The majority of candidates running this year for the state posts that oversee elections oppose the idea of hand counting ballots. The laborious and error-prone process has gained favor among Republicans who have been inundated with unfounded conspiracy theories surrounding voting machines. But an Associated Press survey of major-party secretary of state candidates in the 24 states found broad skepticism about hand counting. Of 23 Republicans who responded to the survey, 13 clearly said they opposed implementing a statewide hand count of ballots. However, GOP secretary of state candidates in two politically pivotal states — Arizona and New Mexico — want to shift to hand counting.
Most candidates for top election posts say no to hand counts
