Madison County Board of Elections verifies absentee ballot chain of custody, completes Second Primary tabulation

MADISON COUNTY, May 14, 2024

The Madison County Board of Elections convened May 14 in Marshall to verify the chain of custody for mailed absentee ballots and to tabulate ballots received and approved for the county's Second Primary election. Chair Jerry Wallin opened the session at 3:00 p.m. in Suite E, Room 16, 5707 US 25-70 Hwy, saying the purpose was to confirm custody procedures and complete ballot tabulation.

The board recessed at 3:45 p.m. and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. The minutes note that Member Lewis did not rejoin the evening session. Board members assisted with the tabulation of early voting machines beginning about 7:30 p.m.; staff worked to complete printing of the block-style results for the Second Primary before the meeting concluded.

Jacob Ray, director of elections, was present and listed in the minutes as part of the attendance. The minutes record one member of the public in attendance; no public comments or contested claims are noted in the official minutes.

A motion to adjourn was made by Secretary Dyatt Smathers and seconded by Member Brian Ball. The motion passed with four affirmative votes (Wallin, Smathers, Ball, Ponder); the meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

The minutes do not record additional debate, motions, or further votes on election challenges or certification at this session. The entry serves as the official record that the board verified chain-of-custody procedures and completed tabulation activities for the Second Primary on May 14.