PRECINCT VOTE TOTALS RELEASED FOR TUESDAY'S ELECTION

(05/17/2008)
The precinct by precinct vote totals were released yesterday by County Clerk Richard Kirby, following the official canvass of the ballots.

Kirby released the election totals Tuesday, but ended a long-standing procedure of issuing precinct results.

The change caused some dissent among election watchers.

"That is to protect the privacy of how some voters cast their ballots, particularly single votes that are contested in a precinct."

Kirby said there have been changes in the election code, which says "Secrecy of ballots must be maintained...West Virginia law now requires that privacy of provisional ballots must be insured. In order to ensure complete privacy, reports that are printed on election night must not provide a precinct by precinct breakdown."

PRECINCT TALLIES