Recount In Trinity County Stopped With Restraining Order

This is a recount—and a race, in fact—that I am totally unfamiliar with.

But, it seems as though, after being declared winner of the Democratic Primary race for County Judge in Trinity County, incumbent Mark Evans blocked his opponent’s request for a hand recount with a restraining order. Via Lufkin’s KTRE:

His opponent, Jimmie Thorton wants a recount, but Judge Evans filed a petition to block the recount. “I have a little bit of a concern about a hand recount. I don’t understand. We went away from hand counts for a reason because you introduce elements of human error into the recount, ” says Judge Evans.

Fredie Chapman is the Trinity County Democratic Chair. He was to administer the recount but was served with a restraining order, stopping him from administering the count hours before it was supposed to happen. “I can understand the gentleman who lost the race by such a small margin wanting a recount but I don’t comprehend the factor of an individual who won the race is trying to make sure this isn’t verified,” says Chapman.

“I’m fully confident in those boxes locked up in the clerks office I have the winning number of votes,” says Judge Evans.

There’s more to the story, though. Evidently Chapman signed on as a recount representative for the opponent of the incumbent Judge, but later decided not to do that:

“I am a public servant. I am elected to this position. My main goal is to see that every vote is counted that is a proper vote and also to see that this election process goes forward,” says Chapman.

Evans and Chapman agree they want what’s best for the Trinity county and would like the issue resolved. Mr. Thorton did not return our phone calls. Folks in Trinity county say it’s going to take the courts to work out this political mess.

For now Evans will keep his job. Chapman has stepped down as supervisor of the recount committee.

Assuming Trinity County was using optical scan ballots, I’d have to say that a 13-vote margin of victory may be just about within the range of a number which can actually be changed up or down by a recount.

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