(Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Nine lawsuits have been filed so far this month over failed ballot-counting petitions in Arkansas counties.
A group opposed to using ballot machines to count votes has tried to put forth ballot petitions across the state that would ban voting machines and requiring votes be counted by hand. Nine hand-counting petitions were thrown out over alleged clerical errors. The lawsuits say this choice is improper and the petition should be put on the ballot for voters to decide.
In Arkansas, voters mostly cast their ballots on a machine, which then prints out a receipt documenting their vote. If they do not find errors, the vote goes into the tabulator. The tabulator contains a special flash drive that is locked up and then given to the secretary of state after the election. This system allows for voting machines to have both a digital trail and a paper trail that can be audited.
At no point is the machine connected to the internet.
Additionally, there are several logic and accuracy tests, including a day-of test that must be conducted to verify the integrity of the machines. Counties are also required to host a public demonstration of the voting machines.