The results of last Tuesday’s municipal elections in Coffee County will stand – unless candidates or citizens file legal challenges to individual voters.
Monday morning, Coffee County election officials conducted a hand audit of the results from last week’s election. The numbers the audit revealed match the election night results. The election featured some uncharacteristically close results, particularly in the Nicholls mayor’s race. Incumbent Tamon Frost defeated challenger Ronnie Burch by one vote, 159-158.
The elections office was not required to conduct a recount or an audit and no candidate requested either one. However, at a meeting Friday afternoon, the board approved the decision to conduct a hand audit of the results. The board opted for an audit instead of a recount so the election could be certified and sent to the Secretary of State’s office without delay. Had they performed a recount, officials would not have been able to certify the election until after it was done.
In the aftermath of this election, numerous allegations have been made regarding ineligible voters casting ballots. An audit (or recount, for that matter) would not identify any such issues. In order for those kinds of allegations to be investigated, citizens or candidates must file challenges to the voter/ballot, after which other legal procedures come into play. Thus far, no such challenges have been filed.
Here are the results from the major races on last Tuesday night’s ballot:
Public Service Commission District 2: Incumbent Republican Tim Echols defeated Alicia M. Johnson 1,579-1,362.
Public Service Commission District 3: Incumbent Republican Fitz Johnson defeated Peter Hubbard 1,616 to 1,319.
Douglas City Commissioner Ward 1: Incumbent Edwin Taylor defeated Sheila Carter Bivens 156-129
Nicholls City Council (top five): Darrick Bonaparte (163), Gloria Davis (138), Glynn Tanner (incumbent, 136), Beverly Holton (incumbent, 133), and Phillip Grady (incumbent, 131).
Nicholls Mayor: Incumbent Mayor Tamon Frost defeated Ronnie Burch 159-158.
Sunday alcohol sales referendum: Package sales — 1,732 yes to 1,254 no. By the drink sales – 1,713 yes to 1,295 no.