County looks to avoid election delays
County leaders appear focused on alleviating any problems on
election night like the ones that occurred in November 2008, when
results were vague by day’s end and when it took about a week to
figure out the official winners.
Those types of delays are simply inexcusable in a democratic
culture that demands and expects almost instantaneous outcomes when
they head to the polls.
County looks to avoid election delays
County leaders appear focused on alleviating any problems on election night like the ones that occurred in November 2008, when results were vague by day’s end and when it took about a week to figure out the official winners.
Those types of delays are simply inexcusable in a democratic culture that demands and expects almost instantaneous outcomes when they head to the polls.
There were several problems that night that caused the extraordinary delay. The lone vote-counting machine used by the elections office malfunctioned while workers were tallying the vote-by-mail ballots, which make up more than half of all participants in the county. It was an unusually high turnout because it was a presidential election with an historic level of media hype. Finally, there have been concerns with scheduling in the courtroom where elections workers do the official counts on election night.
County officials responded to the vote-machine matter by going out and buying a second, back-up counter for about $60,000. It was a wise move because computers, like humans, are never error free, and it is always prudent to plan for such malfunctions, especially considering the supreme importance of elections, of keeping the public’s faith solidified in the system.
They also looked into the idea of finding a secure room for vote counting near the San Benito County Courthouse. That effort was unsuccessful and essentially has been put off until late 2012 when the new courthouse is expected to be finished.
It is, however, a hurdle they can clear.
By working with the courts many months in advance of each election day – which the two sides have done in anticipation for the June primary – they can ensure the scheduling issues will not cause a conflict. They appear headed on the right track and should continue working together on these scheduling matters until the new courthouse is built.
As far as turnout goes, this year’s interest should dip considerably compared with 2008, but officials should learn from that experience and trust that overestimating on the projected numbers – especially when extraordinary circumstances leave a precise turnout largely unpredictable – is always safer than trying to get it just right.
