Sunday, May 19, 2013

Latest local news, weather, high school sports in the Rio Grande Valley

Hidalgo ISD searching for election answers
Posted: 11.16.2012 at 10:17 PM
Katie Lopez

Katie Lopez is a reporter for Action 4 News.

0
Slideshow
Photo:

Newly elected Hidalgo ISD school board members will have a to wait a bit longer to take their seats.

A mix up at the Hidalgo County elections office puts over 60 votes in question.

Hidalgo ISD Attorney Kevin O'Harlon he said while they're trying to get this fixed as soon as possible.

It could take some time to figure out what they're actually going to do.

O’Harlon blames redistricting for the mistake.

He said no one did this on purpose.

However, the board will have to figure out what to do about it.

And until the ballots are canvassed and verified, nothing can happen.

He said despite knowing some of those votes aren't eligible the canvassing authority cannot exclude votes per election code.

Once the votes are verified then parties from either side can file paperwork to contest the election.

A visiting state district judge will be called in and it'll be up to the judge to figure out the winner.

"If the judge can figure that out then they can simply declare a winner. If they judge cannot figure that out then they will have to order a new election,"

O' Harlon said a person cannot go to each person and ask them who they voted for because that would violate their privacy.

So the only other option is take those votes and simply throw them out.

O'Harlon points out that you only get one chance to challenge an election, so this could open a bag of worms.

He said other candidates from the school board race could also jump in and ask for the same thing.

So far, no paperwork has been filed.

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
86-year-old struck, killed by 86-year-old driver
Action 4 News Staff  |  2 hours, 38 minutes ago  |  7 comments
Thumbnail
Family pet mauled and killed by loose pit bulls
Veronica Gallegos  |  Yesterday at 11:55 PM  |  32 comments
Thumbnail
Man attacks woman with a cable box
Action 4 News Staff  |  Yesterday at 9:21 AM  |  15 comments
Follow Valley Central
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
Valley Football Central
LIVE video and audio streams of Rio Grande Valley high school football games.
RGV Diabetes Page
News, information and resources about the diabetes epidemic in the Rio Grande Valley.
Hurricane Page
Action 4 News has placed all our Hurricane Season videos, maps, stories and resources on one page.
Weather Sketchers
Hey kids! Submit your drawing for the Action 4 News "Weather Sketchers" program.
ADVERTISEMENT