Cross Plains Vice Mayor Questions Integrity of November Election Results
CROSS PLAINS, TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – Cross Plains Vice Mayor Sam Hastings Jr. has reached out to Smokey Barn News expressing concerns regarding the integrity of the November 5, 2024 election in Cross Plains. According to Hastings, an audit conducted by the Robertson County Election Office revealed errors affecting the election results for Cross Plains. Specifically, according to Hastings, the audit showed discrepancies in voting that involved individuals outside of city limits being allowed to vote, as well as others being denied their right to vote. In the letter, Hastings outlines his concerns regarding the investigation and subsequent legal process.
Hastings’s letter is followed by responses from Cathy Hamsley, Administrator of Elections, and Katherine J. DeRose, a candidate for City Commissioner in Cross Plains, who also expressed her concerns about the election’s fairness. Smokey Barn News has not modified or altered any of the letters submitted and presents them in their entirety below.
Sam Hastings Jr.
Vice Mayor of Cross Plains
Tennessee prides itself on being ranked #1 for election integrity. Unfortunately, that is not the case here in Cross Plains, TN. Cross Plains recently held an election for 3 city commissioner seats, with 7 candidates on the ballot for these positions.
My wife and I had several Cross Plains citizens reach out to us after the November 5th, 2024, election. They expressed their concerns with errors and mistakes they experienced when voting on election day, at ERES, the voting precinct for Cross Plains, TN. My wife and I went in person to the Robertson County Election Commission Office with names, addresses, and phone numbers of multiple individuals that came to us with complaints. Initially, we felt like we were being dismissed after explaining the situation and asking for the election results to be investigated.
The information packet was given to Cathy Hamsley, Administrator of Elections. She made copies for her records. My wife encouraged Cathy to reach out to the list of individuals to hear their story. An investigation was carried out by Cathy Hamsley. Soon after, an audit of the November 5th election results was performed by Cathy and 3 of her employees, revealing 57 voters were indeed affected. 42 voters cast illegal votes that did not live in the Cross Plains City limits and 15 voters showed up to vote on election day and were not able to vote for Cross Plains City Commissioners. (An audit was not performed for early voting.) In order to vote for Cross Plains City Commissioners, you must live in the Cross Plains City limits.
In an email sent from Cathy Hamsley on November 8, 2024, she said, “We have narrowed it down to one of the poll workers” and “I hope the courts rule to have a Special Election.”
In another email sent later in the day on November 8, 2024, she said, “Sam, Yes, I understand. It was a Poll Worker error and should have been addressed. I believe once I present the evidence I have, THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL ELECTION. Nothing like this has ever happened in my 37 years. I can’t wrap my head around it! IT’S GOING TO BE TAKEN CARE OF WITH MY BOARD MEMBERS AND OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY. I will be in touch.”
Email from Cathy Hamsley sent November 13, 2024: “I have spoken to our County Attorney concerning the Cross Plains Election. “We will certify the Election Results on Tuesday, November 19th at 10:30 AM. After that date, you or any other candidate will have 5 days to contest the results. You will go to Chancery Court, which is in our building due to renovations at the Courthouse. The Chancery Court Clerks will help you as I have never had a contested election, so I will be advised just as you will.” The election was certified “AS IS” on November 19, 2024.
November 22, 2024: My wife called the Robertson County Chancery Court as directed by Cathy. The Chancery Court Clerk had absolutely no information or direction to give about contesting the election results or a Special Election. The Court Clerk advised my wife to have me reach out to an attorney, at my expense, to file a petition to contest, if that was what I wished to do. I felt misled and misinformed by Cathy. The story and narrative kept changing in the emails. I was then redirected to the Chancery Court for help. Now the Chancery Court has no idea as to what to do… Initially, I was informed that there WOULD be a Special Election, and this was going to be “taken care of by the election board and county attorney.”
At this point, my wife reached out to the State of TN Election Commission Office and spoke with Beth on November 22, 2024. Beth is the Co-Administrator there and an attorney. She advised that since the Robertson County Election Results had already been certified, I would have 5 days to hire an attorney at my expense and contest the election results. Not only would I have to file a claim against the Robertson County Election Commission, but I would also have to file claims against the 3 newly elected Cross Plains Commissioners for receiving illegal votes. Honestly? These folks live in MY community. They are my friends and my neighbors! I am being advised that I would have to sue them in order to contest the election results. Why should I have to pay for an expensive attorney and sue for mistakes that I did not make? Multiple Poll Workers made the mistakes and errors as revealed in the investigation and audit results.
The deadline to contest the election was today. I decided it was in my best interest not to contest the election results due to the time, legal fees, and the fact that I do not want to file claims against the newly elected commissioners nor cost the county money for a Special Election. The hardest part for me to accept is NOT truly knowing the accurate results of the 2024 Cross Plains Election. I think “the not knowing” will weigh on many folks’ minds. I hope in the future, The Robertson County Election Commission corrects their shortcomings and makes sure that their poll workers are properly vetted and trained; and able to perform their job duties accurately.
I also hope in the future, Cross Plains Citizens will be extra proactive in checking to make sure their paper ballots are marked properly, and the machine operators are pulling up the correct screen options for them to vote. Please don’t be afraid to let the poll workers know if something is just not right.
It’s been an honor to serve as Cross Plains Vice Mayor and Commissioner. My seat will be filled by a newly elected commissioner next month. I felt like I owed it to you all to share this story. What happened at this year’s Cross Plains Election was unfortunate. Election integrity was compromised, and we are all left with the consequences of that.
Sincerely,
Sam Hastings Jr.
Response from Cathy Hamsley
Administrator of Elections
I have spoken to several candidates, including Mr. Hastings, concerning what happened on Election Day, November 5th, 2024, in the City of Cross Plains Election. The Election Commission has gone above and beyond to resolve the situation within the limits of the law. While not mandatory, out of concern for propriety, the Election Office conducted a check of election day records. This was carried out to try to determine the facts and understand what occurred at the voting precinct the day of the election. It should be noted that no irregularities were reported to the Election Office on the day of the election.
Concerned individuals were provided instruction on how to properly contest an election per Tennessee Code Annotated Election Law. The ultimate outcome of a contested election is for the court to hear all the evidence and facts concerning alleged irregularities. Any contested election, in accordance with the law, falls solely on the candidates. The County Election Commission, County Attorney, and the State Election Office were notified as to the possibility of a contested election, which could result in a Special Election, pending judicial decision.
Sincerely,
Cathy Hamsley
Administrator of Elections
Letter from Katherine J. DeRose
Candidate for Cross Plains City Commissioner
I learned about discrepancies in the 2024 Cross Plains City Commissioner’s race a few days after the election. The Robertson County Election Office assured me that the claims regarding voter error would be investigated and addressed. Their subsequent and partial audit revealed a large and meaningful error made by poll workers who denied 15 residents their right to vote in Cross Plains and gave 42 voters from outside the city limits the privilege to vote in the Cross Plains election. A comment from an Orlinda friend and resident described the same problem during early voting. Early voting was not included in the voter registration audit.
The advice from the Robertson County Election Office was for me to wait and contest the results after the election was certified. Following this advice would cost me thousands of dollars in legal fees. When there is a good chance that one poll worker’s error may have determined who was elected to serve Cross Plains residents, I believe democracy has failed. It should be Robertson County’s responsibility to correct the error and not expect a candidate to incur the cost to remedy such a breach of public trust.
Sincerely,
Katherine J. DeRose
Candidate for Cross Plains City Commissioner
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Our annual Christmas Toy Drive collection (partnered with Kiwanis of Springfield TN) is off to a great start. Tell your friends if they’re looking to spread some Christmas cheer, this is a great way to do it! All toys donated will be given to children in Robertson County.
