IN THE NEWS...

Courtesy: Des Moines Register - July 23, 2006

 

Roses & thistles DES MOINES REGISTER EDITORIAL STAFF


Recount reconsidered

A thistle to Polk County Recorder Tim Brien for casting doubt on the
legitimacy of the county's new vote-counting machines. Although Brien lost
in the June 6 Democratic primary to a challenger by 3,670 votes, he called
for a recount, suggesting that new voting machines were to blame. Brien
backed down last week. Maybe it was the prospect of losing the $10,000
surety bond had the hand recount confirmed the result, almost a certainty.
Maybe he finally realized the damage he was causing to the credibility of
Polk elections, which have a pristine record. Brien, who's been in office
for five terms, was wrong to suggest otherwise.