Commissioners approve motion to maintain in-person, mail-in ballots

Antelope County will continue to provide an opportunity for in-person voting at countywide precincts and offer mail-in ballots as an option, following a vote of Antelope County Commissioners, Tuesday morning.

The motion, made by Dean Smith, and seconded by Carolyn Pederson, followed nearly 45 minutes of discussion with Antelope County residents regarding election integrity.

Antelope County Patriots member Sheryl Baker told commissioners while she and other group members have "total confidence" in Antelope County Clerk Lisa Payne, they don't have confidence in mail-in ballots.

"We would like a hand count of ballots," Baker said.

Connie Baker told commisisoners she served as a delegate at the Nebraska Republican Convention, held in Kearney, last weekend. At the convention, the party voted to preserve election integrity by adopting an amended resolution that would require hand counting of ballots at the precinct level, under continued supervision or video surveillance.

"We're requesting Antelope County (sic) supervisors vote on a similar resolution for our county," Connie said, noting the state's GOP party would also like to limit mail-in ballots and eliminate ballot drop boxes.

Pedersen, who formerly served as the county's clerk, said all counties received a machine to count ballots in approximately 2006.

Payne said every county clerk's office runs a mock election, one to two weeks prior to the actual election. Test ballots are marked, run through the machine and handcounted to "check the machine for accuracy."

Commissioner Regina Krebs asked Payne if she double checks results sent with what is posted by the secretary of state's office.

"Yes," Payne said, adding that the canvassing board reviews the count. "Reports are printed and verified, by the canvassing board, by precinct."

During each election, 10% of precincts across the state are randomly selected for a hand count. In the 2022 primary, the Clearwater precinct was included in the list.

Payne said the biggest county race, which was for school board, along with the congressional race, were required to be hand counted.

"All were verified and sent to the secretary of state's office," Payne said.

Commissioner Chairman Charlie Henery asked if the commissioners have any involvement with Payne's job as election clerk.

"You can send a message about how the rest of the county feels," Connie Baker said.

Pedersen said, as a previous election officer, "I don't believe there's any fraud in Antelope County. I'm not completely for mail-in ballots either, but I will speak wholeheartedly for Lisa, that there is no fraud."

As for hand counting ballots, Pedersen described an experience from when she served as clerk, where one precinct handcounted ballots and worked from 6 a.m., on Election Day until 10 a.m. the following morning.

"That machine is more accurate than I am," Payne said. "When I go back and tally the count, the machine is correct."

Smith's motion also included, in order to assist with worker shortages, a review of hourly pay for poll workers and to add additional funds, if needed.

Pedersen encouraged members of the audience to get involved, if they feel strongly about voting procedures.

Connie Baker said the group was denied a printout from the Antelope County counting machine, even after a Freedom of Information Act request was sent.

"We were denied," Connie Baker said. "Where's the transparency in the county?"