- See more at: http://blogtimenow.com/blogging/automatically-redirect-blogger-blog-another-blog-website/#sthash.Q6qPkwFC.dpuf The Intricacies of the Board of Elections Vote Counting Process | Bronx News Networkbronx

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The Intricacies of the Board of Elections Vote Counting Process

As I mentioned in my previous post, the Board of Elections is currently obtaining the official voter statistics for the primary elections through recanvasing the polls and opening and validating paper ballots.

Here is some more information about how the process goes down:

Usually, the Board of Elections waits two weeks to open absentee ballots. However, because of the run-off elections scheduled to be held in two weeks, absentee ballots are being opened and counted today.

Along with absentee ballots, the bipartisan Board of Elections officials are also counting other paper ballots (such as emergency ballots and affidavits) and the votes in polling machines.

While these votes are being counted, in contested races it is most likely that election lawyers will be watching the process like hawks. It is usually hard for election lawyers to challenge absentee and polling machine votes, but they are ready to pounce on all affidavits.

Affidavits are filled out at polling sites when a voter has a problem such as not finding their name at the registration table. While the bipartisan Board of Elections officials determine whether an affidavit is valid, election lawyers can challenge their judgment and argue over illegible signatures, forgeries, etc. Arguments over these affidavits could possibly be sent to court.

Valerie Vasquez-Rivera, a Board of Elections spokesperson, is hopeful that the process will be complete by September 21 and the election results will be certified by Board of Elections commissioners by September 22. However, if candidates in close races such as in the 14th district are willing to hire election lawyers and argue over the process, it could take longer.

Neil Rosenstein, an election specialist for New York Public Interest Research Group, says that New Yorkers should not be so anxious about obtaining official election results. "We seem to be obsessed with this need for instant gratification," he said. "Elections are meant to best represent the will of the people and sometimes that takes a little bit of time."

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