Preparing for Post-Election Audits
As Ohio’s 88 county Boards of Elections reach the deadline to certify the 2021 General Election, preparations are being made for the post-election audits, which are conducted following each Ohio election. Secretary LaRose held a meeting of the Ready for November Task Force this week to discuss this process and the safeguards and improvements in place that make Ohio a national leader in accurate post-election audits. The call included members of the bipartisan Ohio Association of Election Officials who explained step-by-step the process of auditing an election. Defiance County Board of Elections Director Tonya Wichman then explained an innovative audit run in several counties called a “Risk-Limiting Audit,” which has received national recognition for accuracy. Also on the call was Rachel Orey, a Policy Analyst with the Bipartisan Policy Center, who praised Ohio for having the national model for post-election audits. "Ohio implemented a series of reforms to their audit laws that really establish the state as a leader in election security and integrity in that post-election period,” she said.
Watch the full Ready for November Taskforce Meeting here.
A National Model for Post-Election Audits
Bipartisan Policy Center Elections and Congress Project Policy Analyst Rachel Orey’s praise for Ohio’s post-election audits comes directly from an investigation conducted by the BPC’s Taskforce on Elections. They came out with a report this week outlining the standards by which states should run their audits. Ohio was highlighted in the report as a national model for meeting the principles necessary to properly conduct an accurate post-election audit – yet another way the Buckeye State stands out as the gold standard when it comes to election administration.
Honoring Our Veterans
As the only Veteran serving in a statewide office, Secretary LaRose had a special message on Veterans Day to all those who have served or are currently serving.
“To my fellow Veterans — today let’s not only recognize the long-cherished tradition of service we and our families are a part of, but also look for ways we can continue to serve in our communities,” said LaRose. “Our oath to preserve and protect America is a lifelong commitment and there is still work to be done! Happy Veterans Day and thank you for your continued service.”
Secretary LaRose also featured a veteran who truly lives by that “lifelong commitment.” Darrell Roberson, a veteran who served over 20 years in the Army and Air Force, chose to continue his service this last year answering the Secretary's call for veterans to respond to their ‘Second Call to Duty’ by working as a poll worker during a pandemic. Darrell’s sense of service is even more remarkable because he can’t drive due to an injury, so he walked to his board of elections for training and then to his assigned polling place in Henry County. Darrell exemplifies the dedication our veterans have, and a grateful state thanks him for his continued service to our nation.
Additional Meetings
- The Secretary had the privilege to show his oldest daughter, Hadley, and her classmates around the Statehouse during the school's visit. Secretary LaRose took them into the Senate Chambers where he answered questions on his time spent there, educated them on the functions of government, and opened their eyes to the world of public service.
- The Secretary met virtually with the Ohio Council of County Officials this week to discuss the 2021 election and the priorities he is working on to both ensure Ohioans continue to have secure and accessible elections and an environment that enables entrepreneurs to prosper.
- Secretary LaRose spoke virtually to the League of Women Voters (LWV) during their annual luncheon. He answered questions from LWV members and discussed the ways the Secretary’s office provides Ohioans an accessible election while maintaining the security and accuracy in election results that Ohioans expect.
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