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Stew Lilker’s

Columbia County Observer

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Supervisor of Elections & Her Crew Paved the Way For an Exhausting, But Trouble Free Recount

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Supervisor of Elections Liz Horne and her elections crew ran the primary and recent general election trouble free. It appears that everyone that wanted to vote, voted. There were no mystically appearing ballots and when it came to the hand recount, while at times tedious and exhausting, shortly after it concluded today County Attorney and Canvassing Board Attorney Joel Foreman said in a text message, "It went well."


Attorneys, volunteers, SOE staff were all overseeing the recount.

The Hand Recount

The hand recount does not review all ballots. Those that were not recorded by voting machines because something was crossed out, or two votes were cast in one race (an overvote), or the voter appeared to chose no candidate (undervote). The idea is to figure out the voter's intent.

Canvassing Board Attorney Joel Forman, at times seemed like he was directing traffic. The County Canvassing Board was chaired by County Court Judge Tom Coleman. County 5 Chairman Tim Murphy, or his designate (Commissioner Nash), and the Supervisor of Elections (SOE) Liz Horne were the other members.


Canvassing Board Attorney Joel Foreman explaining folks could swap positions in the room.

The Canvassing Board

The Canvassing Board provides the oversight to insure the integrity of the electoral process.


Canvassing Board Chairman, Judge Tom Coleman explained everything he did. Here he peels the seal off a box of ballots, while SOE Horne observers.

You can learn more about the canvassing board in Florida Statute 102.141.


After opening the box, Judge Coleman held up the ballots so everyone could see what was in the box.


SOE Horne, Judge Coleman, and Commissioner Nash review a ballot.

The Attorneys

Republican and Democrat attorneys were on hand to watch the process and get ready for lawsuits if necessary. It wasn't.

Volunteers and the Sheriff

Citizen volunteers were there to review ballots and help the SOE. Some members from the public were on hand to observe and Sheriff Deputies were on hand to keep an eagle eye on things.  A representative from the State Attorney was also on hand.


Volunteer and community activist Christa Pribble reviews a ballot while Deputy Joshua Truesdale looks on.

Epilogue

When your reporter left the Supervisor of Elections Office on Friday, Willie Nelson and Jesus were tied with one write in ballot each.


Supervisor Liz Horne listens to the Chief Republican Attorney.

Columbia County did 'good.' A pleasant change considering some of the things that go on in the County and in venues in which the County is associated.

The foundation was laid by Liz Horne and her crew and the poll workers and volunteers that supported the voting effort and the recounts.

All Columbia County can give Ms. Horne and everyone that was involved with the recount the "thumbs up" without reservation.

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