The Cast Vote Record is a great way to determine how the ratio of votes between candidates trends in real time. Draza Smith has done some compelling analysis on these records to show some irregularities that are concerning. Our state of SC has blocked citizens from acquiring these records due to an opinion letter from the AG’s office prior to the 2020 election. The opinion states a concern that “individual voters’ cast ballots could be identified in violation of Article II, § 1, if cast ballots are subject to public inspection.” They also state that it would “fail to protect the secrecy of every vote cast.”
This argument is spurious however and suggests that they don’t understand the format of this common report. The request seems to assume that the public would be privy to the actual scanned image of the ballot which is not what the standard Cast Vote Record provides. We have samples of the report headers and in no way does it provide any Personally Identifiable Information.
In order for our elections to be transparent and honest it is essential that we the people have access to key data points. The Cast Vote Record is a way for us to see trends in tabulation that may look awry as Draza Smith has demonstrated. It does not in any way encroach on the secrecy of any voter.
It is essential that we have more information not less if we are going to trust our election process and our election commission should be willing to work with us to ensure that confidence is instilled in the process.