From Bill Ross
Mayor, City of Monroe
To the editor:
As a city, we have just come through a difficult event. Elections are supposed to be straight forward, giving us all the opportunity to express our views and vote at the ballot box. In the past, these elections have been pretty much routine. City staff and the poll workers have been trained and have done an excellent job insuring that our voices are heard as the ballots are tabulated and reported. There is a certain protocol that is followed for these elections that is legislated by state law. The purpose is the fair and honest reporting of election results.
The Aug. 12 contested Democratic primary recount was unfortunate. What is important to underscore is that all the ballots cast on Election Day went through the voting machine and were counted. What was missing were 110 paper ballots needed for the back-up recount. An investigation was launched by law enforcement to find those ballots. Their findings concluded no intentional mishandling of the missing ballots by any persons or persons. There are several theories as to what may have happened to the missing ballots but no facts to back up the theories. So where do we go from here?
The city plans to implement more stringent procedures that go above and beyond what is required by law for the November elections and all future elections. We have a very capable city staff and poll workers and I am confident in their ability to implement the necessary changes to assure the citizens of Monroe that this will not happen again.
Thank you.
Mayor, City of Monroe
To the editor:
As a city, we have just come through a difficult event. Elections are supposed to be straight forward, giving us all the opportunity to express our views and vote at the ballot box. In the past, these elections have been pretty much routine. City staff and the poll workers have been trained and have done an excellent job insuring that our voices are heard as the ballots are tabulated and reported. There is a certain protocol that is followed for these elections that is legislated by state law. The purpose is the fair and honest reporting of election results.
The Aug. 12 contested Democratic primary recount was unfortunate. What is important to underscore is that all the ballots cast on Election Day went through the voting machine and were counted. What was missing were 110 paper ballots needed for the back-up recount. An investigation was launched by law enforcement to find those ballots. Their findings concluded no intentional mishandling of the missing ballots by any persons or persons. There are several theories as to what may have happened to the missing ballots but no facts to back up the theories. So where do we go from here?
The city plans to implement more stringent procedures that go above and beyond what is required by law for the November elections and all future elections. We have a very capable city staff and poll workers and I am confident in their ability to implement the necessary changes to assure the citizens of Monroe that this will not happen again.
Thank you.
