Natchez Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown said he has not made any decisions on whether to protest the results of Tuesday’s close Democratic runoff for the mayoral nomination.

Brown lost to F.L.&160;&uot;Hank&uot; Smith by 253 votes according to results which were certified Wednesday.

Brown complained about alleged election misconduct during Tuesday’s voting. He said signs both advocating Smith and in opposition to Brown were up at the United Steelworkers of America Union Hall on Gayosa Street, the polling place for Ward 4.

Brown also complained about a bailiff who had signed a ticket endorsing Smith who was working at the Ward 5 polling place, the National Guard Armory. The municipal Democratic committee later removed the bailiff.

Brown said he contacted the U.S. Justice Department about the alleged union interference with voting. &uot;The federal folks have said they would get back in touch with us,&uot; Brown said. &uot;They took the information and said they will be looking into it.&uot;

A spokeswoman from the Justice Department could not verify any investigation late Thursday but said she would look into it.

By law, any candidate has 20 days from the day of the election to file a formal protest with the municipal Democratic Executive Committee.

The committee would then meet to investigate the allegations of fraud and can subpoena witnesses for a hearing if necessary.

The committee has the power to decide whether to let the election results stand, throw out votes from those polling places, or hold a new election in those polling places.

Candidates can appeal the decision of the committee in circuit court.