Assembly Doesn’t Certify Election; Ballots Still to be Counted

Uncertain whether independent investigator will be called in

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By Corey Allen-Young
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Story Created: Apr 18, 2012 at 9:32 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Apr 18, 2012 at 9:32 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - It’s been two weeks since one of the city's most chaotic elections.

With ballots still being counted and the election still not certified, the question remains if there will be an independent investigation. The Anchorage Assembly did not take up that topic in a short meeting Tuesday night, but that didn't stop Anchorage residents from voicing their concerns over the controversy.

As the close to 14,000 questioned and absentee ballots begin to be counted, it’s what happened two weeks ago that's leaving people frustrated.

With precincts running out of ballots and voters being turned away, the assembly got an earful from a variety of people who said what happened on election day needs to be investigated.

“Never has there been so many glaring levels of incompetence,” said Anchorage resident Colleen Murphy.

“This election was a little bit different than the other ones that I had worked,” said Barbara Gazaway, who worked as a poll worker.

“There's a bunch of you that I support on this assembly but I will actively be involved in revoking all of you, because my voice is being taken away if you decide to not investigate this,” said Anchorage resident Laura Herman.

Karli Kay says she was one of those disenfranchised voters. "I received my card telling me I needed to go to Baxter Elementary." Registered since 2008, she came to talk to the Election Commission to find out why. She got a letter saying her vote didn't count. After finally being told it would count, she explained why she still has her doubts.

“I'm little hesitant to be assured of that, what proof do I have, how do I know and if its happened to me how many other voters did it happen too,” said Kay.

It’s an uncertainty that one assembly member says can be fixed right away. “Why does anybody have to stand up here for us and practically beg us to hire somebody to investigate this election?” asked Assemblymember Elvi Gray-Jackson.

Election officials say the remaining ballots will still take some to be counted, after which they expect to report back to the assembly on April 24. Although there has been no vote on bringing in an independent investigator yet, Assemblymember Debbie Ossiander says possible names have been tossed around for that role.
 

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