Residents raise election‑integrity concerns; commissioners point to audits and recounts

Public comment at the Meade County Board of Commissioners meeting centered on election integrity, tabulator reliability and whether the county should return to hand‑counted paper ballots. James, who identified himself to the board, said he brought ballots that he said showed tabulator misreads and argued that, with federal cybersecurity warnings, “what better time to hand count paper ballots” than now.

Another speaker, Peter Warenka of Piedmont, told commissioners he feared electronic tabulators could be altered and urged the county to “start here” with paper counting so other counties might follow. Multiple speakers questioned the county’s contract spending with ES&S and suggested local hand counts could be less expensive and keep funds in‑county.

Commissioners responded that the county has conducted audits and recounts in recent years and that those procedures have validated tabulator results locally. One commissioner noted the county had performed two recounts and regular audits, and another urged residents concerned about national election irregularities to pursue remedies in the states where those events occurred. Commissioners also said they were balancing those concerns against immediate budget tasks such as maintaining roads and public safety staffing.

The board did not take any formal action on election procedures during the meeting. Auditor Ria Crane later reported that absentee voting is scheduled to begin Sept. 20 and that the office is working on ballot proofing and election staffing.

The meeting moved on after public comment closed; commissioners said they would continue to listen to residents and that any formal proposal to change counting methods would be considered through the county’s normal processes.