Ballot Stuffing Allegations in South Bend
A heated challenge to the results of a Pacific County election alleges voter fraud and negligence after poll workers allegedly slept through the count.
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Pacific County is facing multiple post-election contests. Phil D. Barney, the present auditor, filed a contest against Demot M. Smith, who was slated to succeed him. Barney alleges that his opponent hired men to vote for him and that there were significant irregularities in the Nesia, Lebam, and South Bend precincts. In South Bend, it was alleged that the election judges went to sleep before the counting of ballots was completed, providing an opportunity for the ballot box to be stuffed. The election judges admitted they desisted from their labors for rest but claimed at least one was always watching. The county seat’s location hinges on these irregularities.
“In the South Bend precinct, the judges of election had gone to sleep before the counting of ballots was completed.”
Election integrity and the security of the ballot have been persistent civic concerns in Washington State since its territorial days. This account of 'sleeping on the job' during a count echoes historical anxieties about the vulnerability of local voting infrastructure.
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