Sp. Fork's slim loser seeks recount

SPANISH FORK — A candidate for Spanish Fork City Council who lost by only eight votes has asked for a recount.

By the end of the night on Nov. 8 — the day of the general election — Royden Hill was ahead of G. Wayne Anderson by two votes. That lead switched after the city recorder counted absentee and provisional ballots, however.

After those votes were counted, Anderson had received 2,165 votes and Hill had earned 2,157.

"I don't want to give any idea that the judges are not honest or anything like that," Hill said. "They are. It would just be a happen-chance. Since there's only eight votes there's a possibility" that some ballots were miscounted.

Provisional ballots are cast by people whose registration cannot be verified by election judges on Election Day. Those people are still allowed to vote, but the ballot isn't counted until their registration can be verified.

Absentee ballots are mailed in by people who cannot be present on the day of the election. Those votes are counted after the election.

Hill, Anderson and four other candidates sought two at-large council seats.

There are 16 precincts in Spanish Fork, and because Hill trailed by only eight votes, he was allowed to have a recount.

With 2,706 votes, Steve Leifson clearly won one of the City Council seats with the highest number of votes. The second winner will be determined next week.

"It's still in limbo," Hill said, "and will be until next Monday."

The recount will begin Monday morning. The council will meet late Monday afternoon to OK the results.

As for the mayoral race, Joe Thomas, who was slightly ahead on election night, ultimately won by 78 votes.

Eighty-four provisional and absentee ballots were counted in the city election.

"There has always been provisional and absentee (ballots)," said Seth Perrins, assistant city manager. "That's a good thing because that allows more people to vote."

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E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com