Wisconsin elections board offers opinion on inspectors

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin's elections board says election inspectors shouldn't count votes in races involving family or anyone who could benefit them financially.

State law doesn't disqualify inspectors from working an election involving family. The Government Accountability Board has historically advised clerks that they may want to avoid the appearance of a conflict by not scheduling the inspector to work at the polls during such an election.

Board staff recommended adopting a formal stance that inspectors should not participate on a board of canvassers in an election involving family or anyone who could benefit them financially. They noted inspectors working on canvassing boards often make judgment calls on the intent of voters who didn't clearly mark ballots that affect a race's outcome.

The board adopted the position on a unanimous vote Tuesday.