1,400 incorrect ballots sent to Pierce County residents
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TACOMA, Wash. -- A ballot printing error is threatening to lock hundreds of local voters out of a congressional race. The elections office in Pierce County is scrambling to correct it, but the candidates are worried about voter confusion.
Denny Heck and Dick Muri are doing everything they can to get people in the new 10th Congressional district to vote for them. But due to a printing error, more than 1,400 voters don't have them on their ballots.
Voters were the first to notice the error, and called the candidates.
"And she wondered what happened," Muri said. "She says, 'your name wasn't on the ballot.' "
The Pierce County Elections Department found that two precincts several miles apart were affected: One in south Tacoma along the freeway, and one in Spanaway. Even though it was a private company printing error, elections manager Mike Rooney said his department didn't catch it.
"Ultimately I would say it's our fault," Rooney said.
New ballots are in the mail, but if only the original ballot was turned in -- it'll count, except for the congressional race.
"Deep, deep concern," Heck said. "Look, every vote matters."
The candidates plan on personally going into those two areas to help clear up the confusion and make sure those affected know they have a new ballot coming. A seat in Congress depends on it.
The elections department says all ballots -- the originals and the new ones -- will be set aside in case the race is so close a court has to decide how to handle it.
Denny Heck and Dick Muri are doing everything they can to get people in the new 10th Congressional district to vote for them. But due to a printing error, more than 1,400 voters don't have them on their ballots.
Voters were the first to notice the error, and called the candidates.
"And she wondered what happened," Muri said. "She says, 'your name wasn't on the ballot.' "
The Pierce County Elections Department found that two precincts several miles apart were affected: One in south Tacoma along the freeway, and one in Spanaway. Even though it was a private company printing error, elections manager Mike Rooney said his department didn't catch it.
"Ultimately I would say it's our fault," Rooney said.
New ballots are in the mail, but if only the original ballot was turned in -- it'll count, except for the congressional race.
"Deep, deep concern," Heck said. "Look, every vote matters."
The candidates plan on personally going into those two areas to help clear up the confusion and make sure those affected know they have a new ballot coming. A seat in Congress depends on it.
The elections department says all ballots -- the originals and the new ones -- will be set aside in case the race is so close a court has to decide how to handle it.
I would like to see them go back to the polling places. I know it's not as convenient for everyone, but with the mail in ballots there's just to much room for error and fraud. With the technology they now have there's just no reason I can see of why they are using this method. If you show your voter registration card and a piece of ID to a person and then go vote at least they are sure you are you claim to be and with the new technology every vote could be counted upon entry into the systsem. These elections affect us in serious ways and they should be kept as accurate as possible.
perhaps all you conspiracy nuts could get off your ever-blogging rears and go volunteer with the state elections department... but nooooo... how could we read your searing accusations if you were actually part of the process.Â
"It's not the people who vote that count. It's the people who count the votes." (Joseph Stalin)
Why do I get the idea that this is just the beginning of the ballot screw ups again. Come election time there should already be quite an assortment of (marked) ballots to chose from.
and the fake vote counts start early. any one want to bet come nov 7th there will be found in trunks of some car a box full of votes AGAIN, its the same thing every election cycle,  but we are not a battleground state nor are we close enough to the other washington to matter.
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oversight is severely lacking, and why do you think one political party that was holding the reins a few years back went to a all mail in voting system? dur hur.  no oversight they can make up what they want. you sheeple need to keep the wool off and get a grip.
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in person voting with a state issued id card is the only sure way to have unfettered and honest elections in THIS state. and no illegal immigrants should not vote but they do. youll see, mark my words, another election law suit and late found votes that swing a local race in favor of one or the other party. at least rossi isnt running for gov....that would be a shitstorm all over again......     sigh is it thanksgiving yet? im so done with the two years of politics remember in november and vote your heart and for whats best for washington state. dont listen to the tv ads, dont listen to the talking heads on tv, educate yourselves on the people and the issues dont blindly follow the herd. its your vote, use it. so whats right for you and your family first, screw the career politicos   vote for your kids future. way things are headed now its a bleak future for our kids we need something new the hope didnt change anything only hardwork does that. remember in november.
 @Foothills Dweller In person with picture ID!!
Gotta get all those extra votes ready again....
Here we go again and we haven't even reached the re-count faze yet.
Yesterday double ballots in King County, today incorrect ballots in Pierce...what will the news be for Snohomish tomorrow??
HEY, Sam Reed...let us go back to voting at the polls please..all mail in, all wrong, all the time.
For those of us who haven't turned their ballots in, how would we be able to check whether or not we have the correct one or not?
@panda bear I live in Parkland/Spanaway and I've already got my ballot filled out, packaged up, and ready to drop off at the local ballot drop off location. I guess I'll just wait a week and see if I get a new ballot in the mail to see if I was one of the ones affected by the incorrect ballots.
Guess I should check my ballot. Â Idiots. Â Gotta wonder how much money this will cost the tax payers.
Well, crap. Â I just realized I'm too far north to be in the 10th district. Â My sorry butt is still stuck in the 9th. Â So, my ballot is probably correct. Â Still sucks to have to pay for people who don't proofread.
"Pierce County says it's mailing those voters corrected ballots with a letter explain the problem and new voting instructions."
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....with a letter TO explain the problem and WILL CONTAINÂ new voting instructions.
 @BVU07mazdaguy You are hired.