Americans don’t trust our election system. This distrust has been growing since the HAVA Act was instituted in 2002. The HAVA Act subsidized the purchase of computerized electronic voting systems, with many components manufactured overseas. Today’s system is highly complex and vulnerable, making it hard for election workers and voters to understand. We must simplify by returning to a system of people, paper, and pens with some modern twists. The best way forward is to remove electronics from all four phases of the system—Voter Registration, Voter Validation, Marking and Counting of the ballots, and Reporting of the Results. While technology such as video recording of the counting is preferred, it is not necessary. The Gold Standard achieves this by enhancing accessibility to qualified voters, security of the physical ballots, vote transparency, and results verifiability. The Gold Standard is a system “for the people by the people.”

We provide recommendations to improve all four areas of the election system in our whitepaper.

Each state must try to incorporate these into its election laws. We recommend that Congress abolish all federal election laws like HAVA (the Help Amerca Vote Act), NVRA (National Voter Registration Act), and UOCAVA (Uniformed Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act)

Here is the QR code for more details.

Here is a summary of the recommendations

Phase 1: Voter Registration: controls who and how many ballots are issued

• In-person registration with valid ID and proof of citizenship at least every 4 years (affidavit and confirmation of legitimate domicile)
• Paper “library card” system of voter rolls sorted by precinct at the county with redundant read-only computer copy
• Separate database for active and inactive/archived
• Voter rolls free of charge, downloadable online-Active, inactive, archived

Phase 2: Voter Validation: controls the legitimacy of ballots eligible for tabulation

• Ongoing validation of rolls; if the voter is activated after inactive status, they must re-register.
• Paper Poll Books- confirm accuracy against paper card system and freeze 30 days before an election-no new registrations beyond this point
• Voter must have a valid current ID at the time of voting
• Periodic checks of voter qualifications and status to ensure accuracy

Phase 3: Marking and Counting of Ballots: controls when/where/how the votes are counted

• One day of voting, a state/federal holiday (early voting is discouraged)
• Hand-marked, Hand-counted Paper Ballots
• Ballots must employ security features and procedures
• Secure transfer of ballots by LEO with detailed logs
• Increase poll workers to ensure timely counting (before midnight)
• Count where cast at the precincts which should be small, <1,500 electors; penalties for violations
• Sequentially numbered but random (pick a card)
• Observable by the public and live-streamed and/or recorded if possible
• Strong chain of custody measures
• Public access to chain of custody docs
• Procedures for COC must be published and election workers trained
• Absentee balloting-minimal and also sorted and counted at their precinct (secure transfer from county)
  • Do not open absentee ballots until counting commences
  • Sequential numbering used to track and reconcile prior to count
• Disability provisions – ADA and curbside

Phase 4: Election Night Results Reporting: controls what results are  ultimately reported and certified in a timely manner

• Tally results are provided on summary totals sheets, which are then sealed and reported to the county and state and posted on the precinct door.
• Ballot counting is open to the public and can be recorded with a cellphone camera mounted over the tally sheets, ballots, and total sheets
• Vote results shall be provided to all citizens within 24 hours of the count, preferably posted on county websites.
• All election records should be free of charge to citizens

Here is a video that discusses the above.

But we must participate in the process

“Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right… and a desire to know.” John Adams

Trump may have won the election, but the battle for election reform continues. States are in charge of their elections and must make the necessary changes, but will they have the integrity and fortitude to do the right thing and support election laws that give control of elections back to the people? Now is not the time to be complacent. We shall take a break for the holidays. However, we cannot give up the fight for transparent, accessible, secure, and verifiable elections.

The people have lost faith in our elections. We must urgently overhaul the entire election process to restore public confidence. Our fellow team member and House Representative Rob Harris pre-filed bill H3628. This bill would redesign the state’s current electronic voting process. Electronic voting systems have failed the American public. Computer “glitches,” weak logic and accuracy testing, counting that goes on for a month, ballots with no chain of custody, and ballot harvesting are just a few of the concerns. The only way to ensure every vote is counted accurately and transparently is to implement an actual paper ballot system with secure, hand-marked ballots that are publicly counted.

The solution is the “Gold Standard” – a comprehensive, nationwide blueprint for revamping elections with one day of voting, hand-marked paper ballots, and public observation of the counting process. This solution, outlined in this policy paper, Gold Standard Elections, was constructed with feedback from multiple states and rigorous testing. Watch this video here for a summary of our recommendations.

To make South Carolina a trailblazer, we ask all South Carolinians to CALL or meet with their representatives and ask them to support and sponsor bill H 3628, which codifies these reforms. This bill would mandate a paper ballot system with secure, auditable vote counting. It would also make Election Day a national holiday and keep precincts small to ensure local control.

Here is a sample letter/script to encourage your Representative to sponsor and support H 3628, the Gold Standard Election bill. Note that you can find your Representative by searching on scstatehouse.gov.

Dear Representative ________:

For many years, voters have not had confidence that their votes count. I do not trust the current electronic voting system. I am not alone, as people in the new administration, such as Elon Musk and President Trump, believe Americans should vote one day with paper, people, and pens.

Please support this bill H 3628 as it will increase trust in our election outcomes, save us money, and simplify the process.

Thanks for your consideration

CALL TO ACTION

To preserve our constitutional republic, we must all participate on an ongoing basis to make our local city, county, and state great again. We can only do that through the strength of many voices calling out for improved institutions, rules, laws, and governing bodies that reflect our will. We purportedly have a conservative legislature. They must act like one by passing laws that respect individual rights regarding families, health, finances, and freedom of speech. The bitter fighting in the State House needs to be mitigated to ensure meaningful reforms that benefit the people of SC, not corporations or special interest groups. All of these issues flow from elections. If our elected officials are not doing the job we want, they must be replaced by someone who will. They must be elected, not “selected.” We must believe that our vote counts and that the entire process is trustworthy. Bad actors nationwide must be brought to justice, and all illegal or malicious actions must be disclosed with consequences. Hopefully, the year 2025 will be the year of disclosure and justice. Improvement requires commitment. The more actively involved citizens are, the more impactful reforms we can make. There is strength in numbers, so let your voice be heard. Add these action steps to your New Year’s resolution:

• Call your Representative and senator and ask them to support policies and bills important to you- especially Bill H3628. Use the script provided above.
• Sign up to participate in your precinct reorganization. Next year, we have the opportunity to re-elect all party officers in your precinct, county, and state. Start attending meetings for your local county political party. For more information on whom to contact, you can email us at scsafeelections@zohomail.com
• Stay abreast of the proposed bills by downloading the SC Legislature app.
• Invite our group to speak at one of your meetings or churches about election integrity and how to get involved.
• Stay connected to breaking news about elections by joining our Telegram channel. Here is the link- https://t.me/+sRfrsM-iuvoxODAx

We continue to serve the citizens of South Carolina faithfully by advocating for elections you can trust.

Wishing you a prosperous New Year.

“One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” Plato

Guest post by Michael Delaney, a concerned Berkeley County voter

We received this letter from a concerned citizen that appears to have worked as a poll clerk or manager. (He also sent this to his representative). We agree that Chain of Custody is a huge issue and that proper procedures and training must be put into place to ensure compliance. Thorough documentation must be also put in place to be reviewed prior to certification and should be available for free to all qualified electors of SC. The issue of chain of custody is addressed in the election bills we are championing this legislative session. Thank you, Mike, for taking the time to address this very ciritcal issue and provide your perspective on how it can be handled.

South Carolina is committed to free and fair elections. At the poll on election day there are two essential elements:

1. One-person one-vote – the South Carolina legislature has recognized the
   criticality of this concept and established law in SC to manage this issue.
   
2. Election equipment and voting material security – election day chain-of-custody
   processes are administratively controlled by the State and County Election
   Offices

The election day chain-of-custody for election equipment and voting materials should be no less rigorous than that which is required for evidence in criminal and civil judiciary processes. The judiciary processes are overseen by the court system. Police effectively manage evidence because chain-of-evidence failure results in acquittal. Election equipment and voting material chain-of-custody is administered by the South
Carolina Election Commission and individual county Voter Registration and Election offices. Every piece of equipment and material should be treated as if it will end up in court, because some day it may. The amount of testimonial evidence obtained the last two years indicates a significant problem with the chain-of-custody of election equipment and voting materials.

• The Berkeley County Republican Party poll watchers reported numerous chain-of-custody violation in the 2022 general election.
• The State audit of the Berkekely County Election reported numerous significant chain-of-custody violations.
• The Berkeley County Republican Party poll watchers reported numerous chain-of-custody violation in the 2024 primary election.

Many chain of custody issues were also identified in the Legislative Audit Council report issued in January of 24. See this related post here: https://www.scsafeelections.org/updates/epic-fail-the-sc-election-commission-audit-by-the-lac/

It is apparent that administrative controls are not sufficient to maintain chain-of-custody of election equipment and voting materials casting shadow on elections in the state of South Carolina. Prior to the electronic voting process, election day chain-of-custody was simple, ballots and a box. Since South Carolina has committed to electronic voting processes, the chain-of-custody processes must be reviewed and codified. Election equipment includes the Electronic Poll Book (EPB), mobile internet hotspot
device (MiFI), Ballot Marking Device (BMD), and Ballot Scanner (DS200) machines. Voting materials are the blank ballots, emergency/provisional ballots and failsafe ballots. These items are described on page 11 and 12 of the Poll Manager’s Handbook (September 2022).

The state legislature should create black letter law to demonstrate the criticality of this issue. It must be maintained from the county eleciton storage through the shipment to the polling place, receipt inspection, initiation, vote canvassing, shut down and preparation for return shipping by poll managers,etc. Meaningful legislation would include the following elements:

Preparation for Election Day

• Positive control of voting equipment during the transport from storage to the polling place
• Positive control of voting equipment stored in a secure space at the polling place including a seal on the door
• Opening the polling place by Poll Clerks and Managers
• Two-person control with verifying signatures on the inventory sheet
• Cutting and recording the seal on the polling place storage
• EPS and MiFi – Cut the shipping seal and inventory
• BMD – Cut the shipping seal, inventory and validation of the
• internal seal
• DS200 – Cut the shipping seal, inventory, start up, validation of the
• internal seal
• DS200 – Opening, validation of empty bins, and attaching bin seals
• Counting of all ballots

Closing the polling place by Poll Clerks and Managers

• Two-person control with verifying signatures on the inventory sheet
• EPS and MiFi – Inventory, pack and apply the shipping seal
• BMD – validation of the internal seal, inventory, pack and apply the shipping sea
• DS200 – Cut the bin seals, inspect bins, reseal bins for transport
• DS200 – Cut the Thumb Drive seal, Print vote counts
• Account for all voting materials
• Complete the Ballot Reconciliation Worksheet

Secure equipment post-election

• Package for transport to the county all cast ballots, lanyard with DS200 thumb drive, two copies each of zero and totals tapes, sealed and locked in blue ballot bin. Blank ballot cards, keys, in sealed/locked ballot bag and the ballot reconciliation worksheet.
• Return equipment to secure storage and apply seal to the door

The above scenario should be codified in South Carolina law because the county
organizations cannot manage this process in the electronic voting era.