Inyo County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters Danielle Sexton has announced that Inyo County will undertake a 1% post-election manual tally audit of the ballots cast in the upcoming November 3, 2026, General Election. This essential process is being implemented to provide enhanced transparency regarding the election procedures for all community members.
The detailed audit is scheduled to begin on Thursday, November 12, 2026. The day's activities will start precisely at 9:00 a.m. with the random selection of 1% of all precincts. This critical initial step will determine which specific ballots will be included in the manual tally. Immediately following this random drawing, the post-election audit itself will commence without delay.
All proceedings for this audit will be conducted at the County Elections Office, which is located within the Inyo County Courthouse in Independence. The audit will be carried out on each regular business day, with designated auditing hours running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This schedule will be maintained consistently until the complete audit of the randomly selected ballots is finished.
The primary objective of this post-election audit is to uphold the integrity and accuracy of the election results through a direct, hands-on review of a representative portion of the votes. By manually tallying a percentage of the ballots, election officials aim to meticulously verify the officially reported outcomes and reinforce public confidence in the local electoral system. The emphasis on providing transparency is a core reason for conducting this procedural review after the general election has concluded.
In a commitment to fostering open government and community engagement, the public is warmly invited to observe all aspects of the audit process. This includes witnessing the initial random selection of precincts and subsequently observing the manual counting of ballots. Observing these procedures allows community members to personally witness how election integrity is maintained and upheld within Inyo County.
For individuals who are interested in taking on a more active role and witnessing the audit firsthand, the Inyo County Elections Office is extending an invitation to serve as Election Observers. Those who wish to participate in this capacity are encouraged to contact the Inyo County Elections Office directly. The provided telephone number for observer inquiries and further details is 760-878-0224. This contact information is available to help interested parties receive additional information and understand the responsibilities of an election observer.
Upon the successful conclusion of the audit, the Registrar of Voters will ensure that the full results of the election audit, along with all associated materials and documentation, are made publicly accessible. These comprehensive findings will be published on the official elections website, providing thorough information to the community regarding the audit's outcome. This final step serves to underscore the county's dedication to keeping its residents fully informed about the election process and its rigorous verification methods. The publication of these results will allow residents to review the findings at their convenience and discretion.
The commitment to a thorough and open audit process, as announced by Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters Danielle Sexton, is intended to reinforce confidence in the democratic procedures within Inyo County. This proactive measure, following the November 3, 2026, General Election, is a standard practice designed to uphold the accuracy and reliability of local election results for all who participate and reside in the community. The systematic approach to reviewing ballots manually after the election serves as an important and dependable safeguard for the integrity of the electoral system.
