by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — There appears to be some concern over the electronic ballot for the Wellington City Council race. If your last name starts with “W”, you may be at a disadvantage. Sumner County Clerk Debra Norris provided a response to the question this afternoon.

An e-mail was sent to Sumner Newscow about the layout of the ballot in next Tuesday’s City/School Board election. The e-mail from a local citizen reads:

“When I (advanced) voted today, the first 12 names were on first page of my electronic ballot. The next three names: Chase Weber, Vincent Wetta and Kim Woodrow, were on the second page. 

I had to go and find the three Ws on the second page to select the six Wellington City Council members. 

It looks to me the three men with the ‘W’ last names are at a disadvantage on April 2, 2013.” 

The Wellington City Council election switched from a “district” to an “at large” format this year. The ballot issue occurred due to the large number of candidates who filed for the at large position. There are 15 candidates on the ballot. The candidates are listed alphabetically (as they are with Sumner Newscow forums). When they were listed the bottom of page 1 separates the first 12 from the final three on page 2.

Sumner Newscow forwarded the concern to the Sumner County Clerk’s office. Debra Norris responded this morning:

“We are aware of the questions on the electronic ballots. We are researching and will get you an answer soon.”

This afternoon, she provided a follow-up e-mail:

“In response to concerns regarding the two pages required to list all 15 candidates for Wellington City Council on the electronic ballot, please be advised of the following:

• With 15 candidates and 6 write-in lines, it was necessary that Wellington City Council races be placed on two screens.  It was impossible to put 21 lines on one screen.
• Even using the smallest font available, two pages would be required to list the candidates for Wellington City Council.
• In past elections candidates have been listed in alphabetical order.  It is a well established procedure.
• The voter must go to the second page of City Council Candidates in order to complete the ballot.  A voter cannot “skip” the second page of the City Council Candidates.
• At the bottom of the first page of City Council Candidates the ballot advises “CONTEST CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE”
• At the top of the second page of the City Council Candidates the ballot advises “CONTEST CONTINUED”
• A review of the voter’s choices for the six candidates is provided before the actual ballot is cast.

I encourage any voter with a question about the ballots or election to contact my office for clarification.”