Updated on June 18, 2020 at 9:15 a.m.
The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has settled a yearlong debate over four provisional ballots in Harpers Ferry.
The state’s highest court voted unanimously on Monday for the Harpers Ferry Town Council to count four provisional ballots from last June’s municipal election. The council had thrown out those ballots over typographical errors.
The election was contested by two council candidates, Nancy Singleton Case and Deborah McGee. The Harpers Ferry Town Council consists of the mayor, recorder, and five members of council — all are elected to two-year terms.
In a news release, Secretary of State Mac Warner said he’s pleased the Supreme Court upheld state code that says technical errors shall be disregarded and the votes would be required to be counted.
In September, the current town council – two of whom could lose their seats depending on the four votes – issued a majority opinion rejecting the four provisional ballots.
It’s unclear if the votes will affect the outcome of the election once they are counted. The West Virginia Secretary of State’s office said in a statement to West Virginia Public Broadcasting that the Harpers Ferry Town Council would be required to count the votes at their next scheduled meeting or at a special meeting.
Regular monthly meetings of the Council are held at 7:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, according to the Council’s website.
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey also stood by the Supreme Court’s decision saying “technical errors should not be used to deny someone the right to vote.”
Details and a timeline of the contest can be found on Harpers Ferry’s website.