Temps Begin Drudgery of Vote Recount

Sometimes democracy is glorious. Sometimes it’s the temp job from hell.

Sixteen temporary Los Angeles County workers got a taste of the more grueling side of the republic’s workings on Monday as they began recounting by hand each and every ballot cast in the 20th District primary race for state Senate.

The Democratic nomination in this race, awarded by a slim 29-vote margin to City Councilman Richard Alarcon, has been challenged by his closest opponent, Richard Katz. Katz requested the recount, and is paying for its cost, hoping to pick up 30 errors in the earlier count. But instead, Alarcon picked up one vote in Monday’s tallying.

Accordingly, the temps settled around tables under the fluorescent lights of the Los Angeles County Registar-Recorder’s office.

Eyes fixed, lips pressed together, the $7- to $8-an-hour workers sat in groups of four--like poker players, dealt out ballots and began the rhythmic drudge work required to do the people’s will.

One worker held each ballot against a piece of black velvet cloth, turned it over and read the punch-hole number aloud. The other three checked the reading, scratched hatchmarks on paper, and changed numbers.

Leaning over them, volunteers from the competing campaigns squinted at every tiny punch-hole, and scratched notes on pads of paper.