April 9, 2001
TO: The Board of Canvassers
WE THE UNDERSIGNED, representatives of Shirley Brabender Mattox, request a hand recount of all ballots cast in the April 3, 2001 Oshkosh Common Council election. With only 1 vote separating the 4th and 5th place candidates in the election night tallies, we believe that a complete hand recount offers the fairest way to ensure the accuracy of the results.
To support our request, we refer you to an editorial in the Friday, April 6 edition of the Oshkosh Northwestern, which says in part: "Given the closeness of the election, we think it would be fitting that a hand recount take place to help ensure the final accuracy of the numbers. The time-consuming process is a small price to pay for the democratic process to prevail." A copy of the editorial is attached to this petition.
Additionally, the State Elections Board manual on recount procedures states, "Marksense tabulating equipment may be reprogrammed to count only votes cast for or against the office or referenda. The ballots may also be hand counted." (p. 16, emphasis added).
Respectfully submitted on this 9th day of April, 2001.
Tony Palmeri Dan Rylance Paulette Feld