11012018 - News Article - After early voter snafu in Portage, voters asked to return, recast ballots

After early voter snafu in Portage, voters asked to return, recast ballots
NWI Times
November 01, 2018
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/after-early-voter-snafu-in-portage-voters-asked-to-return/article_5692611e-460c-5946-97a9-aa7f298c1626.html

VALPARAISO — Either 118 or 122 voters cast their ballots early this past Saturday morning in Portage.

Because of a mistake by poll workers, those voters are being asked to vote again. If they don't, the original ballots will be considered provisional and counted only after Election Day results are in.

The issue caused a raucous meeting of the Porter County Election Board Wednesday afternoon, as Democrats and Republicans argued, sometimes shouted, over what should be done to make sure those votes count. The two sides even disagreed about how many votes were in question.

Democratic board member J.J. Stankiewicz proposed the requirement that the ballots be initialed by both poll workers be waived and allow the votes to count, saying the mistake was the county's. His proposal hit a brick wall.

Instead, the board decided to follow the procedure adopted Monday during an emergency meeting, asking those voters, who have been identified and contacted, to return and cast new ballots. If they don't, the original ballots will be considered provisional.

Board attorney Ethan Lowe said the procedure to have voters return would be the "safest way to make sure their ballot counts."

Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy, a Democrat running unopposed, suggested the county initiate a traveling board to go to the "front doors" of each voter affected. His idea wasn't well received.

"This is a disenfranchisement of the voters of Portage Township," Clancy said.