In Champaign County we’ve had 7 discovery recounts in the four years (9 elections) that we’ve had optical scan ballots.  Not a single vote has changed as a result.  Our examination of the November 2006 ballots shows that out of 270,000 votes cast for statewide constitutional officers, no more than 13 votes went uncounted because of an incorrect mark.

As remarkable as that is, I think that number will continue to drop.  As I participated in the examination of ballots for write in votes yesterday, I saw just a single ballot out of about 1000 with X’s instead of filled in ovals and in that instance I know the vote for Governor counted because there were no undervotes for Governor in that precinct.

I can’t speak to what happens in other counties regarding irregular markings.  Our fill in the oval propaganda is ubiquitous in the polling place, appearing on signs in the general area, on the ballot itself, on the ballot privacy cover, on the sign in the polling booth, and even on the pen we provide voters.

If voters in the rest of the state are as thorough in their ballot markings as in Champaign County, citizens can be confident of the results they will see when the final canvasses come in later this month.

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