PIERRE, (KCCR) — The Pierre City Commission election was held last week, but the results may not be final just yet. Commissioners canvassed the election results after being presented to them by Finance Officer Lacy Walz…
Following the City Commission meeting, Kevin Larson formally submitted a written request for a recount. Incumbent Blake Barringer’s total is within the threshold for a recount, but verbally said following the meeting he will not seek a recount. He has five business days to change his decision. According to state election law, Walz has 10 days to set up the recount. The recount process is posted below:
Municipal Candidate Recount Purpose:
Office Sought: This type of recount is used for a specific municipal candidate’s race. Mayor, Alderman, City Council Member, City Commissioner, Trustee Involved Parties: Candidate, Municipal Finance Officer, Recount Board
Criteria: • Must be a specific municipal candidate.
• Election margin not exceeding two percent of total votes cast for all candidates or by a margin of five (5) votes or less. o
Example A ▪ Vote for one candidate. ▪ 500 total votes are cast. ▪ 2% of 500 (500*0.02) = 10 ▪ Thus, the election must be within 10 votes to request a recount. o
Example B ▪ If you have a race that is vote for more than one and you think a recount is a possibility, talk to your city attorney or call our office to help you determine the recount margin.
Who Requests: A tied or losing candidate.
Recount Request: Written request.
File With: Municipal Finance Officer
Deadline: Code Cited: Candidate Within five (5) days after the official canvass (do not count the day of the canvass in the five days nor do you count weekends or holidays; SDCL 12-1-17)
• Example: If the official Canvass is on a Tuesday, then by 5pm on the following Tuesday the recount request is due. SDCL 9-13-27.2 & 9-13-27.3
Steps to Filing this Request
1. Writes request for recount.
2. Submit the request to the municipal finance officer.
3. Within THREE days of the Finance Officer receiving the request for a recount, each candidate selects a member for the recount board.
4. Within THREE days of the Finance Officer receiving the request for a recount, each candidate shall agree to the additional member appointed by the finance officer (if one is necessary).
2 Municipal Finance Officer
1. Shall set the time and place for the recount to occur within TEN calendar days of the date of the receipt of the recount request. (SDCL 9-13-27.3)
2. If the recount board consists of an even number of persons, the finance officer shall appoint one additional recount member that is mutually agreed upon by each candidate.
3. Delivers the ballot box containing the ballots to the recount board.
4. If a tie exists after the recount the finance officer shall fix a time and place for the drawing of lots, giving reasonable notice of the time and place to each of the tied candidates. (SDCL 9-13-27.2) Recount Board (review procedures starting on page 8)
1. Shall proceed expeditiously with the recount until completed.
2. Questions on the recount shall be determined by majority vote of the recount board.
3. Recount boards shall receive compensation in the amount of twenty-five dollars per day or in an amount equal to the state minimum hourly wage, whichever is greater. (SDCL 12-21-4) Note: recount referees are not used in municipal or school recounts.
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