Election Commission sets new rules, procedures for future meetings

Election Commission sets new rules, procedures for future meetings

Board looks to curb chaos after rambunctious recall ‘ fiasco’

news@theeveningtimes.com

There won’t be any more name calling or accusations or chaos at future Crittenden County Election Commission meetings.

Following the rancor over a recount request by Kyle Watkins, who lost his quest for the Justice of the Peace 7 seat, commissioners passed a resolution requiring residents who wish to speak to sign in and limits the time they may have the floor.

“We’re not going to have a fiasco like we had,” said election commission chairwoman Dixie Carlson. “It was very disorderly. We were accused of fraud and cheating.”

Watkins edged out incumbent Ronnie Marconi 128127 in the March 1 election, but was forced into a runoff.

Marconi then defeated Watkins 74-52 in the runoff. Watkins request a recount saying he wanted assurance that the votes were all from Democrats who had turned out the first time as required in the runoff process.

The recount did not change the outcome, but Watkins complained that the ballot stubs were not present or available for inspection and also that only three poll workers worked the polling place instead of four.

Watkins filed a complaint with the state election commission but did not file it within seven days from when the commission certified the results. “They did file a complaint but it was not filed in a timely manner,” Carlson said.

Carlson said under the new rules, the commission agenda will be posted on the door. Individuals who request to address the commission must sign in and will have five minutes to speak.

“They will have to sit in their seats or where they are standing,” Carlson said. “And after the five minutes is up if they try to speak they will be ruled out of order.”

In other business, Carlson said the election commission discussed the possibility of having voting centers open for future elections.

Voting centers are polling places located throughout the county where anyone will be allowed to vote on election day regardless of where they are registered to vote.

“It’s like early voting where you can walk in and vote,” Carlson said. “It has to be OK’d by the Quorum Court and then sent to the state. So there is a procedure you have to follow first.”

By Mark Randall