A Port Arthur city councilwoman has a court date set to possibly get her old council seat back. She’s also asking for her supporters’ help to do so.

Tiffany Hamilton, former District 2 councilwoman, wrote in an email “in May 2017 voter’s were again denied the right to vote in the correct districts for Port Arthur City Council Elections. The discrepancies in our voting process have had a direct reflection on our election results. After serving my first 3-year term as City Council Member, District 2, I lost this election by 3 votes.”

Hamilton said she provided factual proof to the court that registered voters with the right to vote in District 2 were denied the right to vote.

“Our vote is much too important to continuously allow our voting systems to perform subpar,” she wrote.

The judge granted a hearing and trial dates for March 5–6.

She wrote she expected the judge to grant a new election for the District 2 City Council seat. At that time she will request the judge require this election to be placed on the local May 2018 ballot.

“My attorney Randall ‘Buck’ Wood, has 40-plus years experience litigating election law. We are confident that we have proven our case,” Hamilton stated.

Furthermore, although the errors within the city of Port Arthur’s voting process are of no fault of her or her opponent, Cal Jones, she’s still responsible for bringing this case forward.

The Texas Election code states that the plaintiff (loosing candidate, Hamilton) must sue the defendant (her opponent, Jones) to request a new election. In addition, the candidates are responsible for their own attorney’s fees. Hamilton’s attorney’s fee is estimated at $10,000. Her current remaining balance is due by Friday, March 2 and is $5,000.

“I ask for your support in assisting with attorney’s fees to see this process through,” she wrote. “If 50 supporters contribute at least $100 each, we will easily reach our goal. Please take a stand and support our efforts to protect the integrity of our voting process. We appreciate you.”

Hamilton said contributions can be made online at www.cash.me/$TiffanyLHamilton; by check to Tiffany Hamilton Campaign, P.O. Box 1201, Port Arthur, TX 77641; or by cash.

Jones said his attorney, who remained unnamed, was handling everything.

“We’re not making this a big deal,” Jones said. “There’s too much going on in the city now.”