The City of Andalusia on Friday morning held a recount of votes cast in the Sept. 23^rd municipal run-off election in Council District 4. There was no change in the results.

District 4 challenger Greg Palmer on Tuesday called for the recount in the September election in which he and incumbent Presley Boswell ended in a 183-183 tie. That tie was broken by the Andalusia City Council Tuesday when they returned Boswell to a full term on the council.

There was one provisional ballot cast in that race that potentially could have broken the tie. However, when the Board of Registrars, with input from the Alabama Secretary of State, determined the voter was not registered to vote in District 4.

After certifying the election results from last week, city administrator John Thompson polled each member of the council to break the tie. Mayor Earl Johnson, Councilman Joe Nix, Councilman Kennith Mount, Councilwoman Hazel Griffin and Councilman Terry Powell all voted for Boswell. Boswell abstained. 

District 1 Councilman Joe Nix also was reelected in the Sept. 23rd runoff, defeating Jermaine Woods, 142-98.

When the council’s canvassing meeting was adjourned, Palmer notified city officials in writing that he was calling for a recount, and also asked to inspect the sign-in sheets of those who cast absentee ballots and those who voted in person. He also presented $10,000 in cash to cover the costs of a recount.

State law says anyone with standing can ask for a recount.

“The petitioner must be prepared to pay the cost of the recount and must be required to give security to cover these costs in an amount as determined by the municipal governing body based upon an estimate of actual costs. The recount must be conducted under the supervision of a trained and certified poll official. Representatives of opposing interests shall be given at least 24 hours’ notice and shall be invited to participate in the recount,” the Alabama Code states.

“If the recount produces a change in precinct totals of sufficient magnitude to alter the result of the election, the outcome shall constitute grounds for an election contest as now prescribed by law,” the Code of Alabama states. “If the recount of the resulting contest alters the result of the election, the cost of the recount shall be borne by the municipality.”

Palmer also asked for a recount of the votes cast on August 26^th. However, the deadline for a recount of that election had already passed. According to the Code of Alabama, Section 11-46-55, “The time period for requesting a recount ends 48 hours after the official canvass of returns by the municipal governing body.”

Palmer also asked to review records of who cast ballots in the election, including those who voted absentee. The City of Andalusia has been advised by the Secretary of State that those records are to remain sealed unless a circuit judge orders them to be opened.

The recount was held in City Hall auditorium. A technician from the tabulation machine company, who programs the machines, was present.

Alabama law requires that poll officials also return for the recount. Chief inspector Jenny Pitts was joined by Billy Joe Stallworth and Jimmy Jackson, who operated the tabulation machines on Sept. 23^rd. Probate Judge Stacy Brooks, who manages all county-wide elections, also was present. 

The poll workers unsealed the ballots, and separated District 1 and District 4 ballots, then fed the District 4 ballots through the tabulation machines for a recount.

After the recount, Mrs. Pitts announced the results, and the ballots were resealed, with the three poll workers signing the seal.

Both Palmer and Boswell were present for the recount.

City administrator John Thompson explained that when the costs of holding the recount are totaled, Palmer will be refunded the balance of his deposit. 

The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday formally accepted a Federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TAP grant) for a new sidewalk project.

The project, approved and announced by Gov. Kay Ivey last month, will improve sidewalks along North Jerry St. from David Street to Short Street; along Short Street from N. Jerry Street to David Street; along David Street from Short Street to North Jerry Street; and along Manavista Street from North Jerry Street to the Pineview Heights Apartments.

The federal transportation grant of $800,000 requires a $200,000 match from the City of Andalusia.

The City of Andalusia previously has used TAP grant funding to build or improve sidewalks on East Three Notch Street, South Three Notch Street, Prestwood Bridge Road, Lindsey Bridge Road, Stanley Avenue, and around the Andalusia High School campus. A project currently underway will improve sidewalks on Third Avenue.

The Alabama Department of Transportation’s timeline for the 2026 TAP grant projects calls for final designs to be approved by July of 2026, and advertisement of bids to begin in August.

Darren Capps of Southern Engineering Solutions worked with the City to design the project.

The Council also abated properties for the accumulation of weeds, including:
• 108 Clay Street

• 519 Riley Street

• 210 Lori Lane

• 739 Auburn Avenue

District 4 challenger Greg Palmer is calling for a recount of the Sept. 23^rd runoff election in the City of Andalusia in which he and incumbent Presley Boswell ended in a tie that was broken in Boswell’s favor Tuesday by the current council.

There was one provisional ballot cast last Tuesday in District 4. However, Buddy Wilkes reported to the council that he and the other two members of the Board of Registrars, with input from the Alabama Secretary of State, agreed that the voter, identified as Shannon Bryant, was not registered to vote in District 4.

After certifying the election results from last week, city administrator John Thompson polled each member of the council to break the tie. Mayor Earl Johnson, Councilman Joe Nix, Councilman Kennith Mount, Councilwoman Hazel Griffin and Councilman Terry Powell all voted for Boswell. Boswell abstained.  

District 1 Councilman Joe Nix also was reelected in the Sept. 23rd runoff, defeating Jermaine Woods, 142-98.

When the council’s canvassing meeting was adjourned, Palmer notified city officials in writing that he was calling for a recount. He also presented $10,000 in cash to cover the costs of a recount.

State law says anyone with standing can ask for a recount.

“The petitioner must be prepared to pay the cost of the recount and must be required to give security to cover these costs in an amount as determined by the municipal governing body based upon an estimate of actual costs. The recount must be conducted under the supervision of a trained and certified poll official. Representatives of opposing interests shall be given at least 24 hours’ notice and shall be invited to participate in the recount,” the Alabama Code states.

“If the recount produces a change in precinct totals of sufficient magnitude to alter the result of the election, the outcome shall constitute grounds for an election contest as now prescribed by law,” the Code of Alabama states. “If the recount of the resulting contest alters the result of the election, the cost of the recount shall be borne by the municipality,”

Palmer also asked for a recount of the votes cast on August 26^th. However, the deadline for a recount of that election has already passed. According to the Code of Alabama, Section 11-46-55, “The time period for requesting a recount ends 48 hours after the official canvass of returns by the municipal governing body.”

Palmer also asked to review records of who cast ballots in the election, including those who voted absentee. The City of Andalusia has been advised by the Secretary of State that those records are to remain sealed unless a circuit judge orders them to be opened.

The City of Andalusia is required to give 24 hours notice of a recount. The date has not yet been set. Polling officials who worked the Sept. 23 election will need to be present, as will an official of the vote tabulator machine company.