By Rupert Howell
A Friday canvassing of Supervisor District One votes and ballot boxes revealed that several absentee ballots’ envelopes had not been opened and therefore were not counted in the August 4 Democratic primary election.

Incumbent Vernice Avant was the apparent winner of the primary with 626 or 51.3 percent of the vote. William Pride received 472 of the votes cast or 36.7 percent and Roger Salter received 122 or 10 percent. With 1,220 votes counted, 12.2 votes would equal one percent.
Democrat Executive Committee member Willie King said he was aware of 17 uncounted absentee ballots found during the canvassing but was not aware of further findings. pride’s group estimated 30 to 50 ballots uncounted.

Attorney David Walker who serves as co-chair of the local Democrats said usually the matter is brought before the full committee and if that ruling is not satisfactory to the complaining party, it can be appealed to the Circuit Court in the Second Judicial District of Panola County.

Pride and advisor Roy Smith indicated that the uncounted absentee votes as well as other alleged discrepancies, taken as a whole, would show, “The will of the people was not met,” according to Smith.

The canvassing was requested by candidate Pride who said last Friday there were six or seven other issues besides the unopened absentee ballots.

Pride said Monday that letters have been sent to the Democratic Party, Mississippi Secretary of State and the Attorney General, asking them to look into the allegations.

If an agreeable settlement is not reached, the issue may then go to Circuit Court. Pride said that he expects a response within 10 days.

Present during the canvassing were candidate Pride with his advisor Smith, David Lavergne, Kenneth Johnson, Democratic Party representatives including chairman Lourine Robinson, Margaret Dean, King and Supervisor Avant and Panola County Circuit Clerk Melissa Meek-Phelps.

Meek-Phelps emphasized that it was the Panola County Democratic Party holding the primary election and not the Circuit Clerk’s office or the Panola County Election Commission. Election Commissioners are elected from supervisor districts and not formally connected with any political party.

Political parties have traditionally contracted with election commissioners to hold party primaries. Local Democrat officials decided this year to hold their own primary elections.

Election Commissioners are responsible for the General Election held each November when party nominees face each other as well as any independent candidates who have qualified to run for office. In the general election, a plurality is needed to win, not a majority as needed in party primary elections.