Numbers confirmed in Hot Springs ballot recount
<p>Commissioner Glen Magera watches as Tony Cox sorts the ballots during the recount.</p>
THOMPSON FALLS – A recount was held on Friday in the county commissioners chambers for the two candidates facing off for Hot Springs Councilperson, Ward 2, Seat 2.
The race came down to Leslee Balsley Smith and Edward J. Persico, with only two votes defining the winner.
Election Administrator Nichol Scribner was the official in charge of the recount. She opened with a statement explaining her role was “to oversee the recount, ensuring it is conducted according to MCA 12-15-206(8).” According to Scribner no one was allowed to touch the ballots unless specifically allowed.
The Recount Board consisted of commissioners Tony Cox, Carol Brooker, and Glen Magera.
“The Boards role is to either recount or oversee the recount of the votes cast in the race for which the Petition for Recount was filed. The Recount Board shall hold the Recount following the provision of Title 13 MCA,” read Scribner.
To begin, the board verified the seal number located on the ballot box. The seal was broke, logged and then the Hot Springs Ward 2 ballots were removed.
“Each pile of ballots will be counted and totals recorded on the Recount Report. At the completion of the recount, a report of the recount results for all precincts will be furnished to the candidates and any interested parties,” said Scribner. “The ballot container will be resealed in public view.”
Cox was in charge of sorting the ballots into two different piles, one for each candidate. Neither of the candidates were present for the recount, however, if they were, the candidates would be presented with the opportunity to challenge any ballot as long as those charges were not automatic or frivolous.
As Cox sorted the ballots, he placed them in stacks of 25, crosshatching stacks of five ballots. Once the piles were created, he went through and counted up to five ballots while both Brooker and Magera recorded the results. Once both piles were counted, the numbers were compared.
“The official ballot numbers were confirmed. The counts were confirmed Ed, 51, Leslee, 53,” said Scribner. Bobbi Christenson helped oversee the recount. Once the recount was complete, the votes were canvassed, completing the recount and the election.