While the Presidential recounts in Dane and MIlwaukee Counties have concluded, reaffirming a transparent and secure electoral process, the recount in Dane County was carried out in a way that did not prioritize the health of election officials, tabulators and observers. The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin is both disappointed and concerned about the lack of health and safety conditions at the Dane County recount.

We recognize the huge numbers of partisan observers attempting to hear and be heard presented an unusually difficult task, but we believe the lack and enforcement of safety and public health precautions detrimentally exposed election officials, tabulators and observers to COVID-19.

LWVWI had solicited volunteers to serve as non-partisan observers as part of our efforts to help ensure transparency and completeness in the recount; unfortunately, a number of our observers declined to return because of concerns about exposure to the virus. Our observers also reported the situation was even more difficult for tabulators who do not have the freedom to walk away from careless observers.  

The job of tabulators is to simply count stacks of things, all while ensuring observers can see the process and raise any concerns they may have. While tabulators were committed to making this process secure and accessible, it is disappointing and unacceptable that there was not more being done to prioritize the health and safety of tabulators, observers and staff.

Public Health Madison and Dane County has provided specific guidance on procedures that should have been implemented, such as social distancing, availability of hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, enforcement of adequate mask use, and requiring separate rooms for activities such as eating and drinking that require mask removal.

Just as we believe in the importance of defending democracy, the health and safety of critical election workers needed to be the first priority in the administration of the presidential recount