Madison County Board of Elections unanimously certifies Nov. 5, 2024 general election after sustaining two voter challenges

The Madison County Board of Elections voted unanimously on Nov. 15 to certify the results of the Nov. 5, 2024 general election after sustaining two voter challenges and ordering manual review of a small number of ballots.

The board, chaired by Jerry Wallin, approved a motion by Secretary Dyatt Smathers, seconded by Member Brian Ball, to certify the election results. The motion passed 5-0. Before certification the board sustained two voter challenges: one concerning Sadie English’s residential status and a second alleging that Ronald Shelton had a disqualifying felony conviction. The director and Senior Election Specialist Kathy Ray presented evidence supporting both challenges, and the board voted to sustain each challenge unanimously.

Under a separate motion (moved by Dyatt Smathers and seconded by Jerry Wallin), the board authorized retrieval of fifteen retrievable ballots for manual review, citing a failed verification process and the sustained challenges. The minutes state that the director, under board supervision, conducted required manual edits and reviews of ballots identified during the canvass.

Board staff also presented the final Block Style canvass report, voter-history reconciliation details, incident reports submitted by precinct officials and office staff (which the minutes state were addressed and resolved during the voting period), and the results of a bipartisan hand‑eye sample audit. The director provided the board with finalized canvass documents, including the county canvass abstract with notarial seal and signed precinct and contest reports, election-day and absentee abstracts, and supplemental absentee abstracts.

A motion by Member Brian Ball and seconded by Secretary Dyatt Smathers to adjourn passed unanimously, and the meeting closed at 3:15 p.m.

The minutes note that copies of incident reports and canvass documents are available via public records request.