Verified Voting Blog: The 2010 Primaries: More Recounts than Recountable Elections
The 2010 primary election season is in full swing. As in every election cycle, there are a number of extremely close races, with recounts looming for some. So far this year, state-mandated automatic recounts are likely for the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, and for the Republican primary for Ohio’s 18th U.S. Congressional District. In Oregon, a recount is possible in the statewide race for superintendent of schools. Some of 2010’s recounts will include the hand-to-eye examination of actual ballots; for example, Oregon mandates that recounts be 100% hand-counted. But too many “recounts” this year will depend upon the correct functioning of computer software or firmware. We believe that this state of affairs is not tenable. When a state does not provide every voter with a reliable, physical ballot showing his or her intent, or does not conduct computer-independent recounts of those ballots, then an effective recount – a process that should provide the strongest possible evidence of the intent of the electorate – is not possible.