HB464

Thank you for taking my comments! I would like to voice my opposition to HB 464 If passed, this bill will cause real problems counting the ballots we receive from the SOS's office. Here in Loudon, we count the received ballot THREE times to ensure an accurate count. This is done in view of the public, in the Town Clerk's office. We typically use one or both of the town clerks, myself (moderator), and at least one other member of the public (usually a Supervisor of the Checklist). There are times when the clerk, a Supervisor of the Checklist, and myself are all on the ballot at the same time. There are a lot of checks and balances already in place so I don't see the benefit of this change. Election officers (clerks, moderators, etc.) are exempt from some other laws related to counting after the polls close because it would be difficult to hold an election if we could not do our job. Please vote this bill down! Thank you Rodney Phillips Moderator, Town of Loudon

In our small town, it is nearly impossible to get community members or candidates to witness the counting--and testing--of ballots prior to an election. Excluding the Moderator and Town Clerk from this process would be a further handicap. We are trusted, constitutionally-sworn election officials. And while we obviously cannot be part of the counting of VOTED ballots, there is no reason why we can't be part of precount and pre-testing of ballots. This procedure is done with participation of a Supervisor of the Checklist and the Assistant Moderator. Wed rigorously count, re-count, and test (a subset) ballots to ensure that we have accurate starting counts, and have verified that the ballot counting device is functioning accurately (we test four different ways). Please withdraw this legislation--0r amend it to exempt Moderators, Clerks, and Supervisors who may be on the ballot from participating.

There is NO harm done by people on the ballot counting blank ballots before an election. Anyone should be able to assist the Moderator in the pre-counts of elections. We should be focusing on reducing this 500 page election law manual and not adding to it with unnecessary and unhelpful new laws. Thank you.

There often aren't enough people available to help with counting ballots on election day mornings before the polls open, and I see no valid reason to disallow candidates from helping with this necessary & burdensome task to count unmarked ballots.