Using Our Hand Counting Content

Terms of Use for ReturntoHandCounting.com

Effective Date: July 2025
Website: ReturntoHandCounting.com
Owner: Linda Rantz

1.   Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using ReturntoHandCounting.com (the “Website”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use and the Copyright Notice available at ReturntoHandCounting.com/Copyright. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use the Website. The Owner, Linda Rantz, reserves the right to update these terms at any time, with changes effective upon posting. Continued use of the Website after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

2.   Scope of Use

The Website provides resources related to hand-counting elections, including a free PDF download of the eManual, Missouri Elections: Return to Hand Counting, downloadable forms, instructions, resources, and additional content such as text, images, and educational materials.

All content on the Website is protected by copyright as outlined in the Copyright Notice. You may access and view the Website content for personal, non-commercial use only. The PDF eManual and downloadable forms are password-protected to allow printing and reproduction but prohibit editing. Any other use, including reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission, or creation of derivative works, requires express written permission from Linda Rantz.

To request permission, please submit the Permission Request Form available at ReturntoHandCounting.com/Copyright or email Copyright@ReturntoHandCounting.com.

3.   Permission for Election Officials

Election officials may request permission to use the hand-counting process described in the eManual and on the Website at no charge for non-commercial election purposes. To request permission, please submit the Permission Request Form available at ReturntoHandCounting.com/Copyright or email Copyright@ReturntoHandCounting.com.

Permission will be granted in writing with specific conditions, including attribution to Linda Rantz, no alteration of the process or forms (including the distinctive ballot tallying form design with oval-style vote marking), and verification of compliance with local election regulations by a licensed attorney.

4.   Restrictions on Use

You agree NOT to:

  • Edit, alter, or create derivative works from the Website content, including the PDF eManual, downloadable forms and resources, or any text, images, or designs, without permission.

  • Remove or obscure copyright notices, including those on the eManual, forms, or Website content.

  • Use the content for commercial purposes without express written permission.

  • Attempt to bypass password protections or other security measures on the PDF or downloadable forms.

  • Misrepresent the Website content as your own work, including claiming the hand count forms or their distinctive oval-style design as original creations by altering headers or other elements.

5.   Intellectual Property

All content on the Website, including the eManual, forms, resources, text, images, and designs, is owned by Linda Rantz or licensed from third parties, as detailed in the Copyright Notice. The hand-counting process, commentary, and forms (including the distinctive ballot tallying form design with oval-style vote marking) are original works by Linda Rantz. Unauthorized use or reproduction violates copyright law and these Terms of Use.

6.   Not Legal Advice

The hand-counting process and commentary on the Website and in the eManual reflect a layperson’s interpretation of Missouri statutes and rules, by someone not qualified as a legal authority. This content is not offered as legal advice and should not replace advice from a licensed attorney. You are responsible for consulting a licensed attorney to ensure compliance with local election laws before applying these methods.

7.   Disclaimer of Liability

The Owner has made every effort to ensure the information on the Website and in the eManual was correct as of March 2025. However, she does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability for loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors, omissions, misuse of the Website or eManual content, or unauthorized alterations, whether resulting from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Use of the Website and its resources is at your own risk.

8.   Third-Party Links and Embedded Materials

The Website may contain links or embedded content to third-party websites for informational purposes. The Owner is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of these external sites. Accessing third-party links is at your own risk.

9.   Governing Law

These Terms of Use are governed by the laws of the State of Missouri, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any disputes arising from your use of the Website will be resolved in the state or federal courts of Missouri.

10.  Contact Information

For questions, permission requests, or concerns about these Terms of Use, please contact Linda Rantz at Copyright@ReturntoHandcounting.com, or complete the Permission Form at ReturntoHandCounting.com/Copyright.

 

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