FW: Camera Spins the Vote

["Some Guy" <someguy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Since this LTE is critical of the Daily Camera and the county, it may never
reach the DC readers.

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Tiger
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2004 1:38 PM
To: DC letters
Subject: Camera Spins the Vote

Not sure if we should thank the Daily Camera or chastise it's publisher for
the reporting of the yet to be decided election in our county. Yet to be
decided at the time of publishing deadline, because the clerk's office had
only 26.8% tallied when the November 3rd issue went to press.
Ballot issues too close to call were reported as won or lost with just over
a quarter of the ballots counted. According to the Camera the early voters
and absentees represent this county. Those that went to the polls, which are
the majority, don't appear to have a say in their book.
Election judge Barbara Holub seems to think that those that voted for Jason
Savela for DA caused a three hour delay. That's what we need - the blame
game. Holub blamed Savela for being a write-in and what's really bad is that
the DC printed her statement. Responsible reporting?

The Camera also reported that elections officials have blamed the slow pace
on multi-page paper ballots. The county PIO has stated this also.
Wait a sec - what were we using for the past 29 years in Boulder? A paper
based system. We've always had a paper-based system, and it was always
multi-page. Punch cards or optically scanned paper, but still paper and
still scanned. This excuse does not wash.

In races were 51% of the vote went one way or another, the Camera has
decided, with less than 30% of the ballots counted. Then reported statements
from elections volunteers that have no business stating an opinion.
A slow news day with space to fill? Spin, spin, spin ...

Paul Tiger, Longmont