The number of challenged ballots cast in Harrison County at Tuesday's election is twice the number usually cast, according to County Clerk Sylvia Basile.
County commissioners will spend Monday considering the 623 challenged ballots collected. Normally the number of challenge ballots is between 200 and 300, Basile said.
"We always have challenged ballots, but this is the most we've had that I can remember," Basile said.
The large number is due to people who have moved within the county from precinct to precinct, she said.
"As a rule people change their addresses here before the election, but this year people didn't get real interested in the voting until the last minute," Basile said. "They went to their new precinct and were able to vote there."
Also adding to the increased number is that more people voted because it was a presidential election, she said.
The large number of challenge ballots won't have an effect on the outcome of any of the races, Basile said.
Commissioners will consider each of the ballots and check to see if the person is registered, she added. After the consideration, the ballots will be placed in the ballot box and taken to the scanner to be totaled and added to the other votes.
The canvassing begins on Monday and commissioners will randomly choose five precincts to pull ballots from and do a hand count to be sure the number matches the totals the scanner gave.
The commissioners will also count the absentee ballots. Once the numbers are finalized, they will be sent to Charleston to the Secretary of States office, Basile said.
Staff writer Jennifer Biller can be reached at 626-1449 or jbiller@exponent-telegram.com.
