State Certifies Local Election Results

Results from the Cannon County general election have been certified by the state office and are official, according to Stan Dobson, administrator of elections for Cannon County.

The ballot for the Aug. 5 was extensive with 59 persons vying for various positions in the county's general election, 35 in the state election, two write-in candidates and two judges.

"We had a big ballot so everyone who worked the polls did a real good job and we were able to get through at a reasonable hour and get our results certified through the state office," Dobson said. "Of course, there were a few complaints and a problem or two with machines but we were able to get those solved quickly and move along."

Dobson said there were a variety of complaints, as is usually the case, ranging from citizens complaining about their wait to the way elections are conducted.

"We field a number of complaints from people venting and we give each complaint the attention it warrants to assure the concerns are addressed," Dobson said.

Hearing many such complaints were part of the August meeting of the Cannon County Election Commission, which also approved minutes from the previous two months and discussed the financial report.

Member Matt Studd made a motion that the commission frame specific questions for the state election commission in writing and ask that the response be in writing so that everyone is on the same page in regard to various issues. Studd said there appears to be a case of miscommunication or misinterpretation from time to time and having specific answers in writing could help alleviate some of the problems.

Dobson said there were three Cannon County citizens who attempted to vote more than once but the situation was caught and corrected each time.

"In two instances we believe the persons just made an honest mistake," Dobson said. "Through diligence were were able to figure out what had happened. There was a situation where a person attempted to change their name and address and vote again but diligence enabled us to catch them and correct that problem."

According to Dobson, supporters of a proposed distillery on Short Mountain have received enough signatures on their petition to be considered for a referendum in the Nov. 2 election.