After Tuesday night when Republican State Representative Eddie Smith received 154 more votes that his ineffective ultra liberal Democrat opponent Gloria Johnson, that wasn’t enough for Johnson. She and ultimately the TN Democrat Party hung their fingertips onto the 597 or so provisional ballots. There were 56 or so provisional id ballots and with those provisional id ballots those people have two business days to present their ids at the Election Commission office. By 4:30 pm on Thursday, six (6) individuals appeared and NONE of those six were in TN House District 13.
So, this morning the provisional counting board met, because Friday was Veterans day. There were 597 or so provisionals and after some significant effort it is determined that 86 provisional ballots in TN House District 13. If all provisional ballots are valid (which they likely are not) if they all voted for Gloria (which they likely did not) Smith still wins.
The six boxes still locked up since Tuesday night 11/8/2016 containing the provisional ballots.
Boxes on the table with the Provisional Counting Board in place and ready to work
Cliff Rodgers Elections Administrator of the swearing in the non partisan Provisional Counting Board
Mr. Rodgers giving instruction to the board as TN Democrat Party Chair Mary Mancini listens and observes.
The boxes are opened and contents are emptied onto the table.
the six padlocks that kept the six boxes locked since 11/8/2016 sit on a desk.
The Provisional Counting Board begins the work culling out the TN House District 13 provisional ballots
Knox County Election Commissioner Andrew Roberto was the only Election Commissioner of the five appointed Commissioners during the counting and he stayed the entire time.
Assistant Elections Administrator Chris Davis explaining the two provisional ballots and all the paper given to a provisional voter at the polling location when they cast a provisional ballot.
Mancini and two (assumed) democrat observers ask Cliff Rodgers to go back trough and double check all ballots in District 13 have been pulled. Rodgers agreed. Roberto observes the conversation.
Rodgers explains the process to WBIR TV.
Mancini and an Attorney (assumedly) representing the Democrat Party watch closely the ballot sorting process.
and there they are 86 Provisional ballots from TN House Dist. 13
