A state election monitor will watch voting at a Turrell polling site during the Crittenden County town's mayoral runoff Tuesday after one candidate said she heard allegations that people were being paid for their votes.
Dorothy Cooper, an assistant to the mayor of Gilmore, requested the monitor Tuesday from the state Board of Election Commissioners. The election board met and decided to send one poll monitor for the runoff, commission director Justin Clay said Friday.
Cooper said she requested the monitor after she heard that some people were offered $50 to vote for her opponent.
Cooper faces Andre Coleman, a Turrell City Council member and executive vice president of a janitorial company.
"I wanted this to be done fairly," Cooper said. "If I don't win, I'm OK with it as long as it's fair. But I'm not OK with it being done unfairly."
Cooper said she was not accusing Coleman of any wrongdoing.
"I heard a lot of people talking about the buying of votes," she said. "I understand this is just hearsay, but I put my life into this. I want things done fairly."
Coleman said Friday that he was surprised by Cooper's claim and that he had not heard about any vote-buying allegations.
"I've not heard of any improprieties," he said. "But I think it's a good idea to have a monitor. I welcome anything she needs to feel comfortable."
The two candidates finished first and second in a six-person race for Turrell mayor in the Nov. 4 election. Cooper received 70 votes, and Coleman earned 65. Incumbent Mayor Allen Spears placed third with 49 votes.
Clay said the monitor will stay at the Turrell polling place -- the William R. Golden Community Center -- on Tuesday from when the polls open until the 7:30 p.m. closing.
"The monitor will observe the voting, write a report and submit it to us," Clay said.
He said the buying of votes is illegal and can draw a felony charge.
The commission received nine requests to observe elections during the general election Nov. 4. Cooper's request is the only one the commission received in the state for the runoff.
State Desk on 11/22/2014