Hinds County Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Claude McInnis is not allowing reporters in the committee’s meeting this evening on whether to certify the results from the Aug. 2 primary. McInnis turned away a Clarion-Ledger reporter at the door, saying news media would not be allowed. Asked why, he said, “because we have so desired it.”
The 18-member committee is facing criticism and scrutiny in the face of election-day snafus and a post-election ballot count fraught with problems. The committee is meeting at the Mississippi Immigrant Rights Alliance, 612 N. State St. in Jackson, to vote on certifying the results. Incumbent Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin will not address today as planned whether he’ll contest his loss to Tyrone Lewis in the Aug. 2 Democratic primary.
Final but uncertified numbers show Lewis narrowly avoiding a runoff with McMillin to capture the win.
McMillin had said Monday that he would make an announcement today. But Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jeffrey Scott said today “the sheriff will have no comment at this time.”
The tallies, derived after long hours spent by Hinds County Democratic Executive Committee members examining absentee, affidavit and paper ballots, also show that District 5 Supervisor and board president George Smith lost a close race against challenger Kenneth Stokes.
Full Article: Hinds Dems close vote certification meeting | The Clarion-Ledger | clarionledger.com.