BREAKING: Clerk challenges St. James election results Carol Bennett, Phelps County Clerk, officially filed a petition Aug. 12 with the circuit court to contest the results of Proposition A—the St. James library tax. The contest was expected. A clerical miscue led to at least 11 voters receiving the wrong ballot type during the Aug. 5 election. The measure passed by two votes 340-338, within the margin of contest, even without ballot irregularities. Since the petition has been filed, the measure is expected to be swiftly taken up. Missouri statute calls for expedition, Bennett said of the order which the petition would be received by the circuit court. Id like to have another election within 30 days of the courts final decision. The motivation for having the election as soon as possible rather than placing the issue on the November ballot, said Bennett, is because November election results would be too late to include on the 2014 tax bill, should the measure pass. Even a late September election might be pushing it, Bennett said. The city of St. James will not be charged to hold the election, however, it will cost county taxpayers about $800, Bennett said. The election will be held at minimal cost, Bennett said. We are talking about two precincts. City officials awaited a court summons Aug. 14, which was expected to be delivered by the Phelps County Sheriffs Department. City administrator Jeff Davis said that during a recent library board meeting, the group discussed getting supporters of the tax out to vote during the next election. They are looking into doing a public forum, Davis said. Mayor Dennis Wilson said there is broad community support for the local library, however, many of them live outside city limits, meaning they arent allowed to vote on the issue. There are a lot of people who use and support the library, but cant vote on the tax, Wilson said. including a large homeschool population, some of who volunteer there. One of the improvements proposed with newly generated library tax funds, would be updated curriculum materials and resources for the local homeschool population. Neither Davis nor Wilson could comment on whether the city would argue for the election results to stand as certified. Thats something we would need to discuss with our city attorney, Davis said. Aaron Hadlow leaderjournalnews@gmail
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 20:42:30 +0000