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Lycoming County Voter Services today will begin recounting by hand the 59,481 ballots cast for the presidential and auditor general races in the November 2020 election, a process expected to last through Jan. 31.
The recount initially was requested by a group of concerned citizens in early 2022, with a goal of reassuring voters that the electronic voting system counts ballots accurately.
Rigid rules and procedures were approved by the county board of directors -- consisting of commissioners Scott Metzger, Rick Mirabito and Tony Mussare -- in December.
The regulations, recently presented by Forrest Lehman, director of elections, are as follows:
• Aside from the ballot canvassers, the only people allowed on the premises during the recount are on-site supervisors Lehman and Matt McDermott, county director of administration; one observer each per local party committees and media organizations; and other officially appointed supervisors, if any.
• No phones, cameras, recording devices or outside writing implements.
• Authorized observers are not allowed to engage canvassers; questions must be directed to Lehman or McDermott.
• Canvassing teams consist of two people. One will read the votes on the ballots and the other will record each vote on a tally sheet.
• Ballots will be organized by provisional, mail-in and Election Day, then divided into 183 batches.
• Canvassing teams must sign batches out with a signature, date and time of removal prior to canvassing, then sign them back in upon completion.
• Canvassers will identify and review marks in ballot margins.
• Completed batch total sheets and tally sheets get turned over to the on-site supervisors.
• Operations may be temporarily suspended if there is a need in the event of a legal procedure or staffing issue.
• Operations may be temporarily suspended if the recount is not completed within the set timeframe.
• Additional rules can be made to ensure the safeguarding of the ballots and to ensure a smooth and orderly operation.