West Concord faces at least two recounts

West Concord, a town with a population of about 800 at the 2010 census, had nine people run for four offices in the general election. City Administrator Theresa Booms said, “It was a great turnout for the city of West Concord. Just by the number of candidates that applied just shows great spirit and involvement in the community.”

In the mayoral race, the incumbent Jeff McCool, won with 212 votes over Mary Burt with 184.

There were five write-in votes for a total of 401. 

Is that difference small enough to warrant a recount?

According to Accounting Services Director, Sara Marquardt, who organizes elections in Dodge County, a publicly funded recount is possible if, in a race with less than 400 votes cast, the difference is 10 votes or less. In a race with more than 400 votes cast, the difference is less than one half of one per cent of the total votes. So, either way, the difference of 28 votes is too large to warrant a publicly-funded recount.

However, Marquardt said the Secretary of State’s office has already provided her with a list of possible recounts in the county and it includes both the council member race and the special election for council member race in West Concord 

Kristen Bachman received 211 of the votes in the race for council members where voters were instructed to vote for two. 

But the second place is a tie between Heather Schandorff and incumbent, Ryan L. Fay, each with 136 votes.

Also, the special election votes were separated by only four with Melonie Croney receiving 174 votes Samuel Schollmeier receiving 170.

Booms said the city council will canvas the results Thursday [Nov 17] and that information will be sent on to Marquardt. If a candidate wants to request a recount, they may do so in writing by 5 p.m. seven days after the canvassing, explained Marquardt. 

Manual recounts will then be scheduled for at least the two