The Board of Canvassers met on November 4, 2004, at 8:45 a.m. at the Burnett County Government Center to canvas the votes cast at the November 2, 2004, Partisan Election based on the returns submitted by the municipalities.

Canvassers present: Helen Steffen, Betty Anderson, Barbara Johnson.

The following items were reviewed and discrepancies noted:

Ballot Bag: All ballots bags were correctly closed and signed.

Tally Sheets: All tally sheets were signed. Town of Blaine did not include last number on poll list on the tally sheets.

Inspectors Statements/Absentee Ballots: Town of Dewey: The envelope containing used certificate envelopes of absentee electors was returned unsealed and the affidavits were reviewed. Five of the Absentee Ballot envelopes mailed to the Clerk should have been rejected as they were not witnessed. They did, however, contain a signed notarization statement by the Town Clerk which was dated later than the date of the postmarks. As the date of notarization was after the date the envelopes were postmarked, it was concluded the notarization statement was false. The Town of Dewey enclosed a rejected ballot with the Inspectors Statement. All rejected ballots, except absentee ballots which are enclosed in their envelopes, are to be marked and enclosed in the sealed ballot bag.

Town of Lincoln Did not have a Certified Chief Inspector.

Town of Rusk Used and returned both the new Inspectors' Statement EB-104 (Rev. 7/20/04) and the old EB-104 Inspector's Statement of Defective and Challenged Ballots. Only the new Inspectors' Statement EB-104 (Rev. 7/20/04) should have been used as it replaced the old EB-104. School Districts may still be sending the old EB-104 and will be notified of the change.

Town of West Marshland The envelope containing used certificate envelopes of absentee electors was returned unsealed and the affidavits were reviewed. It was noted five of the absentee ballot envelopes should have been rejected. Two of the envelopes did not contain the signature of the elector. Three of the envelopes did not include signature/address of a witness.

The tabular and summary statements were completed and certified by the Board of Canvassers.

Helen Steffen
County Clerk