Post-Election Audits in the United States

(Source: National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS))

Post-election audits, or PEAs, are checks to ensure that equipment and voting procedures have worked properly and yielded a correct result. (…) Unlike an audit that is strictly focused on recounting some portion of votes, a process audit provides a holistic review of election procedures, with guidance and feedback that can help to improve the administration and training for future elections. Such reviews can increase the degree of accuracy and transparency in elections, thereby improving election administration practices and bolstering public confidence.

Some findings:

• Michigan and Minnesota noted that they conduct post-election audits of the entire election process in each state, covering everything from voter registration to tabulation. Jurisdictions are selected randomly in MIchigan, while Minnesota uses a random selection process by a county canvassing board.
• Oregon and Idaho reported that they have installed cameras in their ballot storage areas, as well as in their vote counting rooms.
• Connecticut law provides that 10% of precincts must be audited for accuracy after
  every election and primary by hand count (Connecticut uses optical scan technology).