Absentee, write-in votes create headaches

Election Day in Carroll County was a 24-hour marathon for workers at the Carroll County Board of Elections.

[jimmy]

Congratulations Willen, Grimes and Pavick!

[Just thinking]

Yes, I was wondering if anyone could tell me something about the electronic write-ins. I knew who I wanted to add for write-ins, but asked while I was in the poll line if they had to be spelled and typed in exactly as listed on their paperwork submissions. I was told that they "probably would not count if there were any mistakes". I then asked if they had a list of names. They said there was only one sheet that I could look at it while waiting. It was under a notebook. People behind me in line heard the conversation and began to discuss the potential unfairness in this, if voters had made a minor spelling or puncutation error.

If it is obvious whose name is intended, does the vote count? Just a question.

[jimmy]

that's a valid question, i was wondering the same thing myself. i voted for 1 write in, but figured i would vote for the people who were on the ballot because they took the initiative to get their petitions in on time.

[Just thinking]

I understand that thinking, Jimmy. It is valid. Possibly so many submissions were late, since the Village of Carrollton had four openings and only two candidates, which would result in others desiring to fill the void. What would please me would be to have a large amount of candidates to choose from, who do submit petitions in time. Although I remain objective, I am more apprehensive about the one re-election write-in. If there had been any doubt of the desire, dedication of time, etc, why the hesitancy?

[jimmy]

yeah, from what i heard he wasnt going to run until he found out there weren't enough candidates. he's a good ole boy, so people voted for him. i have to say i'm not too happy about that either.

[jimmy]

speaking of write-in's and the good ole boys, did anyone see the thing in the paper that sharon ott was telling people who to vote for and to leave a blank space "in memory" of her or something like that? it's sad that we voted someone like that in 4 years ago. i guess people don't often show their true colors. a council member telling people not to vote for certain people, it's ignorant.

[Just thinking]

Hello Jimmmy,

I agree about Sharon, but want to share the background. WE didn't elect her in, which makes the public look better at this time. What happened was Lori Kaltenbaugh (sorry if I messed up spelling) moved outside of the village and surrendered her council seat. Village Council then asked for interested parties to submit a letter of interest. It was then that Sharon Ott was selected. I won't say anything on her performance, but she is blaming others for something she should know about, if she is choosing to remain in politics. Maybe she is pefect....blaming others.

[CHS1977]

Pretty close. Wilma Lambert replaced Lorrie Kaltenbaugh. Sharon Ott filled the vacant seat left by Dave Flanary when he was elected the Mayor.

[Just thinking]

Good morning,

I'm not perfect, but I am preety confident you have those terms reversed.

CHS1977 wrote:

Pretty close. Wilma Lambert replaced Lorrie Kaltenbaugh. Sharon Ott filled the vacant seat left by Dave Flanary when he was elected the Mayor.

[Just thinking]

oooops, sorry, I meant to say "pretty" before someone else corrects me.(smile)

[miss behavin]

Just thinking wrote:

Yes, I was wondering if anyone could tell me something about the electronic write-ins. I knew who I wanted to add for write-ins, but asked while I was in the poll line if they had to be spelled and typed in exactly as listed on their paperwork submissions. I was told that they "probably would not count if there were any mistakes". I then asked if they had a list of names. They said there was only one sheet that I could look at it while waiting. It was under a notebook. People behind me in line heard the conversation and began to discuss the potential unfairness in this, if voters had made a minor spelling or puncutation error.
If it is obvious whose name is intended, does the vote count? Just a question.

I too had in mind who I wanted to vote for, one being a write in, but for fear of selecting the wrong one, did not choose any of the write ins. I honestly think they should revisit this in the spring elections.

[jimmy]

i don't think it's unfair. they were write-ins for a reason.

[CHS1977]

Just thinking wrote:

Good morning,
I'm not perfect, but I am preety confident you have those terms reversed.
<quoted text>

I know, no one is perfect. That is the way it happened though. Not to argue, but that's how Sharon Ott got onto council. 2005 (Yeager, Dunlap, Kaltenbaugh, and Gary Minor won the election....Dave Flanary got 5th) and Toalston and Spears were in the middle of their term. Gary Minor was found to actually have resided outside the village, so council chose Dave Flanary to fill the vacant council seat. 2007 - Kaltenbaugh moves outside the village and council chooses Wilma Lambert to fill her seat. 2007 Election - Flanary is elected the mayor and Poplin and Miller are elected to council (Toalston and Spears didn't run). Council selects Sharon Ott to fill the vacant seat left by Flanary. So the council was Dunlap, Yeager, Lambert, Ott(the 4 seats open in 2009), Poplin and Miller (their two seats are open in 2011 along with the mayor).

[Just thinking]

Hats off to CHS1977 for either a fantastic memory for detail or your true concern and/or awareness of what occurs in the Village. We should all be that informed. I do know all of the other info you said, but was only thinking that the appointments of seating was reversed. No offense taken, but at least we didn't vote in Ott, which was "Jimmy's" disappointment in an earlier post.

[saywhat]

CHS1977 wrote:

Pretty close. Wilma Lambert replaced Lorrie Kaltenbaugh. Sharon Ott filled the vacant seat left by Dave Flanary when he was elected the Mayor.

maybe Sharon should have taken Dave Flanary's place as mayor....haha