Rigged election? Not in Winneshiek County!

Winneshiek County Auditor Ben Steines is in charge of making sure all the ballots are counted in Winneshiek County on November 8th.

He's assuring the public the process will be handled fairly and efficiently, saying that election returns "are an important part of my job."

Steines has been County Auditor since 2009, which means he's been involved in numerous ballot countings, including three general elections.  Whether it's a Presidential election or a small local referendum, the voting machines are tested "for days and days" before the election.  Any absentee ballots cast at the Auditor's Office or mailed to the office are locked in a vault to prevent tampering.

Steines says it all starts with working to make sure the voting lists are as accurate as possible.  The names of people who have died since the last election are removed.  Secretary of State offices in other states send messages to Winneshiek County when former residents here move to another state.  The Iowa Secretary of State office also has an "IVoters" database that makes sure the voting lists are as accurate as possible.

Steines says voter fraud is "very unlikely" and would require active work by someone.  Even then, the Auditor's Office is watching.  One college student tried to vote with two absentee ballots, but was caught.  That's one of the few cases Steines can remember in his eight years on the job.

When Election Night rolls around, poll workers must include an even representation of both political parties--either a 3-2 split or a 2-2-1 split, if an Independent can be found.  Ballots are brought directly to the Auditor's Office, where they are counted.  However, the computers in the ballot counters and the computer used to compile the results are NEVER connected to the internet, so it can't be "hacked".  The results announced on Election Night are unofficial--the County Board conducts an official canvas of results later and the actual physical ballots are sent to Des Moines.

All these steps, he says, make him confident in the security of the voting.  "I take it seriously," he says of the task of making sure election results are accurate. 

County Auditor Ben Steines