BROOMFIELD – Critics railed against election errors – and lack of transparency – at the Broomfield City Council meeting Tuesday night before the counselors met privately in an executive session to seek legal advice from County Attorney Bill Tuthill. Tuthill advised election officials this week to essentially ignore election irregularities because the previous vote tallies were certified, and to implement rules and restrictions on providing documentation requested by authorized poll watchers. “The transparency in the election has been hot and cold,” said Harvie Branscomb, an authorized watcher to ensure the integrity of the election. “When the county attorney (Tuthill) gets involved, the process slows down dramatically.” The impediment to review records, Harvie told the city council during public comment, limits the ability of watchers to evaluate information and potentially reconcile discrepancies before the second recount slated to begin Dec. 2. Of great concern is that the number of ballot count irregularities exceeds the slim margin of votes for and against Question 300, a controversial initiative to ban hydraulic fracturing for a five-year period in Broomfield. The measure failed by 13 votes on Nov. 5, but then passed by 17 votes when overseas and provisional ballots were added later. Both tallies [...]