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Stafford School Board write-in seeks recount RECOUNT RULES
Stafford School Board write-in candidate files a suit claiming votes for him weren't counted
BY JEFF BRANSCOME
Date published: 11/22/2007
BY JEFF BRANSCOME
A write-in candidate who barely lost his bid for the Stafford County School Board is asking for a recount, claiming votes for him were erroneously thrown out.
Price Jett Jr. filed a lawsuit Monday in Stafford Circuit Court alleging that a count of all paper ballots may push him ahead of winner Patricia Mancini by at least three votes.
The suit claims some votes weren't counted because people didn't fill in a box indicating they were writing in Jett's name. In all, 250 ballots cast in the George Washington District recorded no vote in the School Board race, the lawsuit says.
Optical scanners malfunctioned at two of the district's precincts, forcing election officials to count votes by hand. That's when observers at the polls saw at least 37 errors, the suit claims.
At the third precinct, the scanner was programmed to not count write-in votes without a mark on the corresponding box, the suit states.
According to the state Board of Elections, Mancini received 1,481 votes and there were 1,424 write-ins. The board did not identify any candidate as the recipient of the write-ins.
Jett's lawsuit claims a recount could give him a 1,483-1,480 victory.
"So many people have called and are concerned their votes are not being counted," said Jett, who says he saw some of the mistakes himself. "My phone has been ringing constantly."
The suit names Mancini as the defendant, which Jett said came at the advice of his lawyer. But "my issue is not at all with Mrs. Mancini."
Meanwhile, Mancini said she's upset at Republican politicians, including House Speaker Bill Howell of Stafford, who she says pressured election officials on behalf of Jett. Howell could not be reached for comment.
Jett said Howell has given him advice. But he said he is unaware of any other assistance from the speaker.
"I'm sorry this happened because I was really hoping to work in a nonpartisan way," Mancini said. "It's about the children."
The suit says Stafford Commissioner of Revenue Scott Mayausky, a Republican, was an observer at one of three precincts and is willing to testify about the voting issues.
An off-duty King George County deputy, who Jett says was not in uniform, also is ready to testify.
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The State Board of Elections has an 11-page document with its standards for recounts posted on its Web site, sbe.virginia.gov. Standards include:
If a write-in candidate is party to the recount, the vote shall be counted for the write-in candidate if his name is written on the ballot under that office, even if the write-in square, oval or arrow is not marked, and provided that no other candidate is marked for that office. |
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Read more stories about Fredericksburg
Date published: 11/22/2007
Most recent reader comments:
Elitism
(posted by
BluePride
, Nov. 23, 2007 1:29 pm)
NOTHING hurts the Democratic party more than elitism. That's why Obama is so successful. That's why people like me LOVE Edwards. The criticism was not a criticism of Mrs. Mancini, but of the reporter. Is this a relevant fact? Or is the reporter just impressed (or trying to impress) "old money" Fredericksburg? Maybe I'm still an idealist, but who your daddy is shouldn't matter in 2007!
Did you Read the Blue Box?
(posted by
BluePride
, Nov. 23, 2007 1:20 pm)
The Blue Box at the end of the article says votes should be counted even when a box or bubble is not filled it. No one knows if the outcome will change. It is important to count all votes, who do think missed the box or bubble or oval? Could it have been elderly people who have trouble just writing in the name. This is disenfranchising voters! How can you defend bureaucracy over voter intent. I want voters deciding not bureaucrats or the supreme court!
Voters not Disenfranchised
(posted by
brtidea
, Nov. 23, 2007 12:45 pm)
No one wants voters to be disenfranchised.
There is a need, however, to follow the law and to not
count ballots that are improperly marked. Election officials
believe the ballots were handled properly. How much
money will be wasted with lawsuits? As for elitism, it
seems there's a belief that any "Jett" who runs in Stafford,
deserves to be elected. The mention of Mrs. Mancini's
father, who had deep roots in the community, is
appropriate. She also has plenty of residents supporting
her.
What about the Voters
(posted by
BluePride
, Nov. 23, 2007 10:54 am)
Two things came to mind when reading this article. Are my fellow Dems condoning voter disenfranchisement? I certainly hope not. Second, why does the reporter mention who her father is? Elitism? Dems have battled the "liberal elite" and "limousine liberal" label too long! Just stick to the facts. (Go Edwards 08!)
To Chiswald
(posted by
USA1957
, Nov. 23, 2007 9:56 am)
I only find it interesting because Mancini talked about being non-partisan, but was supported by the Democrats, in fact ONLY the republicans are chastised if they support school board candidates, and if they do then those candidates are POLITICAL it seems this is a problem for some Democrats (not all of them) . Have a great day, This will be my last post on this topic. Just count all the votes and lets see who won. If the electoral board had done the right thing, then no lawsuit would be needed.
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