Vote Count Protection Project
The Vote Count Protection Project is a project of the Columbus Institute of Contemporary Journalism, a 501(c)(3) organization.
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How We Protect The Vote Count
Here are the components of the Vote Count Protection Project. We implemented exit polls and data collection in the 6th and 7th US Congressional Districts in Pennsylvania. Expanding the project (both the number of components and the geographical region) depends on adequate funding.
Election Day Exit Polls. Our Election Verification Exit Polls serve the purpose of election protection. A sufficient sample of voters at each of several precincts are asked, as they leave the polls, to tell interviewers how they voted. Although news organizations commission exit polls, these results are not made public. Our results are made available at this website soon after each election. We use professional polling methods and statistical analysis. Read the Transparent Exit Poll plan details (PDF, 104Kb).
Election Data Forensics. We have created electronic database of precinct-level election results, including (where available) the separate tallies for regular, provisional and absentee ballots. Such a database is fertile ground for statistical analysis both for short term use (finding anomalies) and long term use (targeting precincts for the next election). Creating such a database is quite labor-intensive. We have trained volunteers to collect data both at precincts and at central tabulation locations, and developed web tools to consolidate data collected by many different people. Finally, our statistical experts use the most sophisticated techniques available to analyze the data. Read the Data forensics plan details (PDF, 128Kb).
Strategic Litigation. Twice each year an election is held, and opportunities arise to investigate election technology and procedures through litigation. Whether or not litigation will result in a different winner, as many cases as possible should be pursued aggressively in order to help protect future elections. In addition, there are opportunities to base litigation on the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). Litigation requires candidates to serve as plaintiffs, lawyers' time, and money for expenses, such as state fees for opening up electronic voting machines.
Education. Some individuals are particularly well- placed to keep the issue of election integrity alive both in the public eye and at the Boards of Election. Candidates should learn not to concede too early; election officials should learn to cooperate with scrutiny of their procedures; policymakers should be convinced to institute strong testing and audit procedures for election machines.