That's what is happening in Hurricane where doubts have lingered about the Mayoral and Recorder's race since last June.

Here's what happened: Sam Cole was ahead of Scott Edwards for Mayor until the last ballot box was counted. Longtime Recorder Linda Gibson was losing to John Mangus. However, when the last ballot box was counted, both Edwards and Gibson pulled ahead for slim wins.

There's one problem: Two police officers, as well as Cole, and a group of petitioners have come forward and stated that the ballot box in question, as well as some ballots, were not locked and properly sealed.

Gibson has stated all along that the election was fair and wasn't rigged. Not surprisingly, Edwards agrees with her. Did anyone really expect them to say differently? They are members of the same political party. We are expected to believe that the unlocked box that contained enough unsealed votes to give them wins was only a coincidence.

Coincidence? We think not.

No one is publicly saying that Gibson and Edwards personally stuffed that ballot box. Not publicly. But too many doubts remain.

Sam Cole filed suit. However, it was thrown out on a technicality, by the same judge, Norbert "Ed" Eagloski, that gave Edwards his oath of office. Another coincidence? We think not. Eagloski, by the way, never even addresses the issue of the ballot box. Never.

Coincidence? We think not.

The fox guards the henhouse, an unlocked ballot box decides the election outcome, a political ally tosses out the lawsuit, and Hurricane's election goes Banana Republic.

Complaints were filed with the West Virginia Secretary of State's office. A non-public investigation was conducted. "Administrative errors" were found, but not enough to amount to "criminal charges."

Welcome to West Virginia politics.

You expect "administrative errors" from a rookie. However, Gibson is a veteran recorder with years of experience. She had a responsibility to get it right.

As if things weren't "interesting" enough, Gibson no-showed at the City Council meeting shortly after the "Administrative errors" were announced.

Another coincidence? We think not.

Edwards, no less, announced that Gibson had a "job conflict." Excuse me? Gibson has a job. She took an oath, as Hurricane's Recorder. The council only meets once a month. Surely she can come to the only meeting of the month.

Coincidence? We think not.

Here's the answer: Gibson needs to invalidate the Mayor and Recorder election results, effectively resigning-and agree that all future elections be operated by the unbiased Secretary of State's office.

If Gibson and Edwards want to run again in a special election operated by the SOS, that's OK. And if they win, then we will know that their wins are legitimate.

Right now, we don't. There are too many doubts. Too many "coincidences." Too many questions. And that isn't good for anyone. Not for the office-holders. Not for the citizens.

The election process must be operated with the utmost of integrity by unbiased officials. Otherwise it has no more credibility than Banana Republic politics.