CORRIDOR CHRONICLE
Commission certifies results
by Ron Gregory
Charleston — The Kanawha County Commission, sitting as the Board of Canvassers, has issued an order certifying the results of Kanawha County Magistrate Division 7 and 8 races. Today’s order confirms the board’s previous vote of June 24, certifying that Mike Ferrell (Division 7) and Ward Harshbarger (Division 8) received the highest number of votes in their respective races.
“The Board of Canvassers researched the law and gave careful consideration to filings of the parties. Our responsibility is to review the returns of the election and certify the results. We followed the established law and certified the candidates that the citizens of Kanawha County elected,” said Board of Canvasser’s President Kent Carper. He continued, “The candidates have ample protection available under state law if they disagree with the certification.”
On June 24, the board met to hear concerns regarding the timely filing of campaign finance statements by candidates Mike Ferrell and Ward Harshbarger. At that meeting, the board heard testimony that both candidates had missed specific deadlines but had ultimately filed the required campaign finance statements.
At that time, the Board of Canvassers voted to certify the results of all the Primary races but voted to hold entry of the final certification order to allow for any party that wished to supplement the record with additional legal authority. The board received two supplemental filings, which were attached to the Board of Canvassers certification order.