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UPDATED: Commission To Review Findings In Recount Of Mitchell Mayoral Race Recount

Last updated on Friday, December 11, 2015

(BEDFORD) - The Mitchell Mayoral Race recount yielded no clear winner Thursday in Lawrence County Circuit Court.

Republican candidate Dan Terrell's attorney David M. Brooks appointed Samantha DeWester and independent candidate John "JD" England's attorney Dave Smith appointed Buddy Hall along with three members of the re-count commission - Democrat Phil Tincher, Republican Paul Ford and Voting Machine Mechanic Aaron Staggs to review the absentee ballots, the election process and registration lists.

According to Clerk Myron Rainey, now the commission will review any ballots deemed challengeable found during Thursday's recount. Officials should have certified results next week after the meet on Wednesday, 9 a.m. The commission will meet in Lawrence County Circuit Court.

If either party believes the commission made a mistake, they can ask the judge for an appeal of those results. If a special election takes place, it would include all four mayoral candidates -- Terrell, England, Democrat Eugene "Pud" Terrell and William H. Conley.

If there is a new election, current Mayor Gary Pruett would retain the office until another candidate was certified. If Pruett opts not to continue, the Democratic precinct committee members would convene to appoint a replacement until the special election is complete.

The recount is in response to Terrell's claim that some of those votes were cast by residents that did not live within the Mitchell city limits.

England defeated former Republican Mayor Dan Terrell 499-495. Democrat Eugene "Pud" Terrell received 229 votes with William H. "Bill the Truck Driver" Conley received 8 votes.

Terrell also claims a voting system malfunctioned, and that a deliberate act or series of actions occurred in one or all of the following precincts: Marion 1, Marion 2, Marion 3 and/or Marion 4.

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