Defends auditor

I am saddened and disheartened by a letter published in the Dec. 3 Gazette.

The writer accuses Auditor Sandy Jamison of fraud because she was not permitted to have actual oversight of the ballot-counting process.

I wasn’t there, so I am not in a position to confirm or contradict her assertion that she and other designated poll watchers were so treated. If so, there may have been some improprieties on the part of Ms. Jamison in not being more accommodating. On the other hand, perhaps her greater concern was the health of employees and watchers.

Given the circumstances, she had to make a hard choice and so made the decision she did. But the disheartening part of the letter is the repeated accusation of fraud in the counting process.

The mere fact that one cannot personally witness the counting does not equate to fraud. I don’t know Sandy Jamison personally, but I do know she is the duly elected county auditor, meaning she is a county resident and, until proven otherwise, is honest and of high integrity. She is one of us — a resident, friend, neighbor and family person.

By claiming fraud, the writer is accusing all Elections Office employees of so acting, and impugning their honesty and integrity.

To suggest there was some kind of conspiracy among the entire staff to skew the election results is indeed a regrettable claim.

I can understand the frustration and even anger, but it is a sad day when one can conclude that fraud was clearly being committed because she was unable to observe.

Ed McBride,

Colfax