Scared Monkeys Discussion Forum

Officials try to correct wrong voting information

Posted: Oct 24, 2008 11:51 AM

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- Williamson County election officials are trying to correct mistaken postcards that went out to nearly 3,000 people. The postcards had the wrong precinct information and also included the wrong polling place locations for voters for the Nov. 4 general election. Williamson County Elections Analyst Candi Zaccheus said a computer error on a spreadsheet moved the addresses on the postcards into the wrong precinct, leading to the confusion.

"It actually directed some of the voters to go to the wrong precinct wrong polling place," said Williamson County Elections Administrator Rick Barron.  "Ultimately I'm responsible for it."

New postcards with the correct information went out Friday morning. "The voters will receive it well in advance of Nov. 4," said Barron.

Voters that received the postcards thought the county should have exercised more diligence in such a big election.

"It is very discouraging to me that the clerk's office, which is charged with the duty of keeping our records and keeping it correctly, is making errors like this," said Williamson County voter Beth Siever.

Siever received a postcard telling her to go to a new polling location at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church for the Nov. 4 election. However, when she checked further, she discovered her precinct and polling place had not changed.

"I am assuming if I went there and produced my card they would not let me vote there because I am not in that precinct," she said.

Barron party officials and candidates contacted his office Friday inquiring about the mistake.

"Just need to do a better job of vetting the excel spreadsheet," he said.

If you believe you have received one of these postcards, you are asked to call (512) 943-1630.

Williamson County Voters can look up their voting location.
http://www.kxan.com/global/story.asp?s=9234055