GORDON, Ga. — Kelly Chatman is the election supervisor for Wilkinson County. She was surprised that the memory card for the Gordon election could only show an error message.
“I called the state. My liaison at the state and said my numbers aren’t adding up. She said ‘You have to do this again it’s not right. Your election is still incomplete," Chatman said.
The memory card from Gordon's election day sent an error message instead of numbers, making it look like no one went to the polls to cast their ballot.
"It’s like election day disappeared. It’s like wait a minute our numbers aren’t adding up," Chatman said.
This tape serves as a copy of the memory card. It shows 495 ballots were scanned. That’s how many ballots have to be hand-counted and rescanned before certification.
"We have state codes we have to go by. We have a state code that says we have to make sure our numbers are right before we certify. To not recount these ballots, to make sure my election is right and my numbers are right, I did the right thing of saying we need to recount," Chatman said.
It’s been six days since the election, but Chatman says it’s because this race is a close one.
"When you have this close of a race, you need to make sure you count and count to make sure it’s correct," Chatman said.
If she doesn’t double-check, it goes against her beliefs and puts her at risk of going to jail.
"That’s an injustice to state, to that city, and to my office, and that’s not something I’m willing to put my freedom on the line for," Chatman said.
Chatman said too many people don’t vote so she needs to protect the ones who do.
"One vote matters. Your vote needs to count. You need to be heard," Chatman said.
There will be a final recount Tuesday morning with the election staff and the Gordon candidates. The count will take place at the Wilkinson County Magistrate Court building at 10 a.m. This will finalize the Gordon election and all other elections in the county from last week.
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