November 12, 2024

Michelle Ascencion, Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, announced the schedule for the One Percent Manual Tally audit of the November 5, 2024, Presidential General Election. A mandated process under the California Elections Code (§15360), the One Percent Manual Tally audit is conducted during the 30-day Official Canvass period and involves a meticulous hand count of ballots from randomly selected batches of ballots that were electronically tabulated on Election Night. The manual tally counts are compared to the electronically tabulated results to confirm the machines are counting the ballots correctly.

The random selection of ballot batches will take place on November 13 at 10:00 AM. Using a random number generator, as specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 2, §20313(2)(A), Elections staff will select one percent of the batches from in-person votes and vote-by-mail ballots, treating them as separate samples to ensure comprehensive coverage. In addition to the initial one percent batch selection, additional batches are drawn to ensure all 99 ballot contests are included in the audit, as specified in §15360(a)(2)(B)(iii).

The audit process will officially begin on November 15 at 9:00 AM and will continue on November 16, restarting on November 18 and extending through November 23, and beyond if necessary. Batches vary in size and the total ballots to be counted will easily encompass thousands. Members of the public and media are welcome to observe both the random batch selection and the manual tally audit itself.

“A ‘one percent’ count may sound like a minor figure but make no mistake – it requires long hours of repetitive, detail-sensitive work by everyone involved,” said Registrar Ascencion. “We do strive to find ways to make this task less arduous – we are providing larger print tally sheets and optimizing the number of teams to maintain a manageable noise level in the tally area. Both the One Percent Manual Tally and the Pre-Election Logic and Accuracy Tests are important processes that ensure the safety, transparency, and efficiency of our local elections by ensuring every piece of equipment is functioning properly with 100% accuracy.”

Anyone interested in observing the One Percent Manual Tally audit can visit the Elections Division at the Ventura County Government Center (Hall of Administration, Lower Plaza), 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura. For more information please call the Elections Division at 805-654-2664. The official notice for the audit can be found at VenturaVote.org
The Ventura County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters is committed to “Preserving history and protecting democracy for the people of Ventura County, past, present, and future.” More information about the agency’s services is available 24/7 at www.VCClerkRecorder.org.