MULLENS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – An apparent recount request pushes the Mullens Municipal contest onward, with an official recount set to take place for the tightly contested race on Wednesday at Mullens City Hall Council Chambers.
Last week’s canvassing saw the mayoral race between Alan “Mater” Mills and Terri Lea Phillips Smith remain split by just one vote, while an additional vote attained by commission candidate Della Houck brought the contest for one of the available slots to a tie – more on that here.
While council was scheduled to reconvene on Thursday, June 23rd following certification of election results after 48 hours, a recount request has resulted in the sidelining of commission sessions until the conduction of said recount.
Notably, the election canvass, which was open to the public, had to be relocated to the Veterans Memorial Building to accommodate the number of citizens who chose to attend.
The recount allows for attendance from “a reasonable number of the general public” per West Virginia State Code. The recount announcement from the City of Mullens indicates that attendance in excess of 36 individuals will not be accommodated per the West Virginia Fire Marshall.
The City of Mullens has released a statement indicating several guidelines to which the session will strictly adhere in accordance with the West Virginia State Code, West Virginia State Fire Marshal, and Municipal Election Official Manual.
Doors will open at 5, and members of the public will be permitted to attend on a first come, first served basis.
There will be zero tolerance for phone usage, interjections, disruptions, and general distractions from the general public audience while proceedings are underway.
Members in attendance are to remain silent during proceedings, and no one is to leave the room as the recount is in progress. Those who leave will not be granted reentry.
The council and/or election officials are not to be addressed by anyone but affected candidates, and these guidelines will be outlined at the event.
Ballots will be shown by projector during the recount, and a livestream broadcast will be made available.
City and State Election Officials and appointed Recount Board Officials will be the only ones present who may handle election materials. This includes official paper ballots.
Law enforcement will be present at the session.
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage on the development of this story can be found here.