BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – There‘s controversy brewing in the election for West Virginia’s 6th Senate District with exactly one week from election day.
The West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office tells WVVA that an issue was reported on Monday regarding early voting ballots in Mingo County. Jeff Disibbio, the democratic nominee from Mercer County was reportedly left off of nearly 700 early voting ballots in Mingo County.
This isn’t the first time Mingo County has had an election controversy. The May primary was challenged by State Senator Chandler Swope after losing the republican nomination to Mingo County Republican, Craig Hart.
Swope’s challenge outlined irregularities involving democrats voting in the GOP primary. The challenge contended that “Extraordinarily high republican turnout in some precincts was the product of some registered democrats voting in the republican primary.”
Swope wanted the results of those precincts excluded entirely, which would have changed the outcome of the election. He later dropped the challenge with one of the concessions for him dropping the challenge being that election workers in the county would be better trained on proper procedures to running elections.
Now Disibbio says he finds it hard to believe the two incidents are simple mistakes. He released a statement on the issue it can be read below.
“I was just informed yesterday that the Mingo County Clerk’s office has been using a general election ballot that did not include my name as the Democratic nominee for State Senate. Nearly 700 voters who have voted early were only given the option of voting for the Mingo County candidate for State Senate. During the primary election, Mingo County election officials reportedly allowed hundreds of illegal votes to be cast, which directly benefitted the Mingo County nominee, Craig Hart. This latest development will also directly benefit Mr. Hart. It is difficult to conclude that these two actions were simple mistakes. A more likely explanation is that there are Mingo County officials who are willing to do whatever it takes to deprive Mercer County of a State Senate seat and transfer that seat to Mingo County. I will be taking all necessary actions available to ensure we have a free and fair election for State Senate throughout all the counties of District 6, including Mingo County. I am taking this opportunity to encourage all Mercer County voters and all voters in District 6, regardless of party, to support my election for State Senate. We must take a stand to protect and maintain the cornerstone of our democracy, free and fair elections.”
According to the Mingo County Commission’s Facebook page, early voting was temporarily suspended on Monday but all issues have reportedly been resolved and early voting has re-opened.
WVVA did try and reach out to leaders by phone in Mingo County to try and learn more about the ballot issues but have yet to hear back.
An official from the West Virginia Secretary of State‘s Office says they haven’t been made aware of how many ballots were affected. The county prosecutor and clerk are supposed to be working on a remedy that will be presented to the county commission.
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