What are the rules for recounts and post-election audits?
In Virginia, there are specific rules for recounts and post-election audits. To request a recount, any candidate, political party, or voter may file a petition with the State Board of Elections or the Circuit Court of the locality where the election was held. The petition must be accompanied by a $50 fee and must state the grounds for the request. The State Board of Elections will then investigate the matter and determine if a recount is necessary. If it is determined that there is a need for a recount, the Circuit Court may order a recount of the votes cast for the specified office. The recount must be conducted as soon as practicable and must be completed no later than 20 days after the election. Post-election audits are conducted in all statewide elections to ensure accuracy and integrity in the election process. This is done by randomly selecting a random sample of voting machines from a particular jurisdiction and auditing the ballots. The auditors are required to tabulate the ballots and compare the results with the results from the voting machines. If the two results differ, then the recount is required. The Virginia State Board of Elections also conducts post-election audits for local elections. These audits are conducted to make sure that the voting equipment was operating properly and that the election results were accurate. If any discrepancies are found, the Board may order a recount for that jurisdiction.
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