Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Questions arise over Nevada County vote counting

What some Prescott residents are calling an error in how votes in the Nevada County primary election were counted could become a lawsuit, though election commissioners hope the problem can be resolved.

According to Nevada County Clerk Julie Oliver, the election boxes from the four Prescott city wards were not counted by city pollworkers. Oliver said she felt she was operating within the law that allows for split shifts among pollworkers. She said that when she checked in on the pollworkers at noon, they were tired and that shed called in a crew to count the votes so that workers could leave.

The complaint was brought against Oliver for allegedly having an elected official among those who counted votes. Oliver said her understanding of the law was that only elected officials who were on the ballot were prohibited from counting.

The Nevada County Election Commission met last week to discuss the matter. In a telephone interview Monday, Virginia Dillard said she doesnt believe Oliver had any intention of wrongdoing.

I dont think there was anything improper, said commissioner Tom Blevins.

Dillard said she has had conversations with the states election commission and that the next step would be to file a formal complaint. Unless that happens, the issue will be resolved with no action.

My own thought is that theyll just let it go, Blevins said.