Brandon Twp.- One vote.
That was the difference in the number of votes cast Aug. 5 for Treasurer Linda Owen and a recount of voters? ballots performed Aug. 28 at Fire Station #2 on Sashabaw Road. Owen had requested the recount after she lost in the primary election to challenger Tyrone Beltramo by 25 votes.
The recount revealed she lost by 26 votes, not 25. The final vote tally was 1,037 votes for Beltramo and 1,011 for Owen.
‘There was a huge crowd of people who got to see how it worked,? said Clerk Jeannie McCreery. ‘It was nice to see so many people interested and nice to know my election results stand.?
Besides McCreery, also in attendance or working at the recount were Deputy Clerk Susan Nassar, Bookkeeper Sue Chesnutt, two officials from the Oakland County Elections Division, an Oakland County attorney, four officials from the Board of Canvassers, and 11 BOC workers.
About 100 spoiled ballots were found in the recount, sparking speculation by some observers of what might have occurred had those ballots counted; however, Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson said whether the spoiled ballots were for Beltramo or Owen is not tracked, since it is meaningless information.
‘Once it is spoiled, the vote is null and void, except for non-partisan races, such as judges, and ballot initiatives,? Johnson said.
At the polls, voters are informed if their ballot is spoiled, but absentee voters with spoiled ballots didn’t have the option to recast their vote. A spoiled ballot occurs when both Republican and Democratic candidates are voted for on the same ballot. Such an action is not permissible in the primary election, and Johnson said the state needs to do a better job of informing voters about the rule.
McCreery said the recount likely cost upwards of $2,000 to taxpayers. Johnson didn’t cite an exact figure, saying only that the cost occurs when workers spend time on the recount instead of working on the November election, which may result in overtime. Additionally, the canvassers have to be paid. Still, Johnson said the recount was Owen’s right.
‘It is important for the public to be sure that the winner is the winner and got the majority of the votes,? she said. ‘The recount was in the spirit of making sure every vote was counted and every voice was heard and the winner was validated, and they were and he was.?
‘The recount was a good show of democracy,? said Beltramo. ‘She (Owen) wanted the recount and she got it. The results were the same.?
Owen said she has been asked by more than 50 voters what they can do to keep her in office. She has told them to pass the word and do a write-in campaign. Although she said she will not actively campaign, she plans to file an affidavit as a write-in candidate so supporters can vote for her.
‘I am not sour grapes or a spoilsport,? Owen said. ‘I am merely a fighter. The question is, do the taxpayers want someone with 25 years experience or someone who has no experience? So, if the taxpayers want me, as they say, then write in Linda Owen on Nov. 4.?