South Congaree Council Candidate Appeals Election Results
LEXINGTON, SC – Bobby Porter, former member of the South Congaree Town Council and recent candidate in the Municipal Election, has filed an appeal over alleged improprieties. Porter raised concerns of voting irregularities in last Tuesday’s poll, leading to him challenging the integrity of the election’s proceedings.
Local Restaurant Incident
Following the closure of polls, Porter and his wife visited a local restaurant where they were approached by several town citizens. They informed Porter that their respective polling machines did not include his name on the ballot. Furthermore, 11 voters were reportedly denied the right to vote as they were told that their homes did not sufficiently lie within the town’s boundaries to warrant their participation in the election.
Alleged Voting Discrepancies
Porter pointed out significant disparities among different polling machines in the vote count. While most machines recorded thin margins between the candidates, one specific machine showed a conspicuously larger margin. Porter expressed his doubts regarding this anomaly and the probability of such a large chunk of voters opposing his candidacy all using the same machine.
Election Appeal Protocol
The Lexington County Election and Voter Registration Commission is responsible for overseeing, providing equipment for, and tabulating the Municipal Election votes. Following the filing of an appeal, the commission is tasked with scheduling a hearing to decide on the appropriate course of action, given proof of election improprieties. Although instances of re-election are rare, a previous case in West Columbia saw voters return to the polls to cast new ballots.
“I’m not doing this for myself, I am doing it for the citizens of South Congaree,” Porter stated after filing his appeal. He added that the difference between candidates in most elections in the town is often less than 10 votes, demonstrating how potential vote-counting errors could significantly impact results.
In an effort to fortify his case, Porter has urged anyone who experienced difficulties in voting, such as his name not appearing on the ballot or being denied the right to vote, to contact him directly at 1-336-442-3339.
