Fayette Election board tallies provisional ballots from last month’s primary
Amy Fauth|Herald-Standard
While only a small percentage of Fayette County voters turned out for last months’ primary, Election Bureau Director Mary Beth Kuznik said the day “went smoothly.”
Of the 78,234 voters registered in the county, 18,892 – or about 24.15% – voted, she said Thursday.
The low turnout wasn’t unexpected, according to Kuznik, because the presidential nominees were set, and there were few contested local races.
She reported that 7,601 mail-in or absentee ballots were sent out – 5,748 to Democrats and 1,853 to Republicans. Of those 4,811 Democrat ballots and 1,400 Republican ballots were returned.
Kuznik addressed two anonymous complaints made to the bureau alleging that poll workers in one precinct required voters to provide photo identification, even if they weren’t required to do so. Only first-time voters or those voting in a new precinct are required to do so.
She said the judge of elections at the polling place, which was not identified, told her poll workers followed the correct procedures. Because the callers refused to give their names, contact information or provide any further information, the bureau was unable to investigate the matter any further.
Kuznik also addressed a variety of rumors and inaccurate information related to the software used during elections. The claims included that a foreign-owned company designed the county’s election software, and that it contains ways to alter election results.
“I want to say this on the record: these allegations are false,” Kuznik said.
In other business, the election board went through provisional ballots to determine whether they should be counted. The results were:
Twenty-nine provisional ballots were accepted for voters who were sent mail-in ballots, but did not surrender them at their precincts on election night;
Two provisional ballots were accepted from first-time voters who weren’t able to provide a photo ID after the board compared ballots with their voter ID card;
Five provisional ballots were accepted from voters who voted in the wrong precinct;
Two provisional ballots were accepted from voters who were listed under a different name;
Eleven other provisional ballots were not counted because voters either voted under the wrong party, were not registered, or their voter registration was not active.
As preparations begin for the fall presidential election, the election bureau is seeking additional poll workers. Those who wish to sign up must be registered voters in Fayette County and will earn $130 to $200, with pay dependent upon how many trainings are attended. Those interested can contact the election bureau at 724-430-1289.