Final State Report Underscores Criticism Of Fired Nashville Election Administrator

Former Davidson County Election Commissioner Steve Abernathy speaks to state election officials Monday. The state’s report calls Abernathy “the only commissioner who stated the 2012 election cycle was a success for Davidson County.” Credit Daniel Potter/WPLN

A final state report underscores the criticism of Davidson County Election Administrator Albert Tieche, who was fired last week.  The 26-page review lists problems like understaffed polling places, glitchy machines and a botched early-voting schedule.

Download the state’s final report here (pdf).

In addition to Tieche, most of Nashville’s top election officials are already gone: Four of the county’s five election commissioners have been replaced since last year.  With the county primary set for May of 2014, the commission is expected to quickly hire and start training a replacement for Tieche.

Gotto: I Did Not Resign Because I Disagreed With Firing

Newly-appointed Davidson County Election Commissioner Jim Gotto spoke briefly before state officials Monday.  Gotto announced at last week’s meeting that he would resign amid the argument over whether to fire Tieche.

“I did not resign the Davidson County Election Commission because I disagreed with firing Albert Tieche.  My mind was not made up at that point whether he should be retained or not.  I did make a decision to resign because I thought the process was flawed.  I thought it was unfair the way Mr. Tieche was – Mr. Tieche was treated awful.”

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