A group from across the political spectrum spoke out today on the integrity of an upcoming recount in Minnesota's U.S. Senate racie, calling for transparency in the recount process, which is expected to begin on Wednesday at more than 100 sites across the state.
Joe Quinn, a retired chief judge of the 10th Judicial District, which includes Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright.counties, has overseen recounts in the past and said several physical conditions must be met to assure public confidence in the process.
Those include:
• insisting that ballot boxes at all recount centers are opened and the recount begum simultaneously.
• establishing an opening time that will accomodate the scheduling needs of the public (including the media) and to allow videotaping or photographing of the process.
• making certain that space is sufficient for obeservation of every ballot by the media, advocates for each side, and other observers.
• requiring that all ballot count work be done in full visibility of all observers, using a table or desk low enough to allow inspection of every ballot.
"Every ballot out there that's opened should be subject to a camera by someone, not just by officials on the scene," Quinn said.
