Election ballots in the mail

RITZVILLE - Adams County election officials will be 8,118 ballots this week for the Nov. 5 general election.

But before mailing, county Elections Supervisor Jacque Laird was joined by others to conduct a test of the ballot counting system.

Adams County Commissioner Mike Garza was present to observe and get better acquainted with the process. As Laird conducted the test, Secretary of State representative Paul Prociv monitored the process and explained each step.

According to Prociv, the computer system is tested using a series of matrices that are supposed to come up with a match for the test's predetermined outcome.

Laird's test was spot on, with the tally exactly hitting the count generated by the 114 various sample ballots she had entered.

The ballots included a sample from all county precincts, so officials could ensure each was counted correctly in the upcoming election.

"Nothing nefarious," Prociv said, noting most of the time county voting machines come up with an "A-plus-plus" grade." Discrepancies, he said are generally due to voters who do not always completely mark ballots as directed.

After the test, Laird sighed with relief.

"I love it when a plan comes together," she said, repeating a television quote from John "Hannibal Smith, a fictional leader of the A-Team hit series that aired in the 1980s.

Laird said voters should have already received a pamphlet in the mail with details on candidates and ballot measures.

And looking ahead, she said registered voters should receive their ballots within a week of mailing. Voters who do not receive a ballot by about Oct. 24 should contact her at the election office, 106 W. Main Ave. Voters can also call 509-659-3249.

Voters who receive their ballots can complete and return them anytime up until 8 p.m. election night, Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Ballots returned via mail must be postmarked on or before Nov. 5 to be counted. Elections officials suggest late voters return ballots to drop boxes around the county.

Drop boxes are located at:

Lind - City Hall, 116 1/2 W. Secnod St.

Othello - Adams County Public Services Building, 425 E. Main St.

Ritzville - Adams County Elections Office, 106 W. Main Ae., and City Hall, 216 E. Main Ave.

Washtucna - City Hall, 165 S. Main St.

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