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Bad Instructions Void Hillsborough Precinct Absentee Ballots

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By ELLEN GEDALIUS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 31, 2008

TAMPA - About 50 voters in one eastern Hillsborough County precinct will receive new absentee ballots because of a mistake made at the elections office.

The erroneous absentee ballots asked voters in Precinct 869 to choose two rather than one precinct committee person, according to a news release distributed by Supervisor Buddy Johnson's office. Three people are running for the position.

Precinct committee people are elected to serve on the executive committees of county political parties. They also tend to get involved in grassroots efforts, such as registering voters, passing out literature and encouraging people to vote.

Parties are allowed one precinct committee person per 1,000 registered voters of that party. Precinct 869 contained 977 registered Democrat voters, but the ballot instructs them to choose two rather than one precinct committee person.

The total precinct registration number was used rather than just the number of Democrats.

The news release chalked up the mistake to "human error."

Karen Love, one of the three people running for the committee position, said she was disappointed but understands that people make mistakes.

The elections office will send a certified letter to all affected voters today, said Kathy Harris, chief of staff. New absentee ballots will be mailed a few days later. Voters who already mailed back their absentee ballots will have to vote again. All ballots will be reviewed by the canvassing board.

Johnson, a Republican, is running against Phyllis Busansky, a Democrat, for the Supervisor of Elections job.

Voters with questions can call (813) 744-5900 for information.

Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.

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