Reply #20: Ghost Precinct In James City County (WTKR) [View All]

[struggle4progress]

Priscilla Monti Reporting
Ghost Precinct In James City County

Nov 8, 2006 12:04 PM EST

The race for Virginia Senate is so tight, a zero vote could count. A precinct in James City County reports zero because it is a "ghost precinct". But that zero tally was causing problems with election results on Wednesday.

James City County General Registrar Alan Cole, Sr. says the report on the state website that only 14 of 16 James City County precincts reported is incorrect, sort of. "James City County precincts were 100-percent reported at 8:18 last night. Part of the problem is 2 of our precincts are referred to as ghost precincts. We really only have 14 precincts."

Precinct 502 is the problem. Half of it is in Congressional District 1. Half is in Congressional District 3. The portion in District 3 is in the James River. No one lives there. The Registrar must report zero. "We report zero and it doesn't recognize that as a reported precinct."

Because of that zero, the computer also doesn't recognize the results for the Central Absentee Ballots either. That's 1727 votes. James City County voter Allen Volz hopes that doesn't affect the race for Senate. "I think this is ridiculous. I'm not surprised though. Computers are great, but sometimes they don't work. This is a close race." ...

http://www.wtkr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5650574&nav=ZolHbyvj