Post-Election Audits

In Washington, each county conducts a post-election audit after every election.

There are two types of post-election audit conducted in Washington:

Random Batch Audit

A random check of ballot counting equipment, commonly known as a random batch audit, compares a hand count of ballots to the voting system count in selected batches or precincts. This check occurs within 48 hours of election day. (RCW 29A.60.170)

 

Random Ballot Audit

A random ballot audit, also known as a risk-limiting audit (RLA), uses statistics to confirm election outcomes. This check helps verify that the apparent winner of an election actually won. 

Ballots are randomly selected for review, then compared to the voting system record until enough have been sampled to confirm that the correct winner was found. If the winner won by a lot of votes, the sample needed to confirm the outcome may be quite small; if the race was close, the audit will examine more ballots.

The risk limit for statewide ballot comparison risk-limiting audits (RLAs) is 5%.

The risk limit for county-level ballot comparison RLAs is 5%.

 

2024 General Election - Statewide Risk-Limiting Audit

Counties Audit Date Target Contest Audit Report
All 11/19/2024 Contest selection: 11/8/2024, 3pm  

Random seed dice roll and contest selection: 11/8/2024, 3pm: https://youtube.com/live/PD7yalpCf0w?feature=share

 

Archived Audits

2024 April Special Election

2024 February Special Election

2023 General Election

2023 Primary

2023 April Special Election

2022 General Election

2022 Primary

 

RLA software certification

Arlo Approval for Use - Certification.pdf

 

Additional resources

RCW 29A.60.185 - Audit of results.

WAC Chapter 434-261 - Sections 114-119 on risk-limiting audit procedures.

risklimitingaudits.org - Additional resources and RLA academic papers