Councilwoman Priscilla Leal wants a recount of Saturday’s election results and a state investigation into alleged voting problems in her district. Leal, who is seeking her fourth term as the District 3 representative, was forced into a runoff by three votes. She received 1,016 votes to challenger Roland Barrera’s 921 and Rose Marie Soto’s 99, according to complete, unofficial returns. Leal and Barrera will be in a runoff election June 11.
Leal met with City Secretary Armando Chapa late Monday afternoon to discuss her options and register complains about voting irregularities.
She complained that early voters at the Corpus Christi Council for the Deaf reported they cast votes for Leal, but the voting machine registered them as votes for Barrera on the confirmation screen, Precinct 94 voters were given mixed ballots with candidates from other districts outside the precinct boundaries, Precinct 80 moved from the former elementary school at 5040 Rockford Drive to a new school at 1102 Villarreal St. and voters were not redirected on election day; and Precinct 17 voters might have left because the polling spot opened late.
Chapa said Leal would have to pay an estimated $3,000 for a recount if she decides she wants one. He said there isn’t a way to trace who voted for which candidate.
Full Article: Priscilla Leal asks for recount, investigation after 3 votes force runoff » Corpus Christi Caller-Times.
