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Recount still possible in City Council race in Ward 2

Democrat Gary LaValley is still considering whether to request a recount of the votes in his Ward 2 race against Republican Terry Schend in Tuesday's Havre City Council general election.

According to official election results, Schend won the race for the two-year seat on the council by a vote of 211-205. According to state law, candidates are entitled to a recount if the margin was within 10 votes or 0.25 percent, whichever is greater.

In a handwritten note left at the Havre Daily News on Thursday, LaValley said he has not yet decided whether to ask for the recount. "I've decided to let those who didn't vote on Tues. to stew a little longer," the note read. "They know who they are!"

LaValley could not be reached for comment this morning.

Hill County deputy election administrator Betty Williams said she has not received a request for a recount.

LaValley has five days from Thursday morning's vote canvass to request the recount in writing.

The canvass confirmed the results of results of Tuesday's three area elections.

"Nothing's changed. The count is exactly the same," Williams said.

Unless a recount is requested and changes the total in the Schend-LaValley race, the City Council will have two new faces in January - Schend and Democrat Pam Hillery in Ward 1. Democrats will remain in control of the council by the same margin it has now, holding seven of the eight seats.

According to official results: Democrat Pam Hillery defeated Republican Russ Luke 284-157 in Ward 1; incumbent Democrat Rick Pierson defeated Republican Jerry Hanson 225-193 in Ward 2; incumbent Democrat Jack Brandon defeated Republican Debi Rhines 225-127 in Ward 3, and incumbent Democrat Emily Mayer Lossing defeated independent Christy Keto 136-111 in Ward 4. Mosquitoes were squarely voted down, as voters approved funding the Hill County Mosquito Control District 1,451 to 222.

If a recount is requested, it will take place on Monday morning, the same time the recount is scheduled for the Hingham election, where three candidates vied for two spots as city aldermen. Wayland Walls was elected to one position, receiving 42 votes in the mail-ballot election. The two other candidates, Larry Horinek and Robert Spicher, tied for the remaining position with 37 votes each. By law, a recount must be held. It is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday.

 

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