Reply #7: MS: Commission addresses voter fraud concerns [View All]

Hattiesburg American

Originally published August 11, 2006
By Reuben Mees

The seven poll workers at each of the three voting precincts in the Aug. 29 special election will represent both a political and racial cross section of city residents, Hattiesburg Election Commission members said Thursday.

"We expect to have a diverse group," Ward 4 Commissioner George DeCoux said.

His comments came after a public hearing in which Scott Tyner and Clint Martin expressed concerns over issues they saw while working as poll watchers during the 2005 municipal elections.

The concerns came forward after the election commission re-formed in mid-July to prepare for the special election to fill the Ward 4 City Council seat.

Tyner, who was stationed at the Woodley precinct in 2005, complained of instances where he alleged black voters were turned away from the polls without being advised of their right to vote by affidavit ballot, while white voters in similar situations were given a regular ballot and allowed to vote.

Election law states that any voters who believe they are registered at a specific precinct can cast an affidavit ballot there and the election commission is responsible for determining within days of the election if the vote is valid.

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