Tulsa City Council Race Outcome Uncertain

An incumbent Tulsa City Councilor lost an election by 28 votes, but reported irregularities in a precinct could leave the outcome uncertain.

Councilor Mykey Arthrell lost by 28 votes to challenger Grant Miller, but the Election Board reported as many as 40 voters in one precinct didn’t receive ballots for the council race.

Related Story: Tulsa County Election Board Investigating Ballot Irregularities At Tulsa Precinct

Earlier Tuesday, the Tulsa County Election Board determined at least some people who voted in the first hour at Precinct 77 were not given City Council ballots. The precinct is near 21st and Mingo and covers one square mile.

Voter complaints led to an investigation by the board, and the Sheriff’s Office, which said Tuesday that criminal charges were possible against the election workers for disenfranchising voters.

The Election Board Secretary, Gwen Freeman, said the workers had clear instructions that every voter in the precinct was to receive a council ballot and she was unsure why the workers did not follow instructions.

Freeman said if one of the candidates chooses, they can file a complaint by Friday, which would trigger a hearing on the irregularities the following Monday.

The District 5 race was the closest of the three races for council. Council Chair Lori Dexter-Wright was re-elected, but four term Councilor Connie Dodson was defeated by Christian Bengel.