TWO KENTUCKY STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES MIGHT GO INTO OVERTIME: THE 23RD DISTRICT SENATE AND THE 26TH DISTRICT HOUSE CONTESTS
(From the Kentucky Democratic Party on the 23rd Senatorial District Race between Kathy Groob(D) and State Senator Jack Westwood(R). According to the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office, Senator Westwood won this race “ 21,057(51.0%) to 20,250 (49.0%) for Kathy Groob.)
Frankfort, November 14, 2008-Questions remain regarding election irregularities and the failure of the Kenton County Clerk and Secretary of State Trey Grayson to guarantee a fair election in the race for Senator in the 23rd District.
"It is certain that e-Slate voting machines did not operate correctly on Election Day and that the situation was not properly remedied," said Jennifer Moore, Chair, Kentucky Democratic Party. "And the Secretary of State's press releases notwithstanding, it is clear that he is incapable of ensuring fair elections in his own backyard."
Moore said the failure of the machines to properly record votes and the questionable allocation of absentee ballots are among the questions yet to be addressed by the County Clerk and Secretary of State.
"At this point, no one in the 23rd Senatorial District can be certain that their vote was counted," said Moore.
The Secretary of State's office is also incorrect regarding the deadline for filing for a recount, that deadline does not apply to General Assembly races. Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 120.185 and KRS 120.195 do not provide for a method of recount for candidates for the General Assembly.
"It's disturbing that that office would release incorrect information regarding a candidate's legal right to a recount," said Moore. "I recommend that the Secretary of State and his staff consult the Kentucky statutes on election recounts and contests before they give erroneous information to the press."
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Controversy also plagues the 26th District House Race between Colonel Mike Weaver (D) and State Rep. Tim Mark(R).
Mark Hebert reports that Jonathan Hurst (Colonel Weaver’s spokesperson) claims that the votes from the Pine Valley precinct of Hardin County were mishandled by election workers, after the voting machines malfunctioned.
Weaver plans to ask the KY House of Representatives to throw out the votes from this precinct. The KY House of Representatives and KY Supreme Court have the “final say” in all House races.
According to Mark Hebert, Colonel Weaver (who lost by 108 votes) would win if this precinct’s votes are nullified.
(For more on this controversy, click here: Weaver To Challenge All Votes In One Precinct, Hope It Turns Election )
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