Computer stalls election results

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

Despite this year’s introduction of electronic voting machines meant to make vote tabulation easier, problems plagued the Caldwell County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office on Tuesday night, causing serious delays in the posting of Primary Election results.
“The parties had everything in on time,” said Tax Assessor-

Collector and election coordinator Mary Vicky Gonzales. “Most of the trouble was because we had a problem with the computer printing the correct results.”
Gonzales said that computer technicians were on the phone with the Secretary of State’s Office for much of the night trying to rectify the problems and announce the winners of the primary elections.
Finally, at 4:45 a.m. on Wednesday, candidates learned the feelings of the county.
Incumbent Caldwell County Judge H.T. Wright will remain in office for another term after defeating his opponent Larry Dean Stamps by a margin of less than 10 percent. Because no candidate for County Judge appeared on the Republican ballot, Wright will be unopposed in November’s election.
In the race for Caldwell County District Clerk, Tina Morgan secured the office by a wide margin over Amanda Mayers.
In other local races, Joe Roland will remain in office as County Commissioner for Precinct 4, while incumbent Charles Bullock won the right to face Republican candidate Milton Shaw for the office of County Commissioner, Precinct 2.
A one-vote difference separated candidates for Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace candidates Jackie Ramirez (I) and Mary Alice Llanas.
According to Gonzales, a decision had not yet been made at press time as to whether a recount would be requested in the race.
To see full results in the local races in Tuesday’s Primary Elections, see Page 7A of today’s Post-Register.