To Missouri Election Authorities,

On December, 7, 2025, Franklin County, MO, held a public demonstration of Unisyn electronic tabulating equipment to inform people about how the equipment functions on election day.

Key Takeaways

Key Missouri election laws that were highlighted at the event:

  • As of January 1, 2023, Missouri’s official ballot is a paper ballot hand marked by the voter, unless the voter chooses to use a ballot marking device. (RSMo 115.237)
  • When using paper ballots, a legal vote is any distinguishing mark immediately beside the name of the candidate. (RSMo 115.439)
  • A voter shall fold their paper ballot before leaving the voting booth so the distinguishing marks are concealed, and then place it in the ballot box. (RSMo 115.443)
  • The election authority shall be responsible for ensuring the standards provided in Missouri laws and rules for counting expressions of voter intent are followed. (RSMo 115.456, 15CSR 30-9.030)
  • No electronic voting system shall be approved unless it accurately counts all proper votes cast for each candidate and for and against each question. (RSMo 115.225)

The demonstration itself was a mock election. Voters present at the event cast ballots with legal distinguishing marks. These ballots were then inserted into the tabulator to be tallied as they would be on election day. During the process, no ballots were rejected by the tabulating equipment and no ballot issue alerts were reported by the tabulator programming. A results print out was generated showing the total count summary after all the ballots were processed by the tabulator. The same ballots were then hand counted and a comparison was presented to the attendees.

The comparison proved beyond doubt that some legal votes were not counted by the automated tabulating equipment. This started a debate about why equipment with known vote detection limitations is being used in our elections.

The County Clerk argued that tabulators are legal for use because they are sufficient to read a “proper vote”, as referenced in statute RSMo 115.225, which he interprets as a mark that conforms to the instructions printed on the ballot (i.e; fill in an oval next to their choice).

The opposing side asserted that all legal distinguishing marks constitute proper votes, and that election procedures must give effect to all marks of voter intent as defined under Missouri law, rather than as limited by the operational constraints of tabulator technology.

After observing the demonstration in Franklin County, we are persuaded that the use of tabulator technology in Missouri elections is problematic and unlawful. We request that county election officials work with our group to hold public demonstrations in your county to inform your voters on the functionality of your election equipment, so all viewpoints can be discussed and all questions answered.

Event Recap

“After observing the demonstration in Franklin County, we are persuaded that the use of tabulator technology in Missouri elections is problematic and unlawful”

Call To Action

Contact your local Election Clerk and request them to hold the same public demonstration in YOUR county!

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