Why Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for Election Records?
We the People have a Right to Election Records, and we need more SCC GOP members and county citizens to request election records form the 2023 Consolidated and the 2022 General Elections! Based on a preponderance of nation-wide evidence over the last couple years showing election machine manipulation of results, We the People have good cause for concern and must demand transparency from our public servants who are charged with conducting elections.
As public servants, Illinois County Clerks take an oath (55 ILCS 5/3-2002) to run accurate elections and to ensure the election results reflect the will of the people in their respective townships. We the Taxpayers of St. Clair County pay for elections; therefore, election records are public, and Citizens have the right to request election records in accordance with Federal (5 U.S.C. § 552) and State (5 ILCS 140) Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Laws. 52 U.S.C. Section 21081 (a)(2)(A), requires a “voting system shall produce a record with an audit capacity”. There are no stipulations in the Illinois Constitution, Election Code, or other state legislation that prohibits public audit of election records. In accordance with 5 ILCS 140 Section 1.2., “All records in the custody or possession of a public body are presumed to be open to inspection or copying” and “any public body that asserts that a record is exempt from disclosure has the burden of proving clear and convincing evidence that it is exempt”. Additionally, the county clerk shall have the care and custody of all records which shall be open to the inspection of all persons without reward (55 ILCS 5/3-2012).
Unfortunately, the St. Clair County States Attorney’s Office, County Clerk, and the county’s election system/software contractors have not been forthcoming on 2022 General Election Record FOIA requests in accordance with Illinois FOIA Law. Circa 14 March 2023, several SCC GOP members and citizens of the county requested the Cast Vote Record (CVR) containing the 84,282 ballots tabulated in the 2022 General Election and the Ballot Manifest Report. Neither contains voter-identity-bearing information and does not qualify for exemption under 5 ILCS 140 Section 7. Therefore, St. Clair County MUST provide the CVR containing the 84,282 ballots tabulated in the 2022 General Election or cite a specific state or county statute upon which the denial is based.
Please, help us fight for election transparency and integrity by filing a FOIA request.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Mr. Doug Gaines at drgaines@outlook.com.
2022 MIDTERM ELECTION
How to submit an election record FOIA request? Easy, follow three simple steps.
I am requesting the Cast Vote Record (CVR), sometimes known as a “ballot log” or a “summary of ballots” from the 2022 General Election held on NOVEMBER 8, 2022. To be clear, I am NOT requesting an aggregated summary report of votes. I am requesting a per-ballot report for the 84,282 ballots that were tabulated as part of the 2022 General Election, including all in-person and vote by mail.
Please provide a Microsoft Excel file or a comma/tab delimited file in the sequence processed by the county, every ballot, its sequential ID, its timestamp, its method of voting (for example: in-person, mail-in, provisional, absentee, “other”, etc.), the specific votes contained for all races, and the batch ID and tabulator ID. Should any fields not be available, please include the fields which are available. If the data exists as multiple files or reports, for instance by batch, type, or precinct, no need to aggregate, please provide the individual files.
I am also requesting the Ballot Manifest Report (also known as the Tabulator Batch Report) for all ballots included the tabulation of the results of the November 8, 2022 General Election. This report should include the information that specifies the method by which each ballot was cast. (i.e., in-person, by-mail, provisional, absentee, etc.)
If not familiar with how to generate requested files, refer to the instructions outlined in the ES&S Electionware Volume V Results User’s Guide page 37. Simply select choices for ALL records. Instructions for generating requested files, based upon EVS version 6.1.1.0., are attached.
Data from this request will be used for informational/educational purposes only and is NOT INTENDED FOR COMMERCIAL USE. Therefore, I respectfully request any fees be waived.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
FULL NAME (make sure to add your name)
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Mr. Doug Gaines at drgaines@outlook.com.
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2023 CONSOLIDATED ELECTION
How to submit an election record FOIA request? Easy, follow three simple steps.
I am requesting the Cast Vote Record (CVR), sometimes known as a “ballot log” or a “summary of ballots” from the 2023 Consolidated Election held on APRIL 4, 2023. To be clear, I am NOT requesting an aggregated summary report of votes. I am requesting a per-ballot report for each ballot tabulated during the 2023 Consolidated Election, including all in-person and vote by mail.
Please provide a Microsoft Excel file or a comma/tab delimited file in the sequence processed by the county, every ballot, its sequential ID, its timestamp, its method of voting (for example: in-person, mail-in, provisional, absentee, “other”, etc.), the specific votes contained for all races, and the batch ID and tabulator ID. Should any fields not be available, please include the fields which are available. If the data exists as multiple files or reports, for instance by batch, type, or precinct, no need to aggregate, please provide the individual files.
I am also requesting the Ballot Manifest Report (also known as the Tabulator Batch Report) for all ballots included the tabulation of the results of the April 4, 2023 Consolidated Election. This report should include the information that specifies the method by which each ballot was cast. (i.e., in-person, by-mail, provisional, absentee, etc.)
If not familiar with how to generate requested files, refer to the instructions outlined in the ES&S Electionware Volume V Results User’s Guide page 37. Simply select choices for ALL records. Instructions for generating requested files, based upon EVS version 6.1.1.0., are attached.
Data from this request will be used for informational/educational purposes only and is NOT INTENDED FOR COMMERCIAL USE. Therefore, I respectfully request any fees be waived.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
FULL NAME (make sure to add your name)
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Mr. Doug Gaines at drgaines@outlook.com.
Paid for by the St Clair County Republican Central Committee
A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board’s official website (www.elections.il.gov) or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.
SCCGOP Headquarters: 4510 N Illinois St #5, Swansea, IL 62226
Hours: Mon – Fri 10A to 2P
Phone: 618.416.7370
Email: ContactUs@SCILGOP.com