MISSOULA - After conducting the official canvass of the primary election yesterday, the County’s Canvass Board called for a recount of the ballots cast in House District 92. Incumbent Mike Hopkins won by two votes after the recount June 20.
As provided in MCA 13-15-403 (4): If during a canvass the board finds an error in a precinct or precincts affecting the accuracy of vote totals, the board immediately may petition for a recount of the votes cast in the precinct or precincts, as provided in 13-16-201, or for an inspection of ballots, as provided in 13-16-420.
The spread between the top two candidates on the republican ballot in HD 92 is four votes. The board is opting for a recount because six voters received the wrong ballot on Election Day. While extremely rare and despite receiving hours of mandated training, election judges sometimes make mistakes.
In many elections, polling places have different ballot styles. This occurs when a polling place has multiple house districts for a polling place. Some voters at their polling place vote one ballot while other voters at the polling place vote a different ballot. In this case six voters voted the Clinton 89 ballot style instead of voting the Clinton 92 ballot style. The recount is only happening in House District 92 because the difference in votes for House District 89 does not prompt a recount. House District 92 comprises six polling places. The error issuing ballots was made at only one polling place.
House District Incumbent Mike Hopkins won the election 414 to Smith’s 412 votes in the recount. Hopkins received 290 absentee votes, 117 votes on Election Day and 7 provisional votes. Smith received 306 absentee votes, 99 votes on Election Day and 7 provisional votes.
Larry Dunham pulled 182 total votes and 10 votes went to write-in candidates.
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