Board approves pre‑certification audit for June 17 Public Service Commission race, sets 10% minimum and 500‑ballot cap

The Cherokee County Board of Elections voted unanimously to perform a pre‑certification audit of the June 17 Public Service Commission race, drawing random ballot batches until the paper count exceeds 10 percent of total ballots but capping the count at 500 ballots. "We do a pre certification audit," a board member moved during the meeting.

Board members debated sampling methodology and precedent for holding a pre‑certification check. Supporters said a small, randomly chosen sample adds public confidence in the results without imposing large burdens on staff for this low‑turnout race; opponents cautioned that repeated, ad‑hoc audits could create future expectations. "If we keep inspecting, ... this adds additional confidence," one board member said; Director Anne asked staff scheduling questions and recommended Friday as the preferred audit day.

The board amended the motion to specify that precinct tabulator batches and sealed mail‑in ballot batches be randomly drawn and fully counted until the cumulative total exceeds 10 percent, with no additional precincts selected once the threshold is met, and with a hard upper limit of 500 ballots. The motion applied only to the June 17 Public Service Commission election and explicitly was not intended to set a standing precedent for other races. Chair announced the motion carried unanimously.

The board set the audit for Friday, June 20, at 10:00 a.m. at the election office and agreed to invite the public and monitors and to follow standard ballot‑security procedures. Director Anne said staff will post notice and allow monitors consistent with past audits. The audit will be followed by the state’s risk‑limiting audit process, which board members said is still scheduled to occur after certification.