Since Monitor reporter David Brooks hasn’t responded to my request that he correct three myths that appeared in his Nov. 29 column, “Case for election audits grow,” I will attempt to do so here.
1. 2008 presidential primary recount showed all was fine.
Search for “Kucinich Brad Blog 2008” and find headline that reads, “Kucinich letter cites miscounts in NH, requests state carry out ‘complete and accurate recount of all ballots.’ ”
I have also offered to share the Republican candidates’ concerns with Brooks.
2. N.H. does so many recounts we don’t need to do other checks on computer accuracy.
My research has shown recounts have varied as much as 140 votes for a single candidate in one town (Derry, 2012).
Princeton computer expert Dr. Andrew Appel told a state advisory group in 2009 that “cheaters would know which races to stay away from or they already know the percentage margin to exceed in order to avoid a recount.”
3. N.H. moderators don’t have legal authority to make sure the computer count is accurate on election night.
Both the Jaffrey moderator and I confirmed with the attorney general in 2010 that moderators have this discretionary authority to oversee hand count checks “to ensure an accurate count.”
In fact, N.H. law (and case law) make it clear it is the moderator’s legal duty to oversee the count and make sure it is accurate on election night (RSA 659:60).
For more information, see Jaffrey Voices (Google Group) for “Response to David Brooks” and “Derry.”
DEBORAH SUMNER
Jaffrey