The state Elections Division is investigating “irregularities” in the town election April 1 and the way the ballots were handled in the days afterward. “As you are aware, serious problems have been reported in connection with the town election,” wrote Michelle K. Tassinari, director and legal counsel, in a letter to Town Clerk Eileen Lowney April 10. Ms. Tassinari said “certain matters concerning standards, practices and procedures of election officials during the administration of the Town Election may be contrary to election laws.”
Ms. Lowney said Friday she’d already talked to Rebecca Murray, associate legal counsel to the Elections Division, who was assigned to handle the investigation. She said she was encouraged to take her time to answer the questions sometime this week.
“I’ve seen the questions they want me to do,” she said.
Among the problems cited in the Elections Division’s letter are that not all ballots were counted by poll workers at the polling place, that the number of voters and ballots weren’t counted at the polling place and didn’t match, and that the ballots and other election materials weren’t sealed after the polls closed.
Full Article: State to investigate election irregularities Recounts to be held next week | SouthCoastToday.com.