Elections Department Sends Out Wrong Ballots to ‘Undetermined Number of Voters’
Elections Department Sends Out Wrong Ballots to ‘Undetermined Number of Voters’
Almost two years after Kalispell, Montana, approved new ward and voting precinct boundaries, the Flathead County Elections Department used the old ones in mailing out absentee ballots for Tuesday’s elections.
Elections officials made the announcement Tuesday as balloting was taking place, according to the Flathead Beacon, which said the issue impacted an “as-yet undetermined number of voters.”
“The Flathead County Election Office acknowledges this oversight raises concerns regarding a safe and accurate election process,” a news release from Flathead County Public Information Officer Kim Grieser said.
“The elections department is fully aware of the gravity of the situation and is unwaveringly committed to ensuring error-free execution of our elections,” the release said.
“Going forward, the County will continue to review, check, and double-check procedures. We will implement updates to prevent a recurrence of this incident. This serves as a poignant reminder of the paramount importance of maintaining the public’s trust in our electoral system and upholding the fundamental principles of fairness and transparency in all we do,” the statement continued.
The problem impacted the Kalispell city election for Wards 1, 2 and 3, which had contested races. The candidate in Ward 4 ran unopposed.
Election Manager Adrienne Chmelik said officials discovered the mistake Friday, and officials spent some time over the weekend trying to learn how many voters were affected.
“In late 2021, Kalispell changed its ward boundaries, and that didn’t get plugged into our precinct maps. So when we loaded the new ward boundaries, some voters didn’t get loaded into their correct wards. We’re working with our GIS department to layer in different maps, but it’s going to take time,” she said.
Chmelik said any official action on Tuesday’s balloting will depend on whether anyone contests the results.
“We are doing out best to figure out what happened,” Chmelik said.
“I don’t think the county has been in this position before nor have we, so can’t really say what we will do. But right now, we’re focused on tallying every vote,” she said.
According to the Daily Interlake, in Ward 1, Kari Sue Gabriel led Wes Walker 482-399 after the votes were tallied Tuesday night. In District 2, Sam Nunnally led Gabriel Dillon 529-421, and in Ward 3, Ryan Hunter led Kevin Aurich 605-234.
“I think it’s really important that people understand that we are absolutely committed to the process of this being right, whatever that means as we move forward, and we understand more about the process of the election,” Flathead County Election Administrator Debbie Pierson said, according to KPAX-TV.
Pierson defended the integrity of the election process.
“I think it’s critically important that people understand this isn’t fraudulent. I hear that word used a lot and used incorrectly. There is nothing fraudulent about what happened in this process,” she said.
“It clearly was an administrative error related to data entry or data entry not happening. So I just want to ensure people that elections are safe; we will walk this process out.”
In other election glitches, one Pennsylvania county saw a voting machine problem in which votes cast for one candidate in a judicial contest were logged as being cast for the other candidate.
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The post Elections Department Sends Out Wrong Ballots to ‘Undetermined Number of Voters’ appeared first on The Western Journal.
How is the Elections Department addressing concerns about the integrity and transparency of the electoral process in light of this mistake
S no effort to manipulate the results of this election. This was a mistake, an unfortunate oversight, and we are doing everything we can to rectify the situation,” Pierson said.
The Elections Department has faced criticism in the past for various issues, including technical difficulties and outdated procedures. However, officials are determined to regain the public’s trust and ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.
As the Flathead County Elections Department reviews the ballot mishap, they are committed to implementing necessary updates and procedures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future. They understand the gravity of the situation and are unwavering in their commitment to error-free execution of elections.
The impact of the mistake is especially significant for the Kalispell city election, where contested races are taking place in Wards 1, 2, and 3. Election Manager Adrienne Chmelik stated that the error occurred due to the failure to update the ward boundaries on the precinct maps, resulting in voters being assigned to incorrect wards. The Elections Department is currently working with their GIS department to resolve the issue, but it may take some time to correct.
Regarding the current balloting, any official action will depend on whether or not the results are contested by any of the affected voters. Election officials are diligently working to determine the extent of the error and find a solution.
The Daily Interlake reported that early tally results indicate Kari Sue Gabriel leading Wes Walker in Ward 1, Sam Nunnally leading Gabriel Dillon in District 2, and Ryan Hunter leading Kevin Aurich in Ward 3. However, the final outcome may be subject to change depending on the resolution of the ballot mishap.
Flathead County Election Administrator Debbie Pierson emphasized the commitment to ensuring the integrity of the election process. She urged the public to understand that this mistake is not a result of fraud or manipulation but a genuine error. Pierson reiterated the Elections Department’s dedication to rectifying the situation and conducting a fair and accurate election.
It is crucial for the public to have confidence in the electoral system and trust that their votes will be properly counted. The Elections Department acknowledges the importance of maintaining the public’s trust and upholding the fundamental principles of fairness and transparency in all aspects of the electoral process.
While mistakes can happen, it is the responsibility of the Elections Department to learn from these incidents and implement measures to prevent their recurrence. By addressing the errors, updating procedures, and conducting thorough reviews, the department aims to regain the trust of the community and uphold the credibility of future elections.
As the investigations continue and necessary actions are taken, the Flathead County Elections Department remains committed to prioritizing the accuracy and integrity of the electoral process. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and diligence in upholding the democratic values that underpin our electoral system.
Ultimately, it is imperative that the Elections Department takes swift and effective steps to rectify the situation, ensure all affected voters are properly accommodated, and work towards building a stronger and more reliable electoral system for the future.
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