Just wanted to point out here that I've done some of the counting in Chitt. and the process set up by the VT Const. is really really good. There is absolutely no way to cheat or make mistakes. I hope the press will cover that aspect so that everyone understands that this Vermont recount was not Florida-esque and the winner should be considered the winner, with no legitimacy questions looming.
 

I did some counting too, in Washington County. The process is good. It has strong checks and balances. It's true that the big yellow paper ballots are awkward to handle and slow down the recount. The results thus far indicate that optical scanners are reliable in those communities that are large enough to support them.

Here are some suggestions:
* Use standard markers. Some pencil marks are faint and difficult to read.
* Reqire town clerks to use check marks on checklists. The City of Barre practice of highlighting absentee ballots in pink and in-person votes in yellow leads to stray and partial marking that may cause errors in adding up the total votes cast.
* Advise counters that they must be meticulously proper and avoid any action that might gave a misleading appearance of wrongdoing. Some Republican talliers ran into Randy Brock at Quiznos during the lunch break. They chatted with him. This was not against the rules. They did their duty correctly. But it might raise false alarms in a casual observor who saw them discuss the ongoing recount process with a candidate.
 

A mans gotta eat and Quiznos is
the happenin place!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Nardo makes a good point. Counters shouldn't be chatting about the recount with the candidate.
 

Candidates can do what they want.
It is legal.