Why Does it Take Election Officials So Long to Count Absentee Ballots?
The fate of the nation is currently in the hands of election officials who are working tirelessly to count the millions of absentee ballots.
A record number of absentee ballots were cast as the novel Coronavirus pandemic continues. Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina continue to tally their ballots, leaving many to wonder why the process is taking so long.
Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Traffic Reporter "Captain" Ray has been with election officials to count absentee ballots in Tuscaloosa County, and has shared a series of Facebook posts offering an inside look into the process of counting votes.
I want to try to explain the procedures we follow in every election to count the absentee ballots for Tuscaloosa County....
Posted by Ray Allen on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Next on Election Day our poll workers are sworn in and begin the process of checking the back of the envelope that the...
Posted by Ray Allen on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Next when all the envelopes are checked and approved the secrecy envelope is removed and the signed envelopes are stored...
Posted by Ray Allen on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Absentee ballot counting can begin at 5 pm on Election Day. Before the count begins I divided poll workers into teams. 1 team opens the secrecy envelopes and the other hand counts the affidavit envelopes
Posted by Ray Allen on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
By counting the affidavit envelopes we know how many ballots we should have once they are counted. Again the affidavit envelopes are stored in a secure manner and the ballot count can begin.
Posted by Ray Allen on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
The count of ballots is done on a DS850 machine which is operated by County employees. I observe the count and am given...
Posted by Ray Allen on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
If it is a problem that I cannot fix I call on the ballot resolution committee made up of opposing party members and...
Posted by Ray Allen on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Once all ballots are counted we should have a match between counts of our envelopes and ballots. Please keep in mind...
Posted by Ray Allen on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
We decided to return to the courthouse on Wednesday and recount the envelopes and ballots which had been secured overnight and protected by members of the sheriffs department
Posted by Ray Allen on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
We completed the recount and again this was observed by poll watchers and our probate judge and our count did not match....
Posted by Ray Allen on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
I understand that our count would in no way affect the outcome of any race but to me each ballot is sacred and I do not...
Posted by Ray Allen on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
I want to thank the poll workers and County employees for their work during this process and I pledge to you to continue...
Posted by Ray Allen on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
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