Audits are conducted before certification to confirm the accuracy of vote counts, typically by reviewing a statistically relevant sample of ballots. Pennsylvania has a statutory audit requirement and, in 2022, on the recommendation of experts, the Secretary of the Commonwealth directed each county to perform a risk-limiting audit as well. In both of these audit types, recounted totals are compared with machine count totals for selected batches of ballots to help ensure the integrity of the results.
The Pennsylvania Department of State, headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, issues directives relating to audits. "DOS Post-Election Audits."