The Office of Voter Registration and Elections of Dorchester County announced on May 6 that it will conduct a hand-count audit of election ballots at the Elections Warehouse, located at 235 Deming Way, Summerville, SC. The audit is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10 at 10:00 a.m.
The purpose of the hand-count audit is to verify that the number of ballots cast was accurately recorded by the tabulation device and that votes for each candidate were correctly counted. This process aims to ensure transparency and trust in the county’s electoral procedures.
According to the announcement, “the purpose of a hand-count audit is to ensure the number of ballots cast was accurately recorded by the tabulation device. Additionally, the audit ensures that the number of votes cast for a particular candidate was accurately recorded by the tabulation device.” The specific precincts and contests included in this audit are selected by the State Election Commission and published on SCVotes.gov.
The notice also states that photography or videography will not be allowed during this process. It cites Article II §1 of the South Carolina Constitution: “[a]ll elections by the people shall be by secret ballot, but the ballots shall not be counted in secret.” To maintain secrecy, observers are prohibited from taking photos or videos during audits.
Dorchester County supports financial transparency through publishing employee salary data and financial reports as well as advancing infrastructure with projects funded by ARPA and CDBG; it also fosters community welfare with initiatives addressing homelessness, mental health, mosquito control and public safety; manages facilities such as parks, senior centers and libraries; features award-winning school districts recognized for educational excellence; maintains ties with special districts like Lake Marion Regional Water Agency; and employs more than 1,000 full-time staff to handle its operations—all according to the official website.
This upcoming hand-count audit reflects ongoing efforts within Dorchester County government to uphold integrity in public processes while ensuring community involvement.
