Two missing ballots make for a “bumpy” start in Crystal
Posted on November 19th, 2008 – 12:36 PMBy James Shiffer
Janet Lewis, the city clerk of Crystal, spoke into the microphone about the results of the recount in Ward 4, Precinct 2. 453 votes for Sen. Norm Coleman. 629 for Al Franken. 265 additional ballots.
“And there are two missing ballots,” she said.
The announcement brought shouts from the observers. “Lock the doors!” “Strip search!”
Lewis speculated that the mystery might actually be the result of election judges running one or both ballots through the machines twice, presumably because they jammed the first time. They’re not supposed to do that, but it happens, Lewis told me.
Nevertheless, the revelation prompted a prolonged huddle by Franken’s representatives and legal team.
The occasional hoots weren’t a sign of serious tension between the squads of Franken and Coleman supporters, even at this relatively small recount site. “We’re all being cordial to one another,” said Robert Brandtjen of St. Paul, who came to Crystal on behalf of Coleman. “I really think the more people who witness this, the better off we’ll be.”
After the unscheduled break, Lewis started the process once more. “We’re just going to be one lovely team,” she said.
12 Responses to “Two missing ballots make for a “bumpy” start in Crystal”
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November 19th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Shouldn’t they be matching up the number of ballots with the number of signatures, not the number the machine came up with?
November 19th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Signature? I didn’t have to sign anything.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
What do they mean by “265 additional ballots”? Certainly not the difference from the machine total, that’s too much. I don’t get it.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
JD: I think what the article means when it says 265 additional ballots is those are the ballots that were neither for Franken or Coleman. They were either for another candidate or they left the senate race blank. The article is confusing but I believe that is what they mean.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
MW,
You didn’t have to sign by your name on the Registered voters printout in your precinct?
Were you a 1st time voter and registered at the polls?
Signing the Registered Voter Printout is one of the methods to keep people from voting multiple times.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
MW,
You had to sign something before you you were even given a ballot. Did you forget?
November 19th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Naw, he / she didn’t have to sign anything…we want everyone to vote! Just like in Chicago - Vote Early, Vote Often!
November 19th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I saw on another posting, they are sorting into three piles: Coleman, Franken, Other. Thanks.
November 20th, 2008 at 10:40 am
I’m betting some democrat precinct election official will find some uncounted ballots in a storage room after Coleman wins the first two recounts.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
The most interesting question was not answered.
How many votes changed between the original count and this re-count?
Were the two missing missing previously Coleman votes, Franken votes,or one each?
Are other 265 “additional” ballots under counts, over counts or a mixture of both?
How many under votes ??
How many over votes ??
And, again how does this vary from the original certified count ??