Rummel tentative winner for sheriff
It has been over a week since Election Day, and one part of the ballot still remains undecided. Voting for the role of Sanders County sheriff ended last week with Republican Tom Rummel leading Independent Doug Dryden by a mere six votes. The closeness of this race has meant that a recount is automatically factored in, and preparations for that recount began in the beginning of this week.
Voting officials at the Sanders County Courthouse in Thompson Falls conducted a count of any provisional ballots on Monday. According to Election Administrator Jennine Robbins, a provisional ballot is cast when an individual has information that needs to be verified past the time of the polls for whatever reason. For example, if someone were to come to the polls without a form of identification, he or she could cast a provisional ballot, which could be counted when that individual provides his or her ID. A ballot can be made provisional if the signature on it cannot be verified. Or, if an individual is previously registered in a different county and changes residence and registers to vote in this county, that individual’s ballot is provisional until voting officials are able to verify that the individual did not already vote in the previous county.
14 provisional ballots were counted on Monday afternoon, and with their inclusion, Rummel’s lead over Dryden has expanded to nine votes. Dryden will still have the opportunity to petition for a recount.
On Wednesday, election commissioners will approve an election canvass, and whoever is behind in the race can petition for a recount. After Wednesday, that candidate has five days to file the petition. In order to do that, the candidate would need to collect signatures of support. The candidate would have the chance to request a hand recount after an automated recount as a way to verify the numbers. According to Robbins, it is likely that this recount will be held next week.
Despite the close heat that the sheriff race is in, Robbins has continued to be impressed with both candidates.
“We’re very fortunate that both of the candidates are nice guys,” Robbins said