Resources > Audit Report Toolkit

Audit Report Toolkit

Templates and slide decks for clear, professional audit reports

Table of Contents

Clear communication about post-election audits builds public trust. This toolkit includes professionally-designed templates for full-length audit reports (risk-limiting, fixed-percentage, automated) and concise presentation decks to share highlights. Built with visuals, speaker notes, and user-customizable icons, these tools help jurisdictions explain audit processes, findings, and key takeaways-online, in meetings, or via video. Research shows that clear audit communication significantly increases public confidence.

The Elections Group created this tool as part of the US Alliance for Election Excellence.

What you’ll need

Audit Report Template
Audit Report Presentation Template
Risk-limiting, fixed-percentage, or automated audit data and findings
Office branding assets (seal, logos, style guide, color palette)
Visual editor (such as PowerPoint or Google slides)
Speaker notes or communication lead for presentation findings

Getting started

Before diving into the templates, take a few steps to ensure your audit communication is grounded, accurate, and ready for public sharing. This section outlines how to prepare your team and materials to make the most of the templates.

Confirm Your Audit Type

Before selecting a template, clarify the type of post-election audit your jurisdiction conducted.

Risk-Limiting Audit (RLA): Statistically-driven method that confirms the accuracy of reported outcomes.
Fixed-Percentage Audit: Predefined percent of ballots or precincts are audited, regardless of contest margin.
Automated Audit: Re-tabluates 100% of the ballots using different technology to ensure the election outcome is both reliable and valid.

Each audit type has its own set of templates. Choosing the correct one ensures your report and presentation reflect your process accurately.

Gather Your Audit Findings and Materials

You’ll need the following information before you begin customizing the report or slides:

The audit methodology and legal authority for the audit.
A summary of results and findings (including any discrepancies).
Total ballots cast and how many were audited.
Any noteworthy events (such as challenges locating batches, observer concerns, public outreach).
Internal or vendor-supplied data reports.
Optional: Visual materials (photos, charts, or maps) that illustrate your work.

Identify Your Audience

Clarify who will receive the report or presentation so you can tailor the tone, length, and technical level appropriately:

Internal staff (election administrators, board members)
External partners (state board, elected officials, third parties)
Public and voters (general education and transparency)
Media (press release and briefings)

The full report templates work best for internal records and public posting. The presentation templates are ideal for town halls, commission meetings, press events, or community education.

Assign Roles

Audit reporting is a team effort. Assign team members to:

Lead content development: Usually someone familiar with the audit process
Design and formatting: Use PowerPoint or Google Slides skills to adapt layout and visuals
Data accuracy and Q&A: Double-check numbers and citations
Communications/press liaison: Ensure messages are aligned with public outreach and strategy
Presenter or spokesperson: Practice and deliver the presentation to the public or press

Set Your Timeline

Audit reporting should happen promptly after certification or audit completion. Give your team at least 2-3 days to adapt the templates and another 1-2 days to review and sign-off.

If possible, plan ahead by scheduling:

A draft deadline
A review session
A publication or presentation date

Using the tool

Use these templates to produce professional audit communications. Follow this 6-step process:

1. Select the Right Template

Choose the version that matches your audit: risk-limiting, fixed-percentage, or automated.
Use the comprehensive Report Template to craft detailed content.
Use the Presentation Template to convey highlights in public-facing settings.

2. Customize Visual Style

Add logos, seals, and jurisdiction colors.
Choose icons that match your branding (instruction provided in icon library).
Adjust fonts and slide layouts to match office standards.

3. Populate with Audit Data

Insert key audit numbers (e.g., ballots sampled, margin, discrepancies) at the front.
Add slides detailing:
- Audit methodology
- Jurisdiction history and legal basis
- Findings and interpretations
- Areas worked well vs. improvement opportunities
Include glossary definitions for technical terms.

4. Edit for Audience and Context

For public reports: simplify technical language, highlight key results early.
For internal presentations: retain detail on method, sampling, and error analysis.

5. Use Speaker Notes (presentation only)

Use built-in speaker notes to guide verbal delivery.
Tailor points to your audience – media, public officials, staff, etc.
Practice to ensure clarity with the intended group.

6. Share Accessibly

Finalize both report and slide deck.
Upload presentations to your website or share via email/social media.
Present slides in meetings, webinars, or video recordings.
Maintain editable versions for updates or post-audit refinements.

Customizing for your office

Any tips for customizing this resource for my office?

Choose the template that matches your audit type and jurisdiction context (size, legal requirements, audience).
Adjust visuals to match internal branding and accessibility (consider font size and color contrast).
Simplify or expand slides depending on familiarity of staff or public with audit concepts.

How do I know if this resource is helping?

Public reactions: positive feedback, fewer questions about audit credibility.
Internal outcomes: smoother presentations, clear follow-up understanding, data-informed decisions.
Track metrics: website downloads, attendance in presentations, confidence surveys before/after.

Which Standards of Excellence does this resource support?

Election Office Operations
Ballots and Audits

Which Values of Excellence does this resource support? Why?

Values for the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence define our shared vision for the way election departments across the country can aspire to excellence. These values help us navigate the challenges of delivering successful elections and maintaining our healthy democracy.

Alliance values are nonpartisan and designed by local election officials, designers, technologists and other experts to support local election departments.

You may find this tool especially helpful for this Value:

High integrity. Transparent and factual reporting strengthens trust.
Voter-centricity. Clear formats help voters understand processes and results.
Proactive transparency. Sharing findings openly builds credibility.
Continuous improvement. Reporting frameworks lay groundwork for future audit refinement.

To learn more about the Values for Election Excellence, and to see the full list, visit the Alliance website.

Sharing Feedback

How was this resource developed?

This resource has been developed based on research, but has yet to be tested with voters or put into practice. Share your experience with this resource and improve it for your peers by reaching out via support@ElectionExcellence.org.

How do I stay in touch?

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Have a specific idea, piece of feedback, or question? Send an email to support@ElectionExcellence.org