LAWRENCE —A dispute erupted earlier today over a ballot that was cast at the District E-4 polling station, located at an elderly housing complex at 339A Salem St.
According to Police Chief John Romero and mayoral candidate David Abdoo, a man came to the polling station in the morning attempting to vote.
Because his name was on the inactive voter rolls, poll workers asked for his ID.
He didn't have it, so he left, and returned around 1 this afternoon.
He showed an ID, but a police officer at the polling station recognized him from the morning and thought he was unable to vote, according to Romero, who said a police report is still being written on the incident.
"It was a miscommunication," Romero said.
Both Abdoo and mayoral candidate William Lantigua showed up at the polling place in an effort to determine what had happened. Abdoo said two of his poll-checkers were reviewing the incident.
Romero said the officer involved was removed from the polling place so he could return to the station and write up a report. Another officer has been assigned to that voting precinct.
Abdoo said it was one vote out of thousands and that otherwise the election seemed to be running smoothly.
"It's just one ballot in question," he said. "The rest of the day has been going well."
Abdoo said he has been getting "very positive feedback" from voters throughout the city.
Lantigua could not be reached for comment.
He noted that there have been no other reported incidents, other than the usual complaints about sign-holders being too close to the polls. All sign holders are supposed to be 150 feet from the polling site.
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For more elections coverage, see tomorrow's editions of The Eagle-Tribune.
