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Developing an Audit Trail:

Election Day

Helping America Vote

About the Quick Start Guides: The EAC's Quick Start Guides are intended to familiarize local election officials with various topics

they will likely encounter in election administration. The guides are a starting point to identify areas of concern and give officials a

broad idea of factors they should consider in approaching a given topic.

What can election officials do to maintain an audit trail on Election Day?

Election officials can develop robust procedures to ensure no gaps appear in the audit trail as ballots, voting

equipment, and all other supplies are transferred from the elections office to polling places and back.

Additionally, poll worker inattention or failure to follow established procedures can affect all post-election

activities, from ballot reconciliation to audits. Poll workers who fail to maintain a chain of custody or secure

essential election materials and equipment create a break in the audit trail. While such mistakes are often

inconsequential, they must be documented and addressed for future elections. Below are a few suggestions

for procedures and training to ensure the audit trail remains intact on Election Day.

During poll worker training, communicate the importance of following documentation procedures to maintain the audit trail. Poll

workers are often under pressure on Election Day, and paperwork can sometimes seem like an afterthought. However, by providing

training and resources, election officials can ensure that poll workers understand the importance of maintaining an audit trail and

how to do so effectively. Some key items to include in poll worker training include:

Before Election Day

Confirming and documenting the number of preprinted ballots delivered to the location before the

polls open.

Completing all necessary reconciliation paperwork using the actual forms they will use on

Election Day.

Tracking the number of ballots cast, spoiled ballots, provisional ballots, or any other ballots used

during the election.

Working in teams of two when confirming ballot counts and completing reconciliation activities.

Provide a checklist for poll workers to verify they complete all audit trail documents.

Encourage poll workers to periodically compare the number of check-ins to the number of ballots

cast during slow periods.

Assign teams of two (preferably bipartisan) to return ballots, electronic storage media, and

supplies to the elections office after polls close.

Give poll workers tools to assist them in continuing the audit trail, including:

On Election Day

Election Night

When items are returned to the elections office:

Have staff verify the return of all necessary items using a checklist.

Document the return of all items and maintain the chain of custody as items move from the

possession of poll workers to office staff and into secured storage.

Verify poll workers completed checks of machine serial numbers, zero tapes, ballot box seals,

and protective counter numbers and signed appropriate documentation.

May 1, 2022 v. 1.0 EAC | Helping America Vote

eac.gov clearinghouse@eac.gov @EACgov @eacgov1 @us.eac