State Summary

Under Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.185, the county auditor must conduct a pre-certification post-election audit after each election using at least one of the following methods: an audit of direct recording electronic devices (DREs) or other in-person ballot marking systems; a random check of the ballot counting equipment consistent with Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.170(3); a risk-limiting audit (RLA); or an independent electronic audit of the original ballot counting equipment used in the county.

According to the Washington Secretary of State’s website as of October 2025, two of the audit types listed above are currently employed in the state: the random check of ballot counting equipment and the RLA, both of which are manual audits. A random check of ballot counting equipment takes place within 48 hours of election day and  involves a manual check of the voting system count of one office or issue in up to three precincts or six batches. Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.170(3). When conducted, RLAs take place prior to certification and may cover both statewide and county contests.

Additionally, the county auditor must conduct a pre-certification audit of ballots duplicated under Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.125.

The discussion below relates to the “random check” audit and the RLA. Unless otherwise specified, statutory references are to Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.185.

Voting Systems Used

Washington counties use hand-marked paper ballots and optical scanners for in-person voters, 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

For the random check of ballot counting equipment, the audit statute does not specify the ballot types to be included in the audit. Note that Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.170(3) directs counties to adopt procedures to determine the batches or precincts to be audited.

The RLA includes all ballot types. See Wash. Admin. Code § 434-261-114(10).

Transparency

The audit statute directs the secretary of state to develop audit rules that include “facilitating public observation and reporting requirements,” which we understand to mean that public observation is allowed and that audit results are published. Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.185(4). 

Wash. Admin. Code § 434-261-117 specifies that the conduct of an RLA is open to observers. Risk-limiting audit reports are available on the secretary of state’s website.

Audit Counting Method

For both the random check of ballot counting equipment and RLA, ballots are audited manually.

Type Of Audit Units

The type of audit unit depends on the audit method selected. The random check of ballot counting equipment audits precincts or batches. Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.170(3). The risk-limiting audit treats individual ballots as the audit unit. Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.185(1)(c).

Contests & Issues Audited

In the random check of ballot counting equipment, one office or issue is audited.

RLAs may be conducted of statewide and/or county-level contests. The secretary of state calls for an RLA of a statewide contest. If a county decides to audit using an RLA, the county auditor randomly selects a county-level contest for the RLA. In addition, counties may also choose to conduct an RLA of a shared district if all counties in that district agree to participate. Wash. Admin. Code § 434-261-115(7–9).

Addressing Discrepancies

Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.185(3) directs the secretary of state to adopt procedures for expanding the audit in question to include additional ballots when an audit results in a discrepancy. 

Note that for the random check of ballot counting equipment, the process for addressing audit discrepancies is found in county procedures for the audit, rather than those developed by the secretary of state. Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.170(3)–(4).

For the RLA, “if there is a discrepancy in a target contest that exceeds the risk limit,” the audit will expand to include additional ballots until the risk limit for target contests is met or until the audit results in a full hand count. Wash. Admin. Code § 434-261-117(4).

For recount laws, please visit our Recount Law Database.

Timeline

Audits must be completed prior to certification. Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.185(1).

Binding On Official Outcomes

The 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. In addition, county canvassing boards adopt procedures for the random check audit. Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.170(3).

Ballot Protection

Ballots must 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 Wash. Rev. Code §§ 29A.04.580, .60.110; Wash. Admin. Code §§ 434-261-045, -116.

Additional Targeted Samples

The statute does not provide for targeted samples.

Resources

Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.185: Audit statute

Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.60.170: Random check of ballot counting equipment

Wash. Admin. Code §§ 434-261-114–119: RLA regulations

Wash. Rev. Code §§ 29A.04.580, .60.110; Wash. Admin. Code §§ 434-261-045, -116: Ballot protection

Last updated: October 10, 2025