LYNN HAVEN CANVASSING BOARD
APRIL 20, 2004 - 4:00 P.M.
Chairman Schad reconvened the Canvassing Board at 4:00 p.m. to begin the tabulation of the absentee ballots at the Elections Center, 205 Mosley Drive, Lynn Haven. The meeting was open to the public.
Present:
Chairman Roger Schad
Harold Haynes
John Lynch
Robert Jackson
Also present:
Charlene Messer
Lt. Allen Stever
Officer Ron Senkle
Barbara Day
Anna Vera Yingling
Mark Andersen, Bay County Supervisor of Elections, called the meeting to order for each canvassing board at 4:02 p.m. Terri Pierce, Deputy Supervisor of Elections, explained the absentee ballot procedure to the City of Springfield’s board.
Ms. Pierce announced Lynn Haven’s procedure next. There were seven rejected ballots and 202 accepted ballots. Ballots were bundled into batches of 25. Signatures had already been verified by the staff at the Election Center. Stamps were provided to the board for rejection/acceptance.
The 202 accepted ballots were opened by Larry Roxby and Mark Andersen of the Election Center.
The ballots were separated in the secrecy sleeves from the return mail envelope by the Canvassing Board. Mr. Andersen and Chairman Schad asked the public if they would like to inspect the return envelopes before they were placed in the security box. Ballots were fanned to assure no ballots were left inside the return envelopes. Ballots, inside their secrecy envelopes, were shuffled. Ballots were then removed from the secrecy sleeves. Ballots were unfolded to be placed in the tabulator. The number of "early voting" ballots was 113. Absentee ballots were placed through the tabulator. The total of counted ballots at that point was 316. Mr. Andersen determined that two ballots may have been in one envelope and that explained the reason for one additional ballot.
There were 7 rejected ballots. One ballot was a new voter and the voter was required to supply a picture identification along with the ballot. The proper identification was not provided; therefore, the ballot was rejected. Three ballots were accepted after the signatures were reverified with the records. Two ballots did not have the proper witness signatures and were rejected. One ballot did not have an address as required and it was rejected. The new machine total was 319.
The meeting was recessed at 5:16 p.m.
The Canvassing Board Meeting reconvened at 6:30 p.m. at the Elections Center.
Ms. Pierce delivered one absentee ballot which was received in their office. The signature had been verified by the Elections Office staff. After opening the ballot Mr. Jackson placed it in the tabulator. The new total was 320.
The meeting was recessed at 6:37 p.m.
The Canvassing Board reconvened at 6:45 p.m. to canvass two additional ballots which were brought into the Center. Signatures were verified by Elections staff. The new machine total was now 322.
The meeting was recessed at 6:47 p.m.
At 7:00 p.m. Mark Andersen announced that the polls were now closed for voting. No additional absentee ballots would be accepted. The Canvassing Board reconvened at 7:01 p.m. Mr. Andersen obtained the official totals from the tabulator which was located at the Elections Center.
The following are the results from the Elections Center tabulator:
Walter Kelley 233
Claude Mixdorf 87
Undervotes 2
Shirley Rowe 131
Frances Wittkopf 185
Undervotes 6
Antonius Barnes 242
Sammy Day 78
Undervotes 2
The following are the results from the tabulator located at the polling place (City Hall):
Walter Kelley 1059
Claude Mixdorf 323
Shirley Rowe 493
Frances Wittkopf 870
Antonius Barnes 1051
Sammy Day 315
The meeting was recessed at 7:26 p.m.
At 7:52 p.m. the Canvassing Board recessed until noon on April 21, 2004.
The Canvassing Board reconvened at 12:00 p.m. on 4/21/04 to report the election findings to the City Commission. The meeting was held in the Commission Meeting Room of City Hall. All members of the Canvassing Board were present.
Chairman Schad read the Conduct of Elections Report to the audience. He reported the unusual circumstance regarding the additional ballot which had been placed in an envelope with another ballot. No other problems occurred during the process.
Chairman Schad read the results of the Election. They are as follows:
For Mayor:
There were 1,702 votes cast.
Walter T. Kelley received 1,292 votes.
Claude Mixdorf received 410 votes.
For Commissioner, Seat 1:
There were 1,679 votes cast.
Shirley Jean Rowe received 624 votes.
Frances Wittkopf received 1,055 votes.
For Commissioner, Seat 2:
There were 1,686 votes cast.
Antonius G. Barnes received 1,293 votes.
Sammy Day received 393 votes.
The total votes cast in the Lynn Haven, Florida General Election was 1,708 for a 17.41 percent turnout.
There was no further business to discuss and the meeting was adjourned at 12:03 p.m.
APPROVED THIS 27TH DAY OF APRIL, 2004.
ATTEST: Roger P. Schad, Chairman
Charlene Messer, Deputy City Clerk/Asst. City Manager
Prepared by Charlene Messer
