CALHOUN CANVASSING OF VOTES CONTINUES FOR THIRD DAY OVER PAPER VS. COMPUTER TALLIES - Secretary Of State Officials Assisting With Process

(05/18/2016)

The Calhoun Commission and Democrat-Republican representatives, directed by representatives of the Secretary of States office, will continue the Primary vote canvass Wednesday for a third day.

A problem surfaced Monday during the Calhoun Commissions canvass of ballots from the Primary Election.

The discrepancy of 1% difference between the paper ballot tally and the voter machine computerized tally has caused a recount of a precinct.

About a half dozen representatives from the Secretary of States office is assisting with the canvass, in addition to individuals from the County Clerks office.

Commissioner Chip Westfall said the problem was created by the "hand-count" of about 200 delegates to the Republican National Convention, with very little problem appearing in county races.

"Reconciling the hand count (a paper trail on computer voting machines) with the computer read-out is often a problem related to human error," said commissioner Helmick.