplete.
After 15 years with disappointing, locally performed, hand-count audits, we recommend replacement of all local hand-count audits with sufficient and efficient electronically assisted manual audits utilizing the UConn Audit Station.
<Press Release .pdf> <Full Report pdf> <Detail data/municipal reports>
Summary Recommendations
The drawing was held on Wednesday 11/16. 33 polling places and 2 central count absentee ballot locations were selected.
The Verified Voting Foundation has written a letter to Secretary of the State, Denise Merrill, supporting expanded audits based on Connecticut’s expansion of absentee ballots: <read> Their support was based on the Citizen Audit’s recent Op-Ed. in the CTMirror.
Citizens Audit Report:
Watchdog Group Finds Faults with Post-Election Audit
Independent Observation and Analysis of Connecticut’s 2019 Post-Election Audit
From the Press Release:
Again, the Secretary of the State’s Office failed to require local officials to conduct audits to satisfy the spirit of the law. As a result, voters cannot have confidence in the accuracy of election results.
The public and candidates expect, and the Secretary of the State should require, that local election officials organize audits and produce accurate, complete audit reports. The public should expect the Secretary of the State’s Office to take the lead in ensuring that each audit report is complete:
Officials made strides in the following areas:
“With National concerns with elections risks the public deserves better audits. Audits that provide justified credibility in our elections.”, said Luther Weeks, Executive Director of the Citizen Audit, adding “With a small additional investment on the UConn Audit Station and its associated procedures, which have been developed with public funds.”
<Press Release .pdf> <Full Report pdf> <Detail data/municipal reports>
Citizens Audit Report:
We Must Do Better:
Independent Observation and Analysis of Connecticut’s 2018 Post Election Audit
From the Press Release:
Post-election vote audits of the November 2018 elections failed to meet basic audit standards. Audit should provide voters with justified confidence in elections. Instead, these audits reduce our confidence in election officials, concludes the non-partisan Connecticut Citizen Election Audit. Five percent of the State’s election districts were randomly chosen to be audited, as required by state law.
Among the Citizen Audit’s concerns:
The Citizen Audit was pleased with the following developments:
“We are frustrated with so little improvement after 20 statewide audits over 11 years,” Luther Weeks, Executive Director of the Citizen Audit said. “Citizens deserve better. If the Secretary of the State’s Office acts to fix these problems and pursues publicly verifiable electronic audits, progress can be achieved in the near term.”
<Press Release .pdf> <Full Report pdf> <Detail data/municipal reports>
Citizens Audit Report:
After 10 years, 18 post-election audits, and 800 local audit counting sessions, serious flaws continue
From the Press Release:
Post-election vote audits of the November 2017 elections continue to fail to meet basic audit standards. They again undermine confidence in the accuracy of our elections, concludes the non-partisan Connecticut Citizen Election Audit.
Among the group’s concerns:
On the bright side, developments related to the electronic audit point the way to improvement:
Luther Weeks, Executive Director of the Citizen Audit said, “We are frustrated with so little improvement after 18 statewide audits over 10 years. Citizens deserve better. Yet, if the Secretary of the State’s Office follows up on these problems and pursues publicly verifiable electronic audits, progress can be achieved in the near term.”
<Press Release .pdf> <Full Report pdf> <Detail data/municipal reports>
