Some Racine voters in the June 5 recall election did not sign poll books as required by law, Republican elections observers said Monday during the fifth day of Racine County’s election recount. But because it’s considered an administrative error, the votes will count, according to the Government Accountability Board. During the June 5 recall election, Republican Gov. Scott Walker overwhelmingly beat Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democrat. But in Racine County’s 21st Senate District, former state Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine, led incumbent state Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, by 834 votes, according to canvass results. Following the election, Wanggaard requested a recount. But according to the GAB, which is recording recount results by ward, the numbers have not changed significantly. Results through Saturday show Wanggaard gained nine votes and Lehman gained one vote, bringing the difference to 826. And, according to the GAB, Monday’s findings will not change results.
Monday tabulators started going through Racine’s election books. While doing that, election observers noticed some people who registered on Election Day did not sign the poll book or supplemental poll lists. Under recent election law changes, voters must sign a poll book or supplemental poll list before voting, including voters who register on Election Day, according Michael Haas, a staff attorney with the GAB. This law change was part of the voter ID law. Even though IDs were not required at the polls for the June 5 recall because of a court ruling, other parts of the law were in effect such as the requirement to sign the poll book, Haas said.
Full Article: RECOUNT UPDATE: Some voters didn’t sign poll books, but state officials say votes do count.