<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0ZJo5k_1Gqsc1Ha00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0ZJo5k_1Gqsc1Ha00" width="425" height="283" ></figure>Montgomery County residents are urging change to its election policies.On Nov. 3, voters went to the polls to cast their ballots in the midterm elections. Speaking to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, Red Oak’s Joey Norris, who was acquitted last month of an election misconduct charge, highlighted what he thought was an issue with the absentee ballot board.“Two years ago I stood here after I was removed against my will from our absentee board. I told you then that I was concerned about the rules not being followed and about the leadership of our auditor. Since then I was charged with a Class D felony for what happened on that board. A few weeks ago a jury of your constituents found me not guilty,” said Norris. “Some say that justice was served. I agree, but only in part. I was charged for asking questions. That should never have reached a courtroom and it can never be allowed to happen to anyone else. I’m not here to relitigate my case. I’m here because of what comes next.”With the election taking place less than a week from the supervisors meeting, Norris noted it was too late to make changes for this cycle; he urged change in the future.“I have wished Jill Ozuna nothing but success in running that election, but wishing success and demanding accountability are two very separate things. As willing as I was to accept the absurdity of what happened two years ago, I am unwilling to accept the planned absurdity of this most recent election,” commented Norris “It is my understanding that four of the same absentee board members were responsible for counting our ballots again. Two testified under oath that they had never read the rules in their lives. All of them resisted measures to protect ballot secrecy. That is business as usual, and business as usual is exactly what got us here.”Norris said that he was hopeful that required training would be provided to the absentee ballot board in the future.“Had that training happened in 2024 as the law requires, my questions would have been answered at the table, not in a courtroom. I come here as I did two years ago, because this board is the voice of the people of Montgomery County. You may not be able to remove an auditor, but you represent our best interests, and I have no doubt that the county would be better served by a different auditor. I ask you to look around this room and understand how serious this is. Following the business of this election, I expect accountability,” Norris stated.Dwayne Adams, the Republican nominee in the race for Fourth District Supervisor, also spoke during the meeting.“I wasn’t involved in all of this. I know you guys have a really tough job out there. I wasn’t deeply involved, and I know that you have to work with the people that you’ve got here. I don’t cast any stones towards anybody. I’ve heard both sides of the story, I’ve stood back in the shadows, and I know justice was served. That’s why we have a democratic system. That’s why it all played out the way it did,” said Adams.David Dimmitt also addressed the supervisors, saying there was a legacy, and there was a future.“You’ve got the legacy members of this political operation. Joey represents the future. Bring them together, let them share. Talk about what, in many’s opinion, may not have been being done appropriately in today’s environment, politically, specifically. These type of small elections in our own little community are under watch. So why bring the legacy and the future together to sit down and address what each brings to the table,” said Dimmitt.Carolyn Johnson, when speaking to the board, said things seemed very simple.“What is the correct way of doing things? Do it. If you don’t see it’s being done that way, ask questions. But we all need to do the correct thing,” commented Johnson.Maggie McQuown also spoke during the meeting and agreed that legacy includes the future of our town, the young people.“It’s hard to get young people to serve. When they’re willing to serve, we should welcome them. I think if someone’s been doing the job for 20 years and admits they’ve never read the rule book, it’s kind of a bad look to have those people continue,” McQuown stated. “Many of those people are aging out. I mean, it’s good to serve as long as you can, but it’s also good to have change and have fresh voices and fresh people serving. I’m sure there are other people willing to step up and serve in this county in the capacity of counting votes to make sure our votes are fair and clear and successful. I wish we had some change in the people on the absentee ballot board, and I’d like to see that in the future.”No other comments were made during the supervisors meeting.A full rundown of the midterm election results will be included in the Nov. 11 edition.</div></body>

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Montgomery County residents are urging change to its election policies. On Nov. 3, voters went to the polls to cast their ballots in the midterm elections. Speaking to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, Red Oak’s Joey Norris, who was acquitted last month of an election misconduct charge, highlighted what he thought was an issue with the absentee ballot board.

Norris urges post-election changes

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Montgomery County residents are urging change to its election policies. On Nov. 3, voters went to the polls to cast their ballots in the midterm elections.

Norris urges post-election changes

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