Sealed ballot box found at Chico State

529 ballots not included in county’s certified results

Just when you thought the elections were over in Butte County, here come another 529 ballots.

An official sealed ballot box on the campus of Chico State was found to have been overlooked in the election, and as a result, the 529 ballots were not included in the certified totals of Nov. 30, according to a news release sent by the Butte County Clerk-Recorder’s office Thursday afternoon.

The ballot box, located outside of Bell Memorial Union, was discovered Tuesday.

On Thursday, according to the news release, Butte County Clerk- Recorder Candace Grubbs petitioned the Butte County Superior Court for an extension to the deadline so those ballots can be included in a re- certification.

“The analysis reveals that the only contest in the election that can possibly be affected is City of Chico Measure E: Charter Amendment. All other contests were decided by margins larger than the outstanding number of ballots to be counted,” according to the release.

However, two of the four Chico council races were actually decided by fewer than 529 votes, and while it’s unlikely the new votes will change any outcomes because of the margins, it’s not statistically impossible.

According to the totals certified Nov. 30, Andrew Coolidge — who was sworn in Tuesday night and selected as Chico’s new mayor — beat Lauren Kohler in District 5 by 339 votes. And in District 7, Deepika Tandon held a 305-vote advantage over Rich Ober.

In the Measure E count, there are just 143 more “yes” votes than “no.” That measure makes the city’s move to district-wide elections official.

Grubbs said of the 529 ballots, 501 signatures have been verified. There have been 28 signatures challenged, and notices have been sent to those voters. They will be provided with an opportunity to cure their vote by mail, according to the release.

The supplemental canvass for these ballots will begin Monday at 9 a.m. at the Hall of Records in Oroville and will continue until complete. The Clerk-Recorder has conducted an analysis of the ballots contained in this group, according to the release.

An official re- certification will occur following the supplemental canvass.