Ashland liquor vote objection filed in Circuit Court

by Joyce Leggett Brock
ASHLAND — Michael Carroll, of Ashland, filed an objection today in Benton County Circuit Court to the Tuesday, Dec. 18 election concerning legal liquor sales in Ashland.
During the election, the proposal to allow the legal sale and/or possession of liquor within the city limits was defeated 120-109.
According to the document filed, the petitioner believes that the alleged irregularities constitute grounds for holding a new election.
Among issues cited in the bill of exceptions:
- Voting place, the election was held at Ashland Volunteer Fire Department, rather than the Town Hall.
- “Vote No” campaign, the document alleges that an organized group violated state election finance laws.
- Campaign signs, the document alleges that signs were illegally installed on town and state rights of way, and that no action was taken following a city official being contacted.
- Absentee ballots wording, absentee ballots were allegedly worded in reverse order from the required language.
- Absentee ballot security, the documents alleges that precautions were not taken to protect absentee ballots from tampering.
Mayor Mitch Carroll said this afternoon that the municipal attorney has been notified of the filing and the town is awaiting advisement.