James Goodwin

Ensuring public confidence in election outcomes is essential to a healthy democracy. Allowing hand counts as a validation tool can strengthen that confidence by providing a transparent, verifiable method of confirming machine-tabulated results. Hand counting—used selectively for audits, recounts, or verification checks—offers an additional layer of oversight that helps identify potential discrepancies, reinforces the integrity of the process, and reassures voters that every ballot is accounted for. When implemented with clear procedures and bipartisan oversight, hand counts can serve as a practical safeguard that promotes trust, accuracy, and accountability in elections. ---