Deedee Williams for West Point

The grossly inadequate investigation of the 2015 West Point Mayoral Election irregularities was closed on September 20, 2017 with the approval of a consent order by the State Board of Elections.

The city entered into the consent order on April 10, 2017 in lieu of an evidentiary hearing and will pay an $800.00 civil penalty to the State Election Board. The respondents desire this case be resolved in its entirety in order to avoid further litigation and acknowledge that there is evidence of a prima facie case supporting the complaint alleging election irregularities.  The order was signed by Steve Tramell, West Point Mayor Pro Tem, Richard McCoy, West Point City Clerk, and Danny Curtis, West Point Poll Manager.  

The following complaints were filed:
 
1. Two machines were put into "end election” status before the election closed without filing an Intent to Tabulate Early. This was done at 12:33 p.m. and 12:37 p.m. on election day by someone other than the Manager and Assistant Managers.

2. One tape was not posted on the outside door after the election. This was the tampered tape that won the election for Drew Ferguson. That same tape is not signed.

3. Provisional ballots were issued but not posted on the door after the election nor were they listed on the Election Summary Sheet.

A copy of the tampered tape was emailed to the investigator in January 2016 and confirmed as received, but was over looked as evidence in this case and NO penalty was charged. This tape wasn’t posted on the door after the election, but the votes on the tape, WON THE ELECTION.

The city’s position continues to be that there was no wrong doing in this election and none of the findings impacted the outcome of the election.  The use of the tampered tape to substantiate the 26 votes that won the election for Drew Ferguson, definitely impacted the outcome of the election.  Without those votes He would not have won the election.

The following information is provided for your review in order for you to decide.  You can see for yourself that the election was tied before the votes from the tampered tape were added.   “Should the votes on that tape have WON THE ELECTION”?