Mecklenburg

In case anyone cares, the Council of Review for the Mecklenburg Sheriff race has been, as of 7:30pm been going on for 9.5 hours today. Damn glad I am not there. Been watching it off and on all afternoon. It is being broadcast on our local government channel.

In the November 2, 2006 election, Mecklenburg County, had several very close results in both national and state races, including a 329 vote squeaker in the Kissell-Hayes Congressional election. Scrutiny of the vote totals has revealed an unexplained undervote: a significantly higher percentage of voters than in the past declined to vote for the most prominent races such as those for US House of Representatives. Never in past years had the Congressional races been "outperformed" by downballot races such as for sheriff, county commissioner etc.... but it did happen in 2006. Mecklenburg County includes parts of three Congressional districts. ALL three districts had a significantly higher undervote in Mecklenburg than they did in other counties, and all three races had a significantly higher undervote than they did past years for the same race.

For a look at the data, analysis, and an account of the problems that arose during the recount, please read on...