Election is Contested; RaceBias Alleged

Martha S. “Mollie” Pompey, sitting Monticello City Councilwoman and candidate for mayor pro-tem, is challenging the results of the run-off election held Tuesday, Dec. 6, between herself and Bobby Jacobs.

Mrs. Pompey claims that several voters were not allowed to vote in the election based upon their race. In her complaint, Mrs. Pompey names five potential voters who say they were not allowed to vote.

Mrs. Pompey lost the election, 263-260 after a recount. Originally it was reported she lost by four votes, 263-259. The final, 263-260 was certified by elections superintendent Linda Mock-Keller.

Mrs. Pompey names her opponent Bobby Jacobs, Mrs. Mock-Keller and Chief Registrar Carole Norris in her complaint.

Mrs. Pompey is seeking a new election.

Monticello Mayor Glenn Newsome and Mayor-elect Bryan Standifer met in closed session with the city attorney, Joe Reitman, after the regular meeting Tuesday to discuss “pending litigation.”

Mr. Jacobs and Mrs. Pompey were not allowed in the session as they are both named in the suit. Current Mayor Pro-tem Russell Gross and Councilwoman Katherine Alexander were not at the meeting, or they would have been included in the closed session.

Attorney Reitman said that since Mrs. Mock-Keller was serving as elections superintendent for the city, it is up to the city to represent her interest in the case. Basically, the city contracts with Mrs. Mock-Keller to hold the election.