A lawsuit has been brought against Aberdeen School District”s superintendent and board of trustees.
Ruby Cunningham, Willie H. McNairy and Ladie M. James filed a suit March 2 in U.S. District Court Northern District of Mississippi seeking to force the school board to count their absentee ballots in Saturday”s school board election.
Aberdeen Schools Superintendent Chester Leigh says state law prohibits absentee ballots in school board elections.
“I contacted the attorney general and the secretary of state offices to make sure certain things weren”t allowed. The AG confirmed we cannot do absentee voting,” said Leigh.
Michael Jackson, president of Aberdeen Schools” board of trustees, is up for reelection Saturday. His lone opponent is Patricia Ann Reese Howell.
Leigh says the three plaintiffs live in Monroe County but within the limits of the city school district.
“I guess they feel their rights have been violated,” said Leigh.
The plaintiff”s attorney, Wilbur Colom, did not return calls seeking comment Wednesday.
Leigh and all five members of the ASD board are listed as defendants.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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