MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

Local News

Discussion

August 31, 2012

Recount sought in Wagoner County race

Court clerk cites ‘discrepancy in the voters count’

By D.E. Smoot Phoenix Staff Writer

— Wagoner County Court Clerk Rhonda Vincent demanded a hand recount of the 1,799 ballots cast Tuesday in the Republican primary runoff election.

Political newcomer Jim Hight handily defeated Vincent, the one-term incumbent, by 28 percent of the vote. Vincent, however, cited what she believes may be a “discrepancy in the voters count” as the reason for her request.

“We thought we owed it to the Wagoner County voters to make sure the vote count was accurate,” said Vincent, who paid $600 to have the ballots counted by hand. “We have requested a hand count from the election board.”

Vincent declined to identify the discrepancy that might have the potential to turn her 509-vote deficit into a victory. She did, however, say the recount will ensure “my voters’ voices were heard.”

Hight, who snagged 1,154 (64.1 percent) of the ballots cast in the runoff election, said he has no idea about why Vincent demanded the Sept. 7 recount.

“She has a constitutional right to have the ballots recounted, and I have no objection to that,” Hight said. “I think the voters need to have confidence the ballots were counted accurately and properly.”

Wagoner County Election Board Secretary Larry Wilkerson said while he has seen recounts in the past, he was unable to recall one when the margin of victory was as wide as the one in this race. Wilkerson said he saw nothing in the returns he would describe as a discrepancy.

“All I can do is abide by the law and perform my duties,” Wilkerson said when asked about the odds of reversing the results of the election. “We will await the results at the end of the recount and go from there.”

Wilkerson said he plans to assign at least four people to look at the ballots cast in each precinct and confirm the voter’s intent on each ballot. Two others, Wilkerson said, will keep a running tally of the votes.

The recount is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 7 in Room 1 of the Wagoner County Courthouse.

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot@ muskogeephoenix.com.

Text Only
Local News
AP Video
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51 Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7 Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Poll

Should Congress cut federal food programs in its effort to reduce government spending?

Yes
No
     View Results
Featured Ads
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Stocks