Trio approved for Hattiesburg Election Commission
The Hattiesburg City Council unanimously approved a trio of nominations from Mayor Johnny DuPree late this afternoon to fill out the city’s five-person Election Commission.
Jesse Portis (Ward 1), Norris C. Clark (Ward 2) and Lillie J. Eason (Ward 5) will join newly-appointed commissioners Joe Kinnan (Ward 3) and Turner Jones (Ward 4). All five were appointed to four-year terms.
This afternoon’s action ended a standoff between the City Council and DuPree over the commission.
DuPree won re-election for a fourth time in June, defeating challenger Dave Ware by 37 votes. But Ware challenged the outcome in court, and during the trial, issues arose, particularly the handling of affidavit ballots.
A special election was ordered and will be held Sept. 24.
DuPree wanted to keep the five-person board from the June election, arguing that it had done nothing wrong.
Hattiesburg American
9/9/13
Magnolia Tribune
