A Washington County, Tennessee mayoral candidate says he plans to contest the August 4 election he lost, but at this point it’s not clear under what grounds.
Independent James Reeves announced on Facebook, he plans to contest the election he lost to Washington County, Tennessee Mayor Joe Grandy by just 141 votes.
Reeves told News 5 he will not be available for an interview until at least Wednesday, but Reeves said he has not finalized his plans to contest.
He said he does not plan to call for a recount, saying it would be “useless.” When asked if he’s alleging fraud, Reeves told News 5 he “will have better information Wednesday” and is “waiting on facts not opinions.”
Chapter 17 of Tennessee election law controls contested elections. Neither state nor local election officials were available for an interview with us, instead directing us to state law.
The law says any contested race would be tried in chancery court.
Reeves would have up to five days after the certification to contest the results. That certification is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, at the county courthouse.
The trial would happen between 15 and 50 days after the complaint.
Voting machines can be admitted as evidence, but state law says the totals shown on the machine are deemed accurate unless there is evidence showing otherwise.
The judge can then issue one of several rulings: confirming the election, voiding the election, declaring a tie, or declaring a winner after rejecting votes deemed illegal. The final option has no recourse for the losing candidate.
If the court deems a contest malicious or frivolous, the person contesting has to pay all costs.
ETSU political science professor Frederick Gordon said contested elections rarely change the results, but he says the process helps build voter confidence.
“It’s important because it creates a greater level of legitimacy,” Gordon said. “I think that’s really what elections are all about.”