ELECTION WATCHDOGS 5/30/17 11:29 AM Ideally, large-scale post-election audits would be unnecessary. Robust regulations and procedures for counting and reviewing ballots, appropriate training and performance management of polling center officials, and unfettered monitoring by professional observer organizations could eliminate the need for onerous, inflammatory, and time-consuming investigations after Election Day. When audits are determined necessary, however, they should be based on a predictable set of procedures and guided by best practices, and should enable the state to hold perpetrators of fraud accountable for their actions. This chapter has attempted to provide this guidance so that any post-election audit conducted is predictable and transparent, and – along with appropriate accountability and compliance mechanisms – promotes the integrity of the democratic process. 22