Councilmember Arthur Dowdell was defeated by challenger Clemon Byrd in the Auburn City Council election held Aug. 26.
Dowdell, who has served four terms on the council since 1994, only garnered 147 votes to Byrd's 246. Dowdell announced his intention to dispute the results.
"We are going to file a lawsuit against Clemon Byrd, because Clemon Byrd is not a representative of this district," Dowdell said. "Clemon Byrd has committed a crime, he signed his declaration, but he's not in this district."
Dowdell also said there was voter fraud. He claimed a woman named Ann Torbert was turned away because someone had already voted in her name.
Torbert, when reached by phone, claimed someone with the name Tarbert had voted in her place.
"The poll worker had scratched out my name and respelled it," Torbert said, "And there wasn't even a Tarbert anywhere else on the list."
Despite the irregularity Torbert said she was allowed to cast a vote.
David Dorton, director of public relations for Auburn, confirmed that a poll worker had crossed out the wrong name, but both voters were registered to vote.
After the vote was announced at city hall, a female Dowdell supporter confronted Byrd's wife and shouted at her. The supported was removed from city hall by police, and Dowdell left with her.
Byrd said he was not surprised by Dowdell's dispute of the election results.
"It won't be the first time," Byrd said referring to Dowdell's potential lawsuit. "If he wants to file another one, let him go ahead and file another one. The facts are going to remain the same."
Byrd said he was unaware of any voter fraud.
"I'd like to thank everyone for their support and I look forward to working with the students of Auburn," Byrd said. "I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and work hard for Ward 1."
The biggest win margin of the night came in Ward 5. Recently retired Wrights Mill Road Elementary principal Lynda Tremaine received 84 percent of the vote over incumbent Robin Kelley.
Kelley was running for his third term.
Tremaine has never served in politics before, but said she is confident she will make a smooth transition into office.
"I've got a lot to learn," Tremaine said. "I know I do."
Tremaine said she feels like she is a quick learner, and "like I've got my foot in the door with understanding how the city is run."
A total of 886 people turned out for the Ward 5 elections, which was a higher turnout than Carolyn Carr, voter inspector for Wards 5 and 6, expected. More than twice the amount of people voted in Ward 5 than any other wards with elections.
The closest election was between Beth Witten and Wendell McLain. Witten won with 55 percent of the vote.
"It was a roller coaster day," Witten said. "It was hot, it was breezy it was nerve racking. Moments of not sure who is voting for who. Just knowing that all of our hard work has paid off is fantastic."
While people were casting their ballots, McLain said the people of Ward 3 would be in good hands no matter who won.
"I think the Ward will be in good shape," McLain said after the results were announced. "Beth Witten will make a fine council person."
In Ward 6, incumbent Dick Phelan won with 62 percent of the vote against Brad Donnelly.
Although the election is over, disputes over Ward 1 will continue.
"We're not going to give up," Dowdell said. "We're going to file a lawsuit. We're not done with this election."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
