A post-election audit bill should be a priority for state lawmakers to immediately consider, according to Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl.
In a statement released Tuesday, Wahl issued his full endorsement of legislation to accomplish that and noted that Alabama is the only state in the country without a post-election audit process, something he feels needs to change.
HB30 by State Rep. Debbie Wood (R-Valley) would accomplish just that. However, it has not been acted upon yet now in its third year of being introduced.
It simply would “require the judge of probate of each county to conduct a post-election audit after every county and statewide general election to determine the accuracy of the originally reported results of the election.”
According to Wahl, election integrity should not be a partisan issue, and is a key foundational principle of a Constitutional Republic.
“Every voter deserves to know that their ballot is counted accurately and that our elections are accurate, transparent, and fair. A post-election audit will provide an additional layer of accountability, helping to strengthen trust in our election system.”
The Chairman stressed that the state legislature must be “proactive in safeguarding voter confidence.”
“No one should have to worry about the accuracy of the ballot-counting process,” he continued. “By implementing a post-election audit, we send a strong message that Alabama is committed to fair and transparent elections. This is a common-sense approach that will protect every citizen’s right to vote and ensure that every legal vote is counted accurately.”
Wahl has been a consistent advocate of a hand-count audit, calling it the “most transparent and reliable” method to ensure accurate election results.
“Our voting machines should always have a check and balance. By manually reviewing ballots, we can best ensure that every vote is counted accurately and that there is a proper safeguard for voting machines and their manufacturers. A strong audit process will deter fraud and catch anyone trying to cheat.”
“We have an opportunity to provide voters with the confidence they deserve in our electoral process and to show that we are serious about protecting every single ballot. It’s time to take action and make sure Alabama leads the nation when it comes to election security.”
Last year, the State House passed a post-election audit bill, but it failed to advance through the Senate before the end of the session
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
