NH Chain of Custody: Section 660:5 Conduct of Recount.

[Junkdrawer]

If directed by the secretary of state, the state police shall collect all ballots requested from the town or city clerks having custody of them and shall deliver them to the public facility designated by the secretary of state. At the time and place so appointed, the ballots cast for such office shall be counted by the secretary of state and such assistants as the secretary of state may require. When counting the ballots, the secretary of state or his or her assistants shall visually inspect each ballot. No mechanical, optical, or electronic device shall be used for the counting of ballots. The candidates, their counsel, and assistants shall have the right to inspect the ballots and participate in the recount under such suitable rules as the secretary of state may adopt. Each candidate or his or her counsel shall have the right to protest the counting of or failure to count any ballot. The secretary of state shall thereupon rule on said ballot and shall attach thereto a memorandum stating such ruling and the name of the candidate making the protest. If, at any time during the counting of the ballots, a discrepancy appears in any ballot for any reason, the secretary of state shall suspend the recount until the discrepancy is resolved, at which time the secretary of state shall continue the recount. In no event shall a discrepancy result in a second recount for the same candidate, as provided in RSA 660:3.

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/RSA/html/LXIII/660/660-5.htm

So, currently, the ballots are spread all over the state in the offices of town or city clerks. Just before the recount, state police collects them and transports them to a central location.

[K Gardner]

1. This doesn't sound reassuring, BUT, seems like a poster here from NH indicates

that there is a very active group involved, so hopefully no hanky panky. Also, I'm wondering this and it may be a stupid question. Are reps from Diebold on-hand during the election and do they ever get their hands on the ballots.

I'm not paranoid, I swear.. just askin' :hi: :hi:

[davidwparker]

3. Diebold should not be there, from what I read. The ballots and media

are property of the state. It sounds like the campaigns can send representatives, but it is the officials who do the counting. It sounds legit to me. Good.

[Junkdrawer]

4. Well, there are 4 opportunities:

1.) Before the town clerks gets them

2.) While the town clerks has them

3.) During transportation

4.) During the recount


With so much at stake, my guess is that if they are to be swapped, they'll be swapped early.

[99th_Monkey]

2. This will cost someone $80,000 for recount to proceed. Sounds like a lot,

except if you consider it's the cost of insuring election integrity, a shot across the bow to vote-riggers everywhere, that
it will not be ignored or tolerated any longer.. then it seems like a real bargin.

[seemslikeadream]

5. Didn't some ballot info get lost in the mail in California?