Washington County holds election recount

WASHINGTON — County officials say they’ve completed an administrative recount of absentee precinct ballots and all ballots in the close County Supervisor race on June 7, finding no change in either result.

“I am pleased that the results from the recount were identical to the canvassed results,” County Auditor Dan Widmer said in an email after the recount. “The identical results give further proof that the election process is reliable and trustworthy.”

Widmer said the outcome was expected, as administrators flagged and corrected issues before results were canvassed last week.

Deputy Elections Administrator Sue Meeks said the absentee ballot recount came at the request of the Secretary of State’s Office. Widmer said county felt it was also important to double check the narrow supervisor election result in the process.

“We want to err on the side of being conservative,” he said. “To eliminate as much doubt or … concern that people might have, we would like to conduct an administrative recount.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com