Please bear with me. I'm at the Board of Elections, helping with the hand count of the ballots from last Tuesday's election. There should be a new Gossips post, however, by late afternoon or early evening.
Given the closeness of the mayoral vote, I hope any individuals who are counting ballots by hand are unbiased. A supporter of Hallenbeck or Hamilton might be tempted to "help" the candidate they support during the hand counting process.
I'd like to learn more about the process, especially since I voted by absentee ballot. At a minimum, I hope that someone from Hallenbeck's campaign and someone from Hamilton's campaign are present to verify the votes that have already been counted, and to count the absentee ballots.
Right now, we are verifying the machine counts in all contested races throughout the county. The ballots have been under lock and key since last Tuesday night, and the number of ballots issued and cast has been carefully tracked and accounted for at every step of the way by bipartisan teams--equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans. The re-count is done by teams of four--two Republicans, two Democrats--all trained and certified election inspectors. It is rare that anyone on a given team is counting the ballots from his or her town or that an inspector from Hudson is involved in the recount for any of the wards in Hudson. Anyone can come to 401 State Street to observe what's going on. If the hand count disagrees with the machine count, a second team counts the ballots again, to determine if discrepancy is machine error or human error.
Counting absentee and affidavit ballots, which won't begin until next week, is a huge production. In close races, such as some we have in Hudson, the candidates are present, along with members of their campaign staff and often attorneys.
If you have some free time this week or next, you should come to 401 State Street and watch the process. I'm sure you will find it tedious and boring but extremely reassuring.
Given the closeness of the mayoral vote, I hope any individuals who are counting ballots by hand are unbiased. A supporter of Hallenbeck or Hamilton might be tempted to "help" the candidate they support during the hand counting process.
ReplyDeleteIf you were familiar with the process, jkhunka, you would know that what you are suggesting is really not possible.
DeleteThank you for all your election work on our behalf, Carole!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to learn more about the process, especially since I voted by absentee ballot. At a minimum, I hope that someone from Hallenbeck's campaign and someone from Hamilton's campaign are present to verify the votes that have already been counted, and to count the absentee ballots.
ReplyDeleteRight now, we are verifying the machine counts in all contested races throughout the county. The ballots have been under lock and key since last Tuesday night, and the number of ballots issued and cast has been carefully tracked and accounted for at every step of the way by bipartisan teams--equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans. The re-count is done by teams of four--two Republicans, two Democrats--all trained and certified election inspectors. It is rare that anyone on a given team is counting the ballots from his or her town or that an inspector from Hudson is involved in the recount for any of the wards in Hudson. Anyone can come to 401 State Street to observe what's going on. If the hand count disagrees with the machine count, a second team counts the ballots again, to determine if discrepancy is machine error or human error.
DeleteCounting absentee and affidavit ballots, which won't begin until next week, is a huge production. In close races, such as some we have in Hudson, the candidates are present, along with members of their campaign staff and often attorneys.
If you have some free time this week or next, you should come to 401 State Street and watch the process. I'm sure you will find it tedious and boring but extremely reassuring.
I wish I had the time to participate. I find the process of democracy to be the duty to be fair and honest... there is no other way.
DeleteI find it rather amusing that absentee ballots are gathered and delivered by people who are extremely partisan in Hudsons election process.
ReplyDeleteA chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Well, there is that.
DeleteThanks for all your work Carole, and to the other counters too. It all sounds unbelievably tedious!
ReplyDelete