Why do recounts even differ by one vote?

[lessthanjake]

There have been multiple recounts this year in a couple of minor election and 99% of them yielded different results than the first count.

Why is that? How can there be mess ups when counting votes? All votes should be counted 100% correctly. ANything different is ridiculous.

[Kolesar]

1. On equipment made by a company that sells to the banking industry!

such as Diebold. It should be like accounting. You cannot be "just close enough".

[IAMREALITY]

2. Have you ever had to take inventory?

If you have, you'll know that it is very common to come up with a different number every time. Now, that is of course oversimplifying the question, but it is the same kind of logic. There will generally always be an error here or there, and usually isn't of great concern and wouldn't change the outcome of an election. When it will, then the count is done for more carefully and rigorously therefore yielding even different results due to the increased attention and focus given.

That is of course under normal circumstances. In this election's case, it's cause there was FRAUD BABYYYY!!!!!

[JD Lau]

3. Very good question. I haven't been a part of a vote count,

or a recount. But yes, as relates to banking, you would surely think that nothing less than 100% correctness would not be acceptable. That's what we have to keep after! I think it has been this way because it appeared that nobody cared!

[Guava Jelly]

4. how about filing a election law that would require votes

be counted three times then average them all out..

[Starlight]

6. I disagree with "averaging" the counts

You wouldn't accept that with your bank account balance, would you? Of course not! You expect a 100% correct total every time. They need to come up with a fool proof system & hire competent, professional people to do these counts. Nothing less is acceptable.

[GrrrlRomeo]

5. Human error...

All fraud aside, hand recounts will always have human error. Optical-scan ballots fall victim to voters not completely filling in the circle, and punch cards fall victim to hanging chads.

We're a modern country. There's no reason why we can't have reliable electronic voting equipment. We trust ATMs with our money everyday. I've never had a machine spit out $40 when I select to withdraw $20. We even trade stocks online. I think we should just have one standard voting machine approved by all parties and the manufacturer of the machines should be barred from making campaign contributions or having any connection to either party. They should be required to print paper receipts of every ballot so the results can always be audited. And they should be audited randomly on a regular basis even when the vote isn't in question just to make sure everything is up to speed.

Seems like common sense to me...

[crispini]

7. I've had ATMs short me.

It only happened once, but it happended.