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State: Baltimore election results decertified

By: Dakarai Turner

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The State Board of Elections has ordered Baltimore City’s primary election results decertified pending a “review and reconciliation of data for all precincts.”

City elections director Armstead Jones said the decertification review is due to "paperwork" issues.

The Baltimore City Board of Canvassers -- individuals who are responsible for counting provisional ballots -- will meet Thursday night to take action.

A letter sent to candidates Thursday by state elections administrator Linda Lamone said "discrepancies" are causing the investigation.

Lamone said Tuesday evening that 80 uncounted provisional ballots were found in a warehouse belonging to the Baltimore City Elections Board, which she said was reported to the state by city elections officials immediately.

However, once her office noticed that the number of voters who checked into polling locations on primary day did not match the number of individuals that voted.

Lamone explained that it is "not irregular" and happens, in certain cases, when a voter actually checks in at a polling location and may decide not to cast their vote.Though she said she cannot pinpoint exactly how many times that happened, she said it happened enough to cause her discomfort.

"What it says is our voices actually were heard," said Hassan Giordano, a voting advocate with the group Voters Organized for the Integrity of City Election, or VOICE. The group has publicly called for an investigation of the city's primary for weeks.

Lamone said the investigation is limited to the way records were kept during the elections, but added provisional ballots will be recounted.

Former mayor Sheila Dixon, who finished second behind State Sen. Catherine Pugh in the Democratic primary for the mayoral race, said she was "pleased" officials are scrutinizing the process.

" I am hopeful that state's review will provide answers to my questions about whether proper procedures were followed during this election," Dixon said in a statement.

Jones said he believed the winner of that race will be no different after the process. When reached by telephone, Pugh said she believed the same outcome would follow, as well.

Once the election is re-certified, candidates will have three days to challenge the results. Dixon's spokesperson said the candidate will examine whether or not to file a challenge once the results are re-certified.

The election is expected to be re-certified early next week, both Jones and Lamone said.

Meeting Notice – Baltimore City Board of Canvassers
please visit Facebook page: https://t.co/WnZCFUIqpq
— Balt. City Elections (@Bmore_Elections) May 12, 2016

Letter sent out to candidates today, notifying them that State Board of Elections is de-certifying city election pic.twitter.com/ToQzRUY1kO
— Dakarai Turner ABC2 (@Dakarai_Turner) May 12, 2016

Sheila Dixon spox says they are "pleased" this action being taken, believe they stand chance to earn more votes from provisional ballots
— Dakarai Turner ABC2 (@Dakarai_Turner) May 12, 2016

Asked if this means Dixon will challenge election results after previously saying they would not: wait and see
— Dakarai Turner ABC2 (@Dakarai_Turner) May 12, 2016

Meeting expected to be held tonight at 6 for elections officials to discuss next steps and begin process of working with state board
— Dakarai Turner ABC2 (@Dakarai_Turner) May 12, 2016

City elections director says de-certification review pertains to "paperwork" issues. Expects election to be re-certified early nxt wk.
— Dakarai Turner ABC2 (@Dakarai_Turner) May 12, 2016

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