Fri
Aug 11 2006
10:40 am
Claiborne County Vote Mix-Up
By: Left Of The Dial

A discrepancy in vote tallies out of Claiborne County may take away the victory from Leif Jeffers over Martha Yoakum for the office of Public Defender in the 8th Judicial Circuit.

I just spoke to the election Commission in Claiborne County and they confirmed to me that there is indeed a 100-vote swing since last week's tally was announced. After canvassing last week's numbers, officials discovered Leif Jeffers got 88 LESS votes in one precinct than origianlly reported last Friday and Martha Yoakum received 12 MORE votes--a swing of 100 votes--which could hand the victory to Yoakum since Jeffers had previously been declared the winner by less than 90 votes.

Claiborne County offcials say it was human error that caused the discrepancy and that the new numbers will not be made offcial until Monday but they do not expect the tally to change again.

More as details become available....

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Chairman's picture

What human error could have

Submitted by Chairman (not verified) on Fri, 2006/08/11 - 2:18pm.

What human error could have made this kind of mistake? Why has it taken a week to discover or reveal it? Have they purchased the new e-slate machines? If so, did they use them?

Frank's picture

How could this happen?

Submitted by Frank (not verified) on Fri, 2006/08/11 - 4:20pm.

The people at the Claiborne Co. Election Commission said that while canvassing the tally in preperation for the vote to be certified they discovered the minus-88 votes for Jeffers and plus-12 votes for Yoakum and I was told that "...maybe somebody was using a calculator and didn't clear it properly when adding up totals. We feel this is simply human error."

Remember, Claiborne Co. was very late in releasing final numbers last week. I don't think they came out until almost noon last Friday. We knew there were problems there so having this pop up now is not all that surprising. Except to Mr. Jeffers, of course.

Stacey's picture

vote troubles

Submitted by Stacey (not verified) on Fri, 2006/08/11 - 5:25pm.

there are troubles in Anderson and other surrounding couties as well, some in Anderson may legally challenge, I think one guy lost by one vote. Stacey

Anonymous's picture

Jeffers to file complain in at least TWO COUNTIES

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2006/08/14 - 1:59pm.

A candidate who thought he won the race for 8th District Public Defender will file an official complaint over the counting of votes in Claiborne County.
Jeffers will also file an appeal in Union County, where he said 30 people in one district will file an affidavit saying they voted for Jeffers, who only received 6 votes in said district.
Sounds as if this might go on a while

Anonymous's picture

Yoakum Claims Irregularities In Scott County Polling; Request Ga

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 2006/10/04 - 6:27pm.

Huntsville, TN (2006-08-14) Eighth Judicial District Public Defender Elect Martha Yoakum has filed a Chancery Court lawsuit in Scott County claiming irregularities in the August 3, 2006 Scott County Election cost her votes. She has also asked the Chancellor to place a gag order on all persons involved in the case.

In the ongoing legal battle over the right to the Public Defender’s office, Martha Yoakum, who has been declared the winner of the August 3, 2006 election, has filed a lawsuit in Scott County Chancery Court against her former opponent, Leif Jeffers, along with Scott County Administrator of Elections Brenda Sexton and the entire Scott County Election Commission.

In her lawsuit, Yoakum claims irregularities with regard to the conduct of the election resulted in her not receiving credit for certain votes that were cast in her favor. Citing imminent danger of irreparable harm that the judicial system could be used as a vehicle for campaigning in the court of public opinion, Yoakum asked the court to restrain the parties involved in the action from making public comments regarding any issues pertaining to the case. She further petitioned the court to direct the Scott County Election Commission to immediately secure the voting machines, ballot boxes and all documentation associated with the election.

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