An Account of the Ludington Recount

[XLFD]

Eight election officials gathered together for a solemn event at 9:00 AM on December 7 in the basement of Ludington City Hall.  Wally Cain, incumbent appointee serving as the Fifth Ward Councilor found himself a close second behind challenger Angela Serna in voting for his seat on the night of November 6th, losing by only four votes with 482 ballots cast for either candidate.  Three days later, he filed a petition to challenge the outcome by having a recount of votes in the Fifth Ward conducted.

The process worked its course in the usual paperwork, which led to a public meeting of the County Board of Canvassers this morning to count the ballots again.  Both candidates showed up for the meeting, along with some Ludington officials, including  Mayor Holman, Mayor-elect Steve Miller, Heather Tykoski, City Clerk Deb Luskin, and Interim CM Steve Brock (intermittently).   Several members of the public were also present, Noah Hausmann from the City of Ludington Daily News (COLDNews), Serna's husband, myself and three others dropping in out of curiosity more than anything else.  

Promptly at nine, County Clerk Cheryl Kelly briefly outlined the expectations and process that was to be followed that day, then introduced the board and the two state election officials.  The Four representatives of the Board of Canvassers were Chris Fonnesbeck, Lyla McClelland, Alan Wernette, and (alternate) Andrew Kmetz.  Election Inspectors, who did the majority of the day's work, were Deborah Koblinski and Karleen Flickinger.  

First off, two containers were approached and inspected.  One was metal and looked like a secure filing cabinet, the other was a plastic container looking rather like a cheap suitcase on wheels.  Both were secured and sealed by special zip ties that needed to be removed after the authenticity of the seal was established by the board (made up of two Democrats and Republicans each). 

Once the seals were broken the metal container showed itself to be a repository for the clerks comprehensive records for the county, probably broken for the first time since the votes were originally counted.  The plastic one had a bag of ballots and a couple of folders containing spoiled and unused ballots for the Fifth Ward.  

Counting began at 9:08, with the election officials counting the ballots, but not the votes, under the watchful eyes of the canvassers.  Deborah would count off 25, reorienting them when necessary, then check it twice, then give the pile to Karleen, who would count it once and then place it aside in piles.  This was a rather quiet part of the process, and when the count was done around 9:40, there were 562 ballots cast, a bit more than the 482 cast for the two candidates.  

The next stage in the process involved the two officials having one pile for Cain votes, another for Serna votes, and another for other.  Deborah went through all 562 ballots yelling out either 'Cain', 'Serna' or 'other'.  Karleen would then take the individual ballot and put it in the pile it belonged.  Canvassers overlooked the process, as did I-- moving up to look in.  There was an occasion when a ballot was misplaced in the wrong pile.

If you wondered why there was 80 more ballots than there was votes for either candidate, it was because there were 79 that had no vote for either candidate or filled in the write-in blank's oval.  The only write in was for realtor Jac Russell.

While these were being called out over the next hour, Serna and Kmetz kept tally and it appeared that the unofficial tally was in Serna's favor.  Cain was alternately watching and talking with others.  By 10:55, the inspectors started after a short break going through the 'Cain' pile, counting again by 25s until they got to the last 14, all adding up to 239, one Serna vote had been caught within.  They then checked the 'Serna' pile in the same manner, whose last pile was 18, all adding up to 243. 

None of the 'Other' ballots changed, and so at 11:08 the results were in.  All that was left for the Board was to certify the results.  Cain was gracious in defeat, thanking the officials for their time and their professionalism.  Serna was relieved and gracious in victory.  

And for once, Wallace Cain was right, the process of this recount did vindicate the safeguards used to protect the will of the voter in Mason County.  The city and county clerk, the canvassing board and the state election officials appears to have done everything right the first time, and the second time.  It was methodical, it was measured so as to assure both parties nothing was amiss, and it proved that the results reflected the voters will.  

[Freedom Seeker]

Thanks,X, for the details for those who couldn't be there. Very interesting and can better understand. I guess is Ibwre of the persuasion to run for office, and had lost by four counts and there were that many no fill ins I might be tempted to have a recount. Congratulations to Angela! I think she will bring a much needed new perspective to council chambers!

[XLFD]

I have said elsewhere that Wallace Cain was gracious in defeat after the recount, but not so gracious in defeat after the November 6th election.  The reason I say that is he requested a recount without explaining why, as he is required by law to do.  The only legal grounds for requesting a recount is if you think fraud or error in the precinct returns has occurred and it affected the outcome against you, that has to be included in the petition.  Wallace' petition simply says:  "I respectfully request a recount of the City of Ludington Fifth Ward election on 6 November 2018.  Sincerely, Wally Cain"

He was too much of the quintessential "Yes Man", to even say whether his reason for recount was due to the fraudulence or the incompetence of the Ludington Fifth Ward poll workers-- whose reputations were fully redeemed by the recount.  For not providing a legal reason, he should not only be charged $125 for a recount of an election he lost by nearly a percentage point, but for the full cost of the recount he requested.  But that cost will be placed on the Ludington taxpayer, and that's another reason why Cain deserves scorn rather than a ribbon.

[stump]

This is good news in 2 ways, first that our voting system in the city of Ludington is not corrupt and that we got a councilor that was voted IN by the people. Congrats to Angela .

[jfc123]

This is great news! Really should have not needed to happen (recount). Looking forward to next election and getting more LOCAL people in these positions!

[XLFD]

Status-seekers and team-players always seem to wind up being on the council, to the detriment of the people of Ludington.  Wally Cain sold himself at his interview in front of the city council as somebody who would always take the City's side of an issue rather than be swayed by the people who came to meetings.  He actually referenced the us versus them mentality that pervades the council and how he would fit right in.  The councilors listened and picked him.  Fortunately enough citizens listened too, and voted the rat out. 

[Willy]

At least he didn't blame the Russians.

[XLFD]

Yet.

[Wonder Woman]

NEWS ALERT: Realtor Jac Russell has requested a new recount and learning of his write-in votes! LOL.

[XLFD]

Alas, Jac did not qualify as a write-in candidate as he didn't submit the paperwork necessary.  Mr. Russell has a history of selling phone services, houses, and other stuff, so maybe this lone write-in vote will get him interested enough in selling his name as a candidate in the future.  The Fifth Ward race will once again be held in 2020, as this was only a two year term selection as Nick Tykoski resigned early in his second term, so Jac will be eligible to run for that office, Treasurer or councilor-at-large in 2020.