Fred Weaver    IP: 72.207.214.133 Oct 26, 06 - 9:06 AM | Notice: Absentee Ballots Contain Conflicting Instructions! Below is the email I just sent the New York Times... I also enclosed the following images to back up what I'm talking about: http://www.fredweaver.com/avatars/ballot/ballot.gif http://www.fredweaver.com/avatars/ballot/votinginstructions.jpg http://www.fredweaver.com/avatars/ballot/pencil.jpg Tak'er easy, Fred ------------------------------------------------------ Dear New York Times... I am a 33 year old Pennsylvania resident who splits time/residency with Louisiana. I always vote in PA, though, and throughout the years have voted absentee many times. This year, however, something is unusual: Upon opening my absentee ballot, I didn't immediately see the usual green instruction sheet that comes with a teensy 1/16" diameter No. 2 pencil taped to it. I glanced at the ballot and noticed that instruction #3 on the ballot said "3. Use Only a black pen or marker". I was kinda surprised.. I've been voting absentee with those crappy little pencils for close to 15 years. Finally PA had found a scanning system that would recognize an ink-pen.. such technology! Well... then I was looking through the included sealing envelope and return mailing envelope and I did find the green voting instruction page and No. 2 pencil that are always in with it. And there, same as always, was instruction #2: "When marking you ballot, please use a No.2 Pencil. DO NOT USE INK OR A COLORED PENCIL. Your ballot will be counted by an optical scanner and if you use anything other than a No. 2 pencil, your ballot may not be counted." Now... since this is the first time they've had voting with an ink pen, I'd guess that your average person will open up the ballot, find the enclosed No. 2 pencil and mark their ballot with that, never reading the instructions on the ballot itself (which, I'm assuming are correct... the green page is the same stock one they've had for years). So... are none of those votes going to register? Another point of interest is that PA is switching this election to e-voting, so there's been a big push by parties to have their voters vote using absentee ballots so that there is a paper record of each vote. It's a bit disappointing that the absentee ballots would include conflicting instructions. Anyway... I've enclosed scans of all the materials I'm talking about. My ballot was sent from 16830 (Clearfield's zip code), so it's quite possible that this mistake was only made in my county, since I'm assuming that each county is individually responsible for handling their absentee ballots. Let me know if you have any questions. I hope you're well, Fred Weaver |
| Mark McCracken IP: 207.255.150.31 Oct 26th, 2006 - 1:19 PM |  Re: Notice: Absentee Ballots Contain Conflicting Instructions! I was notified by Sam Ettaro about this issue posted by Fred Weaver. There is not a problem with any absentee ballots for Clearfield County that are cast using a black pen or marker. We have updated our equipment as part of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) which included replacing our optical scan equipment that will count the absentee ballots. The new equipment will read black lead pencil, black ink or black marker. The ballot instructions state that the ballot can be marked with black ink or marker. The instruction sheets that are provided by an outside vendor are the old instructions that state only the pencil provided can be used. This was an oversight by the outside vendor that provides the envelopes and instructions for counties all over Pennsylvania. Basically the package that the absentee voter receives is a legal state form that they must sign and certify certain requirements in order to vote absentee. The green instruction slip comes already inside the envelope package and all we do at the county is insert the ballot and stick the mailing address sticker on the envelope. Rest assured that the absentee ballots will be counted. If anyone has any concerns or questions about this issue please contact the Clearfield County Election Office at 765-2641 Mark McCracken Clearfield County Commissioner |
| Samuel Anthony Ettaro IP: 209.158.23.191 Oct 26th, 2006 - 1:54 PM |  Re: Notice: Absentee Ballots Contain Conflicting Instructions! Dear Mark, THUMBS UP MR. COMMISSIONER!!!! You know, I have to tell you I'm very impressed with how responsive you are to people's concerns, Mark and how open and unafraid you are to discuss them, not just here on this "radical" open forum but in person as well. Kudos to you! As we know, we may not always agree and at times may vehemently DISagree but talking it out and being open and honest critical to moving forward. You are a fine example to all local government officials, from Borough Council to others on the Commissioner's Board. We called you with an issue and you responded and didn't panic like a deer in headlights like so many local official have since we've started this campaign. That speaks volumes and I'm sure others are seeing this as well. Thank you for everything and I mean that very sincerely. Fred, I do hope this addresses your concerns satisfactorily and does indeed set your mind at ease. I know this whole voting thing is indeed getting scary, so it's VERY important that we all remain vigilent and ask the questions that need to be asked! Great job FRED on bringing an issue to the fore, and great job COMMISSIONER MaCRACKEN on your prompt response and concern over your constituent's concern! Let's all learn from this, shall we, folks? Peace, Samuel |
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