Attorney finds problems with sheriff vote

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Sept. 9, 2003
The attorney for Kemper County sheriff candidate Johnny Harpole said Monday it appears some people may have voted in the Aug. 26 Democratic runoff who shouldn't have.
Bill Ready Jr. said he is going through information gathered Thursday, Friday and Monday during a review of the county's precinct ballot boxes. Harpole lost to incumbent Sheriff Samuel Tisdale by 45 votes.
Asked if it appeared that some people had voted who shouldn't have, Ready said yes. However, Ready would not offer any specific details on possible problems with the ballots.
Harpole declined to comment and referred all questions to Ready.
Tisdale did not return phone calls.
In the Democratic runoff, Tisdale received 2,188 votes, or 51 percent, while Harpole received 2,143 votes, or 49 percent.
If that vote stands and Tisdale is declared the Democratic nominee, Tisdale would face independent candidates Rusty Calvert, Ronnie Rankin, and Glen Williams in the Nov. 4 general election.
Kemper County Circuit Clerk Roma Allen said that Harpole and his attorney have until Sept. 15 to bring any problems they discover before the Democratic Executive Committee for review.
Ready said it may take the whole week for him to assimilate the information.