The folks who managed the AAC election at Mulberry (Dist. 4), did a great job. They verified everything in their big property records books, then instructed voters to go to the table which included their lot number. When I got there and the inspector determined I was in the right area, she gave me a ballot and very clearly instructed me to write NOTHING on the ballot except an X signifying my candidate choice. That was the proper way to insure a secret ballot.
Whoever designed the ballot made the colossal error of including personal data including property ID info. Anyone who put their info on the ballot was therefore denied their right to a secret ballot. I have no idea how the ballots will be handled, but the fair thing would be to have the tally and certification of the vote done by some independent agency and then have the ballots destroyed.
I'm from a state which has never had widespread problems with voting mechanics. It's amazing down here! Hanging chads, names on ballots, etc.,etc. WOW!!
|