Complete that ballot: Don't be among the great uncounted

Frontiersman editorial board

With the local elections behind us, we'd like to extend our congratulations to the winning candidates, and our appreciation to all those who ran for office in our community. Campaigning is an arduous task, and it takes a great deal of sacrifice, dedication and passion. Thank you to all who cared enough to run.

Now, while the dust is still settling, there is still a little work to do, though. In fact, some of the races were still close enough when this newspaper went to print that absentee, early and questioned ballots were still in play. It is still nail-biting time for the candidates in those races, and it is time for election canvassing boards to make some tough decisions.

In a close election, questioned ballots can spell the difference. That means the members of the canvassing board have a tremendous responsibility. Decisions that can often be as subjective as they are objective can swing a close election one way or the other. At that moment, how those decisions are made -- the rationale and criteria used -- is equal to the weight of responsibility upon the entire electorate. It's no enviable task.

This election there were a few races that were greatly affected by write-in votes. While that process is not always as sterile as the computerized processes we've become accustomed to, it may be the purest form of voting left. The voter enters the booth armed with a pen and a ballot and actually writes the candidate's name on the ballot. A rare personal touch in what has become a very surgical procedure.

Unfortunately, some of those votes may not count. While the writing of the name is human, we still live in a computerized world. Accuvote is not impressed with good penmanship. The system needs to know that your ballot has handwriting on it, and that means you still have to fill in the little circle next to the "Write in" section of your ballot. If you fail to fill in that little circle, you've created a questioned ballot. At least one canvassing board in the Mat-Su will likely not count those votes. It is their job to determine the voter's intent, and the empty circle suggests to them that the voter did not "complete" the voting process.

While we do not agree with that assessment of voter intent, it is up to the board to establish the rules, and as long as they apply them fairly, they are legitimate. Ultimately, it is each voter's responsibility to register a vote that counts, so please read all instructions and fill out your ballot completely.