The board, with a new right-wing majority, is set to consider new election rules just 45 days before the election.

Some states use hand counts when conducting recounts in close elections, or as part of routine post-election audits, said Mark Lindeman, the policy and strategy director for Verified Voting, which supports the responsible use of technology in elections. A handful of tiny jurisdictions use hand counts in place of voting machines.

In-person voting for the 2024 US presidential election begins Friday in three states — Virginia, South Dakota, and Minnesota, the home state of Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.