Auditor's Race Accusations

By Published: Nov 10, 2010 at 12:37 AM PDT
PASCO -- As the votes continue being counted, accusations are being leveled on both sides of the Franklin County Auditor's race. On Tuesday, incumbent Zona Lenhart showed up at the annex where the ballots are being tallied. It is part of her job description to oversee the election process. She says there were no open ballots in the room at the time. But the KEPR Action News newsroom received several phone calls and emails expressing concern, that as a candidate up for election, she was even in the same room as the ballots.

The latest numbers show Republican challenger Matt Beaton with a lead of 125 votes. Elections Administrator Diana Killian tells KEPR another 124 ballots will be counted tomorrow, including those that weren't signed or that came from military members overseas. And some ballots won't be counted for another two weeks when the canvassing board convenes on November 22nd. They'll be judging ballots where its not clear who the person was voting for.

Franklin County Commissioner Brad Peck told KEPR his concern is that "Zona's appearance in the annex doesn't help maintain voter confidence in the process."

But Lenhart and the Elections Administrator say she never handled any ballots. Lenhart also told Action News "if Matt Beaton gets elected, he'll be elected fair and square. And if I get elected, it will be fair and square."