The Recount is Over

The lamps are out, the pens have been set down, and the recount is officially over. The recount commission met this morning to determine the status of several ballots, and once we were satisfied that they had indeed been counted we looked over the final numbers and agreed on them.

That done, we filed a certificate of our findings with the County Clerk and it was then presented to the Judge Banina for review. Provided he approves it, he will issue a court order declaring the winner of the Recorder and Auditor offices.

Our results did not create a huge change in the previously certified election results. Although we through out 6 ballots that had improper credentials, which by the way we never looked at how they had been voted, the Democratic candidates numbers remained unchanged. Brenda Weaver lost three votes, and Jane Lilley lost two, but these two Republicans were found to be the winners of the election; voted into office by the will of the people. Congratulations to both of you.

At last it looks as though the controversy surrounding this election is at an end. I find it hard to imagine how anyone could find just cause to request an appeal of our findings; we spent a great deal of time and energy to provide results that would be incontrovertible.

Brent Davis, one of the other two commission members, told me this morning about a conversation he had had with another local attorney. As far as anyone can tell, this is the first recount in Miami County history and as such it would serve as the guideline by which any later recounts would be completed. Our work, it seems, is the precedent that later recounts will follow as their example of what to do or what not to do.

Hopefully we have set a good example to be followed.

I have to say that this has been a tedious process, but I am honored to have been included in this historic course of action. It was quite pleasurable having the opportunity to work with Brent Davis and Mary Costin, the other two commission members. Thank you both for your hard work.

I also want to thank the men and women of the Miami County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance, especially to; Sheriff Ken Roland, Captain Dave Vitek, and Sergeant Mike Rogers. I also want to thank Micro Vote’s Bill Haas and Steve Shamo for taking time to assist us with the voting machines. A heartfelt than you is also offered to everyone who came in so quickly when we called on you for answers.