Mood tense at courthouse as votes tallied
By Brandy Nance (Contact)
Originally published 09:39 p.m., April 7, 2009
Updated 09:48 p.m., April 7, 2009
A crowd fills the Lyon County Commission chambers Tuesday night to watch election returns. The room remained filled until the final results were in. The last precinct tallied changed the outcome of the city’s smoking-ban question and narrowed the gap to the point that the final results won’t be known until Friday morning.
The Lyon County Commission chambers of the Lyon County Courthouse was packed to the brim late Tuesday evening as results poured in.
The hot issue was Emporia’s smoking ban and whether voters would uphold it or not. Voters did — by a 15-vote margin, 2,333 to 2,318. This number, however, is far from final as provisional ballots and paper ballots were still to be counted. At 9:45 p.m., election workers gave The Gazette the results of the hand-counted paper ballots. The new tally — 2,336 yes to 2,325 no.
By 9 p.m., only one city precinct remained. The click of the Gazette’s photographer’s camera could be heard echoing through the room as public members waited to see Lyon County Clerk Tammy Vopat come through the door with paper results that often were a bit more current than results scrolling on the screen at the front of the room. The paper results were delivered to the media for publication. Several members of the public asked that the Emporia city question numbers be called out.
Emporian Matt Slater said he has been waiting nine months to get the smoking ban issue out the door.
“Lets get this over with!” Slater exclaimed as he waited on the last numbers.
As the clocked ticked on, the room grew even quieter. Time seemed to stand still. All eyes were on the door and on the screen. It was anybody’s guess which one would have the most current information.
Finally, the information came. There were no sighs of relief. "Oh geez” comments could be heard throughout the room. Many people walked out in frustration as they clicked opened their cell phones to deliver the news — still no closure on Emporia’s smoking issue as a lead of nearly 200 votes in favor of killing the ban swung over to a narrow lead for the ban.
Back near the county clerks’ office, voting workers were preparing to count provisional and paper ballots. Vopat was finishing off a cookie as she prepared for the remainder of her evening. She was smiling. Her evening went well, she said.
At nearly 9:30 p.m., Vopat said provisional ballots are in big red canvas bags and have to be counted. So do the paper ballots. Turnout for this election was 27.52 percent — right on target with Vopat’s estimate of 25 to 30 percent.
“I was right in the middle,” Vopat, said with an enthusiastic smile.
Vopat said the numbers won’t be final until Friday when the voting canvass is conducted. It will be conducted at 9 a.m. Friday in the Lyon County Commission chambers of the Lyon County Courthouse, 430 Commercial St.
The evening went off without a hitch, said Vopat of her first election as county clerk.
“It went great,” she said. “I was so impressed with everything.”
Comments
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dml (anonymous) says...
Ok Mrs.Vopat, Why was the location I was supposed to vote at changed when I did not move and I was not notified. Also, according to the map on your webpage at lyoncounty.org, I was supposed to vote at the polling place that I have been in the past?
April 7, 2009 at 10:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
imagine (anonymous) says...
not the only thing just a little messed up this election
April 7, 2009 at 10:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
driveonby (anonymous) says...
Will this be a free recount or will CAE want to donate some of their Nicoderm and Chantix grant money to help out here?
April 8, 2009 at 7:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Deepthoughts (anonymous) says...
dml - I would like to know that as well!
April 8, 2009 at 7:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
generalsn (anonymous) says...
Now we'll be hearing about the "overwhelming voter support" and that people will now be able to live beyond 30.
April 8, 2009 at 7:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
77flint (anonymous) says...
You people have got to be kidding me!!
CONSPIRACY?
April 8, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Oh look 77flint learned how to copy and paste! Good for you little fella!
April 8, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
77flint (anonymous) says...
Serious, is my new best friend because you insult yourself so well.
April 8, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
The vote is over & done with.
We won't know the smoking ban issue decision until Friday morning. in the words of that great 20th centurary mind:
"CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?"
at least until Friday morning?
Steve
April 8, 2009 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
77flint (anonymous) says...
rbow is finally making sense.
thank you
April 8, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Deepthoughts (anonymous) says...
somebody forgot her medication this morning!
April 8, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
77flint (anonymous) says...
Quick someone call "slowthoughts" doctor she crying for help to find her meds!
April 8, 2009 at 2:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Deepthoughts (anonymous) says...
Ha. oh flint, how you have been missed since the move!
How about you chill a little bit on the sarcastic rude comments you've left on here. Most people on here would prefer a level of discussion that is above that. That's about all you've done since April 1st - did you lose your job or something?
April 8, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
77flint (anonymous) says...
That's funny that you of all people would include yourself in "a level of discussion that is above that" there are only a few people on here who have good points and you are not one of them. it is also evident that i feel that your so called deepthoughts are a joke so in turn i treat them as such. good day ch@#$! i said good day!
April 8, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )