MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Election Day is less than 50 days away, and Shelby County Election Commissioners know after a mistake-filled primary, the heat is on.
"We are all human, and there still may be some human error, but nothing like what happened in August," said Commissioner Norma Lester.
Election Commissioners met Wednesday night, and like previous meetings, there were plenty of twists and turns. Commissioner Stan Stamson apologized to Commissioner Lester after saying in a recent sub-committee meeting that Commissioners needed to stop fighting like cats and dogs.
"I made that statement, and maybe I exaggerated a little bit," Stamson said.
"I apologize if I offended you in any way," Stamson told Lester.
"Sometimes it may come across as I'm being aggressive, but it is truly not because I don't fight like cats and dogs," said Lester. "I say what I have to say, and I am a firm believer in what I say."
"It was not apparently no harm done, I am ok with it, so we are moving on," she added.
The public apology comes after state auditors recently spent the better part of a week in Memphis trying to figure out what went wrong in August.
Following the primary mess, commissioners are weighing hiring a consultant to help them in the coming months.
"To see if we are managing correctly, to see if we have too many employees, too few employees, if we don't have perhaps employees with the right skill sets and how can we get there," said Robert Meyers, Election Chairman.
On Wednesday, a lawyer for the Commission said the November ballot could be in flux as judges weigh two challenges to the August primary.
"I am giving a thumbs-up for this election now if it is the other way, I am going to leave town," Lester said, as she laughed.
