Davis County lets voters watch ballot processing through viewing windows

Davis County is letting the public watch ballots being processed through large windows at the clerk's office as early voting begins, KSL.com reported. The county installed the windows about 18 months ago and moved election operations within six feet of them. ^[1]

County Clerk Brian McKenzie said transparency matters because many voters have questions about elections, and he wants people to leave with those questions answered. He said the counting machines are not connected to the internet, are under 24-hour video surveillance, and are sealed and audited to confirm they have not been altered. ^[1]

McKenzie cited a statewide audit by the Lieutenant Governor's Office that he said confirmed well over 99% of voters as citizens. He said that in his 20 years with the county, five noncitizens were identified as registered, and all were removed from the rolls. ^[1]

Davis County has more than 200,000 active registered voters and projects about 60% turnout. Most are expected to vote by mail, split roughly evenly between mailed-in ballots and drop boxes. Ballots must reach the clerk's office by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. ^[1]