Opinion - The real cost of the ballot error

The mistake on the Colfax school levy election ballots is well known. Voters have been sent a second ballot to revote on the issue.

An error on the initial ballots has made it necessary to reprint the ballots and resend them. Plus, there are the additional expenses of return postage and hand counting the ballots once they are received. The error also causes confusion over those ballots already received, and those votes that may or may not be duplicated on the new set of ballots.

In all, it is not the smoothest of elections. The mistake also gives those who have already voted a second chance to review their vote. This could affect the outcome.

Eunice Coker, Whitman County auditor, said that the money to reprint a second set of ballots, resend them and pay for return mail was well spent because the effort and expense would avoid a flawed and possibly contested vote.

The auditor has long complained about the budget for her office. She says she does not have enough money to do the job. She has also complained about the cramped election quarters. As a result, new office space has been provided in the public service building and plans are underway to further expand the office. All this may lead to fewer problems in the future.

In the meantime, the elections staff must get through this election.

Despite all that has been said, the real cost is not in the extra expense to redo the election. The real cost is in the lack of confidence in the voting process that such mistakes cause.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher