Covington County GOP Chairman Bill Blocker said he filed an official complaint over a long-standing change in election procedure Tuesday night.

Traditionally, party chairpersons and members of the media have been inside the probate judge’s office when ballots were turned in. Tuesday night, access was limited to poll workers turning in ballots and probate employees.

Blocker said party chairpersons are allowed by law to watch the process.

Probate Judge Ben Bowden said the procedure was changed to limit distractions.

“I couldn’t find anything in the Code that said anybody had a right to be there, but I’d be interested to hear from anyone has knows anything different,” Bowden said.