Jail bond issue still passes after final count

Tammy Helm/Tribune photo Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason, right, explains why a voter was given a provisional ballot in the April 7 election. Ballots were canvassed and provisional ballots were considered before a final tally of the election was made. The middle pile of envelopes contains 23 ballots that were not counted. Because the county commissioners will have to break a tie for the USD 235 at-large board of education position Friday, the election is not yet official. Also pictured are, from left, Election Officer Maggie Wolf, Commission Chair Barbara Albright and Third District Commissioner Harold Coleman. Witnessing the canvass to see if results for the $6.8 million bond issue for a new jail would change is Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center Jail Administrator Bobby Reed. The bond issue passed.

The number of votes changed slightly, but the outcome of the election deciding a $6.8 million bond issue to fund a new county jail remained the same after the county commissioners canvassed and considered provisional ballots Monday.

The final tally of the votes is 1,031 in favor and 1,015 against implementing a .4 percent countywide retail sales tax in October.

The announcement made by County Clerk Kendell Mason drew a round of applause from jail staff who witnessed the review of provisional ballots and waited for the computers to provide the final count from the April 7 election.

The issue picked up an additional four-vote spread in favor Monday. After all precincts had reported on April 7, the issue had passed by 12 unofficial votes -- 1,012 yes and 1,000 no.

The proposed jail project will replace the existing 27-bed facility currently attached to the courthouse with a 21,000-square-foot facility with a minimum of 67 beds. The site of the new jail has not been determined.

Other close races

The result of another close race, that for Redfield's mayor, also did not change Monday and has still come down to the wire with a one-vote difference.

Leland D. Feagins received 16 votes, and Clarence "Ed" Guss received 15 votes.

The at-large position for USD 235 Uniontown's Board of Education won't be decided until commissioners flip a coin or draw the winner Friday. Sally Johnson and Terry Nading are now tied with 201 votes. The unofficial count had been 198 votes for Nading and Johnson with 196 votes.

Mason said she contacted the Secretary of State's office to see if the tie could be broken Monday, but was told the county has to give the two candidates an opportunity to witness the tie-breaking.

"If you ever wonder how important it is to vote -- oh my gosh," Commission Chair Barbara Albright said.

She, along with Third District Commissioner Harold Coleman and Bourbon County Treasurer Rhonda Dunn served as members of the canvassing board. Dunn was appointed to serve in First District Commissioner Lynne Oharah's absence.

They were presented with 60 provisional ballots. On Friday, the clerk's office had reported there were 56 provisional ballots.

The provisional ballots were sealed in a manila envelope. The identity of the voters was not known, but the reason provisional ballots were used was attached to the envelopes.

Before the committee began its work, Mason explained some of the reasons for giving voters provisional ballots.

"The voter may not have been registered, but everyone has a right to vote," Mason said. "You will decide whether or not to count those ballots based on rules provided by the Secretary of State."

A provisional ballot was used if the voter had moved but not changed their address on their voter registration. A voter who went to the wrong precinct would have been given a provisional ballot. All voters were required to show a photo identification. If they did not show their ID, they were given a provisional ballot and had until 10 a.m. Monday to bring their ID to the clerk's office. The ballots of those who did not show their ID by Monday were not counted. Those who voted in advance by mail were required to sign the envelope. If it was not signed, that ballot fell under the committee's scrutiny.

During the canvassing, 23 ballots were not counted. One ballot was partially counted, as the voter had gone to the wrong precinct. The 37 ballots that were counted were run through the voting machines and the final result was tabulated electronically.

Contesting an election

There is always a chance one or more of the races could be contested. In order for that to happen, Mason said the individual wanting a recount has to come to the courthouse and make that request by 5 p.m. today. The individual also must state whether they want the recount done by hand or electronically and be prepared to post a bond covering the expense of the recount.

"If the outcome of the election changes, they would get their money back," Mason said. "But if the outcome doesn't change, the county would keep that bond money."

Mason said she could ask individuals outside her office, her staff or she could choose a combination of individuals and staff members to do the recount with her supervising.

"I would probably have a mixture of both," Mason said.

She said she did not wish to estimate on Monday how much a recount would cost.

The Tribune will publish the official results from the April 7 election after commissioners sign off on the results Friday.