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Counting the votes

In counting the votes, it is best to have two committee members examining the ballots themselves, with one of them calling off the names of those who receive votes on the particular ballot, and with two others keeping a record of the votes by making a mark after each name that is called on a “tally sheet.” Periodic checks should be made by these two tally clerks to make sure that their counts agree.

A number of questions are frequently raised as the ballots are being counted, concerning the validity of particular ballots. The following points should be kept in mind:

  1. Such deviations from the instructions on the ballot as making a check mark instead of an “X” should not serve to void a ballot. If the intention of the voter is clear, count the vote.
  2. If a voter has signed or written the voter’s name on the ballot, void the entire ballot.
  3. If a ballot is partly spoiled, that does not void the entire ballot. For example, if a voter has voted for two candidates for president, that ballot is void for that office. But if the same voter has voted for only one candidate for recording secretary, count the vote for that office.
  4. Write-in votes are not counted at all; treat them as if they were blank for the office for which a write-in appears.
  5. Keep a record of the number of totally void or totally blank ballots.

Another problem that frequently causes confusion is the practice of so-called “bullet voting.” Let us look at a typical example.

Five candidates are listed on the ballot for executive board member. Three are to be elected. A ballot is cast on which the voter has marked only one candidate for executive board member. Should the ballot be counted or voided?

In most cases, it should be counted. A local union constitution may prohibit “bullet voting” and require that each voter vote for three; but such a rule may be established only by the local constitution. It may not be required by rules set by the election committee and it may not be required by rules adopted by membership vote.

It is either in the constitution or it is not. If it is not, then a vote cast for one or two in a situation where the voter could have voted for three is no different than a situation where the voter voted for a candidate for president but chose not to vote for anyone for secretary-treasurer. The vote must be counted.

When the tabulation has been completed, the committee should turn its attention to any remaining challenged votes. If the number of challenged ballots is not large enough to change the outcome of any of the contests, the committee is free to refuse to decide the challenges. In that case, they remain in the sealed envelopes but are retained with the rest of the ballots and the election records.

If the number is great enough that it might affect the outcome of one or more races, the committee must then take up each challenge separately and, without opening the envelope, make a decision as to whether or not the ballot should be counted. In those cases where the committee decides to count the ballot, the envelope should be opened and the ballot deposited, unexamined, in the now-empty ballot box. When all challenges have been disposed of, the ballots in the box should be counted and added to the previous tally. A record should be maintained of the names of those whose ballots were challenged and of the disposition of each.

The final results should then be placed in written form and signed by the members of the election committee. The committee may wish to ask the observers to sign the report also, but this is not essential and the observers are free to refuse to sign.

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