By Leslie Moriarty
Herald Writer
SULTAN — A challenge that started last July when Robert Criswell filed against Cindy Broughton for her seat on Sultan City Council continues.
Criswell has decided he wants the votes recounted in his race against Broughton.
The Snohomish County Canvassing Board will begin the count at 8:30 a.m. today at the ballot tabulation center at 1818 Pacific Ave.
The position 2 council race ended in a tie vote at 496 after ballots were tabulated on Nov. 9. A recount last Friday showed Broughton ahead by five at 487 to 482.
Snohomish County elections manager Scott Konopasek said the numbers were larger the first time around because a machine erroneously counted spots of dust as votes.
"That’s why we do recounts, to catch things like that," he said.
Konopasek said Criswell has paid $270 thus far for the hand count. The total cost is expected to be about $500. Criswell will pay 25 cents a ballot for the hand recount, plus other expenses.
A total of 1,039 ballots were cast in Sultan, Konopasek said. But not every ballot included votes in all races. In some cases, voters did not cast votes in the position 2 race, he said.
The final count will be certified immediately after the tabulation today.
You can call Herald Writer Leslie Moriarty at 425-339-3436
or send e-mail to moriarty@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.