Hand counting ballots vs machine counting: PA county puts it to the test

[GeorgiaModerate]

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2022/08/17/butler-county-ballots-review-2020-election-vote-recount-elections-staff-scanners-pennsylvania/stories/202208170125

1,661 ballots from the 2020 election were recounted both ways.

Machines: no counting errors; 1 undervote that was human adjudicated.

Humans: 9 people took 18.5 hours (about 170 hours of labor), 2 counting errors.

That's for 1,661 ballots.  The review process they used (see link for details) was slower than an actual election-night hand count would be...but not a lot slower.  In the 2020 election, Pennsylvania had almost 7 million ballots cast.  The U.S. had over 158 million.  You do the math.

[jojoju1998]

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2022/08/17/butler-county-ballots-review-2020-election-vote-recount-elections-staff-scanners-pennsylvania/stories/202208170125

1,661 ballots from the 2020 election were recounted both ways.

Machines: no counting errors; 1 undervote that was human adjudicated.

Humans: 9 people took 18.5 hours (about 170 hours of labor), 2 counting errors.

That's for 1,661 ballots.  The review process they used (see link for details) was slower than an actual election-night hand count would be...but not a lot slower.  In the 2020 election, Pennsylvania had almost 7 million ballots cast.  The U.S. had over 158 million.  You do the math.

When I voted in 2020, I filled out the ballot, and put it through the scanning machine. It was quick, easy, safe.

[Santander]

The effort required by poll workers should not matter in large elections. If you need more workers, you hire more workers. If you can't recruit enough workers, the National Guard can provide support. (unarmed and wearing civilian clothes, of course)

I support using optical scanners with paper ballots, but a hand count should always be on the table.