There may have been a big mistake during the recount of the state Senate District 25 race. The Senate panel reviewing the contest on Wednesday opened the sealed containers containing ballots from Long Island. Here’s what happened when they did: A possible double-counting of ballots. The recount from Nov. 18 showed that there were 21 more ballots than voters who were checked off by the Long Island election clerk, Brenda Singo. All of those ballots were counted in separate lots of 50 ballots or less. On Wednesday, state officials opened the locked box for the first time since the recount found that one lot had 21 fewer ballots than it should have, while another had 21 more ballots than recorded on Election Day. Julie Flynn, the Deputy Secretary of State, said it was possible that the 21 ballots in dispute were double counted. “I’m chagrined to say so,” said Flynn, acknowledging that there could have been mistake by recount officials. She added, “I believe we made an error at the recount. I have not seen this happen in 26 years.”
The Senate committee reviewing the controversy over the recount of the state Senate District 25 race between Republican Cathy Manchester and Democrat Cathy Breen began what is expected to be a lengthy review on Tuesday. Close to 30 witnesses, including all of the election clerks involved in the counting of ballots on Long Island, are expected to testify before the committee.
The seven-member committee was appointed by Republican Senate President Michael Thibodeau, of Winterport. Republicans have four seats on the committee, Democrats have three.
Full Article: Capitol Ticker: Mystery solved? Election officials say there may have been a mistake during recount – Central Maine.