Chambers election dispute goes to court

Charles Hardage, the veteran Chambers County Commissioner who lost his seat after a recount of the Nov. 4 ballots was ordered, has appealed the result with the circuit court.

Henry C. Osborne, a former Lanett mayor and council member, was declared the winner in District 4 after a recount on Nov. 17 gave him the seat by one vote. Hardage had the lead by two votes on election night, but Osborne took the lead after the provisional ballots were counted.

Hardage said he appealed because “it was just too close.” Other reasons for taking the matter to court will come out in the proceedings, he said.

James Anderson, a Montgomery attorney who represents Osborne, said Hardage contends illegal votes were cast and counted for Osborne. Anderson said they don’t believe that is the case, but if it did happen, then illegal votes were cast for Hardage as well. The final outcome, however, would still give the election to Osborne, Anderson said.

Hardage said he had retained counsel as well, but would not say who.

Anderson said both counselors and a Tallapoosa County Circuit Court judge will met Jan. 9 in Dadeville to schedule the proceedings. Anderson said because an election contest involves the election of an officer, state law says it has precedence over other proceedings before the court.

Hardage said he anticipated an outcome in a month to six weeks. As the winner, Osborne will continue to serve as the District 4 commissioner in the meantime, Anderson said.

Hardage had been on the commission for 12 years — or three terms — until this election.

“Don’t let anyone tell you one vote doesn’t count,” he said.