We are experienced, nonpartisan election security advocates.
About Us
Who We Are
SMART Elections is a non-partisan organization dedicated to transforming U.S. elections by expanding public oversight, improving security, and advocating for fair, accessible voting. Our mission is to ensure that elections are transparent, have high participation and inspire public confidence.
SMART is an Acronym
Secure · Marked & Audited by Hand (for those who are able) · Accessible & Accurate · Right to Vote (for all eligible) · Transparent
SMART Elections is a nonpartisan nonprofit project. We serve U.S. voters, advocates, election officials and the general public.
Our Mission
We are transforming U.S. elections by improving security, providing public oversight, and advocating for fair & accessible voting. We want the public to have full confidence in election results.
#CountTheVote
#CountTheVote is a groundbreaking program training observers to monitor and protect U.S. elections across the country. We believe it is the most comprehensive, data-based election verification program in U.S. history. Our goal is to maximize transparency by having volunteers actively participate in their local elections. This engagement helps increase confidence, identify trouble spots, and reduces the risk of foul play. Elevated trust in election results decreases the chances that U.S. elections will be plunged into chaos, or even violence, following an election.
We are in the midst of training election observers for the 2026 midterms.
Election Observation Training
Help secure the 2026 midterms!
We’re raising $500,000 to protect the midterms. You can help!
- All donations are tax-deductible
- You can dedicate your donation!
Support Our Mission:
$72,595
$500,000
in the works...
Here are a few of the many projects currently underway.
(In addition to our #CountTheVote election verification program.)
- Election data research going back 4 election cycles to 2012
- A detailed report on the over 200 bomb threats that occurred on or around election day in 2024.
- Research on very serious security failings in our election technology
- Reports on our election observation in 2025 in California & New York.
- A petition asking for software transparency to one of the major voting machine vendors
- Research on an election in the Texas primary that has irregularities.
- Exploring or supporting lawsuits regarding corruption or election irregularities in Florida & New York.
Upcoming Events
Conference 2026 April
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Conference 2026 March
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We've Been Covered, Quoted & Featured in:
Count the vote
We don’t want to wonder if election results are accurate. We want to be sure.
Whether you’ve followed our work or not, you may be aware that there are serious concerns about the security and accuracy of U.S. elections.
That’s why we’re rolling out the most comprehensive, nonpartisan, data-based election verification program in U.S. history.
Our process, tested in pilot progrms for 6 years, involves training local advocates in nonpartisan election verification techniques that include:
- Checking If the voter rolls are accurate
- Observing logic & accuracy testing
- Documenting how many voters signed in
- Documenting how many ballots are cast
- Photographing the poll tapes
- Observing chain of custody procedures
- Doing public records requests
- Observing the audits
- Filing laws suits when needed
Election Observation Training
Why This Matters
Trust in U.S. elections is eroding across the political spectrum. Lack of transparency fuels doubt and polarization, even when elections are conducted properly. Independent, credible observation reduces speculation, deters interference, and strengthens legitimacy.
Why Now
Midterms begins in early March, 2026. Observation programs must be staffed, trained, and deployed before elections occur. Funding delayed beyond this window directly reduces coverage and impact.
Funding Need
SMART Elections is raising $500,000 in rapid-response, unrestricted funding to:
- Deploy election observation in competitive congressional races
- Run a mainstream media education campaign
- Train candidates on post-election integrity
- Maintain litigation readiness if necessary
Bottom Line
Verification now is far cheaper, and far safer, than repairing trust after the fact.
We are continuing to raise funds for other projects & lawsuits, especially #CountTheVote: our Election Verification Program to protect future elections. Please make a donation today. We are tremendously grateful for your support, and it is tax deductible, as we are a 501(c)3.
What’s going on now?
Rockland County Lawsuit Appealed – Next steps
On December 5, 2024 – 30 days after the November General Election, Our action partner SMART Legislation filed a request for a full hand recount in Rockland County, based on affidavit evidence that the Senate race was incorrect and statistical indications that the presidential votes were incorrect. On November 24th, 2025, the judge issued a decision that we do not have standing and that the case is dismissed. We have filed an appeal.
What is the Rockland County Lawsuit?
Our action partner SMART Legislation filed a lawsuit, challenging the results of the 2024 election and requesting a recount of the Presidential & Senate races
in Rockland County, New York.
Background on Rockland County Lawsuit
On December 5, 2024 – 30 days after the November General Election, we filed a request for a full hand recount in Rockland County, based on affidavit evidence that the Senate race was incorrect and statistical indications that the presidential votes were incorrect.
Case was not dismissed on the merits
After almost a year of considering the issues, on November 24th, 2025, the judge issued a decision that we do not have standing and that the case is dismissed.
We do not have standing, according to the order, because the candidate that we filed the case with, along with two other voters who supported her, left the case.
We strongly believe that they were intimidated into leaving the case.
Next Steps
Based on new information of possible insider corruption at the Rockland County Board of Elections, we have filed an appeal in the case.
We have another lawsuit and other programs that we ask you to support.
We are continuing to raise funds for other projects & lawsuits, especially #CountTheVote: our Election Verification Program to protect future elections. Please make a donation today. We are tremendously grateful for your support, and it is tax deductible, as we are a 501(c)3.
Our goal is to raise $200,000 by mid-January to protect the midterms and file more litigation.
This is still a victory
We learned a lot from this case. Many of the documents that Rockland County Board of Elections provided showed serious security vulnerabilities and discrepancies – further illustrating the need for more transparency and better oversight of our elections, something that we continue to work toward. We are continuing to explore the latest discovery documents that we received.
Company Behind Changes to 2024 Voting Machines Speaks out
What People Are Saying
Lulu Friesdat, the founder and executive director of SMART Legislation, told Newsweek: “We alerted the public to the software and firmware updates in our February 19th Substack…but not only did we flag the updates, we alerted the public that Pro V&V did not seem to be engaged in careful maintenance and monitoring of their website for extended periods of time. The fact that the company does not seem to be engaged in robust and vigilant security practices puts them at greater risk of being successfully attacked and having malware planted in their official updates.”
Stay informed
get involved
Stay informed with our latest updates
Read about our latest insights and election security news.
Sign up for #CountTheVote
Help protect the integrity of our elections as a volunteer observer.
Watch our TEDx talk
Learn about our mission and the importance of election security.
Testimonials
What People Say About Smart Elections
Hear what supporters, experts, and community members say about SMART Elections.
News & Articles
Voting Machine Details Requested in Lawsuit Challenging 2024 election
Press Release — APnews.com 2:36 PM EDT, June 26, 2025 Topic: Lawsuits NEW CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 26, 2025 / SMART Legislation, the lead plaintiff in a seminal case questioning the accuracy of
2024 Presidential and Senate Results Called Into Question as Lawsuit Advances
Press Release — APnews.com 8:01 AM EDT, May 29, 2025 NEW CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / A seminal case questioning the accuracy of the 2024 Presidential and Senate election results
Drop-off factor in Election Data Raises Questions About 2024 Election Results (Dec 17, 2024)
December 17, 2024 | Source: SMARTelections.us View in browser New York, New York – – As electors in each state are voting for President and Vice President today, SMART Elections,
News & Articles
Bushwick Campus – 2022 Primary
#CountTheVote BUSHWICK CAMPUS – 2022 PRIMARY FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS Number of Voters Matches the Number of Scanned Ballots at This Location We continue our Count The Vote project, refining ways to protect, verify and monitor election results in order to increase transparency and raise public confidence. We
FDR Highschool June 2021 Brooklyn NY Primary
#CountTheVote FDR Highschool June 2021 Brooklyn NY Primary Preliminary Report June 2021 New York City Primary SMART Elections is currently conducting The Brooklyn Transparency Pilot Project. It is part of our ongoing #CountTheVote initiative to monitor, protect & verify election results. The goal of #CountTheVote is to
Voting Machine Details Requested in Lawsuit Challenging 2024 election
Press Release — APnews.com 2:36 PM EDT, June 26, 2025 Topic: Lawsuits NEW CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 26, 2025 / SMART Legislation, the lead plaintiff in a seminal case questioning the accuracy of the 2024 Presidential and Senate election results in Rockland County, New York, submitted fifteen pages of
2024 Presidential and Senate Results Called Into Question as Lawsuit Advances
Press Release — APnews.com 8:01 AM EDT, May 29, 2025 NEW CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / A seminal case questioning the accuracy of the 2024 Presidential and Senate election results in Rockland County, New York, is moving forward. In open court last Thursday, Judge Rachel
Drop-off factor in Election Data Raises Questions About 2024 Election Results (Dec 17, 2024)
December 17, 2024 | Source: SMARTelections.us View in browser New York, New York – – As electors in each state are voting for President and Vice President today, SMART Elections, a nonpartisan organization focused on security and public oversight of U.S. elections, is releasing a comprehensive
Court Challenge Charges Gross Irregularities and Reports of Bribery in Harlem Election (Oct 29, 2024)
Press Release — APnews.com 12:35 PM EDT, October 29, 2024 New York, New York–(Newsfile Corp. – October 29, 2024) – SMART Elections and its Co-founder and Executive Director, Lulu Friesdat, are lead plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed Thursday, October 17th, against the New York City Board of Elections