Following a contest of election filed by two citizens, Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins made a Friday morning ruling to throw out 37 of the 50 absentee ballots submitted to Centreville during the recent election concerning the legal sale of alcohol. Following the removal of the ballots and a recount, the result of the wet/dry vote for the city, which was originally ruled “dry” by 5 votes, was overturned. Centreville has now been ruled “wet” by a margin of 8 votes, with certification pending this week.
Wiggins ruled that of the 50 absentee ballots which were submitted, 37 were delivered by a 3rd party, not by U.S. Mail or in person as required by Alabama Law. The City of Centreville looked at the evidence and has agreed with the plaintiffs that the 37 ballots were received or delivered improperly.
Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins ruled on Friday, June 11th, which were delivered improperly, should not be counted. Centreville City Attorney Michael Hobson monitored a recount of the remaining 13 votes later Friday afternoon.
Centreville City Clerk Stephanie Scott, Bibb County Probate Judge Jerry Pow, Bibb County Circuit Clerk Gayle Bearden, and Centreville Mayor Tom Bamberg were the public authorities on hand.
Absentee ballots are numbered when they are sent out, unlike walk-in ballots. When a ballot is delivered the number is entered. Thus, the city is able to determine by number which ballots were received improperly. Based on the corresponding number the ballots were tossed out.
Gayle Bearden specified, while she is hearing out in the community that these stricken ballots all came from the nursing home, the truth was contrary to the rumor. “Some did come from the nursing home, but not all,” explained Stephanie Scott.
Judge Pow and Stephanie Scott also specified that with each absentee ballot mailed out a yellow full size paper with bold type explaining the proper way to handle your ballot is included.
Scott even submitted one of these pages to be seen by those attending the recount. The instructions regarding how to properly submit the ballot are clearly displayed on this paper.
According to Hobson the city will now mail out a letter to each of those whose votes were stricken, detailing the reasons Judge Wiggins rules in favor of the plaintiffs and in agreement with the city’s own findings. Hobson also stated that these voters would have an opportunity to make their own complaints at a later day.
Mayor Tommy Bamberg remained neutral concerning his personal choice about the alcohol issue, but did comment about Friday’s results. "I am glad we have got a finality to this. Hopefully we can move on as the city plans to go forward," stated Bamberg.
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