State Summary
Under RCW §29A.60.185, the county auditor must conduct a post-election audit using at least one of the following methods: A random check of the ballot counting equipment consistent with RCW §29A.60.170(3); a risk-limiting audit; or an independent electronic audit of the original ballot counting equipment used in the county.
A random check (option 2) may involve up to three precincts or six batches, and one office or issue. In counties that utilize risk-limiting audits, the RLA will continue until the risk limit for the target contests is met or until a full hand count results. Additionally, the county auditor must conduct an audit of ballots duplicated under RCW §29A.60.125. The audit must be completed prior to certification.
Unless otherwise specified, statutory references are to RCW §29A.60.185.
Voting Systems Used
Washington counties use hand-marked paper ballots and optical scanners, with ballot marking devices for accessibility. All registered voters receive a mail ballot and ballots are tabulated by batch-fed optical scanners. For the most up to date information please visit Verified Voting’s Verifier.
For an explanation on the types of voting equipment used, click here.
Audit Comprehensiveness
The kinds of ballots to be audited depend on the method chosen by the county auditor.
Transparency
Public observation is allowed and the secretary of state reports the results.
Audit Counting Method
For risk-limiting audits conducted, ballots are audited manually.
Type Of Audit Units
The type of audit unit depends on the audit method selected.
Contests & Issues Audited
RLA: At least one statewide contest and, for each county, at least one ballot contest other than the selected statewide contest is randomly selected for audit. If there is no statewide contest, the county auditor randomly select a ballot contest for audit.
In counties conducting comparison audits, each randomly selected ballot must be examined and voter markings or choices in all contests must be reported using the RLA tool or other means specified by the secretary of state.
Additionally, in counties conducting ballot polling audits, the audit board must examine and report the voter markings or choices in only the target contest on each randomly selected ballot in a form approved by the secretary of state. See WAC § 434-261-117.
Addressing Discrepancies
For each audit method, the secretary of state must adopt procedures for expanding the audit to include additional ballots when an audit results in a discrepancy. The procedure must specify under what circumstances a discrepancy will lead to an audit of additional ballots, and the method to determine how many additional ballots will be selected. The secretary of state must adopt procedures to investigate the cause of any discrepancy found during an audit.
For recount laws, please visit our Recount Law Database.
Timeline
Audits are to be completed prior to certification.
Binding On Official Outcomes
Statute does not specify whether audit results are binding on results or can change outcomes.
Oversight & Conduct
The audit is overseen by the secretary of state, but conducted at the county level.
Ballot Protection
Ballots shall not leave the custody of the canvassing board. Secure storage must employ the use of numbered seals and logs, or other security measures, that document each individual’s access to the voted ballots or voted ballot images, and detect inappropriate access to the secure storage. Unsecured ballots must be accompanied by at least two county auditor staff at all times.The county must maintain and document uninterrupted chain-of-custody for each ballot storage container. For more information see, RCW § 29A.04.580; RCW § 29A.60.110; WAC 434-261-045; and WAC 434-261-116
Additional Targeted Samples
The statute does not provide for targeted samples.