Supervisors’ canvass affirms election results

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By Tamara Browning

AN Reporter

 

The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 13 certified the results of the Nov. 5 General Election after conducting its official canvass.

The board convened to canvass the vote in which “there were no real changes from the unofficial numbers posted” on the Muscatine County website,” Chairperson Jeff Sorensen said in an email.

Official election results are available at muscatinecountyiowa.gov under “Election Results.”

The canvass board follows specific rules and procedures to compile, review and validate election materials, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

“The canvass process aggregates and confirms every valid ballot cast and counted, including mail, uniformed and overseas citizen, early voting, Election Day, and provisional ballots,” the commission said. “Election officials examine the work of office staff and poll workers, including the completion of chain of custody forms, reconciliation paperwork, and all forms comprising the audit trail for ballots, equipment, and supplies.”

During the board’s canvass, Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Tibe Vander Linden addressed some allegations of voters receiving the wrong ballot in one precinct as it pertains to the Louisa-Muscatine Community Schools gym bond referendum.

“The auditor’s staff reviewed all documents and outcomes from the affected precincts and determined that all voters received the proper ballot,” Sorensen said in the email.

The Official General Election Ballot had Dennis N. Price as the only candidate for Fulton Township Trustee, although there were two spaces in which voters could provide “write-in” votes.

From a random draw of write-in candidates, Anthony Brus was the official selected, Sorensen said in the email.

“If he ‘accepts,’ he is elected.  If he declines, the current board of trustees will appoint a member,” Sorensen said.

The board also briefly discussed the complexity of adding general obligation bond votes to general election causes.

““One issue the auditor and the board have been discussing for over a year is the effectiveness of our facility to handle the increase in absentee and early voters.  The voters were patient and understanding during the process, and I think the auditor and staff did an outstanding job conducting the election.”

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