I asked Town Clerk Annette Cappy about some of the lingering questions regarding recount and revotes.
– Are we satisfied with the most recent recount numbers?
Annette Cappy, Brattleboro Town Clerk: I am. The second recount mirrored the election results exactly for both David Gartenstein and Avery Schwenk. Dick DeGray picked up 2 votes. Those results seem very reasonable. Using the tabulators doesn’t necessarily ensure 100% accuracy. There is always a slim margin of error whether using tabulators or counting by hand, which is why the process of recounts is included in the statutes.
The process used for the 2nd recount was pretty conclusive. Each stack of 50 ballots (there were 71 stacks of ballots. The last stack in each district had less than 50) Were tallied 4 times and in many cases, many times until all 4 tally sheets matched. When the count for each stack begins, 2 members of each team had tally sheets to record the votes being announced and both 2 sheets had to match. Once their 2 sheets matched, the members switched roles. The caller and observer became tally taker and double check person and the tally takers of the first round became caller and observer. The new tally taker and double checker were given new tally sheets which had to match each other, then match the 1st two sheets. Some teams had to recount several times before they could get their 4 sheets to match.
– Could another recount or re-vote occur? (Who, how?)
AC – Not by Brattleboro. Only Avery can call for another recount but it would only be if he believes there was misconduct. He was present at the 2nd round and was in fact part of making some of the judgement calls. It was my impression when it was all said and done, he was in complete agreement with the process and results. However, if Avery was not in agreement he had 5 days to appeal to Superior Court, which would have been 5 pm Tues.
– Are there any current plans for another recount, to see if the numbers agree?
AC: No there is no legal authority to reopen the sealed ballot boxes.
– Are there any plans for a re-vote, to get a fresh start?
AC: Again, no legal authority. From what I understand in statute the only re-vote would have been if there had been a tie after the recount.
We?
If I’m part of we, we aren’t.
How is this acceptable?
How could the the 2nd recount be exactly the same as the first when a different person won? Weren’t there 3 recounts with the 3rd coming out to 1 vote difference – but for a different candidate. The reality is that there were 3 counts with 3 different totals. How can that be considered acceptable?
What if this kind of counting was deemed to be “acceptable” in every election- local, national. big, small. How is this even legal let alone ethical.
There are just so many things wrong with this decision. Why should any of us even bother voting if the counting of our votes can be so precarious.
Built in recount to recount?
“Each stack of 50 ballots (there were 71 stacks of ballots. The last stack in each district had less than 50) Were tallied 4 times and in many cases, many times until all 4 tally sheets matched.”
Seems like the additional recounting was built into the second recount, and the candidate was satisfied that the numbers add up.
Putting end to it
I get it that those involved are satisfied with the final. But I’m concerned that there’s nothing said about how this miscounting happened twice. Or even addressing if anyone in charge cares to know how it happened so it doesn’t happen again in future.
That’s what I can’t put to bed.
Worrisome edge
The whole recount affair does have a strong worrisome edge, though I’m glad that Avery has acquitted himself well.