A Court ruling upheld results from Senatobia’s Ward 3 primary election giving Allen “Vashon” Tanksley his third consecutive term in office.
A hearing took place Tuesday, May 27 at the Tate County Courthouse after Michael Cathey filed a complaint in circuit court contesting his 132-131 loss to incumbent Tanksley in the Ward 3 Democratic primary April 1.
A tribunal consisting of the four Tate County election commissioners listened to almost four hours of testimony from several witnesses Tuesday, May 27 before deciding to accept the results by a unanimous vote. The Mississippi Supreme Court appointed a special judge, Albert B. Smith III, to preside over the case in Tate County Circuit Court.
In his complaint in which Tanksley was named the defendant, Cathey claimed the Ward 3 ballot box had possibly been tampered with without approval by the Democratic Party Municipal Executive Committee.
Also, three absentee ballots which were rejected on election night by a majority of the Resolution Committee and not reflected in the final tally were called into question by the complaint. The Senatobia Resolution Committee is made up of two Democrats, two Republicans and a city appointed representative.
The complaint also claims Cathey was denied a timely opportunity to examine the ballot box and not allowed access additional paperwork outside the box that was used during the election process.
According to a Court order issued after the hearing, Cathey did conduct an examination of the ballot box and was rightfully denied access to other election paperwork. The Court also claims Cathey failed to provide any proof to substantiate his claim the ballot box was possibly tampered with.
The order states Cathey failed to meet a burden of proof regarding the three absentee ballots. The tribunal unanimously agreed the three absentee ballots were properly processed by the Resolution Committee.
Also, the tribunal found no fraud, malice, nor illegalities – including illegal votes – were entered into the election and the Resolution Committee did its required job absent of fraud or malice.
In summation the order states Cathey failed to meet his burden of proof on all allegations, and the Court and tribunal’s unanimous decision is to declare Tanksley the winner of the primary election as found by the Senatobia Election Commission.
