Here we go again? Related to the Kansas recent abortion referendum, Kansas has completed a hand-recount on nine counties’ ballots. The recount was asked for by Kansan Melissa Levitt, who paid $119,000 for the recount. She raised the money by hosting an online fundraiser and getting a contribution from Wichita anti-abortion activist Mark Gietzen. The result? The hand-count narrowed the rejection by 63 votes out of 556,364 ballots cast.
KS Secretary of State Scott Schwab called the re-count proof there is no systemic election fraud in Kansas, saying “Kansans should be confident that these results put to rest the unfounded claims of election fraud in our state and know that our elections are secure and that their vote counted.”
As a lesson learned: when activists call for recounts specifically because they disagree with results, recounts just waste money. This time it was private money, but it can also be taxpayer money. Recounts need o be saved for when the votes are close, not far away. In some previous cases, voting machines have been wrecked and had to be replaced (taxpayer money); yet, the folks who disagree with the results keep wanting more recounts. Taxpayers need to stand up and say no. Sherman Smith for the Kansas Reflector reports in detail here.