Election Board Finds 'Reasonable Explanations' In Most 'Dead Voter' Cases Cited By World

State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax today issued the following statement:

The State Election Board staff has been investigating the ten “deceased voters” identified by the Tulsa World who were recorded as voting.

So far we have found reasonable explanations in 9 of these cases. The tenth is still under investigation.

Here is the gist of what we have found so far:

In two of the cases, the voters died after voting by absentee ballot, but before the election. These ballots are valid and legal according to state law.

In the case of Louise Marie Chitwood, the late Bennington woman featured in the Tulsa World’s Sunday article, paper records show that another voter mistakenly signed the wrong line on the precinct registry. This led to a data entry error when the county election board staff entered the voter history in the state voter database credit for the 2008 general election.

Three other cases involved similar circumstances to Ms. Chitwood’s: Voters signed the wrong line on the precinct registry, resulting in errors when the voter history credit was entered into the state database following the election.

In another case, a deceased voter had the same name as his son. Paper records no longer exist for that election, but it is likely that the son or another voter signed the wrong line on the precinct registry.

In two other cases, paper records indicate that there was not a signature next to the deceased voters’ names on the precinct registry. It appears that data entry errors in the state voter database were responsible for these voters incorrectly being given credit for voting.

One case remains under investigation by the State Election Board.

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Currie Ballard Named To Senate Position

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee said today he's named Currie Ballard as Assistant Secretary of the Senate.

Ballard is a noted and respected historian and community leader who brings a diverse background in politics and journalism to his new position. Ballard has served on a variety of commissions working on national, historical projects, and most recently served as historian-in-residence at Langston University for 12 years.

Currie Ballard served as a member of the board of commissioners of the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission from 1993 until 1999, and was also a member of the Oklahoma Board of Pardons and Parole from 1999 to 2003.

“We believe he is the first African-American to serve in Senate staff leadership, and I’m proud to be a part of this historic hire,” he concluded.

“Currie Ballard is a very capable and talented individual, and I’m glad to have him on board,” said Paul Ziriax, Secretary of the Senate. “He is a valuable – and historic – new member of the Senate team.”

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Coffee Names Randy Swanson To Senate Communications Director Post

From Glenn Coffee's Office ~ Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, announced Friday that Randy Swanson of Yukon will join Coffee’s Senate leadership staff as Majority Leadership Communications Director.

Swanson takes the spot previously held by Paul Ziriax, named Thursday as the new secretary of the Senate and election board secretary.

Swanson brings more than 25 years of experience in public relations, politics and government service to the State Senate. He will direct media, press, and public outreach activities for Coffee and the Senate’s Republican leadership team. For the first time in the state’s history, Republicans have the majority in the Oklahoma State Senate.

“Randy has a wealth of experience in both the public and private sector, so we’re very excited about bringing his many talents to the State Senate,” stated Coffee. “Randy Swanson will do a great job helping Senate Republicans get out our message of fiscal responsibility, traditional values, creating jobs, and reforming state government,” he said.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to join the President Pro Tem’s leadership staff at this historic time,” said Swanson. “Senator Coffee is a remarkable and distinguished leader. I appreciate the confidence he has in me, and I look forward to helping the members of the Senate’s new majority tell our story in the upcoming legislative session.”

During the 2008 election cycle, Swanson served as executive director of the Oklahoma Republican Senatorial Committee. Senate Republicans picked up two seats on Election Day to win a 26 to 22 majority.

Swanson, 50, is a former chief of staff and press secretary to U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas and a former administrative aide and campaign manager to former Corporation Commissioner J.C. Watts. He also is a former regional political director for the Republican National Committee.

In addition to political and government experience, he has consulted various local, national, and international ministries and non-profit organizations on media and public relations. Swanson's volunteer activities include work as Public Relations Chairman for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and as a publicist for Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity.

Swanson has been married to his wife Carol for 28 years. Carol Swanson is teacher in the Yukon Public Schools system. The Swansons have three sons: David, 20, is a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Joel, 16, and Luke, 13, are students in Yukon Public Schools.

The Swansons are active members of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. Swanson is a graduate of Southern Nazarene University, where he earned a bachelor of arts in communications and business.

He starts his new job at the State Senate on December 1.

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Paul Ziriax Named Election Board Secretary

Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Glenn Coffee has announced his choice for Secretary of the Senate and State Election Board Secretary. Paul Ziriax, who has held the title of Leadership Assistant at the State Senate for the past six years, has been named to the dual posts.

The Pro Tempore selects the Secretary of the Senate, who must then be elected by a majority of members. Under Oklahoma law that individual also serves as State Election Board Secretary.

“Paul’s experience in both state and national government positions have prepared him well for these new responsibilities,” Coffee said. “I also know him to be a man of tremendous character and intellect, with an abiding respect for the political process and democracy. I know he will do an outstanding job on behalf of the people of Oklahoma.”

“Oklahoma has a national reputation for the efficient way in which our elections are conducted, and Michael Clingman should be commended for the great job he’s done as Secretary of the Senate and Secretary of the State Election Board,” stated Coffee. “I wish Michael the best of luck in his new role as director of the Office of State Finance.”

Before coming to work for the Senate, Ziriax was the Chief of staff and press secretary to former U.S. Congressman Wes Watkins. He serves on the State Capitol Preservation Commission and is a member of the Legislative Information and Communication Staff Section and Leadership Staff Section of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Ziriax earned a degree in Business Administration and Finance from Oklahoma State University, and is a member of the OSU Alumni Association.

The Secretary of the Senate directs the floor staff and oversees the preparation of daily printing and general publications and the content of forms used by the Senate for various reports and procedures. The Secretary is the custodian of all Senate records and provides assistance to the President Pro Tempore and the presiding officer. The State Election Board Secretary is the chief administrative officer of the State Election Board.

“I am deeply honored by the faith Senator Coffee has placed in me,” Ziriax said. “I have some big shoes to fill. I am thrilled with this new opportunity, and look forward to continuing my public service.”

Ziriax, 37, is a native of Claremore and lives in Edmond with his wife, Lisa, and their nearly 2-year-old daughter, Allie. They are members of Faith Bible Church in Edmond.

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