2026 Ballot Hand Counting Demo at the Capitol

---

The Iowa State Capitol Rotunda in Des Moines on March 19, 2026.

Volunteers explain to legislators how hand counting ballots is the most transparent and accurate method possible for counting ballots.  

Two teams of two tally the votes, after every 50-150 votes the tally is reconciled.

There is no 'black box' into which the ballots go in and numbers out, with no accountability for what happens in between time. 

Hand counting ballots on election day, at the precinct where the ballots were cast restores trust in our elections. 

No internet, no computerized electronic network connections needed.

Hand counting is Transparent, Accountable and Accurate.

On April 1, 2025 Iowa canvassing volunteers, two democrats and two republicans, demonstrate hand counting ballots at the Rotunda in the State Capitol in Des Moines. 

Counting is typically done on election day, at the precinct where the ballots were cast. 

Counting 50 to 100 ballots per hour per team, results are achieved by the end of election night.

Supplies used in hand counting ballots includes binders, ballot boxes, printed forms such as tally sheets and batch summaries, and basic office supplies. 

Advantages of hand counting over computerized machine counting include:

• Same day results
• Fully transparent
• Unhackable
• Community involvement
• Much less costly
• Restores trust in our elections

Legislators coming to our table at the Iowa State Capitol Rotunda on April 1, 2025 to observe our demo on hand counting ballots.  

TRANSPARENCY in the process is TRUST in the outcome.

Hand counting ballots is ACCURATE, TRANSPARENT and ACCOUNTABLE.