Barzizza files motion to see provisional ballots

Former Germantown alderman John Barzizza has filed a motion to review provisional ballots from the most recent mayoral election, the latest move in his ongoing lawsuit against the Shelby

GERMANTOWN WEEKLY:

Mark Russell is the executive editor of The Commercial Appeal. A 34year industry veteran, Russell has worked at The CA for five years and previously worked as an editor and reporter in Orlando, Florida, Cleveland, Ohio, and Pittsburgh. He lives in Collierville. Contact him at mark.russell@commercialappeal.com or follow him on Twitter, @Markrussell44. County Election Commission following his loss to Mayor Mike Palazzolo.

The motion was filed Jan. 25 in Shelby County Chancery Court by Barzizza’s attorney, Christopher Gilreath, who said the motion was intended to get access to “paper election materials for absentee and provisional balloting.”

“What we’re seeking is access to review all the paper balloting materials, that includes provisional ballots and absentee ballots,” he said, adding that reviewing paper election materials in Tennessee requires a court order.

Gilreath said he and his client wanted to ensure that the votes had been tallied correctly. He added that he had a working relationship with the attorneys for the election commission and that they did not oppose Barzizza’s bid to inspect the election records.

A spokesman for the election commission has said the commission does not comment on ongoing litigation.

Barzizza’s legal complaints have fo-