Actual Vote

Actual Vote enables volunteers to make digital recordings of publicly posted poll tapes. By comparing recordings of poll tapes made by yourself and others against official results provided by local election authorities, discrepancies can be identified and acted upon.

How Does It Work?

1. Users download the Actual Vote app on their smart phones which provide links to training materials.
2. After a polling place has closed and publicly posted its official results, use Actual Vote to make digital recordings of the results and upload to our website.
3. Once election officials have released official election results, compare with the results recorded at https://av.democracycounts.org.

FAQs:
Q. What is a poll tape?

A. Please see http://blackboxvoting.org/poll-tape

Q. What organizations are using Actual Vote?

A. Several including:
https://smartelections.us
https://protectourvotes.com
https://validatethevoteusa.org

Q. Is it legal to make recordings of publicly posted poll tapes?

A. Yes, voting results are public information and when displayed in a public place, there is no restriction on making recordings of them. Actual Vote may also be used wherever photography is not explicitly prohibited.

"The general rule in the United States is that anyone may take photographs of whatever they want when they are in a public place or places where they have permission to take photographs. Absent a specific legal prohibition such as a statute or ordinance, you are legally entitled to take photographs. Examples of places that are traditionally considered public are streets, sidewalks, and public parks. Property owners may legally prohibit photography on their premises but have no right to prohibit others from photographing their property from other locations. Whether you need permission from property owners to take photographs while on their premises depends on the circumstances. In most places, you may reasonably assume that taking photographs is allowed and that you do not need explicit permission. However, this is a judgment call and you should request permission when the circumstances suggest that the owner is likely to object. In any case, when a property owner tells you not to take photographs while on the premises, you are legally obligated to honor the request.

Bert P. Krages II Attorney at Law 6665 S.W. Hampton Street, Suite 200 Portland, Oregon 97223 www.krages.com © 2003 Bert P. Krages II"

http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf

Q: Where and when are poll tapes displayed?

A: At most polling places, voting results are posted publicly on an outside surface such as a wall or door, or sometimes behind a window, once counting has completed. Because officials do not always take weather into account, it is vitally important to make recordings as soon as polling places close to avoid possible loss due to wind or rain.

Vote counting centers, unlike polling places, take much more time before making voting results available and may only do so upon request.

In either case, contacting your local election officials and planning ahead for any contingency is recommended.

Q. Is Actual Vote or America Counts affiliated with any political party?

A. No, America Counts is a non-partisan, non-profit and does not promote any particular political ideology.

Q. Is Actual Vote or America Counts sponsored by or affiliated with any government agency or receive any funding from the government?

A. No.