Commissioners appoint three to 2026 post‑election audit after clerk explains hand‑count process

The Broadwater County Board of Commissioners on an unspecified date appointed three county officials to the 2026 federal post‑election audit committee after County Clerk Angie Paulson outlined the audit process and schedule.

Paulson, who identified herself as a county clerk and recorder, said the post‑election audit is a public, hand‑count comparison of machine tallies to ballots in selected precincts and races. She described the statewide random selection as a “roll of the dice” that determines which precincts and candidate races are audited and said Broadwater will have two precincts audited. Paulson explained the audit requires detailed tally sheets, strict chain‑of‑custody procedures and endurance from participants; she said audits now take longer than in previous years because the 2023 legislative changes increased the number of precincts and races that must be audited.

Paulson recommended appointing Commissioner Jessie Swenson, Treasurer Melissa Franks and Finance Officer Debbie Kelly to conduct the audit on June 12 at 8:15 a.m. The board moved, seconded and approved the appointments by voice vote. Paulson also noted the public canvas is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16 at 11:00 a.m.

What’s next: Appointees should be prepared for a lengthy, hands‑on hand‑count process and the clerk will provide necessary tally sheets and documentation.