To Address the Ethics of the School Levy Voting Process

Shari Johnson, Publisher

Contrary to what random social media posts are saying, in all fairness and ethics the Calhoun County School Levy passed.

To every voter, please ask yourself this question, “At what point do we want America to stop being America?” The electoral system, while not perfect is the best we have. And it is up to the American people to make sure it is ran ethically and transparently.

Following the antics of the 2020 election, Americans were on guard this election to make sure the voting was done as unencumbered as possible by outside interferences. Nationally, we have to allow each State to take care of their own, each community to take care of their own. Which I personally believe Calhoun County officials did.

Why do I believe that? Because I was a part of the process. I attended meetings, I attended the election night event, I know those that were present (and there were several) at the canvassing and at the recount. That’s called transparency. That’s why Ridgeview News has worked hard, along with many others, to bring government transparency to the people of the County, so that citizens are aware of what’s happening and why.

In a statement by Commissioner Roger Propst, “The original count of the School Levy was five more votes against than for. The provisional ballots could not be counted until the canvassing of ballots which occurred five days after the general election. The Election Commissioner accepted five of the provisional ballots. When opened and counted, four of the five had “for” votes, immediately reducing the five to one. An example of what was found is one regular ballot was that a voter had placed a checkmark in the bubble, rather than darkening the whole bubble. The computer did not pick up the yes vote because of the checkmark did not cover the whole bubble. All three commissioners looked at the ballot, determined it was the clear intent of the voter to vote for the levy, and approved adding that vote to the total “for” votes.”

When the recount occurred, a day long process of reading and hand county each vote, it was determined that the Levy had passed by one vote. That one vote belongs to one of the citizens of Calhoun County, as well as all 2,723 individuals who cast their vote for or against. Everyone registered to vote had the opportunity to make their feelings known. To deny the result of the process and to make accusatory statements may be a right as a citizen, but it’s not what’s best for the community. It tears at the very fabric of what makes America great, the freedom to vote.

I encourage everyone, whether or not you agree with the election results; to accept the results and be happy that our children will receive some much needed attention through programming and additional opportunities. These children are our future, the investment we make in them will always be worth it.