Following widespread criticism of the voting process in Fulton County, an audit has confirmed the outcomes of the presidential preference primaries.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said a secure paper-ballot system was used Monday to verify Fulton’s results in the June 9 primary. According to the statement, Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections officials conducted an audit of the primary contests by comparing results on a random group of paper ballots in a selected race with results on the election equipment.
A formula was used to select a random sample of 27 ballots with the assistance of VotingWorks, a nonpartisan, nonprofit that works to ensure secure software in voting machines, said Walter Jones, a spokesman for Raffensperger.
Long lines, technical problems with election equipment and late opening precincts were complaints from voters on Election Day that left many concerned with the accuracy of the state's new voting machines.
Raffensperger has said his office plans to provide more support to local offices and he would put forth legislation giving him the power to intervene in county elections management, if necessary, for November's presidential election.
He was confident that Monday’s audit validated “results produced by Georgia’s new secure paper-ballot system.”
“Auditing returns can now be a regular part of elections because we have paper ballots,” he added. “That gives Georgians confidence that their votes are counted fairly and accurately.”
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