Activists May Ask for Re-Count in Massachusetts Greyhound Initiative
Florida is by no means the only state having difficulties with counting ballots. In Boston, Massachusetts, election workers recently discovered 30,000(!) ballots that had simply not been counted. The ballots only affect initiatives, however, and not candidates for elective offices.
Since the initiative to ban greyhound racing in Massachusetts lost by only 65,000 votes, there is some speculation that animal activists might ask for a recount of ballots across the entire state.
The error was discovered when it was realized that in precincts where thousands of people had voted, not a single vote had been cast for any of the ballot initiatives. One explanation being offered is that election officials simply misread the voting machines and didn’t properly record the number of votes for and against each initiative.
A recount would require activists to file at least 1,000 signatures on a petition, unless the margin of defeat for the greyhound initiative turned out to be less than one-half of one percent in which case a recount would be automatic.
Source:
Galvin cites concerns, orders Boston recount. Steve Wilmsen, The Boston Globe, November 10, 2000.
Tags: Uncategorized