New Madrid Ward 2 voters may return to the polls

NEW MADRID, Mo. - It will be up to a candidate in New Madrid's Ward 2 on whether to seek a new election after irregularities were discovered during voting April 4.

New Madrid County's municipal election returns were certified Tuesday and County Clerk Clement Cravens said that Russell Riggs, who lost the election for alderman in New Madrid County Ward 2 by 18 votes, has 30 days from the date of certification to submit a petition to the court seeking a hearing.

According to Cravens, in a combined polling places for voters from New Madrid Ward 2, New Madrid 4 and New Madrid 5, there were 19 rural voters who received Ward 2 ballots before the error was discovered and corrected. The ballots included the race for New Madrid Ward 2 alderman between incumbent Riggs and challengers Nick White and John Garner. The official vote tally gave the race to White who polled 113 votes compared to 95 for Riggs and 36 for Garner.

Cravens explained because White won by 18 votes, which was less than the 19-vote margin of error, Riggs can contest the election.

If contested, the court will set a date for the hearing to discuss the irregularities. Cravens said if the judge rules for a new election, state statutes and the required publication dates for an election are considered in setting the election date.