Nickolaus Hines | Community Reporter and Jim Little | Community Writer

UPDATE: Dowdell outraged by city council election results, claiming voter fraud

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.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.