SoS Debra Bowen wins San Diego/San Bernadino Elections lawsuit

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

A few weeks ago, Lucas wrote about a lawsuit filed by San Diego to block a more thorough random hand-count of ballots for the February 5 primary election.  Well, Debra Won!  Goooooooo Bowen!

Basically, our incredible SoS told registrars that they needed to hand count 10% of the ballot when the vote was close, instead of the standard 1%. San Diego really, really didn't like the idea of doing all that work just for the sake of a clean election. Of course, it doesn't help that they are still mad about Bowen decertifying some of Diebold's machines, either.

San Diego had argued Bowen overstepped her authority in deciding that county elections officials will have to recount 10 percent of the precincts in close elections battles this year. San Diego Superior Court Judge Patricia Cowett disagreed.

"She felt the Secretary of State had the authority to impose the requirement," said Kern County attorney Steve Sanders.

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"In June and November things could be much more difficult," Barnett said. "We anticipate that we could be hit really hard."(Bakersfield California 1.29.08)

 Look, I understand being a little annoyed that you have to do a little extra work, but you would think that a close election would be reason enough to spend just a little extra time to get it right. I guess San Diego has chose the speed over quality approach. An excellent choice for America's Finest City. 

As to what Ms. Barnett, the Kern County auditor, said about June and November, I'm not sure why those elections would be so much more difficult. Possibly it might be a little more challenging due to the decertifications, but that isn't mentioned in the article. One thing is clear, June won't be difficult due to turnout. I am guessing that turnout will be ridiculously low, except in a few areas where there are hotly contested primaries (SD-3 comes to mind). So, please tell me, Ms. Barnett, why would ensuring clean elections be all that difficult in June?

By the way, the low turnout could lead to disaster on the ballot propositions in June. So, everybody should be bugging their friends to make sure they don't take off the June election.