WOODVILLE — An order by the Mississippi State Supreme Court has rendered a temporary restraining order against several Wilkinson County officials invalid.

The order, filed by Centreville resident Ann Greer, was against Wilkinson County Democratic Committee Chair Easter Prater, Circuit Clerk Mon Cree Allen, Sheriff Reginald Jackson, District Four Supervisor Robert Morgan and anyone acting in concert with them.

The order would have allowed a sizeable faction of the Wilkinson County Democratic Commmittee — headed by Greer — to re-verify absentee votes in several highly contested county elections.

Greer was elected president of the Wilkinson County Democratic Committee during a meeting July 23 that was attended by 19 of the committee’s 31 members.

The election was not recognized by the state-level Democratic Party, and the current president, Prater — who took the leadership role as vice chair when the former president died in April — remained the official committee leader.

Allen said Tuesday the order actually prevented him as circuit clerk from bringing ballot boxes to be examined by the candidates who might contest the election.

The Supreme Court ruled the order invalid because it was issued by the Hinds County Chancery Court.

The ruling states the restraining order was invalid because the Hinds County chancellor did not have jurisdiction in the matter.

The court also ruled in a separate matter to grant Sheriff candidate Jessie Stewart, supervisor candidates Kirk Smith and Wally Cavin and circuit clerk candidate Lynn Delaney the right to examine the election boxes from the Aug. 7 election.

The four candidates had until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday night to examine the boxes.