Vote recount confirms Ferris incumbent’s win

SHERRY LONG
The Ellis County Press

FERRIS - Victor Burnett retained his council seat following a recount of the votes on Thursday, May 8.

Only 18 votes separated incumbent Victor Burnett, with 172 votes, and Cheree' Barrett, with 154, votes after the recount. Barrett had turned in a written request for a recount to City Secretary Alice Holloway last Monday, after only 21 votes separated her and Burnett in general election, Saturday, May 3.

Holloway said Barrett didn't think the number of votes added up to the number of voters.

According to Holloway, a person can vote for any candidate, but does not have to vote for each candidate.

For instance, voters can cast a ballot for candidates in place 1, but do not necessarily have to vote for candidates running in place 4 if they do not wish to.

Barrett had to submit a $50 cashier's check to city hall cover expenses incurred with the recount as prescribed by state law.

Holloway, under Mayor Jimmie Birdwell's supervision, selected four people to form a recount committee to recount the votes cast between Burnett and Barrett by hand. 'She [Barrett] congratulated Victor,' Birdwell said, 'She told me any way she could help, she would be glad to help anytime we need her.'

Committee members are required to be a registered voter in Ferris and could be present at the designated time of the recount.Patricia Wills, Rebecca Pugh, Kenneth Johnson and Carol Wright served on the recount committee.

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