The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

May 15, 2009

Sophia election ballot deemed to be in error

By Jackie Ayres

The West Virginia secretary of state’s office has confirmed that the town of Sophia was using a general election voting ballot that contained errors.

The town printed a write-in candidate’s name under the recorder position, which is not allowed.

On Wednesday morning, the first day of early voting, The Register-Herald received complaints that the ballot had discrepancies.

After reviewing a sample ballot, the newspaper faxed a copy to Secretary of State Natalie Tennant’s office for review.

In turn, Tennant’s office notified Sophia town hall that election officials should put a sticker over incumbent Sherry Hatfield’s name — the individual named under the write-in recorder position.

The town was also advised to provide instructions for voters who may be confused or wish to write in a candidate name under the recorder position.

“You are not supposed to put the name of a write-in candidate on the ballot,” said Jake Glance, communications director for the secretary of state’s office.

“The ballot had errors and the election commissioners worked very diligently to fix those errors.”

Glance says Sophia town hall will act as the board of canvassers to decide whether ballots cast without correction stickers will be counted.

Messages left at town hall Friday were not returned. Sophia resident Phyllis Rose, however, contacted The Register-Herald in defense of the town.

Rose said it’s important the public knows the “mayor and city hall had absolutely nothing to do with the election” ballot errors. She says other agencies approved the ballot.

“Everything was approved by the state and the county,” Rose said. “The mayor has nothing to do with the election.”

Anyone who wants to file a complaint with the secretary of state’s office regarding the election can do so at www.wv sos.com. An election complaint PDF form is located on the bottom of the Web page.

— E-mail: jayres@register-herald.com

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