Bowers files for recount in McCracken County clerk BY LAUREN P. DUNCAN lduncan@paducahsun Becky Bowers, a candidate in the closely contested race for McCracken County clerk, filed for a recount Wednesday. Bowers, escorted by sheriffs deputies Wednesday afternoon to view the stored voting machines, said some machines were found improperly sealed. The clerks race came down to a difference of 149 votes on election night. Democrat Julie Griggs came out with 11,777 votes, while Republican Bowers received 11,628, a difference of 0.64 percent. Any candidate who receives at least 25 percent of the vote may file for a recount within 10 days of the election. Bowers received 49.7 percent. The reason I filed for a recount, I myself was comfortable with the outcome of the race, but as the days progressed, I had so many of my supporters reach out to me, and suffice to say they werent comfortable with the results as they were this close, Bowers said. This has been a journey that weve come along together, and I felt like Ive owed it to them. I let them know from the beginning that Id never be the type of leader who would settle for the status quo. Bowers noted that some other states require a recount in races this close. Griggs said she thinks the electronic voting machines are dependable in recording vote totals, but she said Bowers is entitled to request a recount. If thats what she feels like she needs to do, thats her right, Griggs said. A recount is different than a recanvass. A recanvass entails adding only the vote totals from the voting machines again. A recount requires a filing with the circuit clerks office and involves opening the voting machines for a full recount. A brief hearing was held Wednesday with Chief Circuit Judge Tim Kaltenbach who set a recount bond amount at $10,000 at the expense of Bowers, although that amount can change depending on the cost of the recount. Bowers will be responsible for recount costs if the results do not end up in her favor. Im just excited about this opportunity and I want (people) to certainly know that I was satisfied with the numbers, Bowers said. The judge ordered that the circuit clerk take possession of the roster books and keys to the countys storage facility where the voting machines are stored. The circuit clerks office does not handle a recount, but serves as the record keeper. The judge also gave Bowers permission to view the stored voting machines, which she viewed following Wednesdays hearing. Bowers said three machines did not have seals, while four other machines had loose seals. We were not expecting that, she said. We were floored. County Attorney Michael Murphy said the machines should still be locked even if seals are loose or missing. The machines are supposed to be sealed by the precinct workers. He said improper sealing is a common mistake. The process to follow will depend on Bowerss request. A hearing has been set for 3 p.m. Friday. A recount can be arranged to suit the petitioner. For example, Bowers can request a recount of only absentee ballots, or she can request that each of the 23,405 ballots be recounted. Bowers said she has been discussing her specific request with her attorney. Bowers ran for county clerk in 2010, when she received 39.3 percent of the vote as a write-in candidate. The count for the clerks race in 2010 took more than six hours, and at least 120 of the votes were rejected because they included the wrong first name for Bowers. Although Bowers chose not to contest the vote in 2010, she vowed to run again in 2014.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 13:30:49 +0000
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