Tapp resigns

Charles Tapp, chairman of the Garland County Election Commission resigned from office on Tuesday night after the public voted in the primary run-off election. The certification of the primary votes takes place tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Three Garland County residents, Ted Burhenn, Doug Jones and Blake Robertson, filed suit on Tuesday to block the vote certification. If the vote is blocked it will not change the outcome of the election, Sen. Blanche Lincoln will remain the democratic nominee.
George Hozendorf, chairman of the Garland County Democratic Central Committee will assume the role of election commission chairman tomorrow after the vote is certified.
Tapp sites his decision to rescind Saturday, June 5 early voting. On Friday he decided to open the Garland County Election Commission Building on Saturday for early voting. But, when he discovered he had not implemented the five day public notice per state law, Arkansas Code 7-5-418, he did not open the building for Saturday voting. Voters were turned away.
The pending lawsuit is regarding only two polling locations open on election day instead of all polling locations. Tapp said the turn out was about the same this year as in the last primary run-off. The commission voted to open just two polling locations in March of this year. The 30-day notice had been properly given.