Madison County Board of Elections approves 24 supplemental absentee ballots and resolves 147 provisional applications; potential recount flagged

MADISON COUNTY — The Madison County Board of Elections met Nov. 14 in the Board of Elections conference room to process supplemental absentee and provisional ballots after the recent election. Chair Jerry Wallin opened the meeting at 3:00 p.m.; five board members, Director Jacob Ray and one member of the public attended.

The board approved 24 supplemental absentee ballots across nine precincts. Secretary Dyatt Smathers moved the precinct-by-precinct approvals, with most motions seconded by Chair Jerry Wallin; motions were recorded as unanimous. Approved supplemental absentee ballots were: Beech Glen (3), Hot Springs (1), Laurel (1), Mars Hill (7), North Marshall (5), Sandy Mush (1), South Marshall (1), Spring Creek (1) and Walnut (4).

The board reviewed a total of 147 provisional applications. The panel approved 34 provisional ballots and denied 113, voting by categories of provisional reason as recorded in the meeting minutes. Specific outcomes recorded by category included: 1 approved for “ID Not Provided — Exception — Natural Disaster,” 2 approved for “ID Not Provided — Exception — Reasonable Impediment,” 13 denied for “ID not provided — No exception form/return with ID,” 5 approved for “Incorrect Precinct,” 87 denied for “No Record of Registration,” 13 denied and 19 approved under “Previously Removed” (separate subsets recorded), 2 approved for “Unrecognized Address (Geocode Issue),” 1 approved for “Unreported Move,” and 4 approved for “Voter Already Voted.” All motions on provisional categories were recorded as carrying unanimously.

Director Jacob Ray told the board the canvass will include two voter challenges and provided an update that a potential recount is scheduled for Nov. 20. Before counting, board members verified the public starting counts: initially the Supplemental Absentee and Provisional DS200 tabulators read zero. At the close of counting, the board verified public counts of 24 on the Supplemental Absentee DS200 and 35 on the Provisional DS200. Voted ballots were sealed and secured; the DS200 tabulators were closed and the director imported and uploaded the supplemental and provisional results.

Member Debbie Ponder handled ballot duplication while Secretary Dyatt Smathers called contests for duplication purposes. There was no public comment. The board adjourned at 5:57 p.m. following a unanimous motion to adjourn.

The actions recorded at this meeting are procedural post-election matters required for final canvass and storage of ballots; the board noted a possible recount date and two voter challenges to be addressed in the canvass process.