The odds of Racine’s recall recount winding up in court increased Tuesday, as Republican Sen. Van Wanggaard’s campaign said it may challenge canvassers’ decision to accept ballots from voters who did not sign the poll book. The recount is in its second week after Wanggaard’s campaign requested canvassers review an 834-vote victory that favored Democratic challenger John Lehman in the June 5 recall. Republicans’ latest contention of voting irregularities in Racine targets election workers who failed to ask voters to sign poll books as required by state law. The Wanggaard campaign also disputes the Government Accountability Board’s recommendation that canvassers accept the votes. Once canvassers certify the recall, the campaign could challenge the recount in court, potentially delaying Democratic control of the state Senate for weeks. The results of the recount will determine whether Republicans keep the majority or if Democrats take control of the Senate between now and the November general election. Since 2011, a new voting law requires that poll workers have voters sign a poll book.
Accountability Board spokesman Reid Magney said although failing to have voters sign the poll book is a mistake, it does not invalidate a person’s vote. Moreover, it is impossible to know which ballot was cast by any voter who did not sign, which will create a hurdle to any potential court challenge. “Invalidating ballots based on the failure to require a signature would disenfranchise a voter due to an election official’s error,” Magney said. The Wanggaard campaign contends the Accountability Board has no basis for its recommendation.
Full Article: Racine Senate recount could wind up in court – JSOnline.