Gainesboro Aldermen Election Certified Despite Questions Under State Law

State law requires an election to be certified despite potentially inaccurate ballots cast, as recommended by the state.

Julia Bruck is the Director of Communications at the Secretary of State’s office. She said by law, the Jackson County Election Commission had to certify the votes for Gainesboro Aldermen as they have been cast. Bruck said the election commission has no authority to change the results of an election.

Bruck said there is no way to identify the potentially erroneously cast ballots and remove them from the vote total since there is no identifying information about a voter on the ballot.

Bruck said if there is a question regarding the results or the election process, state law provides that the election may be contested in court by a candidate in the election. Certification must occur before a contest can be filed.