The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1958-06-05

After the polls are closed and
the precinct officials have ac-
counted for all the ballots
voted, soiled and unused-which
were received at the polling
place on election day, they pro-
ceed to count the votes cast for
each candidate and the votes
cast for and against each ques-
ton or issue
The counting and tallying of
all ballots is done in the presence
and full view Of all the judges
and clerks Of election and duly
appointed witnesses. Witnesses
may be appointed by the politi-
cal parties, a group of five or
more candidates. or duly or
ganized committee advocating or
opposing any measure.
The law sets forth the manner
in which the counting of ballots
shall take place. One of the
judges takes ballot and reads
aloud distinctly the names of the
candidates voted for and the
vote on any questions or issues
that were submitted A clerk of
the opposite political party tai
lies the votes on work sheets
furnished by the Board of Elec-
tions. A judge Of the same poll
tical party as the clerk then
Vertifics the vote so read and
Tailed. The same procedure is
followed until all the ballots
have been counted.
A clerk adds the tally marks
and enters the number of tallies
for each candidate and issue
The presiding Judge examines
the work sheets and signs them
and inserts the total vote for
each candidate and issue in each
of the poll books where in
dicated. All work sheets are re-
turned to the county board OF
elections in the poll books.
The governing factor in count
ing all doubtful votes is the in
tent of the voter If the precinct
officials can ascertain the voters
intent, they shall be so counted
While there were some tic
votes and some very close races
on the local level in the prim-
aries, May 8, the latter causing
several recountS throughout the
state. the 1858 primaries were
less troublesome of any election
in the past several years,
Many times recountS are mum
erous and bitter accusations are
hurled by either candidates OF
persons supporting special issues
Sometimes. recounts have beer
demanded on a near state wide
scale.
Losers in any election, especi
ally if the results are close, are
prone TO wonder if there have
been errors in the counting or i
something was done illegally t6
cause them to lose However. il
the past few years these in
stances of charges of irregularit,
and fraud have diminished and
indeed, so have the number o
proven cases of irregularity
Reaching this point Of higl
level administration of our Ohi'
election laws is not an accident
1t has required firmness in deal
ing with fraud, when such case
did arise; it has resulted from
program of pointing out to tn
political leaders that competen
election officials must be recon-
mended for vital election posts; i
has resulted from a continuou
election educational program, di
rected at the election official
and also to the voting public
This series, for instance, is a par
of our overall educational pro
gram.
To the board of elections mus
go a great share of the credi
for their interest in maxim
Ohio's election system work et
ficiently and to the Legislator
must go great deal of cred
for enacting laws, recommends
with a view of making Ohio
l..