Missing ballots counted, but questions remain
By Bob Weaver
The Clay County Commission counted 41 missing ballots yesterday during a face-count of the 37th Precinct, increasing candidate David Walker's lead.
Still, the process continued to raise more questions after the early ballots from Walker's home precinct were counted.
Contested is the race for the 33rd Delegate District between Calhoun's Ron Blankenship and Clay's David Walker. Until yesterday Walker was leading Blankenship by 12 votes.
Walker gained an additional 35 early-ballot votes, following the counting of 41 paper ballots found to be missing after Clay's official canvass.
Blankenship gained five votes during yesterday's hand-count.
"I'm very confused about the process, what went wrong, and the numbers still don't add up," he said.
An official recount of the 33rd District race commences Friday in Clay and Gilmer counties.
MISSING BALLOT PROBLEMS
The 41 missing ballots were not discovered during the county's official canvass, but apparently came to light sometime during the 48-hour wait period for certification.
Because of the problems, Clay will be unable to certify the election until the recount is complete.
Clay Commissioner Fran King said "The ballots (41) went through the machine but they did not count," which caused Calhoun County Clerk Richard Kirby to request the ballots be put through the Optical Scanning Counter again.
The commission and Clerk Connie Workman declined.
Kirby indicated he thought that it would be a good move to clear up whether the machine was or was not working properly.
Kirby also questioned the security of the early voting ballot box, saying it was not double locked with keys held by the Clerk and Commission President, required by code.
Clay Commissioner Jerry Linkenogger said the boxes were secured in a locked safe or room.
During the exchange between Kirby, Linkenogger said "You'll have to debate the logistics somewhere else."
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