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1976 ELECTION PROBLEMS 8 CONCERNS
A Concluding Report
July 19, 1977
Members of the Official Canvas Board met with the Weld County Council on
July 5, 1977. Also present were: Wanda Hughes, Election Officer; and
Mary Ann Feuerstein, County Clerk and Recorder. The role of the Canvas
Board was explained after which the Board was questioned by the Council
in an attempt to resolve earlier-stated election concerns.
The Canvas Board explained the ballots of the 1976 election were in good
condition. Furthermore, hand-counted ballots tallied with the totals
from the computer. The Council was also assured that there were no
problems determining to whom any votes were to be credited.
Having heard the report of the Canvas Board the Council determined:
1) The results of the November, 1976 election accurately
reflected the will of the electorate, even though
results were processed slowly.
2) Though the County's election procedure is not perfect,
it is probably better than most systems. With further
experience with the present equipment, procedures will
probably be improved.
3) It is the Council 's belief that corrective measures are
being taken but the Council will meet with the election
officials in September, prior to the next election, to
see what changes have been made and to see what problems
are anticipated for that election.
4) Following the 1978 election, the Council will perhaps
reconsider some of the questions raised during the
1976 election and make a new report.
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1976 ELECTION PROBLEMS 8 CONCERNS
Studied by Weld County Council
December 15, 1976
(Final draft)
The Weld County Council met with a group of interested and concerned citizens
on November 17, 1976 to discuss the problems of the 1976 election process.
The following day the Council met again and formulated the following comments
and suggestions.
BALLOT BOXES
The ballot box size or design was not adequate in an election where each voter
cast four ballots. No doubt this caused a very small percentage of ballot
cards to be damaged.
Suggestion: Anticipate the voter turn out and provide adequate size and
number of boxes necessary for each precinct.
BALLOTS
The large amount of cards and the bilingual printing caused confusion.
Suggestions:
a) Investigate the possibility of printing a ballot in English and one
in Spanish; the top half English and the bottom Spanish; or English
on one side and Spanish on the other.
b) Better design and accurate lineup of the printing.
c) Possible numbering the envelope rather than ballot to eliminate
tearing the ballot.
d) Possible elimination of bilingual ballot cards.
VOTING MACHINES
Although a great deal of consideration and effort was put forth to find a
system and purchase one which would work well, it was impossible to foresee
all of the problems or to purchase a system which would solve all of the
problems.
Suggestions:
a) Each voting machine should be checked prior to election for needed
repairs or adjustments.
b) Tables for some of these machines and room dividers to provide for
the handicapped and to provide secrecy.
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Election Problems 8 '�ncerns Page 2
. December 15, 1976
c) Larger printing on ballots.
d) Proper computer programming to allow for marginal ballot and
machine error.
e) Consultations with Data Vote in regard to better design and needed
improvements (example - picture showing use instructions in machine
and arm marker line up). A self centering punch guide would make a
big improvement.
f) Better instructions to voter both before and during the election
process.
g) Investigation of alternate systems.
h) Effort should be made to change the primary election to an earlier
date to give more time between the primary and general election.
ELECTION PREPARATIONS (SCHOOLING FOR JUDGES)
Despite all efforts of education and instruction, people do forget, misinter-
prete and make mistakes. Last minute instructions in regard to write-in votes
were not clear in regard to the count of write-in's without "x's" after their
name. Also last minute instructions in regard to putting the form for write-in
votes in the ballot and transfer case with the PCT 946 form were in direct
conflict with the instructions for closing polls (#11) which stated that only
voted ballot cards and the PCT 946 form should be in the metal transfer case.
Suggestions:
a) It should be mandatory that all election judges attend the school of
instruction and if not present a fair amount of their pay be docked.
b) A list of alternate judges should be collected. Those also should
attend the school of instruction.
c) Need more advanced notice of date of school of instruction and plan
one alternate date and have schools for judges in several geographic
locations.
d) Have adequate materials at the polling places.
e) The form for write-in vote tabulation should be stamped "Return in
Transfer Case."
f) All forms should be marked in large letters as to use and return.
g) All envelopes, transfer cases, etc. should be marked in large letters
as to the needed contents.
h) Instruction on room arrangement to provide privacy.
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Election Problems 81 mcerns Page 3
December 15, 1976 I �II
i) Consider the League of Women Voters ' offer for assistance.
RECEIVING AND COUNTING BALLOTS
Suggestions;
a) Precinct judges could prepare for the computer count by sorting
out damaged cards and write-in's and have separate envelopes for
each.
b) There needs to be a check system ascertaining the correctness of the
ballots, forms, supplies, etc. received from the precinct judges
making sure everything goes where it should.
c) Transfer from receiving to the m mputer with prudent security and
safe-guards to eliminate possibilities of physical damage, destruction,
exchange or other manipulation of ballots.
d) Insure security while transporting ballots within the Centennial
Building and checking unathorized personnel present.
d) Have pre-election computer tests run to identify any conceivable
problems and have answers to these problems.
f) Use experienced, skilled personnel and insure a willingness of those
in charge to seek "outside" expertise when difficult problems arise.
g) Plan ahead for the possible rent or lease of additional equipment.
h) Count absentee ballots during election day and complete before process-
ing the day's voter cards.
i) Count the write-in votes after all other ballots are recorded.
The preceeding suggestions may be in conflict with state statute. Those
involved in the election process should analyze present statutes and make
recommendations to the legislators. Some updating will he necessary to
provide answers for problems arising from computer card elections,
In our democratic system the government tries to make provisions for those
entitled to vote to cast their ballot and to have these ballots properly counted,
tabulated and for the end result to be made known to the people.
Despite the many problems from the precinct level to the final tally of the
vote, it is the Council 's belief that those who voted had their ballots taken
care of by friends, neighbors and employees of the county who were conscientious
and honest in their care of these and the final tally thereof. The Council is
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c.ection Problems Rlp '7ncerns
. December 15, 1976 IIII I Page 4
planning further investigation of the Weld County election process. The
Council will observe a test precinct(s) of ballots from the November 2
election as soon as possible.
APPROVED (741-4, / 7 r DATE
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