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Godwin elections board dismisses protest alleging town clerk texted voters
Summary
The Godwin Board of Elections dismissed a protest by Dennis C. Smith Sr. that alleged town clerk Jackie Cooper texted voters on election day to favor incumbents; the board found insufficient evidence that voters were influenced and voted unanimously to dismiss the protest.
The Godwin Board of Elections dismissed a protest filed by candidate Dennis C. Smith Sr., concluding there was not substantial evidence that the town clerk’s actions on Nov. 4, 2025 swayed the outcome of the Town of Godwin commissioners race.
At the evidentiary hearing, Smith said witnesses had reported that town clerk Jacqueline “Jackie” Cooper texted voters during the election to endorse incumbents. Smith summarized his case in closing, saying the clerk “admitted to doing the text at work at approximately 10:20 in the morning when she got there.”
Witnesses who testified under oath included Mayor Willie Burnett, who described overhearing a phone exchange; Shirley Burnett, who said the clerk called a pro tem’s household while standing…
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