To: William Brotherson who wrote (3078 ) 11/30/2000 1:47:03 PM From: Ellen Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 3887 > Under TX law, the chad must be loose by at least two corners otherwise "DON"T COUNT IT" < That is not correct.capitol.state.tx.us § 127.130. Manual Counting (a) Electronic system ballots that are not to be counted automatically and the write-in votes not counted at the polling places shall be counted manually at the central counting station. (b) If the automatic counting of electronic system ballots becomes impracticable for any reason, the manager may direct that the ballots be counted manually at the central counting station. (c) The procedure for manual counting is the same as that for regular paper ballots to the extent practicable. The manager is responsible for the manual counting of ballots at the central counting station. (d) Subject to Subsection (e), in any manual count conducted under this code, a vote on a ballot on which a voter indicates a vote by punching a hole in the ballot may not be counted unless: (1) at least two corners of the chad are detached; (2) light is visible through the hole; (3) an indentation on the chad from the stylus or other object is present and indicates a clearly ascertainable intent of the voter to vote; or (4) the chad reflects by other means a clearly ascertainable intent of the voter to vote. (e) Subsection (d) does not supersede any clearly ascertainable intent of the voter. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. > Also lets at least keep the record honest, he is blocking the votes that have only been counted twice!! < That is not correct. Ballots that the machines cannot read have not yet been counted - most notably those in Miami-Dade County. They have not yet been counted even once. These uncounted votes are being referred to as "undervotes."