High turnout contributed to election errors (Thune

Canvassing reveals tabulation mistakes

Local counties have turned up several mistakes in their election results, though none significant enough individually to make a difference for a candidate or ballot issue.

The errors were uncovered by the canvassing of vote totals done by every county in the state as part of their post-election protocol.

Perhaps the most notable miscount locally occurred in Campbell County, where the election canvass revealed that U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., and Democratic U.S. House candidate Stephanie Herseth each had been credited for five votes too many. Johnson's new total has been set at 365 votes in Campbell County, while Herseth's has been adjusted to 353.

While the subtracted ballots will do nothing in regard to Herseth's more than 20,000- vote loss to GOP Gov. Bill Janklow, the loss of votes for Johnson could have an impact on his slim victory over Republican challenger U.S. Rep. John Thune if such discrepancies turn up elsewhere.

However, Campbell was the only local county with a Thune-Johnson miscount.

Thune has said that he might ask for a recount following the state election canvass, which will be held Tuesday morning in Pierre.

State election officials said they won't know until they tabulate all the county results just how much Johnson's 527-vote lead over Thune will be adjusted. In preparation for the possible recount, local counties have placed all election materials, including pens and pencils used by poll workers, in vaults.

Nearly all of the local counties that hand-count votes reported errors uncovered during the post-election canvasses, which are reviews by county officials of poll data to make sure all votes have been added up correctly.

Auditors attributed the mistakes to human error on the part of poll workers, adding that such miscounts are not uncommon.

None of the counties with machine counters, also called vote scanners, reported any discrepancies.

County auditors said a big problem was that the tremendous voter turnout, more than 70 percent statewide, increased the chance of error because there were more votes to count. All that tabulating also delayed the announcement of final results until as late as 5:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Campbell County didn't release its final election results until 2 a.m.

"It got to be a very long day," said Lisa Schaefbauer, who experienced her first general election as Campbell County auditor this week. "It was exciting and yes, stressful."

Schaefbauer, a Republican, was appointed as auditor in January upon the retirement of former auditor Elaine Fischer.

The following is a breakdown of how canvassing went in other area counties:

Brown County: Canvass revealed no vote discrepancies of machine- counted ballots.

Day County: Canvass of hand-counted ballots revealed several errors. Republican Gilbert "Gibbs" DeSpiegler received 84 votes in the county, one less than was previously reported. He lost his District 1 state Senate bid to Democratic incumbent Paul Symens, whose Day County vote totals were also adjusted as a result of the canvass. The review revealed Symens received 188 votes in the county, one less than the previous total.

In addition, District 1 state House candidate Neil Stokke's vote totals were adjusted. He lost 10 votes, giving him a Day County total of 945. Stokke, a Republican, was defeated in his state House bid by more than 2,000 votes.

Another Day County discrepancy was in the race for state Public Utilities Commission. Republican Bob Sahr's county totals were found to be 93 votes, not the 9 reported Wednesday. Despite the error, Sahr still won the statewide race.

Edmunds County: Canvass revealed no vote discrepancies of machine- counted ballots. It's also worthy of note that Edmunds County had the earliest vote totals of any local county on election night. The county had all votes counted by 10:30 p.m.

"We have a good crew," Auditor Keith Schurr said.

McPherson County: Canvass revealed no vote discrepancies of hand- counted ballots. McPherson is the only local county without machine counters that did not find discrepancies during the post-election canvass. It was also the last local county to release final election results.

But Auditor Steve Serr said the fact the final vote tally was not released until 5:15 a.m. Wednesday shouldn't be seen as a problem.

"I'd rather have it done right than hurry and mess something up," he said. "I know it was frustrating for some folks that it took so long, but we wanted to do our best."

Potter County: Discrepancies reported on ballot issue and gubernatorial totals as a result of the canvass of hand-counted votes. Constitutional Amendment B, a technical change on redistricting, was found to have received 418 votes in the county, not the 428 reported Wednesday morning. The amendment was defeated by more than 70,000 votes statewide. The initiative to legalize industrial hemp under state law was found to have received 455 votes in favor, not the previously reported 425. Votes against hemp were also adjusted, from 1,065 to a new total of 965. Statewide the hemp

initiative was also defeated by more than 70,000 votes.

Independent gubernatorial candidate James Carlson's Potter County totals were also changed, from 12 votes to 6, as a result of the canvass.

Spink County: No discrepancies found in canvass of machine-counted votes.

Walworth County: Canvass revealed that Bryce Healy, Democratic candidate for commissioner of school and public lands, was mistakenly credited for 3 votes. Healy won the race for the state post against Republican Alan Aker by two percentage points.

Faulk County: Discrepancies in ballot issue totals resulted from canvass of hand- counted votes.

Amendment A, a measure providing more rights to criminal defendants, received 1,101 votes against as a result of the canvass; the previous number was 1,096. A was defeated statewide by nearly 200,000 votes.

The canvass also revealed that Amendment C, to give the governor extra time to deal with bills, received 591 votes in favor in the county; the original figure was 566. C was approved statewide by more than 20,000 votes.

Faulk County's hemp vote totals were also corrected by the canvass; the measure received an additional yes vote.

Marshall County: The canvass revealed that GOP secretary of state candidate Chris Nelson received 1,005 votes - that's 5 more than Wednesday's total. Nelson, currently assistant secretary of state, won the race by receiving 56 percent of the vote statewide. Marshall County, which hand counts its votes, also had a long election night as final results weren't announced until 4:45 a.m. Wednesday.

"We've been here that long and even longer before," Auditor Julie Hagen said.

Brown County Auditor Maxine Taylor said her staff worked from 7 a.m. Tuesday until 3:45 a.m. Wednesday.

"We got a little giggly, but that's about all," she said. "And I think on Wednesday night most of us went to bed quite early."

I have had the feeling since Wednesday that there will be a recount in SoDak and that many illegal ballots are going to be uncovered and thrown out. Thune will be vindicated and another notch will be carved in W's "gun stock".

53 to 46 + a maybe in 03.

"County auditors said a big problem was that the tremendous voter turnout, more than 70 percent statewide"

You have to figure that a huge percentage of that is attributed to the dems get out the vote campaign. Of course anyone can vote during those events.

.... many illegal ballots.... Yeah, like ballots of dead people, illegal migrants, dogs, cats, ...

Sorry.. recounts don't detect illegal ballots. They simply count the votes again, which would detect mathematical errors. A full fledged fraud investigation might uncover the Rat voter fraud in SD.

How would we know this "for a fact" in the absence of an investigation?

There is an investigation going on, the FBI and local law enforcement have been looking into fraud, starting before the election. There is nothing Thune can do except wait. If there is a 'smoking gun' it will be found. We have to be patent and pray. There was an arrest yesterday. Don't give on this seat yet.

Nearly all of the local counties that hand-count votes reported errors uncovered during the post-election canvasses, which are reviews by county officials of poll data to make sure all votes have been added up correctly.

If that's the case,I don't see why Mr.Thune shouldn't ask for a recount.When people are tired and stressed(lawyers,claring at you and being obnoxious,etc.)they make mistakes!

I've noticed something odd, was there not a Green Party canidate in the election in SD? I haven't noticed it, if there was.

Me thinks I hear the sound of demorats in them there hills. They always come out of their graves on election nights with their furry critters and all vote for whatever demorat they are programed to vote for. Hee, hee.

Unfortunately, it looks like Thune is going to be too much of a wuss to fully investigate the massive Democrat voter fraud that we know for a fact took place!

I read somewhere (take it for what it's worth) that SD law is that three state voters have to get together and challenge the results, not the candidate.

88However, Campbell was the only local county with a Thune-Johnson miscount.**

Oh, really? What about the reservation and fradulent registrations?

my understanding was that Thune could ask for a recount -- OR -- he could file a lawsuit asking for an investiagation. He is currently keeping his options open.

Not treading water, just waiting until he can lower the boom.

Why do you think it took so long for Johnson to take the lead? Because the Clinton goons had to wait to find out how many phony votes they needed to manufacture!!!!!

In South Dakota, incumbent Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson trailed Republican Rep. John Thune by about 700 votes the morning after the election. Mr. Johnson went ahead by 528 votes after ballots from the Pine Ridge Reservation were counted. A recount, however, is likely.

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Bump !!

GWB Is The Man !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Let's Roll !!

Molon Labe !!