Before the end of the filing period, there was the withdrawal of incumbent Jack Smiley from the 4-year term Ward 4 race, and now a second candidate has been removed from the ballot by the Jackson County Election Board.

The Jackson County Election Board held a special meeting that included a “notice of hearing,” Wednesday morning, Feb. 13, in District Court. The hearing was to challenge the candidacy for the office of City Clerk/Treasurer for the upcoming election. Debbie Davis protested Opal Collins’ eligibility for City Clerk, who was not present at the hearing. The Board noted that Collins had been served notifying documents.

Assistant District Attorney Ken Darby was present for any legal questions or interpretation to advise the Board.

“I’m filing this protest due to the fact that Mrs. Collins is not a registered voter in Jackson County,” Debbie Davis during her opening statement.

The Secretary of the Board Jennifer Wilson stated, “In order to run for any office in Jackson County, you do have to be a registered voter at least six months prior to filing for candidacy.” Wilson said that is according to Oklahoma State statute Title 11 Section 16-110.

After proceedings with Cause #2013-001 Debbie Davis vs. Opal Collins, the Election Board authorized to “strike the contestees name from the ballot” because the Declaration of Candidacy was invalid.

Davis found out on Tuesday that Collins was not registered to vote in Jackson County, so she waited until Tuesday for Collins to withdrawal before she filed a protest on Wednesday. “I wanted things to be done right,” commented Davis.

Because incumbent Davis remains the only name on the ballot, she is to be re-elected for City Clerk/Treasurer for a 4-year term.

4-year term for Ward 2 seat will go to Michael Beason, who also has no opponent on the ballot.