electionline Weekly

Election News This Week

With a Friday deadline set for the senatorial recount in Minnesota, tensions are flaring with both campaigns arguing over the number of absentee ballots that should be counted. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, with the state Canvassing Board holding out the possibility it may certify a winner in the hotly contested race as soon as next Tuesday, and with DFLer Al Franken holding a narrow lead, the absentee ballots may hold the key to the winner of the state’s most contentious U.S. Senate race ever. But by the time the second of two meetings with Deputy Secretary of State Jim Gelbmann ended late Monday afternoon, the campaigns remained far apart. Campaign lawyers held dueling news conferences, accusing the other side of trying to prevent an agreement. And even Gelbmann, who at one point asked lawyers from both campaigns to remain “civil,” said a late proposal from Sen. Norm Coleman — to review 654 more votes atop the 1,346 absentee ballots that local officials had already agreed were mistakenly rejected — threatened to derail the process.

The state of Maryland filed suit against Premier Election Solutions during the holiday week in an attempt to recover $8.5 million. The claim seeks costs the state incurred to correct security gaps in the voting system that were uncovered several years ago by independent investigations. The state has paid $90 million under a contract with Premier, formerly known as Diebold, since 2001. “Under basic contract law, this is money that should be paid by Diebold or its successor and not by the taxpayers,” Attorney General Douglas Gansler told The Baltimore Sun. “This is sort of the final chapter of the touch-screen machines that we’ve had issues with in Maryland since we’ve gotten them.” Premier President Dave Byrd said in a statement that the state’s claim appears to be based on “inaccurate and unfounded assumptions.” He also said the 2008 election, in which Premier’s machines were used, was one of the “smoothest” in the state’s history, culminating what he called a “seven-year track record of success.”

Amongst all the holiday cards Fulton County, Ga.’s election department received something in the mail that clearly was more naughty than nice. The county got behind in process absentee ballot applications for the November election and hired Federal Express, which delivered about 4,000 ballots, according to a FedEx employee who asked not to be identified. The lowest cost per delivery was about $25, according to invoices obtained through the Georgia Open Records Act, but some individual deliveries made to Georgia addresses the Sunday before the election cost as much as $355. The total bill is $327,025.59, but Fulton County is trying to negotiate the cost downward. “Good God!” elections board member Harry MacDougald said Wednesday upon being told of the total by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We’re very unhappy that we incurred that expense.” The cost included prepaid return envelopes.

Despite widespread concerns about voter fraud before the Nov. 4 election, Hamilton County, Ohio elections officials said Monday there were only two problem votes out of more than 400,000 votes cast. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the two situations causing the concern are: A man voted absentee, then called the board later to withdraw his ballot because he lives in Connecticut. An inmate voted twice from jail. It is too early to tell whether either of the cases might be considered voter fraud. The out-of-state voter’s situation has already been referred to a special prosecutor, Michael O’Neill. The inmate’s situation will be investigated by the board; if further investigation is warranted, that case will be referred to the prosecutor. “I think the fears about widespread voter fraud and potentially long lines didn’t happen,” county Elections Director Sally Krisel told the paper. Republican Board of Elections member Chip Gerhardt told the paper he didn’t think pre-election concerns were overblown and said the heightened awareness of potential fraud helped limit it.

Opinions This Week

Alabama: Overseas voting

Alaska: Electoral College

Arizona: Maricopa County

Colorado: Denver Clerk & Recorder; Secretary of State

Connecticut: Refining elections; Human error

Florida: Hillsborough County, II, III; Run-off elections

Indiana: Vote centers

Maryland: Write-in votes; Voting machines

Minnesota: Recount, II, III; Election judges; Voting system; Canvassing Board

Mississippi: Voter ID; Election reform

New Jersey: Voting system, II; Voter lists

Ohio: Election reform, II, III; Early voting; Election process

Oklahoma: Voter ID

Oregon: Online registration, II

South Carolina: Vote fraud

Virginia: Overseas ballots

Utah: Voter turnout

Washington: Pierce County

West Virginia: Voting system

Wisconsin: Election reform

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Job Postings This Week

All job listings must be received by 12 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday for publication in our Thursday newsletter. Job listings are free but may be edited for length. Whenever possible, include Internet information. Please email job postings to mmoretti@electionline.org

Election Administrator, Benton County, Wash. — position is under the direction of the County Auditor, an independently elected official, and is responsible for the management of voter registration and elections for Benton County. In addition, the County Auditor conducts elections for several junior-taxing districts ranging from cities, towns and school districts to library and drainage districts. The County currently has 87,000 registered voters. The Election Administrator will supervise a full-time staff of 3 plus up to 20 additional staff during elections, as required. Qualifications: Extensive management experience with a minimum five years in election administration, or any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities, is qualifying. An in-depth knowledge of election laws, regulations and rules is desirable. In addition, the qualified candidate must have prepared and managed annual budgets, have experience in the management of automated information systems, and must have proven ability to meet deadlines, lead an experienced staff, and have served in some capacity in the public eye. The position requires that the Election Administrator be conversant with pending legislation and its potential impact on Election Department operations. Candidates with a college degree and/or certification as an Election Administrator by the Washington State Secretary of State will be highly considered. Salary: $52,068 to $67,572. Application: Please submit an application (available online at: www.co.benton.wa.us), resume, cover letter and five work-related references to: Bobbie Gagner, Benton County Auditor; c/o Benton County Personnel Resources Department; 7122 W. Okanogan Pl., Bldg. A; Kennewick, WA 99336. Deadline: Open.

Election Administrator, Everyone Counts, San Diego, Calif. —  will work day-to-day with worldwide clients to coordinate their elections conducted over the Internet. You will make proposals, arrange contracts, detail job specifications, set up elections using our online administration system, coordinate sign-off and testing, report results to clients, and send invoices. You will also respond to customer and voter inquiries by phone and email. Customer service skills, computer skills, and attention to detail are crucial elements of this position. You will also directly supervise other Elections Administrators. Qualifications: Demonstrated ability to work independently and to supervise others; strong listening skills and ability to show respect for all clients; excellent written, oral, email, telephone, and presentation communications; attention to detail and accuracy; proficiency in general computer software, such as Microsoft Office or Open Office, and a strong comfort level with the use of the Internet and technology, including learning complex new software systems; demonstrated ability to collaborate with a variety of people, taking the initiative to reach out to others, in person and by phone and email; demonstrated ability to accomplish numerous tasks with high quality in a time-efficient manner. Experience strongly preferred: Online business processes, advanced computer skills; administration, project management; customer service, helpdesk assistance; business or government sales, negotiation, and invoicing; bachelor’s degree or higher. Salary: Based on qualifications and experience. Application: Those interested should email a cover letter, one page resume, and salary requirements to careers@everyonecounts.com