Leashore calls for manual vote recount

By Leesha Faulkner (Contact) | Selma Times-Journal

Published Thursday, September 4, 2008

Selma City Councilman Johnnie Leashore of Ward 6 wants a recount of the ballots cast in his ward.

In certified results, Leashore lost by eight votes to Benny L. Tucker, a former councilman.

But there’s a catch to Leashore’s petition for a recount. He wants all the ballots counted by hand.

“The hand count could be a more true and accurate figure than from the machine,” Leashore said at a city council workshop Thursday.

City attorney Jimmy Nunn said he had checked with the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office and the Alabama League of Municipalities on the issue of a hand count. There is no law authorizing a hand count where machines are used, Nunn said.

However, at the urging of Leashore and Councilwoman Bennie Ruth Crenshaw, Nunn agreed to ask the question again. He also will ask the secretary of state’s representative and the Municipal League officials if a machine count and a hand count might be considered.

That process raises several issues, said Councilman Cecil Williamson, including which method would be the authoritative one in the event the two totals proved different.

Nunn is expected to have his answers by noon today.

Leashore has yet to pay the $1,000 security fee required for a recount. He said he would pay the fee as soon as he finds out if the ballots may be hand-counted.

Leashore said he is uncertain he would continue with his petition if state and league officials wouldn’t allow a hand count of the votes.

“I’m perfectly prepared to go home,” Leashore said of his re-election bid. “I’m doing this for the people who voted for, supported me and wanted to see me on the city council.”

A recount is tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday.