Ballot Bulletin: The Paper Record

This summer LWVWI is launching an educational series highlighting various election security topics so we are all better informed about the processes in place to ensure our elections are fair, accessible, and secure. This week we are highlighting the importance of the paper record of every ballot cast in Wisconsin — it’s a real page-turner. 

Wisconsin has a paper record for each ballot cast, to serve as a reliable backup in case of an issue with a counting machine. It’s another part of our election system that ensures a few of our favorite things: transparency, accuracy and the ability to conduct recounts.

The main goal of the paper record: ensure that the voter's intent is accurately reflected. The paper record verifies the machine-tabulator results (vote counting machine), providing a fail-safe mechanism to confirm election results.

Election officials can manually compare the paper ballots with the electronic tallies in case of doubts or discrepancies. It’s a safeguard against any potential errors, tampering or inconsistencies. 

If any election outcome is challenged and a recount or audit is requested, officials can conduct manual checks by referring to the paper ballots. 

It also deters potential attackers or bad actors seeking to manipulate our elections. Machine tampering can be uncovered through the paper record. It’s another part of Wisconsin's comprehensive election system that protects voters and ensures transparent and accurate elections.