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Houston County Democrats accuse Charlie Bibb of breaking election rules

They accuse him of wearing a campaign T-shirt inside the Mossy Creek Middle School polling place.

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Houston County Democrats claim that Warner Robins councilman Charlie Bibb violated election rules this week.

He ran for re-election against challenger L. Ellis Carter for the city-wide Post 2 seat and, after results came in Tuesday, it showed Bibb leading by three votes. On Friday, the race still undecided.

The Houston County Democratic Party sent out photos that they say show Bibb inside the polling place at the Mossy Creek Middle School on Tuesday.

In their news release, the Houston Democratic Chair Kristen Kiefer also alleged Bibb wore a campaign t-shirt as he chatted with poll workers.

If confirmed, Bibb would have violated two state election rules.

By state law, candidates can't be inside a polling place while voting is underway unless they’re there to vote.

Credit: Houston County Democrats
According to the Houston County Democrats, they say this photo shows Charlie Bibb inside a polling place. He denies that it is him.

And nobody – including candidates – can wear campaign T-shirts or hats within 150 feet of the polls.

13WMAZ reached Bibb by phone. He denied that he was at Mossy Creek on Tuesday and then referred questions to his attorney, but he declined to name the attorney.

The Democrats are also criticizing poll workers for failing to act that night.

They say the County Board of Elections is scheduled to discuss their complaint on Tuesday.

The Georgia Secretary of States' Office said they wouldn't comment on the matter until it came to them as a formal complaint.

At the end of Tuesday night, Bibb had won by only three votes but there were four provisional ballots outstanding. Those are ballots for people who show up to a polling place and there are questions about whether a voter is eligible.

They can let them cast a ballot, which is held until they are able to verify whether or not the voter is actually eligible to vote.

 Also, with the razer thin margin in the race, Carter can legally call for a recount. 

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