|
|
It was a quiet day in the Cook County seat. A recount was required by law because the difference in the Ecklund/Skraba State House race was only 15 votes. Fifteen votes separated the two District 3A candidates when more than 21,000 votes were cast in that race.
There were no demonstrations, no arguments, and no threats of lawsuits or bodily harm. Seven DFL poll watchers were led by Trista Schwind of state DFL Headquarters. I did not meet the GOP lead but was glad to see fellow golfer Dick Dorr on their team. The picture shows the election judges and poll watchers working together.
We spent the morning counting at three tables staffed by six county employees and election judges. County Auditor Braidy Powers was in charge. One watcher for each party sat at each table ready to challenge ballots that did not conform to state rules. About 80% of registered voters took part on November 8th. Ecklund 2235; Skraba 979; a total of some 3,200 votes in a county with a total resident population of about 5,400. There were no challenges today. (It appears that our school systems have graduated people who can follow the instructions.)
Poll workers recounting votes
Minnesota has a history of clean elections, fairly managed. The statewide recounts for Senator (Franken/Coleman) in 2008 and Governor (Dayton/Emmer) in 2010 showed that there is no fraud here. For good measure, there was a recount in the 2008 Primary to see who would get to challenge the Chief Justice in her reelection. Everyone accepted the results. The people spoke. We all went on with our lives.
The whole thing was well organized and methodical, with written instructions and attentive staff, thanks to Secretary of State Simon and Auditor Powers. It was also transparent, open to press and public.
Is not that the way we want all of our country to work?
For those of you craving more detail, here is some. We have 14 precincts in Cook County, but the highest numbered one is 12. Why? There is an 8th precinct (Gunflint) and also an 8A (Maple Hill) and 8B (Colvill) as well. The smallest vote totals were in Magney (73), Pike Lake (89) and Schroeder (97). The largest were Cascade (399), Grand Marais East (398), Lutsen (321), and Grand Marais West (320). Colvill was bigger than I expected—285. (Aspiring county-wide candidates will note where the votes are.)
Steve Aldrich is a retired Hennepin County lawyer, judge, and mediator, serving as judge from 1997-2010. He and his wife moved here in 2016. He likes to remember that he was a Minnesota Super Family Lawyer before being elected to the bench. Now he is among the most vulnerable to viruses. Steve really enjoys doing weddings, the one thing a retired judge can do without appointment by the Chief Justice. He writes this column to learn more about his new home area and to share his learnings with others—and to indulge his curiosities. Bouquets and brickbats to the editor or stevealdrich41@gmail.com. Copyright Stephen C. Aldrich and News Herald, 2022.
Leave a Reply