City finds concerns with ballots, board service not quite as billed
The process of early voting for the November 4 Municipal Election was scrutinized last week after comments during the Waycross City Commission’s planning and information session.
Barry Worley, a candidate for the District 2 seat on the commission, expressed concern with the way some voters were served by Ware County Board of Elections and Registration personnel in casting ballots. Speaking during the opening guest portion of meeting Monday, October 20, Worley said he had heard of instances of incorrect ballots being provided, people being turned away, and issues with the district boundaries for some who attempted to vote.
He said his issue was about “service,” and he was before the commission for better city oversight of the board of elections, “because integrity (of elections) already is challenged. ... Every election after 2011 has been a joke.”
The county board, which is contacted by the city to conduct its elect ions, responded Tuesday, October 21 with a statement addressing Worley’s concerns. Waycross City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford also spoke with board officials that day for clarification on the issues Worley raised, and reported his findings that night to the commission at its bimonthly meeting.
The board’s statement released by Carlos Nelson, Superintendent of Elections said: “The Ware County Board of Elections and Registration is aware of statements made during the City of Waycross work session concerning claims that a few city voters may have received incorrect ballots and were allegedly not offered provisional ballots or were turned away from voting.
Worley
Hargrove
“The elections office takes these concerns seriously and has reviewed each reported case,” said Nelson. “To date, six voters have questioned their city district assignment. Of those, only one voter was confirmed to have initially received the wrong city ballot style.”
Nelson said upon discovery of the wrong ballot, an immediate correction was made immediately, and the voter was given three options:
• wait approximately 30 minutes for the update to process in the voter registration system;
• return later to vote once the update is complete; or
• cast a provisional ballot. Nelson said the voter elected to later and successfully cast the correct ballot.
“Our poll workers are trained to instruct every voter to carefully review their touchscreen ballot before proceeding,” Nelson said. “When a voter raises a question, we pause the process, verify their registration and district assignment, and — if necessary — make corrections on the spot. That’s exactly how the system is designed to work.”
Nelson emphasized while the elections office strives for 100 percent accuracy, occasional voter assignment corrections are an expected part of election administration due to district boundary changes, address updates or even human error.
“The key is responding quickly and ensuring that no voter is disenfranchised,” he added.
In his report to the commission at Tuesday’s meeting, Rayford said he was satisfied with the way the issues were handled. He mentioned one of the misconceptions had surfaced when people living in the county came to vote in their same number district for the city.
“Voters, please ask for assistance if you have any question,” Rayford reminded.
Early voting began Tuesday, October 14 and continues through Friday, October 31 at the board of elections office, 408 Tebeau Street.
“The elections office recognizes that in today’s heightened political climate, some individuals may misrepresent facts without regard to the impact such misinformation has on public trust and voter confidence,” the statement added.
“Rest assured,” Nelson added, “the Ware County Elections Office remains fully committed to transparency, accuracy, and maintaining the integrity of the election process.”
Worley was one of four to address the commission at the work session. Michael Hargrove, a resident of Alice Street and the last of the group, was escorted from Commission Chambers, by City Hall security, shortly after his opening remarks.
Hargrove questioned the presence of Assistant City Attorney Huey Spearman, saying he didn’t deserve to be in the seat. Mayor Michael-Angelo James pointed to Hargrove that he was outside the rules of the meeting’s decorum.
When Hargrove continued his remarks, Rayford told the speaker he’d be removed unless he ended his comments. Hargrove held his wrists out as if he that was willing to be handcuffed to which Rayford called for the security officer to escort Hargrove from the podium and into the City Hall foyer.
“Your trying to quash one more thing to cover up your incompetence,” he said.
Nelson
