Utah group launches ballot image database for 2024 Election

A ballot drop box off of Marsac Avenue next to City Hall. Photo: TownLift

SALT LAKE CITY — Verify Vote, a Utah-based organization, is launching an initiative aimed at increasing election transparency for the 2024 election cycle.

The organization plans to create a citizen-led database of ballot images. According to Teisha Field, a spokesperson for Verify Vote, their goal for the 2024 Election is to “reach enough people to upload pictures of their ballots to the database, enabling a proper representation of the voting public in Utah.”

Field explained that their aim is to “compare the state results with the citizen ledger.”

Verify Vote distinguishes itself from online voting companies. “This isn’t a voting system; it’s a fraud prevention mechanism designed to hold the state accountable,” Field said. She added, “As stated on our website, we support the use of paper ballots that are hand-counted.”

The organization claims to offer a unique service in Utah. “We are unaware of any similar options in Utah or nationwide. If such an option exists elsewhere, it is not being actively promoted to citizens,” Field stated.

Addressing security concerns, Field explained, “First, there is no way to identify individual votes, as ballots contain no personal information, and civilians cannot lookup driver’s license numbers.” She added, “We use AWS, the most secure network in the world. Once a ballot is uploaded, it is stored in an offline database that is protected from hackers.”

As the 2024 election approaches, Verify Vote‘s initiative could potentially introduce a new approach to election oversight in Utah, though its impact and reception remain to be seen.