Following former President Donald Trump’s allegations of voter fraud during the 2020 elections, local election officials across the United States are taking proactive measures to ensure transparency in the electoral process. With the aim of preventing a recurrence of unsubstantiated fraud claims, many local governments, especially in critical swing states, have begun livestreaming ballot processing. These live video feeds allow voters to witness the counting and processing of their ballots, thereby reinforcing trust in the election results.
This initiative stems partly from the contentious atmosphere of the 2020 election, where logistical challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic limited in-person monitoring. While livestreaming is not a completely new practice, it has become central to current election strategies to combat misinformation regarding electoral integrity. For instance, Maricopa County in Arizona has set up multiple camera angles for real-time observation of ballot processing.
Tammy Patrick, Chief Program Officer for the National Association of Elections Officials, emphasized that while increased transparency is beneficial, it does not guarantee a full understanding of the process for all viewers. Additional locations, including parts of Pennsylvania, Texas, and Idaho, have also established similar live streams, continuing the commitment to transparent elections as the U.S. approaches its next voting day.
