A statewide grand jury’s finding that Saguache County’s controversial elections last fall ultimately were decided correctly should reassure local residents. Members of the panel went through events in minute detail and wrote a report that persuasively explains how procedural problems did not affect the outcome of the election.
It seems that information and transparency can go a long way toward defusing an explosive situation. We wish Saguache County Clerk and Recorder Melinda Myers, who was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing, would fully embrace that message.
Myers remains engaged in a court battle with Secretary of State Scott Gessler over his plan to hold a public recounting of votes in that election.
Gessler’s intent is to explain to interested residents how the system works and to tally the votes publicly so people can see the outcome for themselves. The secretary of state’s office concedes that it would not be an official recount in the way those efforts are described in statutes, but rather it would be a way to reassure those who still may harbor questions.
Myers and Saguache County Commissioner Linda Joseph were on the ballot for the Nov. 2 general election, and the women, both Democrats, were in tough races. At the end of the night, they appeared to have lost by narrow margins. In the days after the election, Myers said an error had occurred and a retabulation of votes was necessary. The process resulted in Myers and Joseph both coming out on top, a turnabout that understandably prompted accusations that the election had been stolen.
Full Article: Editorial: Restore Saguache voters’ faith with public recount – The Denver Post.