Former Ward 5 candidate Marthalie Porter said she’s satisfied with the results of a March 1 election after examining the ballot boxes Monday morning.
Porter lost to newly sworn-in councilman Stephen Jones by six votes. Jones received 451 votes in the election. Porter received 445.
Porter requested a ballot box examination on March 4. At the time, she told The Dispatch that she did not believe the examination would change the election outcome, but wanted to be certain of the results.
“Because it was such a close race, I thought I don’t want to wonder in the future, ‘Well maybe I should have had the ballot box examination,'” Porter said. “It’s been done now. I’m satisfied and I’d like to congratulate Mr. Jones for winning.”
Porter said that through the examination, she discovered she actually received one more vote than previously thought. She also discovered Jones received three more votes than previously thought.
Porter said she and a campaign representative recounted the votes from the ballot boxes. She said they also reviewed affidavits and absentee ballots. Jones and election commissioners were also present during the examination.
With the examination complete, Porter said she may look into serving on a committee to continue being involved with city politics.
City officials would not allow members of the public or media to be present during the ballot box examination. City attorney Jeff Turnage told The Dispatch that the Secretary of State’s office advised the city that only candidates or their representatives and certain officials could be present.
The Secretary of State’s office declined comment Monday.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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