QUITMAN —
Georgia election officials are looking into allegations of voter fraud following the results of the July 20 General Primary in Brooks County.
“All I can tell you is that we have an investigation open in Brooks County, but I can’t discuss the nature of the investigation, what it involves, or any details related to it,” said Matt Carrothers, spokesman for the Georgia secretary of state’s press office.
After numerous attempts, the Times finally made contact with Melba Lovett, county registrar, late Friday afternoon. Lovett said she had no comment and that the case has been turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
When the Times contacted Jo Ann Collins, Brooks County Probate Court judge, on Thursday, she said she had no comment on the issue right now.
Time staff received numerous phone calls, emails and rants from concerned citizens on Wednesday following the posting of unofficial election results in Brooks County. Each one pointed out that, prior to absentee votes being counted, the incumbents in three races were winning by a rather significant percentage.
After the county’s 979 absentee votes were counted, however, the incumbents all lost.
Brooks County
Board of Commissioners
District 3
Pre-Absentee Votes
• Claude Butler (I) had 65.04 percent or 240 votes
• Willie Cody had 34.96 percent or 129 votes
Post-Absentee Votes
• Claude Butler (I) had 34.1 percent or 266 votes
• Willie Cody had 65.9 percent or 514 votes
Brooks County
Board of Education At-Large
Pre-Absentee Votes
• Gary Rentz (I) had 63.3 percent or 1,090 votes
• Elizabeth Thomas had 36.7 percent or 632 votes
Post-Absentee Votes
• Gary Rentz (I) had 42.27 percent or 1,135 votes
• Elizabeth Thomas had 57.73 percent or 1,550 votes
Brooks County
Board of Education
District 4
Pre-Absentee Votes
• Myra Exum (I) had 61.72 percent or 266 votes
• Linda Troutman had 38.28 percent or 165 votes
Post-Absentee Votes
• Myra Exum (I) had 45.87 percent or 272 votes
• Linda Troutman had 54.13 percent or 321 votes
Big Story AM
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